Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: WPR12LA302
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Winslow, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/12/2015
Aircraft: BUNCH COZY-CANARDIII, registration: N718JT
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 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.
The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane became airborne with 3,000 ft of runway remaining. When the airplane was between about 25 and 40 ft above ground level (agl), its nose dropped, and the pilot then pulled back on the control stick. The pilot was able to level out the airplane and establish a 200-ft-per-minute climb rate. As the airplane approached 75 ft agl at an indicated airspeed of about 95 mph, the airplane’s nose dropped to about a 30- to 45-degree nose-down attitude. The pilot again pulled back on the control stick, but he was unable to regain control of the airplane before it impacted the ground.
The pilot reported that the engine was running roughly during an initial start-up, but he stated that it ran normally during a subsequent start-up and two engine run-ups before taking off on the accident flight. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s calculated gross weight exceeded its allowable maximum gross weight, and high-density altitude conditions existed at the time of the accident. Although these conditions likely affected the airplane’s performance, the pilot was able to establish a positive climb rate after takeoff; however, he did not maintain control of the airplane as the pitch changed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during climb in high-density altitude conditions and with the airplane’s weight in excess of its maximum allowable gross weight.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On July 11, 2012, about 1240 mountain standard time (MST), an experimental Bunch Cozy-Canard III, N718JT, impacted terrain during takeoff at Winslow, Arizona. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage by impact forces. The cross-country personal flight was departing Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport (INW), Winslow, about 1240, with an unconfirmed destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The airplane landed at INW about 1100 MST; after the pilot refueled the airplane he inquired from the airport fixed base operator (FBO) personnel about finding a mechanic. The pilot stated that the engine was running rough and that he needed to remove and check the spark plugs.
The pilot was advised that there were no mechanics based at Winslow but that one could be called from Flagstaff, Arizona. The pilot indicated he was going to try and "clear" the engine, and then would call the mechanic.
About 1 1/2 hours later, witnesses saw the accident airplane departing INW using runway 29. As the airplane approached the departure end of runway 29 it descended and hit an off airport road and cartwheeled into a dirt field.
Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. After documenting the wreckage it was recovered for further examination.
The FAA accident coordinator interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that he did have a rough running engine, but was able to clear the engine prior to takeoff. He also stated there were no other maintenance issues related to the engine or flight controls.
The pilot reported that during takeoff, the airplane became airborne with 3,000 feet of runway remaining. When the airplane was 25-40 feet above the ground the pilot experienced a nose down pull on the control stick; the pilot pulled back on the control stick to counter the nose drop. The pilot was able to level the airplane and established a 200-foot-per-minute climb. As he approached 75 feet there was another pitching down event, which was about a 30-45 degrees nose down attitude. The pilot recalled that the airplane was traveling about 95 miles per hour indicated airspeed at the time. The pilot again pulled back on the control stick but was unable to recover before the airplane impacted the ground.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was an experimental-Matthew B Bunch, Model Cozy Canard III, serial number- BUNCH 1. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed the airplane had a total airframe time of 259.1 hours at the last conditional inspection. The logbooks contained an entry for the conditional inspection dated November 7, 2011. The Hobbs hour meter read 259.1 at the last inspection. The Hobbs hour meter read 341.4 at the accident site.
Fueling records at INW established that the airplane was last fueled on July 11, 2012, at 1107 MST, with the addition of 23.8 gallons of 100LL-octane aviation fuel. Examination of the maintenance and flight department records revealed no unresolved maintenance discrepancies against the airplane prior to departure.
The maximum gross weight for the airplane per the Cozy pilot operating handbook is 1,800 pounds. The weight of the airplane at takeoff was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge using the empty weight of the airplane as determined by the May 14, 2011, weight and balance revision, the weight of the occupants, 46.7 gallons of fuel, and 100 pounds of baggage. The calculated gross weight at the time of departure was about 1,852.0 pounds and the airplane's center of gravity was 99.6 inches, which is inside the forward limit of the weight and balance envelope.
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
A review of recorded weather data from the INW automated weather observation station revealed at 1256 MST conditions were; wind 360 degrees at 8 knots, temperature 34 degrees Celsius, dew point 8 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of Mercury. Using the reported weather conditions and field elevation, the calculated density altitude was about 8,048 feet.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Investigators examined the wreckage at the accident scene. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a ground scar on Coopertown Road, which is an east-west road that is just north of the airport boundary fence line. The debris path was along a magnetic heading of 320 degrees. The orientation of the fuselage was inverted facing southeast.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
Examination of the recovered airframe and engine was conducted on July 24, 2012, at the facilities of Air Transport, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction was noted during the examination of the recovered airframe and engine that would preclude normal operation.
