14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 30, 2012 in Nephi, UT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/12/2013
Aircraft: AIRCRAFT MFG & DEVELOPMENT CO CH 2000, registration: N651AM
Injuries: 2 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.
Witnesses observed the airplane operating in the airport traffic pattern. As the airplane turned from a crosswind to a downwind leg, witnesses estimated that the airplane was about 150 feet above ground level at a slow speed when it suddenly pitched downward and descended into the ground. Witnesses further stated that at the time of the accident, thunderstorms with strong wind, heavy rain, and lightning were arriving in the area.
A regional radar mosaic for about the time of the accident depicted several scattered weather echoes with one defined cell of moderate-to-strong intensity just over the accident site. Archived lightning data for the time revealed seven in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning flashes within a 50-mile radius of the accident site; however, no cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were detected within 15 miles. The detection of lightning confirmed the presence of a cumulonimbus cloud in the area.
Wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with a right-wing-low and nose-low impact. Postaccident examination of the airframe, flight control system, and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the witness observations and recorded weather data, it is likely that, as a result of the approaching thunderstorm, the airplane encountered a microburst or downdraft that exceeded the airplane's climb performance and resulted in a loss of airplane control.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's inability to maintain airplane control due to an encounter with a microburst/downdraft that exceeded the climb performance capabilities of the airplane.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On August 30, 2012, about 1615 mountain daylight time, an Aircraft MFG & Development Company, CH 2000, N651AM, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while in the traffic pattern at the Nephi Municipal Airport (U14) near Nephi, Utah. The airplane was registered to private individuals and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Provo Municipal Airport near Provo, Utah, about 1500.
According to witnesses located adjacent to the accident site, the airplane was observed on a southerly heading south of U14 before it turned left to a northerly heading at an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level (agl). Multiple witnesses reported that the airplane seemed to be traveling at a slow speed when it suddenly pitched downwards and descended into the ground. One witness stated that prior to the sound of impact the engine seemed to be at a high power setting. Witnesses further stated that at the time of the accident, a thunderstorm with strong wind, heavy rain, and lighting were present in the area.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The flight instructor, age 45, held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He also held a flight instructor certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. A second-class airman medical certificate was issued on April 16, 2012, with no limitations stated. The pilot reported on his most recent medical certificate application that he had accumulated 950 total flight hours.
The pilot receiving instruction, age 59, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, which was issued on August 29, 2012, based upon his Canadian private pilot certificate, which was issued on February 19, 2011. A third class airman medical certificate was issued to the pilot on March 23, 2010, with the limitation of "glasses must be worn." Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that as of the most recent logbook entry dated March 12, 2012, he had accumulated a total of 94.8 hours of flight time.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The two-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number (S/N) 20-1021, was manufactured in 2003. It was powered by a Lycoming O-235-N2C engine, serial number L-255755-15, rated at 116 horse power. The airplane was also equipped with a Sensenich fixed pitch propeller. The airplane was recently purchased by the pilot receiving instruction and another individual.
Review of the airplane’s maintenance log books revealed an annual inspection was accomplished on August 17, 2012 with a tachometer time of 215.7 hours. The airplane underwent an export control examination by an FAA designated airworthiness representative on August 22, 2012 with a tachometer time of 216.0 hours and a hobbs/airplane total time of 242.5 hours. The tachometer indicated 217.6 hours at the accident site.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) staff meteorologist prepared a factual report for the area and timeframe surrounding the accident.
The National Weather Service Surface Analysis Chart for 1500 depicted the synoptic conditions over the region prior to the accident, which included a low pressure system over Wyoming with a cold front extending southwestward into northern Colorado and was a stationary front into Utah and Nevada. A high pressure system was located immediately west of the low and north of the front over western Wyoming. The station models surrounding the accident site depicted north-northwest wind at 10 to 15 knots, scattered clouds, with temperatures ranging from 88 degrees to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (F), with dew points between 45 degrees and 48 degrees F.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center's Convective Outlook expected a general risk of thunderstorms over the region during the period. A review of the NWS regional radar mosaic for 1615 depicted several scattered weather echoes over the region southeast through south of Provo, Utah, with one area over the Nephi area with the maximum reflectivity’s near 45 dBZ. The accident site was located under the area of echoes.
