The military believes it has found the source of the potentially deadly
oxygen problem that has plagued America's most expensive fighter jet,
the F-22 Raptor, for years, Pentagon spokesperson George Little said
today.
"I think we have very high confidence that we've identified the issues,"
Little told reporters, before announcing a long-term plan to lift
strict flight restrictions imposed by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta
on the $79 billion fleet in May. "This is a very prudent way to ensure
that we, in a very careful manner, resume normal flight operations."
The mystery problem with the F-22 Raptor was the subject of an ABC News "Nightline" investigation,
which found that since 2008, F-22 pilots have experienced unexplained
symptoms of oxygen deprivation -- including confusion, sluggishness and
disorientation -- while at the controls of the $420 million-a-pop jets
on more than two dozen occasions. In one instance, a pilot became so
disoriented that his plane skimmed treetops before he was able to pull
up and save himself. The Air Force subjected the F-22 to intense
scrutiny for years, including a nearly five-month fleet-wide grounding
last year, but was unable to solve the problem. When the grounding was
lifted, the service awarded the plane's manufacturer, defense
contracting giant Lockheed Martin, a nearly $25 million contract in part to help identify the problem, but still no answer was found.
The source of the issue, the Pentagon now says, is believed to be a
faulty valve in the high-pressure vest that is worn by the pilots at
extreme altitudes -- one that Air Force officials believe is
constricting the pilots' ability to breathe.
"To correct the supply issue and reduce the incidence of hypoxia-like
events, the Air Force has made two changes to the aircraft's cockpit
life support system," Little said. "First, the Air Force will replace a
valve in the upper pressure garment vest worn by pilots during
high-altitude missions. The valve was causing the vest to inflate and
remain inflated under conditions where it was not designed to do so,
thereby causing breathing problems for some pilots... Second, the Air
Force has increased the volume of air flowing to pilots
by removing a filter that was installed to determine whether there were
any contaminants present in the oxygen system. Oxygen contamination was
ruled out."
Read more here: http://abcnews.go.com
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Drought affecting business for crop dusters: Dry weather shrinking demand
WAKARUSA, Ind. – Though Tuesday’s rain helped some, crop dusters are feeling the effects of the drought just like the farmer’s they serve.
David Eby, owner of AgriFlite Services in Wakarusa, has been flying “aerial application” flights for nearly 40-years and said 2012 has been one of the worst in memory.
"Our business has really grown the last four years, but this year the corn is in such a sorry state that people have not put the money in it like they have the last few years," Eby explained. “It’s the cost plus the potential return on investment; they’re looking at this corn and watching it dry up in front of them.”
Typically this time of year AgriFlite’s business is mostly focused on applying fungicides, with the dry weather this year demand is way down.
“This is a very unusual year, normally this time of year we’d have 12 other airplanes up here, we bring them in from Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas,” Eby described. “This year we’re just running our own 5 airplanes and keeping caught up.”
This July AgriFlite has about 30-percent of the workload they would typically have. The dry weather has attracted pests not normally seen this type of year and that is helping business.
“It’s so dry we have an unusual insect called ‘spider mites’ and they’re breaking out,” explained Eby. “Been so dry they’ve shown up in corn and we have a lot of seed corn that’s going to be sprayed here in the next couple of days.”
Like most everybody in the agriculture industry, Eby and his employees are praying for more rain.
"We got two inches this morning, so somebody’s been praying,” Eby said. “Trouble of it is on the corn it's probably too late for a lot of it, it pollinated the last two-weeks and it didn’t have any moisture.”
Eby explained the 2012 might not be too bad for AgriFlite because they have saved money by not contracting more planes and pilots. Still, he said they’d rather have a good crop to spray.
Source: http://www.abc57.com/news/local/Drought-affecting-business-for-crop-dusters-163632646.html
David Eby, owner of AgriFlite Services in Wakarusa, has been flying “aerial application” flights for nearly 40-years and said 2012 has been one of the worst in memory.
