NTSB Identification: CEN13FA069
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, November 21, 2012 in Mancelona, MI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/30/2014
Aircraft: CESSNA 310B, registration: N5419A
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.
A witness saw the airplane depart, however the accident was unobserved. The airplane was discovered 2 days later in a heavily wooded area about 1 mile from the departure end of the runway and about 3/4 mile to the right of the extended runway centerline. The airplane was almost inverted when it impacted the ground. Normal traffic pattern direction at the uncontrolled airport was to the left for this runway and the pilot was known to follow this requirement closely.
The accident site's location relative to the departure runway centerline and the airplane's nearly inverted attitude at impact were both consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain a minimum control airspeed and a subsequent loss of control roll to the right. The right fuel boost pump switch was found in the "on" position, whereas the left boost pump switch was found in the "off" position. Although the right fuel boost pump switch may have moved due to impact, the as-found position was consistent with the pilot attempting to correct for a loss of right engine power during takeoff.
Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller did not reveal any anomalies associated with a preimpact failure or malfunction.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On November 21, 2012, about 1715 eastern standard time, a Cessna 310B, N5419A, owned by the pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain near Lakes of the North Airport (4Y4), Mancelona, Michigan. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
A witness living near the airport noticed the airplane depart 4Y4, an uncontrolled airport, on Runway 24 between 1700 and 1715. No witnesses observed the accident. During the morning of November 23, 2012, the wreckage was discovered about 1 mile from the departure end of Runway 24 and about ¾ mile to the right of the extended runway centerline. Normal traffic pattern direction at the uncontrolled airport was to the left for this runway and the pilot was known to follow this requirement closely.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 68, held an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane multi-engine land rating and commercial pilot privileges with an airplane single engine landing rating. The pilot also held an airframe and power plant certificate with inspection authorization privileges. He completed the annual inspections on the accident airplane from 2008 to 2012.
On May 5, 2007, the pilot was issued a Class 3 limited medical certificate, which required corrective lenses be worn. At the time of the medical examination, the pilot reported having 19,310 hours of flight experience. No further medical certificates were available to the investigation. The last documented flight review available to the investigation occurred on August 10, 2007. The pilot was a retired airline captain, accumulating the majority of his flight time in Boeing 727 aircraft.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident airplane, a Cessna 310B (serial number 35619) was manufactured in 1957. It was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a standard airworthiness certificate. The airplane was certificated for single pilot operation and the logbooks showed a total time of 7,483 hours as of the last annual inspection.
The airplane was equipped with two Continental Motors O-470-M engines. The left engine (serial number 81762-1-L-4) had accumulated a total of 3,713 hours, with 248 hours since last major overhaul. The right engine (serial number 52011-7-M) had accumulated 5,856 hours, with 1,335 hours since last major overhaul. Both propellers were installed on April 23, 2000, with no maintenance entries in the propeller log since installation.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The weather observing station at Gaylord Regional Airport (KGLR), Gaylord, Michigan, located 10 miles northeast of the accident location, reported the following conditions at 1653: wind 180 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, clear skies, temperature 9 degrees Celsius, dew point 6 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.05.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The accident site was located in flat, forested terrain. The airplane impacted about 1 mile from the departure end of Runway 24 and about ¾ mile to the right of the extended runway centerline. The first impact was near the top of a 40 foot tree, and the airplane came to rest about 100 yards beyond this tree. The debris path of airplane components indicated the attitude of the airplane was close to inverted as it impacted the ground.
At the accident site, both cockpit throttle levers were in the idle position and both engine mixture levers were leaned, with the right engine mixture lever leaned more than the left. The propeller controls were both in the full forward position, with the propeller pistons forward and the flyweights in the full RPM position. The carburetor heat control knobs were full forward (no carb heat selected). The right hand fuel boost pump switch in the cockpit was found in the on position, whereas the left hand fuel boost pump switch was found in the off position.
The airplane's instrument panel exhibited the following indications:
Airspeed Indicator – 269 MPH
Attitude Indicator – detached from panel
Vertical Speed Indicator – 200 feet per minute climb
Altimeter – 1,600 feet
Altimeter Kollsman Window – 30.03 inches
Communications #1 Radio – 122.90
Communications #2 Radio – 134.60
Navigation #1 Radio – 111.60
Navigation #2 Radio – 109.10
Both main fuel tanks and the right auxiliary tank were compromised by impact. The right main tank was separated, but still had fuel present. This right main tank fuel had snow present and was not tested for water contamination. The right fuel selector handle and valve were near the right main fuel tank position. The right firewall fuel separator contained approximately one cup of fuel, which tested negative for water contamination. The right firewall fuel separator contained fuel.
