Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Fairchild PT-19A, N19GP: Accident occurred September 13, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

http://registry.faa.gov/N19GP
 
NTSB Identification: CEN12CA656  
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, September 13, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, MO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/19/2012
Aircraft: FAIRCHILD PT-19A, registration: N19GP
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that he was giving a promotional ride in conjunction with an upcoming airport open house. At the time of the accident, he was conducting a flour-bomb drop demonstration. The pilot stated that on the third approach, he became distracted and was not fully paying attention to flying the airplane. The airplane got too low and too slow and stalled; the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident 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 sufficient airspeed during a low approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.


NTSB Identification: CEN12CA656 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, September 13, 2012 in Cape Girardeau, MO
Aircraft: FAIRCHILD PT-19A, registration: N19GP
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that he was giving a promotional ride in conjunction with an upcoming airport open house. At the time of the accident, he was conducting a flour bomb drop demonstration. The pilot stated that on the third approach he became distracted and was not fully paying attention to flying the airplane. The airplane got too low and too slow on the approach, and inadvertently stalled. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.


IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 19GP        Make/Model: FA62      Description: PT-19
  Date: 09/13/2012     Time: 1715

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: CAPE GIRARDEAU   State: MO   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE MAKING A LOW APPROACH. CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Maneuver      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: ST. LOUIS, MO  (CE03)                 Entry date: 09/14/2012

 
 Pilot John Ellis gives instructions to Southeast Missourian reporter James Samons before their flight in a PT-19 WWII plane Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 afternoon at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. The plane crashed during a “flour bomb” attempt. Both Ellis and Samons were taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash.




CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -  Emergency crews are on the scene of a plane crash at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.  It happened just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Airport Manager Bruce Loy says the pilot and a reporter with the Southeast Missourian were on board for a demonstration promoting an open house for the airport.

The Cape Girardeau Regional Airport will be hosting an open house on September 22 and features a drawing for people to be entered to fly in an airplane and drop flour on a target below to win a prize.

Something happened during the demonstration that forced the plane down.

The plane landed just off the tarmac.

The pilot and reporter were able to walk away from the crash. They were taken to be checked out as a precaution.

The FAA is investigating.

The Southeast Missourian reports that pilot John Ellis suffered minor injuries. James Samons, the entertainment reporter for the Southeast Missourian, was also hurt. He was aboard the plane to write a column about the experience, in anticipation of an open house at the airport on Sept. 22.