"Our business has really grown the last four years, but this year the corn is in such a sorry state that people have not put the money in it like they have the last few years," Eby explained. “It’s the cost plus the potential return on investment; they’re looking at this corn and watching it dry up in front of them.”
Typically this time of year AgriFlite’s business is mostly focused on applying fungicides, with the dry weather this year demand is way down.
“This is a very unusual year, normally this time of year we’d have 12 other airplanes up here, we bring them in from Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas,” Eby described. “This year we’re just running our own 5 airplanes and keeping caught up.”
This July AgriFlite has about 30-percent of the workload they would typically have. The dry weather has attracted pests not normally seen this type of year and that is helping business.
“It’s so dry we have an unusual insect called ‘spider mites’ and they’re breaking out,” explained Eby. “Been so dry they’ve shown up in corn and we have a lot of seed corn that’s going to be sprayed here in the next couple of days.”
Like most everybody in the agriculture industry, Eby and his employees are praying for more rain.
"We got two inches this morning, so somebody’s been praying,” Eby said. “Trouble of it is on the corn it's probably too late for a lot of it, it pollinated the last two-weeks and it didn’t have any moisture.”
Eby explained the 2012 might not be too bad for AgriFlite because they have saved money by not contracting more planes and pilots. Still, he said they’d rather have a good crop to spray.
Source: http://www.abc57.com/news/local/Drought-affecting-business-for-crop-dusters-163632646.html
Piper PA-25-235, N7313Z: Accident occurred July 23, 2012 in Westerly, Rhode Island
http://registry.faa.gov/N7313Z
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA474
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Westerly, RI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/29/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-25-235, registration: N7313Z
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
About 12 minutes into a local banner towing flight, while flying 650 feet above the ocean, the airplane’s engine began running roughly. The pilot responded by increasing the throttle to full, richening the mixture, and applying carburetor heat, all to no avail. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power completely, so the pilot performed a forced landing to the ocean and was later rescued by civilian boaters. The airplane was recovered from the ocean more than 1 week after the accident. The pilot/operator was able to perform a cursory inspection of the engine at the time, but no definitive cause for the loss of power was identified. Due to the salt water-damaged state of the engine, no further detailed examination could be completed. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated nearly 2,300 hours since its most recent overhaul and 150 hours since its most recent annual inspection. Weather conditions at an airport 6 miles from the accident location were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor ice at glide power settings.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the postaccident salt water-damaged state of the engine.
On July 23, 2012, at 1502 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7313Z, registered to and operated by Simmons Aviation, was substantially damaged following a forced landing into the Atlantic Ocean, near Westerly, Rhode Island. The certificated airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Westerly State Airport (WST), Westerly, Rhode Island, about 1445. The banner tow flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot stated that he departed with 25 gallons of fuel for a 45-minute flight, and had not taken on any fuel that day. About 12 minutes into the flight, and while flying at an altitude of about 600 feet, the engine began running "roughly" and sounded as though it misfired. After about 20 seconds, the pilot responded by increasing engine power to full, richening the mixture, and applying carburetor heat. Shortly after, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane into the ocean with the banner still attached, approximately 6 miles from shore. The pilot transmitted a distress call, and was later rescued by a civilian boat.
The airplane was recovered from the ocean on July 31, 2012. The pilot performed a cursory examination of the engine and noted that the crankshaft was free to rotate, and oil was present within the engine case. The pilot reported that there was an unspecified “problem” with a valve of the number 4 cylinder, and that he was unable to check operation of the magnetos since they were saturated with water. An unspecified quantity of fuel was found in a fuel tank. Due to the extent of damage related to immersion in salt water, no further examination of the engine was possible.
The pilot had most recently purchased fuel from a fixed base operator at WST. The fuel facility there was inspected at the direction of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector following the accident. No abnormalities were noted during the inspection.
The accident airplane was manufactured in 1965 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine. Review of maintenance records showed that the airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed on August 7, 2011. At that time, the airframe had accumulated 4,720 total flight hours, and the engine had accumulated 2,147 hours since the most recent overhaul. The airplane had accumulated an additional 150 flight hours since that time.
