14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 29, 2012 in Thomasville, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/13/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-180, registration: N1352T
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The private pilot was conducting a cross-country flight and landed at his destination airport, on runway 17 without incident. He taxied back to the beginning of the runway, took off, and entered a left traffic pattern for another approach to the same runway. The airplane was on final approach when it stalled and descended toward the ground. The airplane's left wing initially impacted the ground, followed by the nose. The airplane came to rest in a corn field about 1/4-mile from the approach end, and about 400 feet to the left of the extended runway centerline. Examination of the accident airplane’s global positioning system data revealed that the flight track data for the accident flight was similar to the flight track during the previous landing; however, the ground speeds during the final approach phase of the accident flight were significantly slower than during the previous landing. The airplane’s last recorded ground speed was 45 knots. According to the airplane’s performance charts, its stall speed for the landing configuration would have been 53 knots. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time accident was from 230 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an approach in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On January 29, 2012, about 1242 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N1352T, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while on approach to the York Airport (THV), Thomasville, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated from Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Frederick, Maryland, about 1200. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane was owned by a flying club and based at FDK. According to the President of the flying club, the pilot was one of nine owner-members. He believed the pilot was interested in building up cross-country flight experience and intended to pursue an instrument rating.
A sectional chart, located in the cockpit of the airplane depicted a highlighted route from FDK to the Carroll County Airport (DMW), Westminster, Maryland, to THV, and back to FDK.
Witnesses at THV observed the airplane on approach to runway 17, a 5,188-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. They reported that the airplane looked "very low," "slow" and was rocking from side-to-side when it made a sudden left turn, pitched up, and then descended toward the ground nose-first. The airplane's left wing initially impacted the ground, followed by the nose.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 56, held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on March 25, 2011. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 120 hours, which included 3 hours during the previous 6 months. His most recent biennial flight review was conducted on July 18, 2011.
The pilot's logbooks were not recovered. Based on information provided by the flying club and an insurance company representative, it was estimated that at the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated about 130 hours of total flight experience, which included about 13 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
According to flight logs, the pilot's most recent flight in the airplane prior to the accident was on January 8, 2011, for 1.7 hours.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear, all-metal airplane, serial number 28-7205287, was manufactured in 1972. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4A, 180-horsepower engine equipped with a Sensenich propeller.
According to FAA Records, the airplane was purchased by its current owner, Condor Flying Club on April 21, 1995.
A flight log for the accident flight that was found in the cockpit, listed 18 gallons of fuel in both the left and the right fuel tanks.
At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 6,775 hours since new, and the engine had been operated for about 710 hours since overhaul. In addition, the airplane had been operated for 32 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on November 2, 2011.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The reported weather at THV, elevation 495 feet mean sea level, at 1253, was: wind 230 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clear sky; temperature 4 degrees Celsius (C); dew point -9 degrees C; altimeter 30.16 in/hg.
WRECKAGE INFORMATION
The airplane impacted in a corn field approximately 1/4-mile from the approach end, and about 400 feet to the left of the extended centerline of runway 17. The airplane came to rest upright on a heading of about 265 degrees. All major components of the airplane were accounted for in the immediate vicinity of the main wreckage.
The left wing was separated at the wing root, at the main spar forward and aft attach points and was folded back along the side of the fuselage. The pitot/static mast was clear of any visible obstructions. The stall vane was impact damaged. The right wing remained attached to its respective main spar attach points; however, it was bent upward approximately 45 degrees. In addition, the right wing leading edge contained aft crush damage from the wingtip to the inboard root area. The rudder, vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilator exhibited minor damage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the forward cockpit area. The flaps were observed at an approximate 25-degree setting.
The engine was canted downward about 45 degrees. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange and was partially buried in the ground. Both propeller blades contained leading edge gouges near the tip, and chordwise scratches. The crankshaft was rotated via the propeller. Continuity was observed through the accessory section and all respective cylinder rocker arms. In addition, thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. All spark plugs were removed. Their electrodes were intact and dark gray in color. Both magnetos were secure and rotated freely after removal. They subsequently produced spark on all towers when placed on magneto test bench. The gascolator was compromised; however, the screen was absent of contamination. Fuel was present in the fuel line to the carburetor and the carburetor bowl. The fuel was absent of contamination and consistent with 100-low-lead aviation gasoline.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was performed on the pilot on January 31, 2012, by Forensic Pathology Associates, Allentown, Pennsylvania. The autopsy reported listed the cause of death as injuries that were consistent "blunt impact."
