National Transportation Safety Board - Docket And Docket Items: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Data Summary: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA535
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in Millville, NJ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/06/2013
Aircraft: BEECH 95-A55, registration: N71BM
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 Serious.
NTSB investigators may have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot receiving instruction was conducting a simulated engine-out emergency landing when the accident occurred. Several eyewitnesses reported that the airplane began to roll to the left while it was in flight. One eyewitness reported hearing the airplane's engines increase in power. During postaccident interviews, the flight instructor stated that the left engine was at the idle power setting to simulate the engine failure for landing; however, he could not recall the events that took place during the accident sequence. Examination of the airframe and engines revealed no anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the private pilot’s medical history revealed nothing to suggest a medical cause for impairment or incapacitation. Therefore, it is likely that during the landing flare, the pilot receiving instruction added power to the right engine and failed to properly compensate for the increased asymmetrical thrust, which resulted in a loss of control.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot receiving instruction failed to maintain airplane control during the simulated engine-out landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to take timely remedial action.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On August 29, 2012, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-A55, N71BM, impacted the ground while landing at Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries, and the certificated private pilot receiving instruction was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and all flight control surfaces. The airplane was registered to the pilot receiving instruction and was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Several eyewitnesses reported that the airplane appeared to have touched down on the runway before it veered to the left and "cart-wheeled" prior to coming to rest about 500 feet from the edge of the runway. Other witnesses reported that the airplane was approximately 20 feet above ground level, rolled to the left, climbed, then nosed over, impacted the ground, and "cart-wheeled." One eyewitness reported hearing the "engines power up," and then observed the airplane pitch up and to the left prior to impacting the ground in a nose-low attitude.
According to a written statement by the CFI, the pilot receiving instruction was conducting a simulated engine-out emergency landing with the left engine at idle power when the accident occurred. However, the CFI at the time of this writing had no memory of the accident sequence. He stated that his last recollection of the accident was being over the runway threshold in the simulated engine-out landing configuration.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
Flight Instructor
The CFI, age 69, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single- and, multi-engine, and instrument airplane; as well as a flight engineer certificate with a rating for jet. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued September 1, 2011. He reported 2,729.9 total hours of flight experience, of which 35.8 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. His most recent flight review was conducted on July 24, 2011.
Pilot Receiving Instruction
The pilot receiving instruction, age 60, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued August 25, 2010, and was not valid for any class after. The pilot's logbook was recovered and indicated 216.9 total hours of flight experience, of which 11.9 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. His most recent flight review was conducted on August 23, 2012.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was a low-wing, multiengine, retractable tricycle gear airplane. It was equipped with two Continental Motors IO-470-L, 260-hp engines, and two Hartzell 2-bladed propellers. According to FAA and airplane maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1962 and registered to the owner on December 15, 2011. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was dated on July 1, 2012. At the time of the inspection, the reported aircraft total time was 3,813.8 hours. At the time of the inspection, the right engine had 1,771.8 hours since major overhaul and the left engine had 761.0 hours since major overhaul.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The 1454 recorded weather observation at MIV included wind from 290 degrees at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 27 degrees C, dew point 13 degrees C; barometric altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.
COMMUNICATION
At 1426:59, one of the pilots made initial contact with Millville Radio, which was monitored by personnel at Lockheed Martin Flight Service. The pilot subsequently reported that the airplane was 5 miles to the southwest of MIV, and was inbound for landing. At 1429:16, the pilot reported entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 32. The final transmission recorded from the accident flight was at 1431:52, when the pilot stated "seven one bravo mike wilco we're uh simulate an engine out."
AIRPORT INFORMATION
MIV was a publicly-owned airport and at the time of the accident did not have an operating air traffic control tower; however, a flight service station was located on the airport at the time of the accident. The airport was equipped with two runways, designated as runway 10/28 and 14/32. The runways were reported as "in good condition" at the time of the accident. Runway 10/28 was 6,003-foot-long by 150-foot-wide and runway 14/32 was 5,058-foot-long by 150-foot-wide. The airport was 85 feet above mean sea level.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Initial examination by an FAA inspector revealed that the initial ground scars were located approximately 115 feet from the side edge of the runway and the airplane came to rest about 300 feet from the ground scars and facing back to the direction of travel. One engine was located approximately 30 feet from the wreckage and the other engine was located under the airplane, both had been detached from the firewall. The left wingtip was bent in the positive direction, and the right wing exhibited crush damage. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all surfaces.
