NTSB Identification: CEN13LA062
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, November 18, 2012 in Jacksonville, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/15/2014
Aircraft: JABIRU USA SPORT AIRCRAFT, LLC J250-SP, registration: N635J
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 accident occurred during the student pilot's third solo flight. The pilot's husband, who was a commercial pilot and former naval aviator, reported that he witnessed the accident flight, which consisted of two landings. He stated that the first landing appeared to be fairly flat, consistent with an insufficient landing flare upon touchdown. After landing, the pilot taxied the airplane to the approach end of the runway for the next takeoff. On the second landing, the airplane again appeared to have a flat pitch attitude upon touchdown. The airplane bounced, which was followed by an audible increase in engine power. The airplane then entered a nose-high pitch attitude as it began a slow climb. The airplane climbed about 100 feet above the runway before the pilot’s husband heard another increase in engine power and observed the airplane enter a descending left turn. The airplane still had a nose-high pitch attitude and was in a 60-degree left bank when he lost visual contact with the airplane as it descended toward hangars located on the northeast side of the airport. Two additional witnesses provided similar statements about the airplane's pitch attitude, engine operation, and flightpath following the bounce and subsequent aborted landing. These witnesses also reported seeing the airplane enter a nose-low, left spin shortly before it collided with the hangars. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the witnesses' descriptions of the airplane's flightpath, it is likely that the pilot flew the airplane beyond its critical angle-of-attack during the aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at a low altitude.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb following an aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at a low altitude.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On November 18, 2012, about 1635 central standard time, a Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, LLC model J250-SP light sport airplane, N635J, was substantially damaged when it collided with airport hangars during an aborted landing at Cherokee County Airport (JSO), Jacksonville, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo-instructional flight that departed about 1625.
The student pilot's husband, a commercial pilot and former naval aviator, reported that he and his wife had flown together immediately before the accident flight and that there were no anomalies with the airplane during that flight. He stated that his wife, who had soloed for the first time earlier in the month, wanted to practice solo landings in the traffic pattern. He reported that he witnessed the accident flight, which consisted of two landings on runway 14. He stated that the first landing appeared to be fairly flat, consistent with an insufficient landing flare upon touchdown. After landing, the airplane taxied to the approach end of runway 14 for the next takeoff. On the second landing, the airplane again appeared to have a flat pitch attitude upon touchdown. The airplane bounced, which was followed by an audible increase in engine power. The airplane then entered a nose-high pitch attitude as it began a slow climb. The airplane climbed about 100 feet above the runway before he heard another increase in engine power and observed the airplane enter a descending left turn. The airplane was still in a nose-high pitch attitude and had achieved a 60-degree left bank, when he lost visual contact with the airplane as it descended toward hangar structures located on the northeast side of the airport.
Two additional witnesses provided similar statements about the airplane's pitch-attitude, engine operation, and flight path following the bounced landing. These witnesses also reported seeing the airplane enter a nose-low, left spin shortly before it collided with the hangars.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the accident pilot, age 60, held a student pilot certificate that was issued on August 21, 2012. Her last aviation medical examination was completed on August 21, 2012, when she was issued a third-class medical certificate with a restriction for corrective lenses. A search of FAA records showed no accident, incident, enforcement, or disciplinary actions.
The pilot's most recent logbook entry was dated November 15, 2012, at which time she had accumulated 33.2 hours total flight time, of which 0.7 hours were as pilot-in-command. With the exception of a single flight, which was completed in a Cessna model 150 airplane, all of the pilot's flight experience was completed in the accident airplane. She had flown 31 hours during the prior 6 months, 18 hours during previous 90 days, and 7.6 hours in the 30 day period before the accident flight. The pilot's logbook did not contain any recorded flight time for the 24 hour period before the accident flight. The logbook contained a flight instructor endorsement, dated November 7, 2012, for solo flight in Jabiru model J250 airplanes.
