C And S Manufacturing Corp
April 02, 2012: Aircraft gear collapsed on landing.
Date: April 02, 2012
Time: 2247
Regis#: 53WT
Make/Model: Cessna C414
Description: 414, Chancellor
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Mid Air: N
Missing: N
Activity: Unknown
Phase: Landing
Operation: OTHER
Damage: Unknown
City: STURGEON BAY
State: WI
NTSB Identification: CHI07LA135
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Saturday, May 05, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay, WI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/28/2008
Aircraft: Cessna 414A, registration: N53WT
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that about eight minutes prior to landing, the right hydraulic light on the annunciator panel illuminated. He lowered the landing gear and continued to his destination. He flew the approach with flaps deployed halfway due to a crosswind, and upon touchdown at a "normal point and airspeed," he deployed full flaps. The pilot reported that the brakes had little or no effect. The airplane overran the runway, went through a chain link perimeter fence, and came to a stop on a perimeter road 449 feet from the edge of the runway. The inspection of the runway revealed black skid marks from both left and right main gear tires continuing to the end of the runway 20, where furrows from both main tires continued through the grass almost to the fence line. The inspection of the brake assemblies by a mechanic revealed that both brake discs and pads were worn and in need of service. The right brake was leaking fluid. The mechanic reported that the left side required a new brake disc and new brake pads, and the right side required new brake pads. Wind conditions were reported as 070 degrees at 10 knots.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
Worn brakes which resulted in an overrun during landing. A fence was a factor.
Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE), Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The private pilot and both passengers were not injured. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight departed Ford Airport (IMT), Iron Mountain/Kingsford, Michigan, at 1900 and was en route to SUE. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed.
The pilot stated that he had flown from the Denver, Colorado, area earlier in the day with a stop at IMT prior to continuing on to SUE. He reported that he did not have to use the brakes significantly at IMT (6,500 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) due to "a long, uphill sloping runway."
Twenty-two minutes after departing IMT for SUE, the pilot reported that the right hydraulic light on the annunciator panel illuminated. He lowered the landing gear and continued on to SUE. The pilot stated that he flew his final approach into SUE with the flaps deployed halfway due to a crosswind. Upon touchdown, he then deployed the flaps to the full position. He said that he touched down on the runway at a "normal point and airspeed" and tried to apply the brakes. He stated his brakes had little or no effect. The airplane overran the runway, went through the airport's chain link perimeter fence, and stopped on the perimeter road. None of the occupants were injured.
A deputy with the Door County Sheriff's Office arrived and took measurements. The airplane came to rest 449 feet from the edge of the runway. The distance from the runway to the chain link perimeter fence was 413 feet.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft and the accident location. He reported that when he applied the brakes from the cockpit that they were not spongy and were able to hold the aircraft in place. The brake fluid level was within limits. A visual inspection showed the wear on the brake pads was not excessive. During the inspection of the runway, the inspector observed black skid marks from both the left and right main gear tires continuing to the end of the runway, where furroughs from both main tires continued through the grass almost to the fence line.
A licensed airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic who inspected the aircraft in order to prepare it for a ferry flight noted that both brakes locked up in the hangar upon inspection. The brakes also held the aircraft during a single-engine full-power run-up. He reported that when the aircraft was taxied, the brakes "were not too good." The A&P took both the right and left brake assemblies off of the airplane for further examination. He stated that the right brake showed wear on one side, while the other side showed no wear. He reported that the right brake was leaking fluid. The inspection of the left brake assembly revealed that the left brake disc was "cupped" all the way around the disc on the inboard side. He reported that the left and right brake assemblies were in need of service. He reported that the left side required a new brake disc and new brake pads and the right side required new brake pads.
Weather conditions reported at SUE near the time of the accident were: Wind 070 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 12 degrees Celsius; dew point -1 degree Celsius; altimeter setting 30.28 inches of mercury.
Huehns Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay released Collins' obituary Wednesday. The Mass of Christian Bural will be celebrated with Rev. Carl Schmitt, Rev. Anthony Birdsall, and Rev. Robert Konkol officiating. Burial with military honors with the Marine Corps League Peninsula Detachment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, 1414 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay, and at the church after 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. A parish wake service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given in his memory to Crossroads at Big Creek or St. John Bosco Catholic School.
Robert Vuksanovic, Sturgeon Bay, tells his story to the media April 3
of how he instructed Helen Collins, 80, Sturgeon Bay, to land her plane
at Cherryland Airport in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, April 2. Her husband,
John, had been flying the Cessna, lost consciousness and died.
