NTSB Identification: CEN12FA617
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 09, 2012 in Kansasville, WI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/30/2013
Aircraft: BEECH A36, registration: N3224G
Injuries: 1 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.
The airplane was established in cruise flight at 6,000 feet mean sea level on a north-northwest course. Communications between air traffic controllers and the pilot were routine. The pilot did not advise the controllers of any difficulties or anomalies nor did he issue any distress call. About 30 seconds before the accident, the airplane entered a descent that continued until impact. A witness observed the airplane on its north-northwest course before it "tipped forward" and descended into the ground. The airplane appeared to be intact at the time, and she did not recall seeing any flames or smoke before impact. The main wreckage site was about 50 feet in diameter, with debris extending to about 200 feet. The airplane was fragmented; however, portions of both wings, the empennage, and all flight controls were located at the accident site. The postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The relatively concentrated distribution of the wreckage was not consistent with an in-flight break up. Additionally, the existence of day visual meteorological conditions with clear skies precluded the possibility of spatial disorientation. Toxicology testing noted the presence of ethanol; however, it could not be determined if it was as a result of postmortem production or ingestion. Regardless, the ethanol level noted was not impairing and did not pose a significant hazard to flight safety. A review of the pilot’s Federal Aviation Administration medical file, toxicology testing, and autopsy did not provide evidence of acute medical incapacitation, but the latter were significantly limited by the degree of injury. Considering the abrupt departure from cruise flight and the uninterrupted descent to impact, the possibility of an acute medical problem could not be ruled out.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
In-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the pilot and testing of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have led to the loss of control.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On September 9, 2012, at 1152 central daylight time, a Beech A36, N3224G, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Kansasville, Wisconsin. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight originated from Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK), Wheeling, Illinois, at 1136, with an intended destination of Lakeland Airport (KARV), Minocqua, Wisconsin.
At 0857, the pilot contacted flight service. He obtained a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan for the route from KPWK, direct to the Badger (BAE) VHF Omni-Range (VOR) navigation station, and direct to KARV.
At 1137, the pilot contacted Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) after takeoff from KPWK. Air traffic control (ATC) radar track data indicated that the initial data point was recorded at 1137:05 (hhmm:ss) and was located about 0.75 nautical miles (nm) north-northwest of the departure end of runway 34. The altitude associated with that data point was 900 feet msl. The controller subsequently cleared the flight to climb to 4,000 feet msl and then 6,000 feet msl as it proceeded north-northwest bound. Communications were routine and track data depicted the airplane remaining on course and climbing to the assigned altitudes as cleared.
At 1146, control of the flight was transferred to Milwaukee TRACON. The pilot established contact with Milwaukee TRACON controller and advised that he had been assigned 6,000 feet msl. At 1148, the flight was cleared direct to KARV. At 1152, radar contact with the accident airplane was lost. The air traffic controller's attempts to contact the pilot were not successful. The pilot did not advise the controller of any anomalies prior to the loss of contact, nor was any distress call from the pilot received.
Radar track data depicted the accident airplane established on a north-northwest course at 6,000 feet msl. About 1152:15, the airplane began to descend, which continued until the impact with terrain. The final radar data point was recorded at 1152:34 and was located about 0.25 nm south-southeast of the accident site. The altitude associated with that data point was 3,500 feet msl. The elevation of the accident site was approximately 810 feet.
A witness reported observing the airplane on a north-northwest course when it "tipped forward" and descended into the ground. The airplane appeared to be intact at the time and she did not recall seeing any flames or smoke prior to impact. Several additional witnesses reported observing the airplane in a steep nose down attitude prior to impact.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot held a private pilot certificate, with single-engine land airplane, and instrument airplane ratings. He was issued a third class airman medical certificate on March 22, 2012, with a restriction for corrective lenses.
The pilot’s logbook was not available to the NTSB. On his most recent application for an airman medical certificate, the pilot reported a total flight time of 2,429 hours, with 31 hours flown within the past 6 months.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident airplane was a 1995 Beech model A36, serial number E-2924. It was a single-engine, low wing airframe configuration, with a retractable tricycle landing gear. The airplane was certified for a maximum of 6 occupants. The airplane was issued a utility category, standard airworthiness certificate in February 1995. The airplane was powered by a 300-horsepower Continental Motors IO-550-B/BP reciprocating engine. The engine data plate appeared to indicate the serial number as B8913. The airworthiness and maintenance records noted the engine serial number as B8913 and BPA8913.