Nephi Municipal Airport (U14) is equipped with an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) for broadcasting local weather, however, it does not disseminate the observations to the FAA or NWS. The data obtained from MesoWest surrounding the period indicated that prior to the accident at 1559, Nephi reported a westerly wind from 260 degrees at 6 knots gusting to 19 knots, with scattered clouds at 11,000 feet, a temperature 88 degrees F, dew point 43 degrees F, relative humidity of 21 percent, altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 8,029 feet.
After the accident at 1659, the wind had shifted to the east and was reported from 080 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 19 knots. There was also a 6 degree F decrease in temperature during the hour with rising dew point temperature, and falling pressure and subsequent rising pressure.
The sounding parameters were for a warm dry low–level environment with a Lifted Index of -0.9, indicating a conditionally unstable environment favorable for scattered high based thunderstorm development. The Vertical Totals (VT) index of 37.1 indicated the potential for strong thunderstorms. The WINDEX or microburst potential measure of the downdraft instability estimated outflow winds near 37 knots, while the GOES Hybrid Microburst Index (HMI) algorithm of 29 indicated a strong potential for dry microbursts. Other indices such as the Microburst Day Potential Index (MDPI) of 0.3 indicated a low potential for microburst activity. The gust potentials ranged from 54 to 57 knots.
The sounding wind profile indicated a surface wind from 345 degrees at 8 knots, with wind from the north through 4,000 feet agl, with winds backing to the southwest with height.
Review of the observations and the satellite images from Provo at 1600 indicated that they were on the edge of the clouds with lightning being detected to the southeast. As the system moved northward with time, rain showers were reported from these cumulus congestus type clouds. Delta, Utah was also located under some high level cloud cover during the period, but not from the cloud mass that was identified over the accident site. Delta reported cumulonimbus type clouds in all quadrants during the period with blowing dust to the south and west, and rain showers after the accident. Price, Utah also on the eastern edge of the cloud area reported lightning activity to the west prior to the accident, and also indicated convective clouds
WSR-88D base reflectivity images of the 0.5° elevation scan were completed at 1610:35, 1613:46, 1616:57, 1620:08, and 1623:20 respectively. The images depicted several scattered echoes develop across the region with one defined cell immediately south of the airport and over the accident site, that moved northeastward during the period around the time of the accident. The echoes observed were of moderate to strong intensity.
Archived lightning data from 1600 through 1620 identified 7 in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning flashes within a 50 mile radius of the accident site. No cloud-to-ground lightning were detected within 15 miles of the accident site during the period. In-cloud lightning is typically observed during the towering cumulus or cumulus congestus stage of a developing thunderstorm, and continues into the dissipating stage. The detection of lightning confirms that the area of weather encountered by the accident airplane was associated with a cumulonimbus cloud, although a low topped one without the defined anvil outflow.
For further information, see the Weather Study report within the public docket.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The Nephi Municipal Airport (U14) is a non-towered airport that operates under class G airspace. The reported field elevation for the airport was 5,022 feet msl. The airport is equipped with one asphalt runway (17/35). Runway 17/35 is 6,300 feet in length and 100-feet wide with a 0.7 percent negative gradient. The standard traffic pattern for runway 17 is oriented for left turns.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain about 1.7 miles southeast of U14 at an elevation of 4,867 feet mean sea level (msl). The aft section of the fuselage and empennage was partially separated and came to rest inverted. The forward part of the fuselage, left and right wings, and engine were found upright. The main wreckage came to rest on a magnetic heading of about 326-degrees. The wreckage debris remained within an approximate 50 foot radius of the main wreckage.
