NTSB Identification: ERA12LA250
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 23, 2012 in Wellington, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/11/2014
Aircraft: PIPER PA46, registration: N21EP
Injuries: 1 Serious.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
A witness reported that the airplane veered left during the takeoff roll and headed toward a large ditch that surrounded the runway. It appeared that the pilot did not attempt to stop the airplane or abort the takeoff. The airplane continued toward the ditch, and, upon reaching the ditch’s edge, the airplane rotated and reached an altitude of about 50 feet. The airplane’s left wing collided with trees. The airplane rolled left and then right before stalling and crashing. The pilot stated that the airplane seemed to pull left on takeoff, possibly due to a right quartering tailwind, and that he did not realize where he was positioned on the runway. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
On March 23, 2012, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N21EP, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees at the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38), West Palm Beach, Florida. The airline transport pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Mascaro Air LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
A witness reported that they watched as the airplane began its takeoff roll on runway 33. The witness stated that the winds favored runway 15. As the airplane continued its takeoff roll, it veered to the left and headed towards a large ditch that surrounded the runway. It appeared that no attempts were made to stop the airplane or abort the takeoff. The airplane continued towards the ditch and upon reaching the ditch's edge, the airplane took off, reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The airplane's left wing collided with trees, and the airplane rolled to the left and then right before stalling.
According to the owner of the airplane, the pilot was hired to give him instruction in the airplane. He stated that the airplane had approximately 40 hours of flight time since delivered. The purpose of the flight on the day of the accident was to fly the airplane to another airport for an avionics check. The owner watched as the pilot taxied to the turf runway for takeoff. The airplane lifted off approximately midfield and appeared to have directional and control problems. The airplane climbed to a height of 60-80 feet before brushing into palm trees. The airplane entered a steep downward left turn before impacting the ground.
In a statement from the pilot, he stated that after the accident he had no recollection of the flight due to a concussion. In the months that followed after the accident, knowing the circumstances he stated, that after lining up on runway 33, he applied power and was unable to maintain the airplane on the centerline, since it was not marked. He went on to say that the airplane seemed to pull to the left of the grass runway. He felt that the reason he did not abort the takeoff was because he was not aware of how far left of the centerline the airplane had gone. He also believed that the airplane reached the rotation speed for a soft field takeoff and he decided to lift off. Not realizing how far left he was of the centerline and with a nose high attitude right after takeoff, apparently the airplane brushed the top of a palm tree with the left wing tip and caused the airplane to yaw to the left and he lost control of the airplane.
The Wellington Aero Club Airport is a private airport located 5 miles west of West Palm Beach, Florida. The 4,000 foot by 100 foot lighted turf runway features short, firm Bermuda grass. The runway is oriented 33/15 and is at an elevation of 20 feet.
At 1753 EDT the Palm Beach, FL weather reporting station, located approximately 11 nautical miles east of the accident site, reported winds were 130 degrees at 9 gusting to 16 knots with 10 statute miles of visibility.
Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a representative from Piper revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted on a 320-degree heading on the patio decking of a residential home. All major aircraft components and control surfaces were identified and located at the wreckage site. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces except for impact and recovery-related cable separations. Fuel was noted around the wreckage site and in the swimming pool. On initial examination the FAA inspector noted that the elevator trim was positioned near maximum nose up. It was also noted that the flaps were in the neutral position for takeoff; review of the flight manual recommends 20 degrees for grass runways.
Examination of the engine revealed that the firewall structure, engine mounts, exhaust stubs, starter/generator, auxiliary alternator, air conditioning pump, torque system, and the cowling remained attached with impact damage and deformation. All airframe to engine connections were connected and intact. Examination of the engine revealed that contact signatures within the internal components showed that it was developing power at the time of impact. Examination of the engine revealed no indications of any preimpact anomalies or distress that would of precluded normal engine operation prior to impact.
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA250
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 23, 2012 in Wellington, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA46, registration: N21EP
Injuries: 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On March 23, 2012, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N21EP, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees at the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38), West Palm Beach, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Mascaro Air LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
A witness reported that they watched as the airplane began its takeoff roll on runway 33. The witness stated that the winds favored runway 15. As the airplane continued its takeoff roll, it veered to the left and headed towards a large ditch that surrounded the runway. It appeared that no attempts were made to stop the airplane or abort the takeoff. The airplane continued towards the ditch and upon reaching the ditch’s edge, the airplane took off reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The airplane’s left wing collided with trees. The airplane rolled to the left and then right before stalling.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted. The fuselage was buckled and both wings were broken away from the fuselage. The airplane was recovered for further examination.
Allen Eyestone/Palm Beach Post
A single-engine airplane crashed into the backyard of a home in the Wellington Aero Club Friday afternoon.
WELLINGTON, Fla. (WSVN) -- A pilot sustained minor injuries after his aircraft crash landed merely inches away from a home.
The crash occurred Friday afternoon.
The pilot was trying to land on a grass runway in a Wellington neighborhood, when he suddenly lost control of the aircraft and crashed just inches away from a luxury home.
The small plane crash landed upside down, and the pilot was stuck inside.
Fire rescue crews doused the plane with foam to prevent it from catching fire while they attempted to rescue the pilot from the plane.