A Garmin nuvi 200w portable GPS unit was recovered at the accident site. The GPS unit was sent to the NTSB vehicle recorder lab in Washington, D.C., for download. Data was extracted from the unit but contained no tracking information. A copy of the GPS factual report is attached to the docket.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations, created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders."
The pilot operator did not submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).
NTSB Identification: WPR12LA302
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Winslow, AZ
Aircraft: BUNCH MATTHEW B COZY-CANARDIII, registration: N718JT
Injuries: 1 Fatal,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. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On July 11, 2012, about 1240 mountain standard time (MST), an experimental Bunch-Cozy Canard III, N718JT, impacted terrain during takeoff at Winslow, Arizona. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage by impact forces. The cross-country personal flight was departing Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport (INW) about 1240, with an unconfirmed destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The airplane landed at INW about 1100 MST, and after the pilot refueled the airplane, he inquired from the airport FBO personnel about finding a mechanic. The pilot stated that the engine was running rough and that he needed to remove and check the spark plugs.
The pilot was advised that there were no mechanics based at Winslow but that one could be called from Flagstaff, Arizona. The pilot indicated he was going to try and “clear” the engine, and then would call the mechanic.
About 1 1/2 hours later, witnesses saw the accident airplane departing INW using runway 29. As the airplane approached the departure end of runway 29 it descended and hit an off airport road and cartwheeled into a dirt field.
Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. After documenting the wreckage it was recovered for further examination.
Courtesy Navajo County Sheriff’s Office
A California woman was killed and her husband was injured when a homemade plane crashed Wednesday afternoon while departing the Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport, officials said.
The experimental aircraft, a Cozy Canard III, crashed about 300 yards northwest of the airport, said. Lt. Nathan Christensen, a Navajo County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. The cause of the crash in unclear.
Thousand Oaks resident Sandee Tischler, 62 was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband, Joe Tischler, 65, is in stable condition at Flagstaff Medical Center, Christensen said.
The owner of the plane, Joe Tischler, was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and active in boy Scouts, Christensen said.
The plane is considered inexpensive to build and gets around at great speeds.
WINSLOW, AZ (CBS5) - Authorities have identified the woman who died after her husband's homebuilt aircraft crashed at the end of the runway while departing from Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport, the FAA said Wednesday.
Navajo County Sheriff's Office Commander John James said Sandee Tischler, 62, of Thousand Oaks, CA, died Wednesday as a result of her injuries in the crash. Her husband, Joseph Tischler, 65, is at Flagstaff Medical Center.
James said the plane went down on Coopertown Road, which runs adjacent to the end of the runway.
The Cozy Canard III crashed "under unknown circumstances" at about 12:50 p.m., FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
The experimental, fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft is registered to Joseph Tischler, according to the FAA registry.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.
Source: http://www.kpho.com
A longtime teacher from Thousand Oaks was killed Wednesday after a plane she was flying in with her husband crashed in Winslow, Ariz.
James said the plane went down on Coopertown Road, which runs adjacent to the end of the runway.
The Cozy Canard III crashed "under unknown circumstances" at about 12:50 p.m., FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
The experimental, fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft is registered to Joseph Tischler, according to the FAA registry.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.
Source: http://www.kpho.com
A longtime teacher from Thousand Oaks was killed Wednesday after a plane she was flying in with her husband crashed in Winslow, Ariz.
Joe
Tischler, 65, and his wife, Sandee, 62, were on their way to Flagstaff
when their home-built Cozy Canard III crashed shortly after taking off
from Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport, authorities said.
The Tischlers had stopped at the airport for fuel and lunch about 11 a.m. After taking off, the plane crashed about 12:40 into a field not far from the end of the runway, according to the Navajo County Sheriff's Office. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Tischlers were taken by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center. Joe Tischler, who was flying the plane, was seriously injured.
Sandee Tischler, a teacher at Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School in the Camarillo-based Pleasant Valley School District, died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
"It's just a deep, deep loss," fellow teacher Lara Filgas said Thursday.
"She was the most loving and giving person you could ever be around," said Filgas, who has taught at Santa Rosa for 13 years. "Santa Rosa was her family. She gave everything she had to our school."
Sandee Tischler had taught in the district for 14 years, spending the entire time at Santa Rosa. Her colleagues said she was the first one on campus and the last one to leave.
"Sandee was a passionate teacher who was completely committed to kids. She loved the profession of teaching," Principal Thomas Holtke said.
The plane was registered to Joe Tischler, according to the Federal Aviation Administration registry. It was described as a fixed-wing, single-engine plane.
Friends said he kept the plane at the Camarillo Airport, where he was a member of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
He bought it several years ago, said Marc Zeitlin, who provides technical support for Cozy builders. The three-seat plane was built by another man, who first flew it in 2005.