The first identified point of contact (FPIC) with terrain was a ground scar impression of about a foot in width and about 12 feet in length. The first portion of the ground scar contained fragments of green lens material, consistent with the right wing navigational light. Extending from the end of the impression, a deep ground scar was contained to an area of about 4 by 4 feet with disturbed dirt, which contained plexiglass and fiberglass. The main wreckage came to rest about 8 feet beyond the FPIC. The right main landing gear wheel assembly separated from its strut and was located between the FPIC and the main wreckage.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine, firewall, and instrument panel had impact damage and was distorted forward of the leading edges of both wings. A section of the instrument panel separated.
The left and right wings remained partially attached at the fuselage area. The ailerons and flaps remained attached to the wing structure. The leading edges of both wings were crushed aft and upwards. The outboard portion of the right wing was crushed upward from about mid span. Additionally, the wing exhibited approximate 45-degree crush angles from mid-span to the wingtip.
The cabin and fuselage area were partially consumed by fire. Both wing tanks were crushed and torn open.
Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all primary flight controls.
The engine was partially attached to the airframe, and the mounting assembly exhibited impact damage. The exhaust assembly was crushed and partially separated. The right magneto, vacuum pump, oil filter housing cap, and oil dip stick assembly were separated from the engine. The crankshaft was rotated by hand through the upper accessory gear; cylinder compression and valve continuity were obtained on all four cylinders.
Both the left and right magnetos produced spark on all posts respectively when the magneto driveshafts were rotated by hand. The top spark plugs exhibited normal operating signatures.
The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft and exhibited "S" bending and was curled opposite the direction of rotation. Additionally, the blade exhibited leading edge polishing in the outboard 8 to 10 inches of the blade. The opposing propeller blade exhibited a slight aft bend originating from about 8 inches inboard of the blade tip.
For further information, see the Accident Site, Airframe, and Engine Exam Summary Report within the public docket for this accident.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Utah State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the CFI on August 31, 2012. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was “...blunt force injuries.”
The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the CFI. According to CAMI's report, carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested, and had negative results.
The Utah State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the pilot receiving instruction on August 31, 2012. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was “...blunt force injuries.”
The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot receiving instruction. According to CAMI's report, carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested, and had negative results.
http://registry.faa.gov/N651AM
NTSB Identification: WPR12FA378
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 30, 2012 in Nephi, UT
Aircraft: AIRCRAFT MFG & DEVELOPMENT CO CH 2000, registration: N651AM
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
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 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.
On August 30, 2012, about 1615 mountain daylight time, an Aircraft MFG & Development Company, CH 2000, N651AM, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while in the traffic pattern at the Nephi Municipal Airport (U14) near Nephi, Utah. The aircraft was registered to private individuals and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certified flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Provo Municipal Airport near Provo, Utah, about 1500.
According to witnesses located adjacent to the accident site, the airplane was observed on a southerly heading south of U14 before it turned left to a northerly heading at an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level. Multiple witnesses reported that the airplane seemed to be traveling at a slow speed when it suddenly pitched downwards and descended into the ground. One witness stated that prior to the sound of impact the engine seemed to be at a high power setting. Witnesses further stated that at the time of the accident, a thunderstorm with strong wind, heavy rain and lighting were present in the area.
Examination of the accident site by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed the airplane impacted an open field about 1.7 miles southeast of U14. Wreckage debris was found within about 50 feet of the main wreckage. All major structural components were located within the wreckage debris area. The wreckage was relocated to a secure location for further examination.
Robert Lamb, of Woodland Hills, was killed in a Juab County plane crash Thursday Aug. 30, 2012
(Facebook.com)
NEPHI — A Utah County man killed in a plane crash Thursday had agreed to accompany a pilot he didn't know for free so he could obtain enough training to fly the plane home, a friend said Friday.
Robert Lamb, 45, a flight instructor from Woodland Hills, and Peter Morwiec, 58, of Ontario, Canada, died in the plane crash near Nephi.
Family and friends of Lamb are devastated by this accident, but say they find some comfort in knowing he was doing what he loved and, more important, was helping someone out.
Lamb’s friend Andrea Anaya said he loved two things in life: his family and aviation.