During recovery of the airplane, approximately 62 gallons of fuel was removed from the fuel tanks.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was performed on the pilot receiving instruction on August 31, 2012, by the City of Philadelphia Office of the Medical Examiners, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The autopsy findings listed the cause of death as "multiple blunt impact injuries" and the report listed the specific injuries.
Toxicological testing was performed post mortem at the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. The following drugs were detected in the specimens submitted for testing:
- Atropine was detected in the Urine; however, was not detected in the Blood (Heart)
- Clopidogrel was detected in the Urine; however, was not detected in the Blood (Heart)
- Desmethylsildenafil was detected in the Urine and the Blood (Heart)
- Etomidate was detected in the liver and the Blood (Heart)
- Lorazepam was detected in the Muscle and the Blood (Heart)
- Salicylate was detected in the Urine
- Sildenafil was detectyed in the Blood (Heart) and the Urine
- Trimethoprim was detected in the Blood (Heart) and the Urine.
The toxicology results include some medications administered intravenously during hospital interventions: atropine (a Cardiac stimulant) and etomidate (a sedative/hypnotic). Oral medications ingested prior to the crash include clopidogrel (an antiplatelet medication used to prevent heart attacks and strokes), salicylate (also known as aspirin, an antiplatelet medication used to prevent heart attacks and strokes), and trimethoprim (an antibiotic used to prevent urinary tract infections after kidney transplant).
The toxicological report also identified Lorazepam (a hypnotic benzodiazepine); however, it is unclear from the records if this was an oral medication administered prior to the accident, or given in the hospital.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Engine Examination
Both engines were sent to the manufacturer's facility in Mobile, Alabama for further examination. Both engines were mounted in a test stand and operated at varying power settings. During the tests, neither engine exhibited any signs of hesitations, malfunctions, or anomalies. A detailed examination report for both engines is located in the docket that accompanies this accident report.
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A)
According to FAA publication FAA-H-8083-3A, Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 12, "Transition to Multiengine Airplanes" which states in part "Engine Inoperative Approach and Landing: The approach and landing with one engine inoperative is essentially the same as a two-engine approach and landing…the differences will be the reduced power available and the fact that the remaining thrust is asymmetrical…large, sudden power applications or reductions should also be avoided…the pilot must be prepared, however, for a rudder trim change as the power of the operating engine is reduced to idle in the roundout just prior to touchdown…"
FAA Advisory Circular 61-21A
FAA Advisory Circular 61-21A, states in part "Due to variations in performance, limitations, etc., of many light twins, no specific flightpath or procedure can be proposed that would be adequate in all engine-out approaches. In most light twins, however, a single-engine approach can be accomplished with the flight path and procedures almost identical to a normal approach and landing."
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA535
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in Millville, NJ
Aircraft: BEECH 95-A55, registration: N71BM
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.
On August 29, 2012, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-A55, N71BM, impacted the ground while landing at Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated student was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and all flight control surfaces. The airplane was registered to the pilot-rated student and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
According to recordings obtained from Lockheed Martin Flight Service, the accident flight's first transmission over the airport advisory service frequency stated that it was about five miles from the airport. The last recorded transmission from the accident airplane occurred a few minutes prior to the accident, when they reported simulating an engine failure. No other transmissions were recorded from the accident airplane.
Several eyewitnesses reported that the airplane appeared to have touched down and while on the ground, veered to the left, "cartwheeled," and then came to rest about 500 feet from the edge of the runway. Other witnesses reported that the airplane was approximately 20 feet above ground level, rolled to the left, climbed, then nosed over, impacted the ground and "cartwheeled."
Initial examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the initial ground scars were located approximately 115 feet from the edge of the runway and the airplane came to rest about 300 feet from the ground scars and facing back to the direction of travel. One engine was located approximately 30 feet from the wreckage and that other engine was located under the airplane, both had been detached from the firewall. The left wingtip was bent in the positive direction and the right wing exhibited crush damage.
During recovery of the airplane approximately 62 gallons of fuel was removed from the fuel tanks. The engines were retained for further examination.
http://registry.faa.gov/N71BM
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 71BM Make/Model: BE55 Description: 55 Baron
Date: 08/29/2012 Time: 1845
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Serious Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: MILLVILLE State: NJ Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT ON LANDING, BOUNCED OFF THE RUNWAY ONTO ITS NOSE, MILLVILLE, NJ
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 2 Fat: 0 Ser: 2 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Training Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: TETERBORO, NJ (EA25) Entry date: 08/30/2012
Beech 95-A55 Baron, N71BM, aircraft crash at the Millville Municipal Airport on Wednesday. / Cody Glenn/New Jersey Press Media
View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.