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with numerous ratings, including airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued in June 2012, and he reported that he possessed 9,175 total hours of flight experience, 1,500 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model.
The weather reported at WST, at 1500, included winds from 210 degrees magnetic at 9 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a broken ceiling at 1,600 feet, temperature 26 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 21 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury. The temperature and dew point conditions at that time were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power settings.
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA474
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Westerly, RI
Aircraft: PIPER PA-25-235, registration: N7313Z
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
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.
On July 23, 2012, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7313Z, registered to and operated by Simmons Aviation, was presumed substantially damaged following a forced landing into the Atlantic Ocean, near Westerly, Rhode Island. The certificated airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Westerly State Airport (WST), Westerly, Rhode Island, about 1445. The banner tow flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot stated that he departed with 25 gallons of fuel, for a 45 minute flight, and had not taken on any fuel that day. About 12 minutes into the flight, the engine began running "roughly", and then it sounded as though the engine misfired before it lost power completely. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane approximately 6 miles from shore. The pilot transmitted a distress call, and was later rescued by a civilian boat. The airplane was last seen floating east, and to date has not been recovered.
A pilot described his rescue to ABC6, Tuesday, for the first time since his plane went down in Block Island sound the day before.
That pilot, Mark Simmons, was back up in the air, Tuesday, to finish the job he started before the crash.
He landed safely at the Westerly Airport. It was a much better landing than Monday's, when he ended up in the water and had to be rescued.
More good news, the woman he was carrying the "Will you marry me" sign for said yes.
Small plane pilot Mark Simmons took off, Tuesday, the same way he did the day before with the hopes of a better result.
"About ten to twelve minutes into the flight the engine all of a sudden ran rough and then shut off," said Simmons.
Mark was forced to ditch his plane into Block Island Sound. He strapped his landing gear to his body to stay afloat and was stuck in the water for about an hour.
"What was going through my mind was how am I going to live through this," said Simmons, "What can I do to make sure I'm going to live."
He lucked out. Boaters saw him waving his orange shorts around and picked him up. Simmons' eight year old son is so grateful to them he wore the name of their boat on his hat.
"If he went missing and we never saw him again," said Ethan, "Part of my life would be over because he's the instructor I want to get taught to fly by."
And now little Ethan will have that chance. His dad sent a message to him Tuesday, when you fall get right back up and try it again. He flew a marriage proposal banner back to Block Island just a day after he almost lost his life.
"I want to make sure I take off in an airplane and then come back to the place that I took off, so my son at least knows that every time I go out it doesn't mean I'm not going to come back," said Simmons.
Simmons admits he has crashed before but never this bad. Every weekend in the summer he pulls banners on one of his small planes for special occasions. He loves it and tells us something like this won't make him stop anytime soon.
Source: http://www.abc6.com
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA474
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Westerly, RI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/29/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-25-235, registration: N7313Z
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
About 12 minutes into a local banner towing flight, while flying 650 feet above the ocean, the airplane’s engine began running roughly. The pilot responded by increasing the throttle to full, richening the mixture, and applying carburetor heat, all to no avail. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power completely, so the pilot performed a forced landing to the ocean and was later rescued by civilian boaters. The airplane was recovered from the ocean more than 1 week after the accident. The pilot/operator was able to perform a cursory inspection of the engine at the time, but no definitive cause for the loss of power was identified. Due to the salt water-damaged state of the engine, no further detailed examination could be completed. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated nearly 2,300 hours since its most recent overhaul and 150 hours since its most recent annual inspection. Weather conditions at an airport 6 miles from the accident location were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor ice at glide power settings.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the postaccident salt water-damaged state of the engine.