“His love and his passion was flying,” she said. “He loved to fly, so he died doing exactly what he loved.”
Lamb didn't know Morwiec, but offered — without charge — to give him five hours of training in the plane, so he could be qualified to fly it home to Canada. Lamb told his wife he felt he had to help Morwiec.
“She asked why he was going, since he wasn’t getting paid and didn’t know him, and he said, ‘If I was stranded and couldn’t get home, I would hope someone would help me,' and that’s why he went,” Anaya said.
The Alarus CH2000 aircraft went down about 4:30 p.m. west of state Route 132 and north of the Nephi Municipal Airport, at about the same time a thunderstorm hit the area.
Reid Jarrett was working in his ranch when he watched the plane drop out of the sky.
“A really, really hard gust of wind was blowing right then, and a storm was coming in and the plane just literally went up and turned and came straight down and hit,” he said. “I’m sure nobody survived past the point of impact.”
Professionally, Lamb was a successful contractor. He obtained his pilot's license more than 20 years ago, but in just the past couple of years had become a certified flight instructor and started a flight training business at the Spanish Fork Airport.
He walked away from another plane crash in southern Utah just four months ago.
As Lamb's family and friends mourn for him, they also realize another family is hurting, too. “Our hearts go out to the family of the other man,” Anaya said.
Lamb is survived by his wife and five children, including a son on an LDS mission in South America. Those who would like to share their memories of Lamb for his children, can do so on the Facebook page "Letters for Robert Lamb."
It will likely be several months before investigators issue a final report on the cause of the crash, but bad weather is believed to be a leading factor in the crash.
Woodland Hills man died in plane crash helping stranger, friend says
Prominent Thunder Bay lawyer killed in plane crash
A prominent Thunder Bay lawyer, Peter Mrowiec, 58, was killed Thursday in a plane crash while flying in bad weather in Utah.
Mrowiec was one of two people killed when a single-engine aircraft crashed and burst into flames late Thursday afternoon near the town of Nephi.
Juab County sheriff Alden Orme told CBC News the plane crashed in bad weather.
"Some real heavy, strong winds, and accompanied by some heavy rainstorms. Information we obtained from witnesses -- they believe the plane was trying to make a turn, and the winds affected the flight and it crashed," Orme said.
Orme said Mrowiec was in the process of buying the aircraft, and had hired an instructor to gain experience with it.
The city's legal community is shocked and saddened by the news, said Roy Karlstedt, president of the Thunder Bay Law Association.
"Initially, I didn't believe it, and then I was just aghast at the whole idea. Mr. Mrowiec was a marvelous person. He was a very well respected member of our local bar. As far as I can see, there's been a hole rent in the fabric of our community," Karlstedt said.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the accident.
Canadian, Utahn dead in Nephi small plane crash; sheriff says weather may have played role
NEPHI, Utah — Authorities say a man from Canada and a flight instructor from Utah were killed when their single-engine airplane crashed and burned in an alfalfa field near Nephi.
Officials have identified the men killed in the Thursday afternoon crash as 45-year-old Robert Marion Lamb of Woodland Hills in Utah County, and 58-year-old Peter John Mrowiec of Ontario, Canada. Deputies believe Mrowiec was in Utah to purchase the plane, and had hired Lamb as an instructor.
Investigators are trying to determine why their Alarus CH2000 went down about a mile southeast of the Nephi Airport.
Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme says heavy winds and rain showers around the time of the crash likely played a role.
Nephi is in central Utah, about an hour and a half south of Salt Lake City.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 651AM Make/Model: CH20 Description: CH-200 Zénith
Date: 08/30/2012 Time: 2355
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: NEPHI State: UT Country: US
DESCRIPTION
WITNESS REPORTED AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND WENT STRAIGHT DOWN. THUNDERSTORM
REPORTED IN THE AREA.