Submitted photo
The Beechcraft Baron plane that landed, then veered off and flipped over at the Millville Municipal Airport, Wednesday afternoon.
MILLVILLE -- Many were stunned this morning when they woke up to the news that their neighbor Robert LeCates died over night, after being seriously injured in a tragic plane crash.
"Just a genuinely good person."
Cindy Kershaw was in tears as she told stories about her neighbor Robert LeCates, who died overnight.
"He didn't act his age, said neighbor, Cindy Kershow. As old as he was he was more of a big grown up kid."
The 60-year-old Swedesboro man was killed in a tragic plane accident on Wednesday at the Millville municipal airport.
Officials say LeCates was attempting to land his plane when it veered off into the grass and flipped over.
LeCates, along with a male passenger, were flown to the hospital, with serious injuries.
But around 2 o'clock Thursday morning, officials say LeCates succumbed to his injuries at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Neighbors say LeCates lived in his Swedesboro home on Auburn Road. He was known as a private man, but someone they could always depend on.
"Once he got to know you, you were part of his family, but more so, if you needed him for anything don't bother to call, just come over, come on in, said Kershaw.
For years the neighbors on the fairly quiet street watched over each other homes, and enjoyed the company of a familiar face.
Kershaw remembers LeCates as a strong, and brilliant man and says her family depended on him for many things, but most of all to be a friend.
"He didn't care if you talked about him. He was just helpful, and he enjoyed life."
A life that Kershaw says ended too soon.
The plane sustained significant damage and the airport was shutdown for about an hour.
Watch Video: http://www.nbc40.net
MILLVILLE — Ronald E. Lecates, the pilot of a plane that crashed at Millville Airport on Wednesday afternoon, died just after 2 a.m. Thursday, according to airport officials.
Lecates was originally flown to Cooper University Hospital, in Camden, for treatment but was later taken to Jefferson Hospital, in Philadelphia, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries, according to Delaware River & Bay Authority Police officer Chris Fields.
The nature of his injuries have not been officially released.
The crash occurred when Lecates' twin-engine Beechcraft Baron plane bounced several times as it was landing at the airport.
The plane veered off to the side and traveled about 600 feet before it flipped over, said Jim Salmon, spokesman for DRBA, which operates the airport.
A second man on the plane, who has yet to be identified, was taken to AtlantiCare Medical Center where he remains for treatment.
The aircraft was badly damaged in the crash, but officials said at the time that the passengers' injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
The plane touched down at Millville Municipal Airport, located just south of the Route 47and 49 intersection in Cumberland County, and was reported to have crashed at about 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to a witness, the aircraft bounced several times on the runway, veered off into the grass, then traveled about 600 feet before flipping over.
PHOTOS: From The Scene
Two men were airlifted to Cooper Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions are unknown.
The plane is a Beechcraft Baron Twin engine aircraft, according to Jim Salmon, a spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Millville Airport is open again after briefly closing, but the accident scene, including Runway 14-32 and Taxiway C, remains closed.
MILLVILLE, N.J. - August 29, 2012 (WPVI) -- Two men have been injured in plane crash in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
It happened at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Millville Municipal Airport on Leddon Street in Millville.
Authorities say a Beechcraft Baron aircraft touched down on Runway 14-32 at the airport.
An eyewitness told investigators the plane bounced several times on the runway, veered off into the grass, traveled approximately 600 feet and flipped over.
First responders from several agencies converged on the scene.
Two men inside the plane were airlifted to Cooper Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions have not been released.
The plane sustained significant damage.
The airport was closed for about an hour. It has reopened, but the runway and taxiway near the accident scene remain closed as FAA investigators gather information at the scene.
Source: http://abclocal.go.com
FAA investigators are on the scene of a plane crash that seriously injured two people at Millville Municipal Airport in Cumberland County on Wednesday afternoon.
James Salmon with the Delaware River and Bay Authority told NBC10 A Beechcraft Baron Twin Engine aircraft touched down on Runway 14-32 at 2:35 p.m.. According to an eyewitness, the aircraft bounced several times on the runway, veered off into the grass, traveled approximately 600 feet and flipped over.
Two male passengers were transported by medical helicopter to Cooper Medical Center, according to Salmon. Their conditions have not been released.