On July 23, 2012, at 1502 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7313Z, registered to and operated by Simmons Aviation, was substantially damaged following a forced landing into the Atlantic Ocean, near Westerly, Rhode Island. The certificated airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Westerly State Airport (WST), Westerly, Rhode Island, about 1445. The banner tow flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot stated that he departed with 25 gallons of fuel for a 45-minute flight, and had not taken on any fuel that day. About 12 minutes into the flight, and while flying at an altitude of about 600 feet, the engine began running "roughly" and sounded as though it misfired. After about 20 seconds, the pilot responded by increasing engine power to full, richening the mixture, and applying carburetor heat. Shortly after, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane into the ocean with the banner still attached, approximately 6 miles from shore. The pilot transmitted a distress call, and was later rescued by a civilian boat.
The airplane was recovered from the ocean on July 31, 2012. The pilot performed a cursory examination of the engine and noted that the crankshaft was free to rotate, and oil was present within the engine case. The pilot reported that there was an unspecified “problem” with a valve of the number 4 cylinder, and that he was unable to check operation of the magnetos since they were saturated with water. An unspecified quantity of fuel was found in a fuel tank. Due to the extent of damage related to immersion in salt water, no further examination of the engine was possible.
The pilot had most recently purchased fuel from a fixed base operator at WST. The fuel facility there was inspected at the direction of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector following the accident. No abnormalities were noted during the inspection.
The accident airplane was manufactured in 1965 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine. Review of maintenance records showed that the airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed on August 7, 2011. At that time, the airframe had accumulated 4,720 total flight hours, and the engine had accumulated 2,147 hours since the most recent overhaul. The airplane had accumulated an additional 150 flight hours since that time.
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with numerous ratings, including airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued in June 2012, and he reported that he possessed 9,175 total hours of flight experience, 1,500 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model.
The weather reported at WST, at 1500, included winds from 210 degrees magnetic at 9 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a broken ceiling at 1,600 feet, temperature 26 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 21 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury. The temperature and dew point conditions at that time were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power settings.
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA474
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Westerly, RI
Aircraft: PIPER PA-25-235, registration: N7313Z
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
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.
On July 23, 2012, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7313Z, registered to and operated by Simmons Aviation, was presumed substantially damaged following a forced landing into the Atlantic Ocean, near Westerly, Rhode Island. The certificated airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Westerly State Airport (WST), Westerly, Rhode Island, about 1445. The banner tow flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot stated that he departed with 25 gallons of fuel, for a 45 minute flight, and had not taken on any fuel that day. About 12 minutes into the flight, the engine began running "roughly", and then it sounded as though the engine misfired before it lost power completely. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane approximately 6 miles from shore. The pilot transmitted a distress call, and was later rescued by a civilian boat. The airplane was last seen floating east, and to date has not been recovered.
A pilot described his rescue to ABC6, Tuesday, for the first time since his plane went down in Block Island sound the day before.
That pilot, Mark Simmons, was back up in the air, Tuesday, to finish the job he started before the crash.
He landed safely at the Westerly Airport. It was a much better landing than Monday's, when he ended up in the water and had to be rescued.
More good news, the woman he was carrying the "Will you marry me" sign for said yes.
Small plane pilot Mark Simmons took off, Tuesday, the same way he did the day before with the hopes of a better result.
"About ten to twelve minutes into the flight the engine all of a sudden ran rough and then shut off," said Simmons.
Mark was forced to ditch his plane into Block Island Sound. He strapped his landing gear to his body to stay afloat and was stuck in the water for about an hour.
"What was going through my mind was how am I going to live through this," said Simmons, "What can I do to make sure I'm going to live."
He lucked out. Boaters saw him waving his orange shorts around and picked him up. Simmons' eight year old son is so grateful to them he wore the name of their boat on his hat.
"If he went missing and we never saw him again," said Ethan, "Part of my life would be over because he's the instructor I want to get taught to fly by."
And now little Ethan will have that chance. His dad sent a message to him Tuesday, when you fall get right back up and try it again. He flew a marriage proposal banner back to Block Island just a day after he almost lost his life.
"I want to make sure I take off in an airplane and then come back to the place that I took off, so my son at least knows that every time I go out it doesn't mean I'm not going to come back," said Simmons.
Simmons admits he has crashed before but never this bad. Every weekend in the summer he pulls banners on one of his small planes for special occasions. He loves it and tells us something like this won't make him stop anytime soon.