According to the pilot's logbook, since beginning flight training in May 2012, she had completed two solo flights. Her first solo flight, 0.5 hours in duration, was completed on November 7, 2012, and consisted of three landings. The second solo flight, 0.2 hours in duration, was completed on November 15, 2012, and consisted of two landings. Both solo flights were completed in the accident airplane.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident airplane was a 2008 Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, LLC model J250-SP light sport airplane, serial number (s/n) 500. A 120-horsepower Jabiru model 3300A reciprocating engine, s/n 33A1536, powered the airplane. The airplane was equipped with a fixed-pitch, two blade, Sensenich model W60ZK-53 wood propeller. The two-seat airplane had a fixed tricycle landing gear and a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds.
On February 14, 2008, the accident airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate and associated operating limitations. The airplane had accumulated a total service time of 357.1 hours at the time of the accident. The last condition inspection was completed on April 25, 2012, at 164.6 total airframe hours. A postaccident review of the maintenance records found no history of unresolved airworthiness issues.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1635, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 100 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 1 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting 30.25 inches of mercury.
Astronomical data obtained from the United States Naval Observatory indicated that the local sunset was at 1720, about 45 minutes after the accident, and the end of civil twilight was at 1746.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The Cherokee County Airport (JSO), a public-use airport, located about 7 miles south-southeast of Jacksonville, Texas, was served by a single runway: 14/32 (5,006 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The airport elevation was 678 feet mean sea level (msl). Runway 14 was equipped with a four-light precision approach path indicator.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
A postaccident examination, completed by FAA inspectors, confirmed that all airframe structural components were located at the accident site. The airplane had collided with two hangars during the impact sequence. The damage to the hangars and the overall lack of a wreckage debris path was consistent with a near vertical impact angle. A majority of the wreckage was located in the alleyway between the hangars. The airplane came to rest inverted, about 15 feet above ground level, supported between the two hangar structures. Both wings had separated from their respective fuselage attachments and were located beneath the fuselage. The empennage remained attached to the aft fuselage and was resting on the roof of one of the hangars.
The postaccident examination was unable to establish flight control continuity due to airframe damage; however, all observed flight control system separations were consistent with overstress. Ample fuel was found in both wing fuel tanks. Cylinder compression and suction was noted on all cylinders while the engine was rotated by hand. The postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
On November 19, 2012, an autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, located in Dallas, Texas. The cause of death for the pilot was attributed to multiple blunt-force injuries sustained during the accident.
The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on samples obtained during the pilot's autopsy. Carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol were not detected. Lidocaine was detected in urine samples. Lidocaine is commonly used in emergency situations as an antiarrhythmic agent.
Debra BirchDebra Birch first solo flight on November 7, 2012: https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeCountyPilotsAssociation
NTSB Identification: CEN13LA062
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, November 18, 2012 in Jacksonville, TX
Aircraft: Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, LLC J250-SP, registration: N635J
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 November 18, 2012, about 1635 central standard time, a Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, LLC model J250-SP light sport airplane, N635J, was substantially damaged when it collided with an airport hangar during an aborted landing at Cherokee County Airport (KJSO), Jacksonville, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo-instructional flight that departed about 1625.
The student pilot’s husband, a commercial pilot, reported that he and his wife had flown together immediately before the accident flight and that there were no anomalies experienced during that flight. He stated that his wife, who had soloed for the first time earlier in the month, wanted to practice solo landings in the traffic pattern. He reported that after exiting the airplane he witnessed the accident flight, which consisted of two landings on runway 14 (5,006 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He stated that the first landing appeared to be fairly flat, consistent with an inadequate landing flare. The airplane was then observed to taxi to the approach end of runway 14 before the next takeoff. On the second landing, the airplane again appeared to have a flat attitude upon touchdown. The airplane was observed to bounce upon touchdown, which was followed by an audible increase in engine power. The airplane was then observed to enter a nose-high attitude as it began a slow climb. The student pilot’s husband stated that after the airplane had climbed about 100 feet above the runway he heard another increase in engine power and saw the airplane enter a descending left turn. The airplane continued in the descending left turn, while remaining in a nose-high attitude, until he lost visual contact as it descended toward hangar structures located on the northeast side of the airport. Several additional witnesses provided similar statements about the airplane’s pitch-attitude, engine operation, and flight path following the bounced landing.
