NTSB Identification: ERA12LA562
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 15, 2012 in Cedar Bluff, AL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/12/2013
Aircraft: REPUBLIC RC-3, registration: N6072K
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
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 of the amphibious airplane departed his home airport and flew to a lake to visit a friend who lived on the shore of the lake. According to the pilot’s friend, the pilot normally approached the lake from the north, made a left 180-degree turn, and then landed to the north. On the day of the accident, however, the wind was calm, and instead of landing to the north, the pilot flew over his friend's house from the west, about 400 feet above ground level, made a left 180-degree turn, and began a descent toward the surface of the lake. During the descent, the airplane contacted a set of electrical transmission lines. During the impact, the airplane's forward motion almost completely stopped, it rolled to the right until it was inverted, then fell to the surface of the lake and sank.
Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the electrical transmission lines revealed that they were unmarked where they crossed the lake. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and local witnesses, the lines were hard to see and did not contrast well with the surrounding terrain due to the color of the sky, water, and cloud cover. However, the pilot should have been aware of the lines, because they were depicted on the sectional chart for the area, and he had landed on the lake several times before the accident flight.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On September 15, 2012, about 0950 central daylight time, a Republic RC-3 amphibious airplane, N6072K, collided with electrical transmission lines, during approach to Weiss Lake, Cedar Bluff, Alabama. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, which departed from Guntersville Municipal Airport (8A1), Guntersville, Alabama.
According to a friend of the pilot, who lived on Weiss Lake and also owned the same model of amphibious airplane, the purpose of the flight was to come visit him. The pilot was familiar with landing on Weiss Lake and the electrical transmission lines that crossed the lake. The pilot would usually land in the opposite direction from the direction he landed on the day of the accident allowing for any "overrun" after landing on the lake and could not explain why he landed in the direction that he did.
According to the friend, on arrival in the local area, he observed the airplane turn in an easterly direction and pass over his house at approximately 400 feet above ground level. The airplane then turned left until it had reversed direction and then began to descend. Moments later the airplane struck a set of unmarked electrical transmission lines located near the eastern edge of the lake. The airplane then pitched nose up, its forward motion appeared to stop, and it rolled to the right until it was inverted, then fell onto the surface of the lake, and sank.
According to a witness, who was fishing on the lake in the vicinity of the accident site, he observed the airplane flying along the north side of the lake just above tree top height, when it hit the power line. The airplane then pitched up, the right wing dropped, and the airplane struck the water inverted. The witness also observed that engine was running and never changed sound until the airplane struck the water.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and airplane single-engine sea. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 19, 2010. He reported 400 total hours of flight experience on that date.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident aircraft was a pusher configured, high wing, tail wheel equipped, amphibious airplane of conventional metal construction. It was powered by a 215 horsepower, air cooled, 6- cylinder engine, driving a three bladed, constant speed, variable pitch propeller.
According to FAA and airplane maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1947. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed on November 1, 2011. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 1,027.2 total hours of operation.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The recorded weather at Isbell Field Airport (4A9), Fort Payne, Alabama, located 19 nautical miles northwest of the accident site at 0955, included: calm winds, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 23 degrees C, dew point 15 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane had come to rest upside down in Weiss Lake approximately 200 yards from the shoreline. The only visible portion of the airplane that was above the water was the nose (bow) and the left pontoon.
Comparison of the location of the wreckage to the location of the electrical transmission right of way indicated that the airplane was traveling on a heading of 220 degrees prior to coming into contact with one of the lines.
Examination of the airplane's wreckage after its recovery from the lake revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Further Examination revealed that the cable that the airplane had come into contact with, initially contacted the airplane just below the windshield. The nose of the airplane was then crushed back into the cabin area. Impact damage was also observed on the upper portion of the leading edges of both wings indicating that when the airplane impacted the water, it was inverted and still had some forward motion. The engine cowling was also crushed but, the pusher propeller was intact and the engine was undamaged.
Flight control continuity was confirmed from the controls in the cockpit to the flight control surfaces, and the throttle control, mixture control, and propeller control were found in the full forward position.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Cause of death was blunt force injuries.