Source: http://www.abc6.com
Aircraft, registration unknown, experimental, during taxi, flipped over - Ionia County Airport (Y70) Ionia, Michigan
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: UNK Make/Model: EXP Description:
Date: 07/24/2012 Time: 1635
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: Minor Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: IONIA State: MI Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT, REGISTRATION UNKNOWN, EXPERIMENTAL, DURING TAXI, FLIPPED OVER,
IONIA, MI
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 1 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Taxi Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: GRAND RAPIDS, MI (GL09) Entry date: 07/25/2012
ORANGE TOWNSHIP, Mich — Michigan State Police are reporting that a man was injured when his experimental aircraft flipped-over.
The incident happened in Orange Township, at the Ionia County Airport, just before noon Tuesday. Berlin-Orange Township Fire and EMS responded to the airport after receiving a report of an aircraft accident.
Preliminary reports say that a 69 year old Lowell man was injured when his experimental aircraft turned over in a field while taxiing near the runway. He was taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids with severe injuries.
Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration are handling the investigation.
Source: http://www.fox17online.com
IONIA COUNTY, Mich. — An experimental, homebuilt aircraft known as the Midget Mustang flipped forward on the grass about 11:45 a.m. today at the Ionia County Airport, injuring the pilot.
The pilot, who has not been identified, was taken by LifeEMS to the hospital, but "he is going to be okay," said Margaret Wint, office manager of Benz Aviation, which provides aircraft maintenance, towing, rental and instruction at the Ionia airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration was notified. Ionia County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police responded to the scene.
Source: http://www.sentinel-standard.com
IONIA COUNTY, MI -- Rescue crews are at the scene of an airplane crash at the Ionia County Airport, with one person injured.
The crash of the experimental plane was reported about 11:40 a.m. and airport staff said the pilot was simply practicing taxiing maneuvers on a grass runway when the accident happened.
Witnesses told dispatchers that the pilot was in and out of consciousness and had a head injury.
Later, ambulance staff reported that the man was 69. He had cuts to his head and was being taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Firefighters at the scene reported that fuel was leaking from the plane's tank.
The crash is the second at the airport, on State Road just south of Ionia, in about two months.
In late May, a 53-year-old Minnesota man competing in a glider competition died when the plane crashed as the pilot came in for a landing.
Source: http://www.mlive.com
Ten have died in Northeast Mississippi aircraft accidents since 2002
TUPELO - Aberdeen resident John Lee Wilson and his two passengers
boarded a single-engine Bonanza aircraft in Hattiesburg on a clear Friday morning, Nov. 21, 2003, and took off toward Okolona.
Wilson, an experienced pilot with more than 3,500 hours in the cockpit, was returning from a football game the previous evening between the University of Southern Mississippi and Texas Christian University. With him were the 22-year-old son and 46-year-old sister of Hattiesburg attorney and family friend Don Medley.
The first hour of the flight passed without incident. But as he approached his business, Wren Body Works, the 59-year-old pilot started flying dangerously low.
Employees who witnessed the aircraft say Wilson buzzed the building, then flew north and turned around to come back. He crossed over U.S. 45 and buzzed the building again before clipping the top of some trees and losing control of the plane.
It went into a tailspin and crashed in an open area near the business, skidding some 100 feet before bursting into flames. Wilson, George Medley and Sarah Andrews all died from massive head trauma.
"The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing result(ed) in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain," according to the play-by-play accident report published by the National Transportation Safety Board, which also cited as a crash factor "the pilot's ostentatious display."
The incident is one of 29 aircraft accidents - five of them fatal - that have occurred in Northeast Mississippi, and one of 169 statewide, since January 2002. Ten people died in those wrecks; 61 lost their lives statewide.
These aren't unusual numbers. Aircraft accidents - usually involving small, private planes - occur almost daily across the nation. Smaller states like Delaware witnessed as little as two dozen in the past decade, while larger ones like California have seen hundreds.