The left main tank was separated and breached, with no fuel present. The left auxiliary tank contained about 4 gallons of fuel, which tested negative for water contamination. The left fuel selector handle and valve were near the left main tank position. The left firewall fuel separator bowl was compromised and did not contain fuel. The left fuel valve expelled about one cup of fuel when positioned to the crossfeed position and the fuel tested negative for water contamination. The four fuel tank caps were in place with rubber seals.
Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. The landing gear were in the 'up' position, with both the gear selector handle and gear linkage also in the 'up' position. The flaps were in the 'up' position. Examination of both propellers determined that neither was feathered at impact.
The attitude gyro was disassembled and exhibited slight scoring. The static ports were unobstructed and the pitot tube was blocked with dirt. The oxygen cylinder mount was empty and the bottle was not observed. The aircraft heater was in the off position.
At the salvage location, damage and gouges to the right engine propeller housing/cable were observed. A bracket (near the firewall) for the right engine propeller housing/cable was not present, with no evidence of separation due to impact.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
On November 24, 2012, an autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Antrim Country Medical Examiner. The cause of death was attributed to blunt force injuries. The autopsy revealed mild coronary artery disease but no significant preexisting pathology. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma performed toxicology tests on the pilot. No carbon monoxide, cyanide, or ethanol was detected during testing. Friends of the pilot stated he flew regularly and was in extremely good health, both physically and mentally.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
Both engines were transported to Continental Motors in Mobile, Alabama, and both carburetors were transported to Precision Engines in Everett, Washington, for further examination.
Left Engine Examination
The external surfaces of the engine were impact damaged. The carburetor, number one and six cylinder valve covers, oil sump, and induction system risers for the number six cylinder were impact damaged and replaced for the engine run. The engine was fitted with thermo couplings, pressure lines, and test pads for test purposes only.
Pre and post engine run compression tests were performed with the following results: Cylinder 1 – 61/58 PSI, Cylinder 2 – 25/40 PSI, Cylinder 3 – 40/57 PSI, Cylinder 4 – 40/38 PSI, Cylinder 5 – 35/58 PSI, Cylinder 6 – 63/49 PSI
The engine experienced a normal start on the first attempt without hesitation or stumbling in observed RPM. Throughout the test phase, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power and demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower.
Right Engine Examination.
The external surfaces of the engine were impact damaged. . The carburetor, top spark plug for cylinder number 1, valve cover for cylinder number 6, induction system risers, and exhaust stacks were impact damaged and replaced for the engine run. The engine was fitted with thermo couplings, pressure lines, and test pads for test purposes only.
Pre and post engine run compression tests were performed with the following results: Cylinder 1 – 16/27 PSI, Cylinder 2 – 70/75 PSI, Cylinder 3 – 45/63 PSI, Cylinder 4 – 18/72 PSI, Cylinder 5 – 11/52 PSI, Cylinder 6 – 60/56 PSI
The engine experienced a normal start on the first attempt without hesitation or stumbling in observed RPM. Throughout the test phase, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power and demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower. The complete engine operational test reports for both engines are located in the public docket.
Examination of carburetors
Both carburetors were assembled correctly and their fuel inlet screens were free of any significant contamination. The gaskets, diaphragms, venturis, metering valves, and acceleration pumps for both carburetors were in good condition, with no anomalies noted. All other components not damaged in the crash were in good condition. Due to impact damage from the accident sequence, the carburetors were not able to be bench or flow tested. There were no abnormalities noted that would have prevented either carburetor from functioning normally.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
According to 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 23, velocity minimum control (Vmc) speed is the calibrated airspeed at which, when the critical engine is suddenly made inoperative, it is possible to maintain control of the airplane with that engine inoperative. The Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook contains a comprehensive discussion of Vmc and engine inoperative flight principles and is available at faa.gov.
NTSB Identification: CEN13FA069
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, November 21, 2012 in Mancelona, MI
Aircraft: CESSNA 310B, registration: N5419A
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 October 21, 2012, about 1715 eastern standard time, a Cessna 310B, N5419A, owned by the pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain near Mancelona, Michigan. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Lakes of the North Airport (4Y4) between 1700 and 1715.