According to maintenance records, an engine oil change and airframe oxygen system service were completed on July 25, 2012. At that time, the airframe and engine had accumulated 2,789.7 hours and 1,229.8 hours time in service, respectively. The most recent annual inspection was completed on February 7, 2012, at 2,712.0 hours total airframe time.
Records indicated that the accident engine was originally manufactured to an IO-520-BB design configuration (serial number 578701). In 2005, the IO-520-BB engine was modified to an IO-550-B/BP engine configuration (serial number B8913/BPA8913) under STC SE09997SC. At that time, the engine fuel injectors were replaced in accordance with STC SE09289SC and a turbonormalizing system was installed in accordance with STC SE5222NM. The accident engine was installed on the airplane in March 2005. In addition, wingtip fuel tanks were installed in accordance with STC SD4-1629 at that time.
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
The Burlington Municipal Airport (KBUU) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) was located about 7 miles west of the accident site. At 1135, conditions were recorded as: wind from 360 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots; visibility 10 miles; clear sky; temperature 17 degrees Celsius; dew point 8 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury.
At 1155, the BUU recorded weather conditions were: wind from 360 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots; visibility 10 mile; clear sky; temperature 18 degrees Celsius; dew point 7 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury.
The Kenosha Regional Airport (KENW) Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) was located about 12 miles southeast of the accident site. At 1153, conditions were recorded as: wind from 010 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots; visibility 10 miles; clear sky; temperature 20 degrees Celsius; dew point 9 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.08 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The main accident site was about 50 feet in diameter. It encompassed portions of four backyard areas within a subdivision. A postimpact fire consumed portions of the airframe, an adjacent two-car garage structure, and a shed. The adjacent residential structures sustained thermal damage from the postimpact fire. Debris from the airplane was located up to 200 feet from the main accident site. There were no reports of any injuries to individuals on the ground.
The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, wings, empennage, engine, and propeller assembly. The main impact crater contained the propeller and engine, which were embedded about 4 feet into the ground. The fuselage was fragmented, with portions consumed by the postimpact fire. Portions of the elevators and rudder were located with the main wreckage. In addition, two fragmented elevator sections recovered about 180 feet south and 200 feet south-southwest of the main wreckage. The elevator counter balance weights had separated from the elevators. One was recovered about 180 feet south-southeast of the main wreckage. The second was recovered about 15 feet southeast of the main wreckage. Two remnants of an oxygen bottle were recovered from the accident site. The top and bottoms portions of the bottle were located about 140 feet northeast and 50 feet north of the main wreckage, respectively.
The wings were fragmented, with larger sections exhibiting chordwise crushing damage. Structure associated with the right wing was located west of the main impact crater. Structure associated with the left wing was located east of the main impact crater. Portions of the left and right ailerons and flaps were recovered with the main wreckage. Observed separations of the control cables appeared consistent with overstress failures. The flap actuators had separated from each wing. The actuator extension was consistent with a zero degree deflection (flaps up).
The nose and right main landing gear were located with the main wreckage. The left main landing gear assembly was located about 30 feet north of the main impact crater in an adjacent yard. The landing gear actuator was fragmented. One section of the actuator came to rest about 130 feet west of the main impact crater. A second actuator section came to rest on the adjacent driveway, about 40 feet southwest of the main impact crater.
The engine sustained damage consistent with significant impact forces. The top and bottom of the crankcase was fractured along the entire length of the engine. The crankshaft was distorted, but appeared otherwise intact when examined through the fractured portions of the crankcase. The connecting rods appeared intact. The cylinders were displaced relative to the crankcase and deformed consistent with impact forces. The magnetos were separated and fragmented. The fuel pump was separated and damaged. The throttle body was fragment with only the throttle valve intact. The fuel metering unit was damaged. The fuel inlet screen appeared intact and was free of debris. The oil pump remained attached to the engine. The pump gears appeared intact, with light scoring observed on the housing.