Toxicological testing performed on the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed both Amlodipine and Glipizide detected in urine and only glipizide detected in blood. Both medications, as well as the pilot's history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension were reported to the FAA during the pilot's most recent third-class medical examination.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Airplane Flight Manual
The airplane flight manual listed the airplane's power off, wings level stall speed at a gross weight of 2,450 pounds, as 61 mph (53 knots) for 40 degrees of flaps, and 68 mph (59 knots) in a flaps retracted configuration.
A Garmin 496 global positioning system (GPS) receiver was recovered from the cockpit and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, where it was successfully downloaded.
Review of the GPS data for the accident flight revealed that the airplane departed FDK about 1200, flew past DMW about 1215, and arrived over THV at a GPS altitude of 2,450 feet about 1225. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 17, and landed at 1232. He subsequently taxied back to the beginning of runway 17, took off at 1237, and entered a left traffic pattern for runway 17. The airplane's flight track on the accident flight was consistent with the flight track on the previous landing. At 1241:32, the airplane was about 1/2 mile from the threshold of the runway, at a GPS altitude 748 feet (253 feet above ground level [agl]) and a ground speed of 58 knots, about 9 knots slower than the previous landing. At 1241:38, the airplane was at a GPS altitude of 692 feet (197 feet agl) and a ground speed of 49 knots, about 19 knots slower than the previous landing. The airplane's last GPS target was at 1241:54, in the vicinity of the accident site at a GPS altitude of 564 feet (69 feet agl) and a ground speed of 45 knots, about 24 knots slower than the previous landing.
A Maryland man was killed when his plane crashed while landing at the York Airport.
Northern York County Regional Police and Pennsylvania State Police are at scene of the plane crash investigating.
Sadly, this wasn't the first time a "loud thump" outside has startled Marlyn Stambaugh.
A neighbor of the York Airport for 60 years, the 87-year-old Jackson Township man has witnessed more than his fair share of plane crashes. On Sunday, Stambaugh pointed out the window of his home toward another heap of twisted metal.
"I'm kind of used to it," he said softly, recalling earlier tragedies near his home.
About 12:45 p.m. Sunday, a small plane crash-landed in the corn field next to Stambaugh's house - just 5,000 or so feet short of the runway on the other side of Route 30.
The pilot, Douglas Helms, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to York County Deputy Coroner Onalee Gilbert. She said Helms flew out of an airport in Frederick, Md. about 11 a.m.
An autopsy is planned for Tuesday, Gilbert reported.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported on its website that the agency is investigating the crash. The agency reported the plane was a Piper PA-28 180.
Helms was a member of the Condor Flying Club out of Frederick, said Mike Pressimone, one of the club's instructors.
"He was a very conscientious individual," Pressimone said. "It's one of those things where you just kind of want to know what happened."
Pressimone said news of the crash came as a shock to the club, whose members collectively agreed to keep public comments to a minimum.
"We kind of all want to get together and talk. We want to understand what happened," he said.
Meanwhile, the mood was somber Sunday at York Airport, where manager Richard Fuess leaned over a fence to watch airplane after airplane make soft landings on the runway. As many as 100 planes land at the airport in Thomasville on an average day, he said.
"It's windy, but it's not too windy," he said, momentarily trailing off in thought. "This is absolutely horrible."
Fuess said he doesn't think he knows the pilot, but it's a tough day nonetheless.
"It's just sad because he was on his way here," he said.
To make a bad situation worse, memories are still fresh of another fatal crash near the airport just a few weeks ago.
Pilot Brian Robertson, 38, of Huntington Beach, Calif., was flying into York to spend the holidays with family when his plane crashed Dec. 22.
That crash is still under investigation but the NTSB's preliminary report details new information, including the fact that the overall damage to the twin engine Cessna 441 was consistent with its having been in a right-turning flat spin when it hit the ground.
================
Update, 4:18 p.m.
York County Coroner Barry Bloss said the pilot who died in the crash is a 56-year-old man from Maryland. His name will be released after his next-of-kin is notified. An autopsy on the pilot's body will be conducted Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Bloss said.
A neighbor of the York Airport for 60 years, the 87-year-old Jackson Township man has witnessed more than his fair share of plane crashes. On Sunday, Stambaugh pointed out the window of his home toward another heap of twisted metal.
"I'm kind of used to it," he said softly, recalling earlier tragedies near his home.
About 12:45 p.m. Sunday, a small plane crash-landed in the corn field next to Stambaugh's house - just 5,000 or so feet short of the runway on the other side of Route 30.