A postaccident examination of the airplane was completed by representatives with the Federal Aviation Administration. The postaccident examination was unable to establish flight control continuity due to airframe damage; however, all observed flight control system separations were consistent with overload failure. Ample fuel was found in both wing fuel tanks. Cylinder compression and suction was noted on all cylinders as the engine was rotated by hand. No anomalies were identified during the on-scene investigation that could be associated with preimpact malfunction of the airplane.
According to the student pilot’s flight logbook, since beginning flight training in May 2012 she had accumulated 33.2 hours of flight experience and had completed two solo flights, totaling 0.7 hours. Her first solo flight, 0.5 hours in duration, was completed on November 7, 2012, and consisted of three landings. The second solo flight, 0.2 hours in duration, was completed on November 15, 2012, and consisted of two landings.
At 1635, the airport’s automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 100 degrees magnetic at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 01 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.25 inches of mercury.
Photo Source: Tara Nicole (Facebook)
JACKSONVILLE — A 60-year-old Jacksonville woman recently honored by the Cherokee County Pilots Association for her first solo flight was killed Sunday afternoon when the single-engine airplane she was piloting crashed at the local airport, authorities said.
The Federal Aviation Administration has begun a preliminary investigation into the death of Debra Sue Birch, confirmed Trooper Jean Dark, public information officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Authorities say Birch was flying a fixed wing Jabiru light aircraft when the incident took place shortly after 4 p.m.
Dark said Sunday she was not at liberty to release further details about the crash or speculate as to its cause.
"That's all the information I can release right now," she said Sunday night.
Birch had just been congratulated by the Cherokee County Pilots Association on their Facebook page for her inaugural, Nov. 7, flight. She was shown on that page standing by a single-engine plane.
http://jacksonvilleprogress.com
CHEROKEE COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - A Jacksonville woman died Sunday evening after being involved in a plane crash Sunday afternoon.
Officials say 60-year-old Debra Birch was flying a fixed wing, single engine Jabiru aircraft when it crashed into a hangar bay at the Cherokee County Airport around 4:35 Sunday evening.
According to Lynn Lunsford with the FAA, the plane was trying to land while "touch and go landing", which Lunsford says is a practice in which the pilot lands the plane and takes off numerous times.
The tail number on the plane is N635J and the model of the plane is J250-SP. DPS and the FAA are continuing to investigate the crash.
DPS officials tell KETK 60-year old Debra Birch, the pilot of the plane, is in critical condition. They say this was her second time flying solo. Birch was reportedly flying low, when the plane hit the top of a hangar and crashed into a building. Federal Aviation Administration officials are investigating the scene.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - A Jacksonville woman is in the hospital after being involved in a plane crash Sunday afternoon.
Officials say 60-year-old Debra Birch was flying a fixed wing, single engine Jabiru aircraft when it crashed into a hanger bay at the Cherokee County Airport around 4:35 Sunday evening.
According to Lynn Lunsford with the FAA, the plane was trying to land while "touch and go landing", which Lunsford says is a practice in which the pilot lands the plane and takes off numerous times.
At last check, she was in critical condition at ETMC in Jacksonville.
The tail number on the plane is N635J and the model of the plane is J250-SP. DPS and the FAA are continuing to investigate the crash.
ORIGINAL- A single-engine plane crashed late Sunday afternoon in Cherokee County.
Cherokee county officials tell KETK the crash happened just before 4:30 at the Cherokee County Airport.
One person has been taken to the hospital at this time, but their condition is still unknown.
The cause of the plane crash is still being investigated at this time.
A single-engine plane crashed late Sunday afternoon in Cherokee County.
Cherokee county officials tell us that the crash happened just before 4:30 at the Cherokee County Airport.
One person has been taken to a local hospital at this time, but their condition is still unknown.
The cause of the plane crash is still being investigated at this time.
KLTV 7 Article (With Photos): http://www.kltv.com
Fox 51 News Article (With Photo): http://www.fox51.com
KETK-NBC Article (With Photo): http://www.ketknbc.com