STURGEON BAY - We've heard the amazing audio of an 80-year-old woman with little piloting experience landing a plane in Sturgeon Bay.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Saturday, May 05, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay, WI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/28/2008
Aircraft: Cessna 414A, registration: N53WT
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that about eight minutes prior to landing, the right hydraulic light on the annunciator panel illuminated. He lowered the landing gear and continued to his destination. He flew the approach with flaps deployed halfway due to a crosswind, and upon touchdown at a "normal point and airspeed," he deployed full flaps. The pilot reported that the brakes had little or no effect. The airplane overran the runway, went through a chain link perimeter fence, and came to a stop on a perimeter road 449 feet from the edge of the runway. The inspection of the runway revealed black skid marks from both left and right main gear tires continuing to the end of the runway 20, where furrows from both main tires continued through the grass almost to the fence line. The inspection of the brake assemblies by a mechanic revealed that both brake discs and pads were worn and in need of service. The right brake was leaking fluid. The mechanic reported that the left side required a new brake disc and new brake pads, and the right side required new brake pads. Wind conditions were reported as 070 degrees at 10 knots.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
Worn brakes which resulted in an overrun during landing. A fence was a factor.
Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE), Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The private pilot and both passengers were not injured. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight departed Ford Airport (IMT), Iron Mountain/Kingsford, Michigan, at 1900 and was en route to SUE. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed.
The pilot stated that he had flown from the Denver, Colorado, area earlier in the day with a stop at IMT prior to continuing on to SUE. He reported that he did not have to use the brakes significantly at IMT (6,500 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) due to "a long, uphill sloping runway."
Twenty-two minutes after departing IMT for SUE, the pilot reported that the right hydraulic light on the annunciator panel illuminated. He lowered the landing gear and continued on to SUE. The pilot stated that he flew his final approach into SUE with the flaps deployed halfway due to a crosswind. Upon touchdown, he then deployed the flaps to the full position. He said that he touched down on the runway at a "normal point and airspeed" and tried to apply the brakes. He stated his brakes had little or no effect. The airplane overran the runway, went through the airport's chain link perimeter fence, and stopped on the perimeter road. None of the occupants were injured.
A deputy with the Door County Sheriff's Office arrived and took measurements. The airplane came to rest 449 feet from the edge of the runway. The distance from the runway to the chain link perimeter fence was 413 feet.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft and the accident location. He reported that when he applied the brakes from the cockpit that they were not spongy and were able to hold the aircraft in place. The brake fluid level was within limits. A visual inspection showed the wear on the brake pads was not excessive. During the inspection of the runway, the inspector observed black skid marks from both the left and right main gear tires continuing to the end of the runway, where furroughs from both main tires continued through the grass almost to the fence line.
A licensed airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic who inspected the aircraft in order to prepare it for a ferry flight noted that both brakes locked up in the hangar upon inspection. The brakes also held the aircraft during a single-engine full-power run-up. He reported that when the aircraft was taxied, the brakes "were not too good." The A&P took both the right and left brake assemblies off of the airplane for further examination. He stated that the right brake showed wear on one side, while the other side showed no wear. He reported that the right brake was leaking fluid. The inspection of the left brake assembly revealed that the left brake disc was "cupped" all the way around the disc on the inboard side. He reported that the left and right brake assemblies were in need of service. He reported that the left side required a new brake disc and new brake pads and the right side required new brake pads.
Weather conditions reported at SUE near the time of the accident were: Wind 070 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 12 degrees Celsius; dew point -1 degree Celsius; altimeter setting 30.28 inches of mercury.
Helen and John Collins in an undated photo. Helen, 80, stayed calm
while landing a twin-engine airplane on Monday afternoon after her
husband, who was piloting the plane, passed out. John Collins was
pronounced dead later at a hospital.
John D. Collins
The funeral for Sturgeon Bay businessman and philanthropist John D.
Collins has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Corpus Christi
Catholic Church.
Collins died Monday after
suffering an apparent heart attack while flying a family airplane home
with his wife, Helen. Rescuers helped Helen Collins land the plane at
Cherryland Airport.Huehns Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay released Collins' obituary Wednesday. The Mass of Christian Bural will be celebrated with Rev. Carl Schmitt, Rev. Anthony Birdsall, and Rev. Robert Konkol officiating. Burial with military honors with the Marine Corps League Peninsula Detachment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, 1414 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay, and at the church after 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. A parish wake service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given in his memory to Crossroads at Big Creek or St. John Bosco Catholic School.
Robert Vuksanovic, Sturgeon Bay, tells his story to the media April 3
of how he instructed Helen Collins, 80, Sturgeon Bay, to land her plane
at Cherryland Airport in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, April 2. Her husband,
John, had been flying the Cessna, lost consciousness and died.STURGEON BAY - We've heard the amazing audio of an 80-year-old woman with little piloting experience landing a plane in Sturgeon Bay.
“I've got to land pretty quick. My gas gauge shows nothing,” said Helen Collins in a recording.
Now we're hearing what her son has to say about her experience.
“I'm extremely proud of my mother. What she accomplished that day was amazing considering her age,” said Richard Collins, son of John and Helen Collins.
Helen Collins is still in the hospital, recovering from the ordeal. It's a bittersweet situation for her family.
Helen Collins was reading in the back of the plane, when her husband John Collins asked her to come up to the cockpit.
“He said I think I'm having a heart attack, and I'm going to loosen up the seat belt so I can breathe,” said Richard Collins.