The pilot, Douglas Helms, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to York County Deputy Coroner Onalee Gilbert. She said Helms flew out of an airport in Frederick, Md. about 11 a.m.
An autopsy is planned for Tuesday, Gilbert reported.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported on its website that the agency is investigating the crash. The agency reported the plane was a Piper PA-28 180.
Helms was a member of the Condor Flying Club out of Frederick, said Mike Pressimone, one of the club's instructors.
"He was a very conscientious individual," Pressimone said. "It's one of those things where you just kind of want to know what happened."
Pressimone said news of the crash came as a shock to the club, whose members collectively agreed to keep public comments to a minimum.
"We kind of all want to get together and talk. We want to understand what happened," he said.
Meanwhile, the mood was somber Sunday at York Airport, where manager Richard Fuess leaned over a fence to watch airplane after airplane make soft landings on the runway. As many as 100 planes land at the airport in Thomasville on an average day, he said.
"It's windy, but it's not too windy," he said, momentarily trailing off in thought. "This is absolutely horrible."
Fuess said he doesn't think he knows the pilot, but it's a tough day nonetheless.
"It's just sad because he was on his way here," he said.
To make a bad situation worse, memories are still fresh of another fatal crash near the airport just a few weeks ago.
Pilot Brian Robertson, 38, of Huntington Beach, Calif., was flying into York to spend the holidays with family when his plane crashed Dec. 22.
That crash is still under investigation but the NTSB's preliminary report details new information, including the fact that the overall damage to the twin engine Cessna 441 was consistent with its having been in a right-turning flat spin when it hit the ground.
================
Update, 4:18 p.m.
York County Coroner Barry Bloss said the pilot who died in the crash is a 56-year-old man from Maryland. His name will be released after his next-of-kin is notified. An autopsy on the pilot's body will be conducted Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Bloss said.
A man is dead following an airplane crash in a field near York Airport in Jackson Township on Sunday.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash at 12:43 p.m., according to York County 911.
York County Coroner Barry Bloss confirmed a Maryland man was killed in the crash. The man was the only person killed.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, Bloss said.
As of 2 p.m., responders were holding a blue tarp in front of the plane, probably to shield the public's view as they remove the crash victim.
The field is located just across Route 30 from the airport.
Media at the scene are waiting for official word about what happened and how many people were on the plane.
Marlyn Stambaugh, 87, said he has lived across the street from the airport for 60 years. His home sits next to the corn field, just a few hundred feet from the crash site.
"I'm kind of used to it," he said, recalling earlier tragedies near his home.
On Sunday, shortly before 1 p.m., Stambaugh said he heard a "loud thump." He looked outside, but didn't see anything.
A tree limb must have snapped, he thought.
Then the sirens and lights and people started to arrive.
Stambaugh looked out his window again. This time he spotted a crumpled airplane in the field.
"It's bad when they hit," he said.
Richard Fuess, the airport's manager, said he has "no idea" why the unidentified pilot crashed into a cornfield just about 5,000 feet from the runway.
"It's windy," he said, "but it's not too windy. This is absolutely horrible."
Fuess said as many as 100 planes land at the airport in Thomasville on an average day. As he spoke, two small planes made soft landings.
Fuess said he doesn't think he knows the pilot, but it's a tough day nonetheless.
"It's just sad because he was on his way here," he said.
Traffic is moving slowly, but steadily along Route 30, near the crash site.
A littler over a month ago, pilot Brian Robertson, 38, of Huntington Beach, Calif., was killed in a plane crash near the airport.
Robertson was flying into York to spend the holidays with family when his plane crashed Dec. 22.
That crash is still under investigation but the NTSB's preliminary report details new information, including the fact that the overall damage to the Cessna 441 was consistent with it having been in a right-turning flat spin when it hit the ground.
Update, 2:55 p.m.
The media has been moved to the parking lot at York Airport where a statement will be made. No time has been set for that statement.
Update, 2:25 p.m.
Emergency crews reported that one person is dead. Northern York County Regional Police, Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner are on the scene.
The plane landed on a cornfield with its fuselage twisted. Foam was sprayed on the field, and investigators are combing the fields, apparently looking for pieces of debris.
Ralph Bentzel, who lives nearby, described the crash as a "pile of metal." He said he remembered a crash in the same cornfield several years ago, but it was further back from Route 30.
Traffic is still moving through the area, but be careful because many drivers are slowing down to look at the crash.
This is the second fatal plane crash the area has seen in a little over a month.
On Dec. 22, Brian Robertson, of Huntington Beach, Calif., was killed when his plane crashed about 2 miles from the York Airport in Thomasville.