Millville Airport is open but the accident scene, including Runway 14-32 and Taxiway C remain closed.
The FAA has confirmed that a Beech model 95-A55 aircraft was attempting to land at Milville Municipal Airport in Cumberland County, NJ when it crashed at the end of the runway.
The aircraft was manned by two people who were extricated and taken to local hospitals. The extent of their injuries in unknown at this time.
Flight inspectors are on their way to the scene.
Fox 29 will continue to bring you the latest on this developing story.
The plane is reported to be a Beechcraft Baron with two passengers on board, said Jim Salmon, public information officer for the Delaware River and Bay Authority, which oversees the airport.
Salmon said the extent of the injuries was unknown.
Salmon said that the plane did not catch on fire.
The plane is registered to Ronald E. Lecates, of Gloucester County.
Authorities, including Millville fire and Police responded to the scene.
Joan Legg, the director of the Millville Airport Museum, said that she could see that a plane crashed at the airport, but there was no fire. Fire trucks and ambulances were on the scene, she said.
Arlene Salac, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration said plane was attempting to land at 2:45 p.m. when the crash occurred.
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The plane was reported down at Millville Municipal Airport, located just south of the Route 47and 49 intersection in Cumberland County, at about 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday.
Two people are reportedly injured. One was flown to a nearby hospital in critical condition, while officials are working to remove the second person.
The plane is a Beechcraft Baron, according to Jim Salmon, a spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
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MILLVILLE — Two men were injured Wednesday afternoon when their Beechcraft Baron twin engine aircraft flipped over after landing at Millville Airport.
According to an eyewitness, the aircraft landed at about 2:45 p.m., bounced several times on the runway, veered off into the grass, traveled about 600 feet before flipping over, said Jim Salmon, spokesman for Delaware River & Bay Authority, which operates the airport.
The man believed to be the owner of the plane, Ronald E. Lecates, of Swedesboro, was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, where he is in critical condition.
The other passenger was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Their medical conditions are unknown at this time, but “the injuries do not appear life-threatening,” Salmon said.
The aircraft sustained significant damage and the airport was closed for about one hour.
The airport remains open, but the scene of the accident, including Runway 14-32 and Taxiway C, remain closed.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation.
Millville Fire Department, Millville Police Department, Millville Rescue Squad, Delaware River and Bay Authority Police, Atlantic Ambulance Air 2 and the New Jersey State Police Helicopter responded to the scene.
The crash did not result in a fire, but the aircraft was heavily damaged.
Airport officials said the Beechcraft Baron landed about 2:45 p.m., bouncing several times on Runway 14-32 before veering off it. The plane traveled about 600 feet and cartwheeled before stopping, an airport worker said.
The pilot and passenger were the only two people aboard the plane, according to officials. They did not specify what injuries the men suffered but said they did not appear to be life-threatening.
James Matlock, director of the Cumberland County Department of Emergency Services, a medical helicopter took one of the men to Cooper University Hospital in Camden and a second helicopter took another victim to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.
Authorities did not release the names of the pilot and passenger.
However, the 50-year-old Beechcraft’s identification number is registered to Ronald E. LeCates of Swedesboro.
A Cooper emergency room nurse, contacted about an hour after the crash, confirmed Ronald E. LeCates was brought in and was being evaluated.
LeCates is a sales manager for Analytic Stress, a Lafayette, La.-based construction firm with an office in Trenton. A co-worker, Brian Tuttle, said LeCates was known to be using his plane Wednesday.
According to a report from 6abc.com, the owner of the airplane was taking a flying lesson when the crash happened.
The airport was closed for about an hour after the crash. James Salmon, a spokesman for the Delaware River & Bay Authority, which operates the airport, said the runway and Taxiway C remain closed Wednesday evening.
The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the accident.
It was not immediately clear what caused the accident, which was being investigated by federal and local officials.
First responders to the scene included the Millville Rescue Squad, Millville police, DRBA police, Atlantic Ambulance Air 2 and a New Jersey State Police helicopter, as well as firefighters for Boeing Co., which has a helicopter facility at the airport.
In April 2010, a pilot escaped injury when his single-engine airplane veered off a different runway at the Millville airport while landing; the plane had minor damage. In June 2008, two Gloucester County men were killed when their small jet crashed in Lawrence Township shortly after taking off from the airport.
Medical helicopters are on the way to Millville Airport in Cumberland County where an airplane crashed at 2:35 on Wednesday afternoon. Officials tell NBC10 two people are seriously injured.
