Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Aero Vodochody L-29 Delphin, N29NR: Accident occurred December 13, 2012 in Combine, Texas

CNR AIRCRAFT INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N29NR

NTSB Identification: CEN13FA100
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, December 13, 2012 in Combine, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/30/2014
Aircraft: AEROVODOCHODY L-29 DELFIN, registration: N29NR
Injuries: 2 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 pilot departed with a passenger on a local flight to give the passenger a ride in the foreign military jet trainer. A witness reported seeing and hearing the airplane and stated that he did not think the airplane was doing aerobatics. He stated that changes in the sound of the airplane's engine power were noticeable and that at one time he saw that the airplane's nose was higher than the tail; however, he did not see the crash. The airplane impacted terrain in a large open field. Examination revealed that the airplane was largely destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The remaining debris consisted mainly of the aft fuselage section, which contained the engine, and the airplane's tail section. The landing gear and flaps appeared to be in the retracted position. A section of the rear cockpit canopy was examined for evidence of collision with a bird; however, no evidence of such an impact was discovered. The examination of the airplane did not reveal any reason for the airplane's impact with terrain.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The airplane's impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined during examination of the available evidence because of extensive impact damage and postimpact fire.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On December 13, 2012, about 1102 central standard time, a Aerovodochody L-29 "Delfin" airplane, N29NR, impacted terrain near Combine, Texas. The commercial rated pilot and passenger were fatally injured and the airplane substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by CNR Aircraft, Inc. Dallas, Texas. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Lancaster Regional Airport (KLNC), Lancaster, Texas, about 1030.

The accident flight was the airplane's second flight of the day, with the intent of giving the passenger a ride in the airplane.

A witness reported he saw and heard the airplane before the accident and did not think the airplane was doing aerobatics. The sound of the airplane (power) change was pretty noticeable; at one time the nose was higher than the tail. Additionally, the airplane didn't seem like it was going that fast. He observed a smoke plume from the ground, but did not see the crash.

PILOT INFORMATION

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane, single and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight engineer certificate and authorization for the L-29. A second-class Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical was issued on March 28, 2012, with the limitation; must wear corrective lenses, possess glasses for near/intermediate vision. The application for a medical certificate listed the pilot's total time as 4,890 total flight hours and 30 hours in last six months. A copy of the pilot's flight log was reviewed; according to the log he had a total of 4,996.7 hours, with the last entry on November 17, 2012. The flight log was endorsed for both FAR part 61.56 and 61.58 flight reviews, on March 24, 2012.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was an Aerovodochody L-29 "DelfĂ­n' jet which was a military jet trainer manufactured in Czechoslovakia. The airplane's airworthiness certificate was in the Experimental – Exhibition category. The airplane has tandem seating, traditionally with the pilot in front and instructor (or passenger) in back. The airplane was originally equipped with ejection seats; however, the accident airplane ejection seats were disabled. The airplane was powered by a Motorlet M-701C 500, single-shaft centrifugal turbojet engine.

According to maintenance records, the airplane received its annual condition inspection in accordance with FAR 43, appendix D and an FAA approved inspection program on May 16, 2012. At the time the inspection was completed, the airframe had a total time of 3,493 hours and the engine had a total time of 1,394.2 and 399.3 since major overhaul.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1055, the automated weather observation facility located at KLNC, recorded wind from 180 degrees at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 52 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 23 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.32 inches of mercury.

COMMUNICATIONS

The pilot was not in contact with air traffic control and there were no reported distress calls from the pilot.

RADAR INFORMATION

A specific radar code ("squawk") was not assigned to the airplane; however, a standard VFR transponder code (1200) from an airplane departing LNC is consistent with the departure time of the accident airplane. The radar track depicts the airplane heading southeast away from LNC, The first radar plot is at 1048:29, the airplane track continues southwest at altitude of 1,300-1,400 feet; at 1049:34 the airplane is at 1,200 feet, with no additional radar returns until 1118:11, when a single return is observed, with an altitude of 377 feet, near the accident location. The review then noted several radar returns in the area around the accident location, and are believed to be first responders to the accident site.


WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator responded to the accident site. The airplane impacted in a large open field, about 350 feet from a river that bordered the northern edge of the field. Beyond the initial impact point, the wreckage path was distributed on a northerly heading, towards the river. The major components of the airplane separated on impact and were located along the wreckage path.