A witness living near the airport noticed the airplane depart 4Y4, an uncontrolled airport, on Runway 24 between 1700 and 1715. No witnesses observed the accident. During the morning of October 23, 2012, the wreckage was discovered about 1 mile southwest of the airport in a heavily wooded area.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 5419A Make/Model: C310 Description: 310, T310 (U-3, L-27)
Date: 11/23/2012 Time: 0030
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: GAYLORD State: MI Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 1 PERSON ON BOARD WAS
FATALLY INJURED, NEAR GAYLORD, MI
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 1 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: GRAND RAPIDS, MI (GL09) Entry date: 11/26/2012
A Mancelona man died in a plane crash today in Antrim County. He was the aircraft's lone occupant.
ANTRIM COUNTY, MI — Authorities are investigating a fatal airplane
crash that may have occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday in northern
Michigan.
The Antrim County Sheriff's Office identified Roger William Crawford, 68, of Mancelona, as the pilot killed when his Cessna 310B, twin-engine airplane, crashed in a remote area near Crooked Lake Road, off Highway C-38 in Antrim County.
Sheriff Daniel Beam said Crawford, an experienced pilot, was found dead at the scene after being reported missing on Thursday by family when he failed to show up at a Thanksgiving gathering in Frankfort.
Beam said deputies searched for Crawford at his home in the Lakes of the North residential resort community and began an aerial search of the area using a Michigan State Police helicopter after learning the man was a pilot.
The wreckage was found Friday morning in a wooded area just southwest of the resort community's Lakes of the North airstrip. Authorities required off-road vehicles to access the wreckage.
Tony Molinaro, a spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration, said Crawford’s plane was scheduled to fly from Gaylord to Cadillac. The Petoskey News Review is reporting that officials with the Gaylord Regional Airport said the plane did not leave from there.
The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating the crash, but spokespeople with the organization could not provide further details. It’s currently unclear exactly what time and under what circumstances the plane went down.
According to FAA records, the plane, with tail number N5419A, was manufactured in 1957 and was registered to Crawford, the owner.
http://www.mlive.com
BELLAIRE — Authorities identified a pilot killed in an Antrim County plane crash as Roger W. Crawford, 68, of Mancelona.
Crawford was reported missing by family on Thanksgiving Day after he failed to show up at a gathering in Frankfort. Antrim County sheriff's deputies went to his home in the Lakes of the North community Thursday evening and could not find him.
Family members then told authorities Crawford was a pilot and he may have gone flying. On Friday morning, a thorough search of the area turned up the wreckage of Crawford's Cessna 310B aircraft near Crooked Lake Road, off of Highway C-38.
Crawford was dead at the scene.
"Mr. Crawford was an experienced pilot with many years of commercial flight time," Antrim County Sheriff Daniel Bean said in a statement.
A spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration said Crawford was flying from Gaylord to Cadillac at the time of the crash. It was not clear how his plane ended up in Antrim County, or if Thursday's heavy winds could have played a role. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident.
MANCELONA — A pilot has been found dead in the wreckage of his small plane after missing a family gathering on Thanksgiving.
The Antrim County sheriff's office says deputies and state police found the body of 68-year-old Roger Crawford on Friday morning in Mancelona, about 140 miles north of Grand Rapids.
Sheriff's officials described Crawford as an experienced pilot "with many years of commercial flight time."
Relatives contacted deputies Thursday night and reported Crawford had not shown up at a family gathering in Frankfort.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro says Crawford's Cessna 310B two-engine propeller plane was flying from Gaylord to Cadillac.
The FAA also is investigating a single-engine plane crash Wednesday in Adams Township, about 80 miles west-southwest of Detroit. The 75-year-old pilot was killed in that crash.
Police tell 9&10 News that a pilot died in plane crash in Antrim County around 8:00 last night.
We have a crew on scene right now, they say the plane is about a mile into the woods off of Mancelona Road in Mancelona.
The Antrim County Sheriff's Office received a call from a family who said a family member had not showed up for a family gathering in Frankfort.
Deputies went to Roger Crawford's home in Lakes of the North in Mancelona. They did not find him at home but a family member said he may have gone flying since he is a pilot.
Deputies searched the area in Lakes of the North with several police agencies and a helicopter.
They found Crawford and his plane in a remote area of Lakes of the North near Crooked Lake Road off C-38.
Crawford was 68-years-old piloting a twin engine Cessna 310B.
BELLAIRE — A plane crashed in Antrim County this morning and killed one person.
Antrim County Sheriff Dan Bean said deputies responded to a report of aircraft wreckage near Crooked Lake and Mancelona roads.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft that crashed was a Cessna 310B, a twin-engine plane scheduled to fly from Gaylord to Cadillac.
"We are told there was one person on board and there was a fatality," said Tony Molinaro, FAA spokesman out of Chicago.
The plane is registered to a man who lives in Mancelona.