Toxicological testing of the pilot was conducted at the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The specimens were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs, with the exception of Naproxen which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Ranitidine which is an antihistamine used in the treatment of gastric acid secretion, and Valsartan which is an angiotensin receptor blocker used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
Observation of the electrical transmission lines from the shore of the lake revealed that they were hard to see, and did not contrast well with the surrounding terrain due to the color of the sky, water, and cloud cover that were present.
Examination of the electrical transmission lines revealed that they were unmarked, and were strung between 158 foot tall electrical transmission towers, located within an electrical transmission corridor right of way that crossed the lake from the north to south. Further examination revealed, that the airplane, had struck a static line, which was normally located above the conductors. During the impact, the static line had separated from the transmission tower closest to the northern shoreline of the lake, and was dangling into the lake. The "Goat Head" (arm) of the lattice type tower structure, had also been bent downward 45 degrees.
Review of aeronautical charting information revealed that the electrical transmission lines were depicted on the Atlanta Sectional Chart.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In order to improve safety, the Tennessee Valley Authority installed spherical high visibility wire markers on the electrical transmission lines that cross Weiss Lake.
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA562
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, September 15, 2011 in Cedar Bluff, AL
Aircraft: REPUBLIC RC-3, registration: N6072K
Injuries: 1 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 may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On September 15, 2012, about 0950 central daylight time, a Republic RC-3 amphibious airplane, N6072K, collided with high tension power lines, during approach to Weiss Lake, Cedar Bluff, Alabama. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, which departed from Guntersville Municipal Airport (8A1), Guntersville, Alabama.
According to one of the pilot's friends, the purpose of the flight was to visit a friend who lived on Weiss Lake and also owned the same model of amphibious airplane.
According to witnesses, on arrival in the local area, the airplane was observed to turn in an easterly direction and pass over his friend's house at approximately 400 feet above ground level. The airplane then turned left until it had reversed direction and then began to descend. Moments later the airplane struck a set of unmarked high tension powerlines located on the eastern edge of the lake. The airplane then pitched nose up, its forward motion appeared to stop, and it rolled to the right until it was inverted, then fell onto the surface of the lake, and sank.
A post accident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the airplane or engine.
According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and airplane single-engine sea. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 19, 2010. He reported 400 total hours of flight experience on that date.
The recorded weather at Isbell Field Airport (4A9), Fort Payne, Alabama, located 19 nautical miles northwest of the accident site at 0955, included: calm winds, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 23 degrees C, dew point 15 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inches of mercury.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 6072K Make/Model: RC3 Description: RC-3 Seabee
Date: 09/15/2012 Time: 1200
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: CEDAR BLUFFS State: AL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND CRASHED INTO A LAKE. CEDAR BLUFFS, AL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 0 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: BIRMINGHAM, AL (SO09) Entry date: 09/17/2012
The investigation into a deadly weekend plane crash continues as does efforts to remove the aircraft from Weiss Lake. William “Bill” P. Shaver
William “Bill” P. Shaver, 65, of Huntsville died Saturday. He was a man of faith who was devoted to his wife Charlotte and children Chris Shaver (Amie Beth) and Erin Molina (Mike) and many dear friends. He was a patriot and a pilot who had a passion for model trains and military history. His favorite place to be was working, playing and being the captain at the family lake house in Muscle Shoals, AL. We remember and miss his servant heart. He was happiest when he could serve those who needed him which was quite often.
He is survived by his wife and children, his sisters Kathy Tanner (John) and Amy Polio (Jim) and seven grandchildren.
Donations may be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Cove United Methodist Church. A memorial service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Authorities search Saturday in Weiss Lake after a plane crash
(photo source WEIS Radio)
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, William P. Shaver, 66, was attempting to land his single-engine seaplane in a cove near Riverside Campground in the Cedar Bluff area when it clipped power lines and crashed into the lake. The crash was reported to Cherokee County 911 approximately 9:50 a.m.
“I’m thinking he was probably familiar with the area,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Joe Shaver (who is unrelated to the victim). “He was coming to pick up a friend, and they were going to spend the day flying. He either misjudged the distance to those lines or didn’t see them.”
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, rescue efforts were initially stalled because of the live power lines brought down by the plane.
Tim Bates of the Piedmont Rescue Squad said the power lines were not actually in the water, but they were near enough that it was dangerous to enter the lake and divers had to wait for the Tennessee Valley Authority to turn off the power before they could make the rescue.