Then, they used a ladder to get to the aircraft, carefully climbing inside the cabin and removing the pilot from the plane. He was transported to a medical helicopter that was waiting on the grass runway.
Neighbors could not stop talking about the crash. "From what I hear, the plane was purchased two weeks ago, and it was a flight instructor that was heading back to get it serviced," one resident said.
The pilot only suffered minor injuries and is expected to be OK. A neighbor said, "I wish the best for him and his family. God bless them."
Pilot injured in Wellington, Florida, plane crash
Photo courtesy: Nicole Hamilton
WELLINGTON — A single-engine airplane crashed into the backyard of a home in Wellington Aero Club this afternoon.
The aircraft, a Piper PA46, came to rest in an upside-down position and is hanging over the pool of the home at 15850 Britten Lane, east of Flying Cow Road, said Capt. Don DeLucia, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue spokesman.
The pilot was the only person aboard the plane. He is conscious, DeLucia, and he is being flown to a hospital by Trauma Hawk.
Fire Rescue crews are putting foam down on the site to soak up leaking fuel. One person and one dog were evacuated from the home as a precaution.
Crews were dispatched to the community, a private airpark where home sare built around a runway, at 5:09 p.m.
The owner of the plane is a company managed by licensed private pilot Joseph P. Mascaro, 66, who lives in the neighborhood, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
The plane today left from the North Palm Beach County Airport at 10:10 a.m. and landed at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas just before 11 a.m., according to flight records.
WELLINGTON — Palm Beach County Fire Rescue crews this afternoon are responding to an airplane that crashed into the backyard of a home in the Wellington Aero Club community.
Crews were dispatched to 15850 Britten Lane, east of Flying Cow Road, at 5:09 p.m.
The aircraft, a Piper PA46, landed upside down and is hanging over the home's pool, said fire rescue spokesman Capt. Don DeLucia.
Crews are putting foam down to clean up leaking fuel.
The pilot is conscious and is still in the plane. He may need to be extricated, DeLucia said.
The Wellington Aero Club is a private airpark community where houses are built around a runway.
The owner of the plane is a company managed by Joseph Mascaro who lives in the neighborhood, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
The aircraft, a Piper PA46, came to rest in an upside-down position and is hanging over the pool of the home at 15850 Britten Lane, east of Flying Cow Road, said Capt. Don DeLucia, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue spokesman.
The pilot was the only person aboard the plane. He is conscious, DeLucia, and he is being flown to a hospital by Trauma Hawk.
Fire Rescue crews are putting foam down on the site to soak up leaking fuel. One person and one dog were evacuated from the home as a precaution.
Crews were dispatched to the community, a private airpark where home sare built around a runway, at 5:09 p.m.
The owner of the plane is a company managed by licensed private pilot Joseph P. Mascaro, 66, who lives in the neighborhood, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
The plane today left from the North Palm Beach County Airport at 10:10 a.m. and landed at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas just before 11 a.m., according to flight records.
WELLINGTON — Palm Beach County Fire Rescue crews this afternoon are responding to an airplane that crashed into the backyard of a home in the Wellington Aero Club community.
Crews were dispatched to 15850 Britten Lane, east of Flying Cow Road, at 5:09 p.m.
The aircraft, a Piper PA46, landed upside down and is hanging over the home's pool, said fire rescue spokesman Capt. Don DeLucia.
Crews are putting foam down to clean up leaking fuel.
The pilot is conscious and is still in the plane. He may need to be extricated, DeLucia said.
The Wellington Aero Club is a private airpark community where houses are built around a runway.
The owner of the plane is a company managed by Joseph Mascaro who lives in the neighborhood, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
WELLINGTON, Fla. - A small plane has crashed in Wellington, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
The aircraft, which appears to be a Piper Malibu, went down in the 15 thousand Block of Britten Lane in the Aero Club.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said the pilot is conscious and crews are working to remove the pilot from the wreckage. They have placed a ladder to the pilot's door in preparation for the pilot's extrication.
Fuel was spilled and fire rescue has been applying foam on the aircraft.
NewsChannel 5's Captain Julie Stevens said it appeared from the air that the plane dug hard into the grass runway, flipped upside down and came to rest next to a swimming pool.
Wellington, Fla. - The Wellington Aero Club is a community divided.
On one side, those who want to keep their backyard green.
"I care, I want it to stay grass," said Kevin Proodian, who is for keeping the grassy runway.
On the other side, there are those who would prefer less green and the addition of pavement. "Is it worth it to lose someone's life on the runway for the sake of having a pretty, grassy-green runway? No," said Joe Mascaro. "During periods of heavy rain, the runway becomes very dangerous for landing and takeoff.'
But not everyone agrees safety is an issue.
"To make that argument that it's unsafe, then you'd have to change the hundreds of grass runways in the state of Florida and nationwide, and tell all those homeowners that they are not safe," said Proodian.
Then there are residents who just want a say in the decision on whether or not to pave.
"We're just upset, because it’s not fair they're not giving us a say, we're going to have to spend the money, pay the assessments, we should have the right to vote on this," said James Ciuffetelli, who is for keeping grass.
"It is like living in a golf course community and having your board of directors tell you they don't want that golf course to be there anymore," said Proodian.
Residents on both sides of the issue will go before a judge Thursday.
Those supporting the grassy runway hope to get a temporary restraining order to keep pavers away.