Joe Tischler was in the process of building another Cozy plane, a four-seater, Zeitlin said.
The Tischlers were involved in the local Scouting community. Joe Tischler, a retired engineer, is an assistant Scoutmaster and a commissioner in the Conejo Valley district, said Lee Hess, who has known the Tischlers for 20 years.
Hess was early in his Scoutmaster days when the family joined his Scout Troop 718. Even after the Tischlers' boys grew up and left Scouting, the Tischlers stayed and volunteered their time, Hess said. Sandee Tischler served on committees and went to summer camp nearly every year.
The Tischlers' three sons left Thursday morning to be with their father in Arizona, Hess said.
Sandee Tischler was sweet and giving, someone with one of the softest voices he knew, Hess said.
"She was incredibly giving of her time and talent," he said.
On her classroom page on the Santa Rosa school's website, she described herself as happily married with three sons.
"I have a cocker spaniel named Rock, a shepherd-Lab mix named Chase and a Chinese box turtle named Martha," she wrote. "I enjoy camping, traveling, reading, going to plays and musicals, listening to music, Scouting and teaching."
According to news reports, she also testified in the 2001 trial of Cora Caro, who was convicted and sent to death row for fatally shooting three of her four sons in 1999. Sandee Tischler had taught two of the slain sons.
On Thursday, school district officials sent an email to staff members to let them know about the crash. Kim Michaud, president of the district's teachers union, also contacted Sandee Tischler's colleagues.
"Everyone has said that she was very giving, generous and sweet," Michaud said Thursday.
Filgas said Sandee Tischler was always the one who remembered everyone's birthdays and had cards ready for the occasion.
Her students adored her, and she was nurturing and dedicated, Filgas said.
"She loved what she did," Filgas said.
The Tischlers had stopped at the airport for fuel and lunch about 11 a.m. After taking off, the plane crashed about 12:40 into a field not far from the end of the runway, according to the Navajo County Sheriff's Office. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Tischlers were taken by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center. Joe Tischler, who was flying the plane, was seriously injured.
Sandee Tischler, a teacher at Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School in the Camarillo-based Pleasant Valley School District, died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
"It's just a deep, deep loss," fellow teacher Lara Filgas said Thursday.
"She was the most loving and giving person you could ever be around," said Filgas, who has taught at Santa Rosa for 13 years. "Santa Rosa was her family. She gave everything she had to our school."
Sandee Tischler had taught in the district for 14 years, spending the entire time at Santa Rosa. Her colleagues said she was the first one on campus and the last one to leave.
"Sandee was a passionate teacher who was completely committed to kids. She loved the profession of teaching," Principal Thomas Holtke said.
The plane was registered to Joe Tischler, according to the Federal Aviation Administration registry. It was described as a fixed-wing, single-engine plane.
Friends said he kept the plane at the Camarillo Airport, where he was a member of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
He bought it several years ago, said Marc Zeitlin, who provides technical support for Cozy builders. The three-seat plane was built by another man, who first flew it in 2005.
Joe Tischler was in the process of building another Cozy plane, a four-seater, Zeitlin said.
The Tischlers were involved in the local Scouting community. Joe Tischler, a retired engineer, is an assistant Scoutmaster and a commissioner in the Conejo Valley district, said Lee Hess, who has known the Tischlers for 20 years.
Hess was early in his Scoutmaster days when the family joined his Scout Troop 718. Even after the Tischlers' boys grew up and left Scouting, the Tischlers stayed and volunteered their time, Hess said. Sandee Tischler served on committees and went to summer camp nearly every year.
The Tischlers' three sons left Thursday morning to be with their father in Arizona, Hess said.
Sandee Tischler was sweet and giving, someone with one of the softest voices he knew, Hess said.
"She was incredibly giving of her time and talent," he said.
On her classroom page on the Santa Rosa school's website, she described herself as happily married with three sons.
"I have a cocker spaniel named Rock, a shepherd-Lab mix named Chase and a Chinese box turtle named Martha," she wrote. "I enjoy camping, traveling, reading, going to plays and musicals, listening to music, Scouting and teaching."
According to news reports, she also testified in the 2001 trial of Cora Caro, who was convicted and sent to death row for fatally shooting three of her four sons in 1999. Sandee Tischler had taught two of the slain sons.
On Thursday, school district officials sent an email to staff members to let them know about the crash. Kim Michaud, president of the district's teachers union, also contacted Sandee Tischler's colleagues.
"Everyone has said that she was very giving, generous and sweet," Michaud said Thursday.
Filgas said Sandee Tischler was always the one who remembered everyone's birthdays and had cards ready for the occasion.
Her students adored her, and she was nurturing and dedicated, Filgas said.
"She loved what she did," Filgas said.