Bates said the plane was barely visible from the shore.
Sheriff Shaver said divers were able to get onto the tail section of the plane and push it down in order to lift the front of the craft out of the mud and open the cabin door to retrieve the victim’s body. The Cherokee County Rescue Squad recovered the victim from the plane at 12:18 p.m.
According to Bates, Piedmont’s Steven Tidwell and Kevin Ware of the Cherokee County Rescue Squad actually recovered the victim from the aircraft cabin. Bates was in the water for support.
The sheriff couldn’t immediately identify whether the victim died from injuries related to the crash or drowning. He said an autopsy was scheduled.
The department’s statement said that the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were en route to the scene Saturday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office said a number of agencies responded to the scene and assisted with the recovery effort, including the Cherokee County, Piedmont, and Fisher Rescue Squads; Cherokee Emergency Medical Services, the Cherokee County Emergency Management Association, Alabama Marine Police, and the Alabama State Trooper Aviation Unit.
“There were people from everywhere that did a good job,” the sheriff said.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, AL (WBRC) - One person is dead following the crash of a small plane Saturday morning in Weiss Lake.
The crash occurred around 10 a.m. behind the Riverside Campground in Cedar Bluff. Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Beverly Daniel told WEIS Radio the single-engine plane, which was equipped with pontoon landing gear, was attempting to land when the crash occurred. Daniel said the plane apparently hit a power line and crashed in the water.
WEIS said divers recovered the body of the pilot, who name has not been released, just after 12:30 p.m. The pilot had reportedly flown into Cedar Bluff to visit with friends on the lake.
Around 3,500 Cherokee Electric customers were without power as a result of the crash. Officials said they hoped to have power restored by mid-afternoon.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT)-
UPDATE: According to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver, a man’s body has been recovered from the plane. The FAA is on their way.
_______
Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver has confirmed to CBS 42 News that a small plane has crashed into Weiss Lake. The crash occurred by the Riverside Campground, near Cedar Bluff area.
Shaver could not confirm any fatalities as of now, but says they are waiting for the Tennessee Valley Authority to cut power from the lines to reach the plane.
There are reports that the plane hit power lines. We are actively pursing this story and will have more information as it becomes available.
Currently we are investigating a report of an airplane crash this morning in Cherokee County. The crash reportedly happened around 10AM at Weiss Lake. According to the Cherokee County Sherriff’s office the plane is believed to be in Weiss Lake near the Riverside Campground. The office has no further information regarding the type or size of the plane. There is also no information with regard to the number of passengers.
First responders are now trying to locate the plane and determine if there are survivors. The Tennessee Valley Authority is encouraging boaters to avoid the area due to the investigation and emergency response. We will be sure to pass along new details as they arrive.
A small engine plane crashed into a Cherokee County Lake Saturday morning, killing the pilot. The crash caused a power outage in the area because the pilot hit a main Tennessee Valley Authority power line.
According to the Cherokee County EMA, no one else was on board. The plane crashed into Weiss lake around ten o’clock Saturday morning near a busy campground. The pilot’s body has been recovered although his plane is still submerged underwater.
What started out as a flight to see friends in Cherokee County, turned tragic over Weiss lake. “He was flying real low, he just barely cleared the trees.” Dave McDaniel and his wife were in their boat when they saw a sea plane crash.
McDaniel says he tied a rope to the plane’s tail to keep it from sinking further into the water, but the pilot could not be saved. McDaniel says “He had one of those big windshields and I guess he hit windshield first and it filled the plane up with water.
Beverly Daniel with Cherokee EMA says the plane clipped a TVA power line before it went down near Riverside Campground. Lela Tandy heard the accident happen. “When it was flying over, it sounded not quite right, like something wasn’t right.”
Many agencies responded to the scene as a down power line made the situation dangerous for boaters. Daniel says “There is a hazard because one of them is so low near the water, it’s creating a hazard for boats and we’re trying to get that resolved.” Daniel also says the pilot left the Guntersville airport Saturday morning. NTSB investigators, now trying to determine what went wrong. Tandy says “My thoughts are with his family.”
At this time, the pilot’s name has not been released. The plane is expected to be recovered from the water Sunday. According to Cherokee County Electric, power has been restored to a majority of those affected.
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