The propeller hub was fracture consistent with impact forces. The aft portion of the propeller hub remained attached to the engine crankshaft. The propeller blades were separated from the hub. The propeller blades and hub fragments were recovered from the main impact crater. Two blades were bent forward at the tip over the outboard one-third to one-half of the blade span. The third blade was bent aft at the tip over the outboard one-half of the blade span. All three blades exhibited scoring of the faces, as well as leading/trailing edge gouges.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy of the pilot was completed by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office on September 11, 2012. The pilot’s death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries sustained as a result of the accident. The medical evaluation was limited by the degree of injury which precluded a complete autopsy examination and left only muscle available for toxicological analysis.
FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute toxicology testing noted that 15 (mg/dL, mg/hg) Ethanol was detected in muscle tissue. Testing was negative for all other substances in the screening profile.
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA617
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 09, 2012 in Kansasville, WI
Aircraft: BEECH A36, registration: N3224G
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 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 September 9, 2012, at 1153 central daylight time, a Beech A36, N3224G, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Kansasville, Wisconsin. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), Wheeling, Illinois, at 1137, with an intended destination of Lakeland Airport (ARV), Minocqua, Wisconsin.
At 1146, the flight established contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Milwaukee Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility en route to ARV. The airplane was in cruise flight at 6,000 feet mean sea level. At 1148, the flight was cleared direct to the destination airport. About 1152, radar contact with the accident airplane was lost. The air traffic controller's attempts to contact the flight were not successful. The pilot did not advise the controller of any anomalies prior to the loss of contact, nor was any distress call from the pilot received.
A witness reported observing the airplane on a north-northwest course when it "tipped forward" and descended into the ground. The airplane appeared to be intact at the time and she did not recall seeing any flames or smoke prior to impact. Several additional witnesses reported observing the airplane in a steep nose down attitude prior to impact.
The main accident site was about 40 feet in diameter. It encompassed portions of four residential backyard areas within a residential subdivision. A postimpact fire consumed portions of the airframe. The propeller and engine were embedded about 3 feet into the ground. The adjacent residential structures sustained thermal damage from the postimpact fire. However, there did not appear to be any impact related damage. There were no reports of any injuries to individuals on the ground.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 3224G Make/Model: BE36 Description: 36 Bonanza
Date: 09/09/2012 Time: 1653
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: RACINE State: WI Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. RACINE, WI
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: MILWAUKEE, WI (GL13) Entry date: 09/10/2012
DOVER — The Racine County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the pilot killed in Sunday’s plane crash near Eagle Lake.
The pilot, who was the lone occupant of the plane, has been identified as John David Brock, 67, of Chicago, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He would have turned 68 this Sunday.
Brock’s single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was flying from Chicago Executive Airport to Minocqua in north-central Wisconsin when it crashed and hit a building, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The crash ignited the aircraft, two homes, two cars, a garage and was described as a large ball of fire with flames everywhere.
The FAA is investigating the crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board. In a week or two a preliminary report could be released, but it could take months to determine a preliminary cause.
The pilot, who was the lone occupant of the plane, has been identified as John David Brock, 67, of Chicago, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He would have turned 68 this Sunday.
Brock’s single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was flying from Chicago Executive Airport to Minocqua in north-central Wisconsin when it crashed and hit a building, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The crash ignited the aircraft, two homes, two cars, a garage and was described as a large ball of fire with flames everywhere.
The FAA is investigating the crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board. In a week or two a preliminary report could be released, but it could take months to determine a preliminary cause.
The burned-out hulks of two cars and a charred skeleton of a garage are all that remain after a Beechcraft A-36 plane crashed into the back yard of a home on Kennedy Drive near Eagle Lake at about noon on Sunday. The crash ignited the aircraft, two homes, two cars, a garage and the pilot was killed.
Kansasville - A pilot was killed Sunday when a small plane crashed into a yard along Eagle Lake in Kansasville in southeastern Wisconsin, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.
The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was flying from Chicago Executive Airport to Minocqua in north-central Wisconsin when it crashed and hit a building, FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said. The pilot, who was the only person onboard, was killed and the plane was destroyed, he said, but no injuries on the ground were reported.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
"Fire units quickly extinguished the flames, which destroyed the plane, a garage, two cars, damaged two homes and other outbuildings," Kansasville Fire Chief Chad Franks said. "The incident is now under investigation by the Racine County Sheriff's Office and the FAA."
The pilot's name was not immediately released. The plane's tail number was registered to a Chicago address.
Brian Block was sitting in his living room when he heard the sound of a plane engine, close by and louder than normal.