Human error usually is to blame, according to Tupelo Regional Airport Executive Director Josh Abramson.
"Flying an aircraft is probably one of the safest means of transportation, with the caveat that it's one of the most unforgiving for mistakes," said Abramson, also a pilot. "If you don't put enough gas in car, you pull over on the side of the road. If don't put enough in an airplane, you're forced to land. Or if you don't pay attention to the weather, you're in trouble."
The NTSB blamed human error on more than four of every five Northeast Mississippi aircraft accidents whose causes have been determined. Mechanical problems caused just four incidents. Four others, including the July 8 crash near New Site that claimed three lives, remain under investigation.
Northeast Mississippi has the state's second-highest number of air-related accidents and second-highest number of fatalities in the past decade, according to NTSB data.
Ten people died in five of the 29 accidents.
The sprawling Delta region claims the most accidents with 39, but the third-most fatalities. Eight deaths out of five crashes.
Jackson's populous metro area saw the most fatalities. Thirteen people died in six of its 25 aircraft accidents in the past decade.
The Gulf Coast had 21 accidents during the same time period. Two were fatal, and two people died.
NTSB Identification: MIA04FA023.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Friday, November 21, 2003 in Okolona, MS
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/28/2006
Aircraft: Beech G35, registration: N4214D
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
The flight departed under visual flight rules and shortly after takeoff the pilot obtained his instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance to the destination airport. The flight continued and air traffic control (ATC) communications were transferred to several ATC facilities. The pilot cancelled his IFR clearance when the flight was near the destination airport and he proceeded to fly to his business location and was noted to be "buzzing." While flying low witnesses noted the airplane collided with the tops of trees, then either entered a "spin", or "spiraled" and impacted the ground. A postcrash fire consumed the cockpit, cabin, and section of the left wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed for roll, pitch, and yaw. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing resulting in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's ostentatious display.
Wilson, an experienced pilot with more than 3,500 hours in the cockpit, was returning from a football game the previous evening between the University of Southern Mississippi and Texas Christian University. With him were the 22-year-old son and 46-year-old sister of Hattiesburg attorney and family friend Don Medley.
The first hour of the flight passed without incident. But as he approached his business, Wren Body Works, the 59-year-old pilot started flying dangerously low.
Employees who witnessed the aircraft say Wilson buzzed the building, then flew north and turned around to come back. He crossed over U.S. 45 and buzzed the building again before clipping the top of some trees and losing control of the plane.
It went into a tailspin and crashed in an open area near the business, skidding some 100 feet before bursting into flames. Wilson, George Medley and Sarah Andrews all died from massive head trauma.
"The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing result(ed) in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain," according to the play-by-play accident report published by the National Transportation Safety Board, which also cited as a crash factor "the pilot's ostentatious display."
The incident is one of 29 aircraft accidents - five of them fatal - that have occurred in Northeast Mississippi, and one of 169 statewide, since January 2002. Ten people died in those wrecks; 61 lost their lives statewide.
These aren't unusual numbers. Aircraft accidents - usually involving small, private planes - occur almost daily across the nation. Smaller states like Delaware witnessed as little as two dozen in the past decade, while larger ones like California have seen hundreds.
Human error usually is to blame, according to Tupelo Regional Airport Executive Director Josh Abramson.
"Flying an aircraft is probably one of the safest means of transportation, with the caveat that it's one of the most unforgiving for mistakes," said Abramson, also a pilot. "If you don't put enough gas in car, you pull over on the side of the road. If don't put enough in an airplane, you're forced to land. Or if you don't pay attention to the weather, you're in trouble."
The NTSB blamed human error on more than four of every five Northeast Mississippi aircraft accidents whose causes have been determined. Mechanical problems caused just four incidents. Four others, including the July 8 crash near New Site that claimed three lives, remain under investigation.
Northeast Mississippi has the state's second-highest number of air-related accidents and second-highest number of fatalities in the past decade, according to NTSB data.
Ten people died in five of the 29 accidents.
The sprawling Delta region claims the most accidents with 39, but the third-most fatalities. Eight deaths out of five crashes.