Collins says before his mother could take her seat, his dad was unconscious.
Richard says he saw the twin-engine Cessna fly right over the airport.
“I thought why don't they land? Why don't they land?” he said.
Richard says Helen had some flying experience, but that was 30 years ago. Pilot Robert Vuksanovic scrambled a second plane, owned by the Collins family.
“He says he's in the air, and I'm gonna fly off your wing. I'm gonna land you,” said Richard Collins.
The plane was low on fuel, but Vuksanovic provided a light moment before Helen was about to attempt to land.
“Ok Ken, go ahead and have them close the road,” said Vuksanovic on a recording.
“What do you mean?” said Helen Collins in response.
“I was talking to the people on the ground,” responded Vuksanovic.
“Don't you have faith in me?” said Helen Collins.
“I do, but I don't trust the drivers on the road,” said Vuksanovic.
“That's one thing about my mother. In the heat of the moment she can break away from what's going on, and keep an upbeat note. And that's what she did,” said Richard Collins.
After several passes, Helen pointed the nose of the plane at the end of the runway. She bounced the plane once, before coming to a stop.
“When it comes to the landing I know she was scared. She did a fantastic job. She's a hero,” said Richard Collins.
Her husband John was gone. Richard says his father loved to fly.
“He was always upbeat. Not only did he want to be their friend, but he wanted to get to know them,” he said.
Richard Collins says the damage to the plane will be temporary. The family says it will repair the Cessna as a tribute to their father.
“We know that's what he would do. We're trying to follow in his footsteps and do something nice for him that we know he would just love us to do,” he said.
Richard Collins says he hopes to bring his mother home from the hospital in a couple of days.
An experienced pilot and the 80-year-old woman he helped land a plane without a pilot’s license were hailed as heroes Tuesday by Door County Sheriff Terry Vogel.
Robert Vuksanovic, 53, of Sturgeon Bay joined Helen Collins in the sky and helped guide her to the ground after her husband suffered an apparent heart attack while piloting the plane Monday afternoon.
John Collins, 81, was pronounced dead at Ministry Door County Medical Center shortly after the plane landed at Cherryland Airport. He was the president and founder of C&S Manufacturing, which builds parts for the HVAC and plumbing industries at the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.
At a news conference Tuesday, Vogel recounted how Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay notified Door County dispatch of a distress call received at 5:05 p.m., when Helen Collins reported the medical emergency. She was spotted on radar about five or six miles south of Sturgeon Bay at 2,300 feet.
Cherryland Airport manager Keith Kasbohm contacted Vuksanovic and his wife, Catherine, both licensed pilots, who came to the airport and began speaking to Mrs. Collins via radio.
“My wife is a senior instructor and knows how to put a student at ease,” Robert Vuksanovic said. “The first thing to do is eliminate anxiety, and then they can receive instruction.”
Catherine stayed in contact from the ground while her husband talked with the Collinses’ children and coordinated going up in the family’s other plane to fly beside her. Vuksanovic piloted a Beechcraft Bonanza to keep up with the twin engine Cessna 414 that was flying at about 170 mph when first intercepted, he said.
“There are very few single engines that can do that speed,” he said. “I did a quick preflight and was up in about 10-15 minutes.”
The Collins children urged him, “Go up and save Mom,” he said.
“That was a huge load on my shoulders,” Robert Vuksanovic said. But with more than 28,000 hours of flight time and years of training, he said he “felt fairly comfortable doing it.”
Robert Vuksanovic, 53, of Sturgeon Bay joined Helen Collins in the sky and helped guide her to the ground after her husband suffered an apparent heart attack while piloting the plane Monday afternoon.
John Collins, 81, was pronounced dead at Ministry Door County Medical Center shortly after the plane landed at Cherryland Airport. He was the president and founder of C&S Manufacturing, which builds parts for the HVAC and plumbing industries at the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.
At a news conference Tuesday, Vogel recounted how Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay notified Door County dispatch of a distress call received at 5:05 p.m., when Helen Collins reported the medical emergency. She was spotted on radar about five or six miles south of Sturgeon Bay at 2,300 feet.
Cherryland Airport manager Keith Kasbohm contacted Vuksanovic and his wife, Catherine, both licensed pilots, who came to the airport and began speaking to Mrs. Collins via radio.
“My wife is a senior instructor and knows how to put a student at ease,” Robert Vuksanovic said. “The first thing to do is eliminate anxiety, and then they can receive instruction.”
Catherine stayed in contact from the ground while her husband talked with the Collinses’ children and coordinated going up in the family’s other plane to fly beside her. Vuksanovic piloted a Beechcraft Bonanza to keep up with the twin engine Cessna 414 that was flying at about 170 mph when first intercepted, he said.
“There are very few single engines that can do that speed,” he said. “I did a quick preflight and was up in about 10-15 minutes.”
The Collins children urged him, “Go up and save Mom,” he said.
“That was a huge load on my shoulders,” Robert Vuksanovic said. But with more than 28,000 hours of flight time and years of training, he said he “felt fairly comfortable doing it.”
