NTSB Identification: ERA13LA084
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, December 09, 2012 in Brandon, MS
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/30/2013
Aircraft: MERRITT LESLIE R KELLY D, registration: N5172S
Injuries: 1 Minor,1 Uninjured.
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 flight instructor and student pilot were preparing to take off to the west. Following a normal magneto and carburetor heat check, the student took the controls for the takeoff. Shortly after liftoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. The flight instructor took the controls and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane struck trees and sustained substantial airframe damage. A wreckage examination found no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure, and there was adequate fuel on board for the flight. Although there were some small flakes of sealant in the fuel tanks, no obstructions were found. A review of meteorological data revealed that the airplane was being operated in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power but not at takeoff power. Thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
On December 9, 2012, about 1615 central standard time, a Merritt Kelly D, N5172S, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Brandon, Mississippi. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and one student pilot was not injured. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was operated by a corporation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The commercial-rated flight instructor reported that, prior to taking off to the west, a magneto and carburetor heat check was performed with normal results. The student pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, was at the controls for the takeoff. Shortly after liftoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. The flight instructor took over the controls and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane collided with trees in a marshy area.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector confirmed substantial damage to the airframe. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the controls to the cockpit. The fuel tank was breached, and contained a residual amount of light blue-colored fuel. Some small flakes were observed inside the tank, consistent in appearance with tank sealant. The fuel selector valve was in the open position and no restrictions were observed. The gascolator was opened and was full of fuel. A small amount of debris was found in the bottom of the gascolator bowl. The carburetor inlet screen was free of contaminants.
Further examination of the engine revealed that internal continuity was confirmed and compression was observed on all cylinders. The engine was full of oil. Left magneto drive continuity was confirmed. The top spark plugs were removed and the electrodes were clean with a light gray color. Fuel was observed on the ground around the aircraft.
The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were about 73 and 64 degrees F, respectively. According to the carburetor icing chart published in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, the weather conditions at the time were conducive to serious icing at glide power.
===============
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA084
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, December 09, 2012 in Brandon, MS
Aircraft: MERRITT LESLIE R KELLY D, registration: N5172S
Injuries: 2 Minor.
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 December 9, 2012, about 1615 central standard time, a Merritt Kelly D, N5172S, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Brandon, Mississippi. The commercial pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that, shortly after liftoff, the engine lost power. He maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane collided with trees in a marshy area. First responders noted a smell of fuel at the accident site.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector confirmed substantial damage to the airframe. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the controls to the cockpit. The fuel tank was breached, and contained a residual amount of light blue-colored fuel. Some small flakes were observed inside the tank, consistent in appearance with tank sealant. The fuel selector valve was in the open position and no restrictions were observed. The gascolator was opened and was full of fuel. A small amount of debris was found in the bottom of the gascolator bowl. The carburetor inlet screen was free of contaminants.
Further examination of the engine revealed that internal continuity was confirmed and compression was observed on all cylinders. The engine oil quantity was "full." Left magneto drive continuity was confirmed. The top spark plugs were removed and the electrodes were clean with a light gray color. Fuel was observed on the ground around the aircraft.
Deputies found the pilot lying underneath the wing of the plane. He appeared to have injuries to his face and ankle. The injuries reported do not appear to be life threatening.
RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. — A plane crashed into a neighborhood in Rankin County on Sunday.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said an experimental biplane went down just before 5 p.m. in the Woodbridge subdivision off Three Prong Road.
Deputies said the plane started to go down near one of the houses, but it ended up crashing near a line of trees.
"One witness said it appeared the plane was beginning to lose power, and then it went down. I'm not a reconstruction (expert), but apparently, it struck a tree top, and the spiraled down and landed on its nose, then on its belly," Bailey said.
Bailey said the pilot was able to walk away from the crash and call 911.
"The caller stated that they saw the plane go down. A short time later, the passenger of the plane called 911," Bailey said.
"Investigators said the pilot was sent to a hospital with broken bones and cuts, while the passenger is uninjured. Bailey said it could have been much worse.
"It's so thick and wooded back there. It looks like, from my understanding, he's an experienced pilot and landed in a fairly clear logging road area. It looks like he knew what he was doing to get that plane down at that location," Bailey said.
WAPT 16 News has not received any reports of injuries to residents in the area.
A Federal Aviation Administration registry lists the owner of the plane as KDB LLC out of Brandon, with a certificate issued 10 days ago.
http://www.wapt.com
We just interviewed Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey. The crash happened around 4:00 Sunday afternoon. The Sheriff says the pilot is very experienced, and that may have saved his life. He's been transported to the hospital with a few injuries, including broken bones and lacerations. The passenger in the plane walked away unharmed and was one of the first to call 911.
The FAA is investigating and will talk with the news media Monday.
----------
A plane crashed into a neighborhood in Rankin County on Sunday.
Bailey said the pilot was able to walk away from the crash and call 911, as well as his wife.
WAPT 16 News has not received any reports of injuries to residents in the area.
Deputies said multiple agencies have been called to the scene.
No other details have been provided.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
A small plane has crashed in a Rankin County neighborhood, moderately injuring the pilot, but a passenger escaped unharmed.
Sheriff Bryan Bailey said the pilot sustained bruises, cuts, and broken bones when the red and yellow experimental biplane crashed just before 5 p.m. in the woods just off the Woodbridge subdivision off Three Prong Road.
No residents on the ground were injured, Bailey said.
“It was back in the woods on a logging road,” he said.
It took between 30 and 45 minutes to get to the plane and get the passengers out of the woods, Bailey said, but residents of the subdivision helped with SUVs and all-terrain vehicles.
The plane had taken off from the private airstrip at the subdivision, officials said.
Initially, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Rankin EOC, and the Reservoir Fire Department were called to the scene, Bailey said, but officials were also expecting the FAA shortly.
So far the names of the two in the plane have not been released. Bailey said authorities were trying to “make sure everyone’s notified they’re OK and everything.”