The first impact area was a ground scar with the grass and dirt disturbed. The grass forward of the first impact point, to the wreckage was burnt. About 105 feet down the wreckage path was the aft section of the fuselage. The fuselage section had fire and thermal damage and contained the engine. The engine's centrifugal compressor section was visible with impact damage to the lower half of the housing. Part way from the aft fuselage section to the main wreckage, on the left side of the debris path was the airplane's "T" tail section. About 85 feet from the aft fuselage section lay the main wreckage which consisted of the remaining fuselage section and wings; the remaining fuselage had heavy fire damage which consumed much of the cockpit area. The main landing gear and flaps appeared to be in the retracted position.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Office of the Medical Examiner, Dallas, Texas, conducted an autopsy on the pilot and passenger. The cause of death was determined on both the pilot and passenger was determined to be, "blunt force injuries".

The FAA Toxicology Accident Research Library, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on pilot. Ethanol was detected in the muscle (12mg/dL, mg/hg), and not in the liver. Valsartan was detected in the muscle and liver.

Due to the level of ethanol detected in the muscle and not in the liver, it's likely from sources other than ingestion, such as postmortem production or contamination.

Valsartan is used for the treatment of high blood pressure.

TEST AND RESEARCH

A section of the rear canopy was sent to NTSB Material Laboratory in Washington, DC. The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History Division of Birds - Feather Identification Laboratory, examined the canopy section for bird evidence. The examination did not reveal any evidence of bird impact with the canopy.


NTSB Identification: CEN13FA100 

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, December 13, 2012 in Combine, TX
Aircraft: AEROVODOCHODY L-29 DELFIN, registration: N29NR
Injuries: 2 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 December 13, 2012, about 1102 central standard time, an Aerovodochody L-29 airplane, N29NR, impacted terrain near Combine, Texas. The commercial rated pilot and passenger were fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by CNR Aircraft, Inc. Dallas, Texas. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Lancaster Municipal (KLNC), Lancaster, Texas, about 1030.

According to reports, the accident flight was the airplane’s second flight of the day, with the intent of giving the passenger a ride in the airplane. A witness reported that he observed a smoke plume from the ground, but did not see the crash. The witness said that he saw and heard the airplane before the crash, and did not think the airplane was doing aerobatics.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded to the accident site. The airplane impacted in a large open field, about 350 feet from a river that bordered the edge of the large field. After the initial impact point, the wreckage path was distributed on a northerly heading towards the river. The major components of the airplane separated on impact and were located along the wreckage path. A postcrash fire ensued.


 
Carroll Noell Rather


Carroll Noell Rather, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 13, 2012 in a plane accident.  Noell was born on October 13, 1935 in Dallas, Texas and was preceded in death by his parents, Fannie and Carroll Rather. Noell graduated from Highland Park High School in 1953 and from Southern Methodist University in 1957 where he earned adegree in geology. He then entered the United States Air Force (USAF), serving 10 years and rising to the rank of Captain. He flew the F-105 Thunder Chief in more than 60 combat missions in South East Asia, including one of the first missions over North Viet Nam. Noell returned from South East Asia to instruct F-105 pilots at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada. Honorably discharged from the USAF, Noell served as a commercial pilot for Braniff Airlines for three years before realizing that commercial aviation was anticlimactic to his "hair on fire" Air Force days and just not for him. He then realized his goal of being his own boss and built an energy company that he was actively involved with for more than 40 years. Noell's true passion in life was flying, which he learned at age 16 and continued for 61 years, logging thousands of hours as a pilot. Sharing this passion with friends and family brought him great joy, as did donating much of his time and resources to charity and the betterment of others. Let's be honest, he liked the attention! Many friends even called him by his call sign "Cobra". Noell was an avid golfer, gin rummy player, a charter member of Bent Tree Country Club, and an active member of the Dallas Petroleum Club. He was greatly involved in the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association as well as other organizations, including most notably the Order of the Daedalians and the Quiet Bird Men (QB's). Noell is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jane Eiser Rather. He is also survived by sons Ralph Rather, Michael Rather, and David Rather; daughter, Gayle Hamilton; daughters-in-law Teresa Rather and Kelley Rather and six grandchildren: Leah Rather Petrunin, Brett Rather, Anna Rather, John Michael Rather, Taylor Rather, and Lindsay Rather. Services will be held at The Church of the Incarnation at 10:00AM on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. The church is located at 3966 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to any of the following organizations: Red River Valley Pilots Association scholarship fund, the Frontiers of Flight Museum, or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Read more and guest book:  http://www.legacy.com/obituary

Aero Vodochody L-29 Delphin, N29NR 

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 29NR        Make/Model: EXP       Description: AEROVODOCHODY L-29
  Date: 12/13/2012     Time: 1717

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Destroyed

LOCATION
  City: COMBINE   State: TX   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE 
  FATALLY INJURED, NEAR COMBINE, TX

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   2
                 # Crew:   2     Fat:   2     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: DALLAS, TX  (SW05)                    Entry date: 12/14/2012 

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