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: KPVU 302348Z 31008KT 15SM -RA BKN080 BKN100 28/14
OTHER DATA
FAA FSDO: SALT LAKE CITY, UT (NM07) Entry date: 08/31/2012
NEPHI — Two men are dead after they crashed their plane in an alfalfa field west of Nephi Thursday afternoon.
The plane went down about 4:30 p.m.,west of Highway 132 and north of Nephi Municipal Airport. The identities of the men were not released, pending notification of family.
Reid Jarrett was working on his ranch Thursday afternoon, when he watched a small plane drop out of the sky.
"(A) really, really hard gust of wind was blowing right then, and a storm was coming in, and the plane just literally went up and turned and came straight down and hit. I am sure no one survived past the point of impact," Jarrett said.
By the time he could run to the plane, it was engulfed in flames.
"We had some pretty good explosions, and it was burning pretty good," Jarrett said. "There was nobody outside of the wreckage."
After the flames were extinguished, the local sheriff found two victims inside the aircraft.
"From eyewitnesses, we believe (the plane's occupants) were trying to go back to the airport here in Nephi and try to land," said Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme.
One of the men in the plane wanted more flight time in this particular model, so he could qualify to purchase one. He was flying with an instructor from Utah.
"It's a tragic accident, very sad," Orme said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families."
The crash is an image Reid Jarrett would like to forget.
"When you see a plane fall out of the sky like that, it really leaves an impression on you," he said. "The poor guys."
http://www.ksl.com
Juab County Sheriff’s Office confirms two men were killed when their plane crashed in Nephi.
The accident occurred at about 4 p.m. Authorities are at the crash scene located along Highway 132 and Airport Road.
A FOX 13 viewer at the scene says the plane was demolished and appeared to have caught fire and burned after the crash.
Authorities say the plane was from Utah County. They are not releasing the identities of the men until next of kin is notified.
Nephi fatal plane crash. Credit: Michael Paskett
Nephi fatal plane crash. Credit: Michael Paskett
Nephi fatal plane crash. Credit: Michael Paskett
Nephi fatal plane crash. Credit: Michael Paskett
Nephi Plane Crash (Sam Penrod)
Photo Credit: Sam Penrod
Photo Credit: Sam Penrod
Photo Credit: Sam Penrod
Photo Credit: Sam Penrod
NEPHI — Two men are dead after they crashed their plane in an alfalfa field west of Nephi Thursday afternoon.
The plane went down about 4:30
p.m.,west of highway 132 and north of Nephi Municipal Airport. The
identities of the men were not released, pending notification of family.
Reid Jarret, a resident of
Nephi, witnessed the crash. He said by the time he could run to the
plane, it was already engulfed in flames.
"Really, really, hard gust of
wind was blowing right then and a storm was coning in and the plane just
went up and turned and came straight and hit," he said. "I am sure
nobody survived past the point of impact.
"When you see a plane fall out of the skyline that really leaves an impression on you. The poor guys."
It was not known if the plane was taking off or landing. But eyewitnesses said the plane was trying to return to the airport to land when it crashed in the field, Sheriff Alden Orme of the Juab County Sheriff's Office said.
"It's a tragic accident, very sad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families," Orme said.
There was a thunderstorm in the area, but it is not known if it contributed to the crash.
http://www.deseretnews.com
(KUTV) A plane crashed in the area of highway 132 and Airport Road near the Nephi airport. Two people died in the crash.http://www.deseretnews.com
Weather could have been a problem. There was a thunderstorm in the area around the time of the crash.
2News will keep you updated.
A plane crash landed in an alfalfa field west of Nephi on Thursday, August 30.
A thunderstorm occurred at the same time of the crash, but Juab County officials have not confirmed if the severe weather was the cause of the accident.
Two fatalities were confirmed as a result of the plane crash.
No names have yet been released.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
NEPHI, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A small plane crashed near the Nephi airport in the area of highway 132 Thursday afternoon.
According to Juab County officials, the amount of passengers, as well as the condition of the individuals is not known at this time.
A representative of the FAA says the plane was an AMD Alarus CH2000.
Stay tuned to ABC 4 News and ABC4.com for details on this developing story.
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