"Then 'kaboom!' The whole house shook," Block told The Times Journal of Racine.
Block jumped in his car and drove a block to the scene where he saw flames coming from a small plane sitting in a neighbor's yard.
Travis Barstad said debris including plane parts was scattered everywhere. Roofing and siding hung off houses and burned car shells were visible, he said.
"I heard people screaming, 'It's a plane! It's a plane!'" he said.
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KANSASVILLE, Wis. (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration says the pilot was killed when a plane crashed into a yard along Eagle Lake in Kansasville in southeastern Wisconsin.
FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro says the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was flying from Chicago Executive Airport to Minocqua in north-central Wisconsin when it crashed and hit a building around noon Sunday. He says the pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed and the plane was destroyed, but no injuries on the ground were reported.
Molinaro says the cause of the crash is unknown, but the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
The pilot's name has not been released.
Witnesses report hearing the plane flying low and then a loud boom. They describe seeing the plane, cars, sheds and trees on fire.
============
Racine County Sheriff’s Department along with the Kansasville Fire Department are on scene in the 24000 block of Kennedy Drive in the area of Eagle Manor/Eagle Lake for a plane crash. MABAS Alerts have gone out for towns across the area including, Raymond, Kansasville, Union Grove, Burlington, Salem, Bristol and numerous others. The Racine Fire Bells have been dispatched to the accident scene.
There is damage to homes and vehicles, radio reports that the plane did hit buildings. Numerous sheriff’s are on scene for crowd control. Reports that the plane is severely damaged and burned. There are multiple vehicles that were on fire along with at least 2 structures. Deputies are trying to keep onlookers away from the scene, radio reports that there are a lot of low hanging power lines in the area from the accident. WE Energies has been contacted. Radio reports that a 2 seater plane is missing off the radar.
Investigators are on scene, numerous first responders on scene. WE Energies is on scene.
12:36 p.m.- Some tankers are being allowed to return to service, enough fire units on scene. Mabas alert is being canceled, Union Grove and Kansasville FD’s remain on scene. Residents report seeing 2 planes shortly before the crash, unconfirmed at this time with RCSD. FAA needs information regarding the plane and number of passengers, authorites report that with the severe damage they are unable to provide this information at this time. Residents report that it appears no one on the ground was injured, citizens were unable to gain access to the plane due to the intensity of the flames.
1:01 p.m.- Residents report that the news media is starting to show up (TMJ4)
1:06 p.m. – Radio reports that the Medical Examiner is on scene now.
http://racineuncovered.org
TOWN OF DOVER – It could take authorities months to determine the preliminary cause of Sunday’s fatal plane crash near Eagle Lake, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said Monday.
The pilot of a small plane, who authorities say was a man in his mid-50s from northern Illinois, was killed when he crashed into a yard near Eagle Lake at about noon on Sunday.
“Parts of the plane were strewn about 60 yards,” said Sgt. David Coughlin of the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, who was at the scene Monday.
Due to the extent of the “catastrophic injuries,” Coughlin said they are unable to identify the man based on his remains. Authorities have been able to identify the pilot based on his travel plans and the plane’s route, Coughlin said, but the sheriff’s office has received a request from the pilot’s son not to release his father’s name until more family can be notified.
The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza was flying from Chicago Executive Airport to Minocqua in north-central Wisconsin when it crashed and hit a building, FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said.
The crash ignited the aircraft, two homes, two cars, a garage and more, according to Chief Chad Franks of the Kansasville Fire Department.
Molinaro said Monday the FAA is investigating along with the National Transportation Safety Board. In a week or two a preliminary report could be released, but it likely will not include the cause, Molinaro said.
Based on the extent of the injuries, Coughlin said it is very unlikely authorities will ever know if the man died because of the impact or if he had a medical emergency that led to the crash.
The pilot was the only person on board, authorities said, and no injuries on the ground were reported.
The scene, following the crash, was described as a large ball of fire with flames everywhere.
“It was just flames,” said Brian Block, who lives along Lakeshore Drive close to the crash scene in the 24000 block of Kennedy Avenue.
Block, 54, was sitting in his living room just before the crash when he heard the sound of a plane engine, louder than normal and close by.
“Then ‘kaboom!’ The whole house shook,” he said.
Block jumped in his car and drove a block to the scene where he saw major flames coming from a small plane now sitting in a neighbor’s yard.
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