Jackson's populous metro area saw the most fatalities. Thirteen people died in six of its 25 aircraft accidents in the past decade.
The Gulf Coast had 21 accidents during the same time period. Two were fatal, and two people died.
NTSB Identification: MIA04FA023.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Friday, November 21, 2003 in Okolona, MS
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/28/2006
Aircraft: Beech G35, registration: N4214D
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
The flight departed under visual flight rules and shortly after takeoff the pilot obtained his instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance to the destination airport. The flight continued and air traffic control (ATC) communications were transferred to several ATC facilities. The pilot cancelled his IFR clearance when the flight was near the destination airport and he proceeded to fly to his business location and was noted to be "buzzing." While flying low witnesses noted the airplane collided with the tops of trees, then either entered a "spin", or "spiraled" and impacted the ground. A postcrash fire consumed the cockpit, cabin, and section of the left wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed for roll, pitch, and yaw. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing resulting in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's ostentatious display.
HUGHES 269C, N9679F: Accident occurred July 24, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA477
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in St. Petersburg, FL
Aircraft: HUGHES 269C, registration: N9679F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
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 July 24, 2012, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9679F, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and an uncontrolled descent during hover over the owner's business property in St. Petersburg, Florida. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the pilot the helicopter's last annual inspection was completed 12 years prior to the accident flight. On the day of the accident he decided to fly it to lubricate the parts. After liftoff, he brought the helicopter to a hover about 25 feet in the air and initiated some pedal turns. The nose of the helicopter then began to drift towards the right. He applied left pedal but did not experience a response. The helicopter then continued to circle; the pilot dropped the collective, the helicopter impacted the ground on the left skid, struck a fence, and then rolled over on its left side.
According to witnesses the helicopter hovered about 50 feet in the air. It did not circle but, appeared to move side to side, and was described as being out of control before it impacted the ground.
Post accident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the helicopter which would have precluded normal operation. During the examination it was discovered however, that the cyclic control system would not move freely as the friction lock was on.
According to FAA and maintenance records, the helicopter was manufactured in 1971. At the time of accident, the helicopter had accrued approximately 2,393 total hours of operation.
According to FAA and pilot records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and rotorcraft-helicopter. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 26, 2012. He reported that he had accrued 1,183 total hours of flight experience, of which, 365 hours were in the accident helicopter make and model.
The reported weather at Albert Whitted Airport (SPG), St. Petersburg, Florida, at 1900, included: winds 250 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 29 degrees C, dew point 26 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.
LEALMAN — A small helicopter crashed into a fence Tuesday night at a salvage yard in the 3600 block of 45th Avenue N.
The crash occurred about 6:50 p.m. as the pilot, Wayne Parker, was taking off in the Hughes 300 two-seater helicopter from a field in the salvage yard, fire officials said. Parker noticed a problem with the tail rotor just before he crashed.
When rescue personnel arrived, they found Parker, the aircraft's lone occupant, standing outside the helicopter. He was not injured.
Pinellas County sheriff's deputies secured the scene of the crash while waiting for officials from the Federal Aviation Administration to arrive. The National Transportation Safety Board will also conduct an investigation.
"My guess is the blades hit the fence, but that's not his story," said Lealman Fire District Capt. Jim Millican.
Parker, 60, has the helicopter for his personal use and regularly parks it at the salvage yard, authorities said. He is the owner of A-1 Key & Safe on 54th Avenue N, authorities said.
Fire officials said Parker told them he did not wish to speak with the media Tuesday evening.
http://www.tampabay.com
ST. PETERSBURG — Authorities are on the scene of a helicopter crash at a salvage yard in the 3600 block of 45th Avenue N.
Fire officials received the call of the crash at about 6:50 p.m. When they arrived, they found the pilot, who was the lone occupant, outside of the helicopter. He was not injured.
Authorities identified him as Wayne Parker, 60, and said he used the helicopter for personal use. He is the owner of A-1 Key & Safe on 54th Avenue N, officials said.
Fire officials said Parker parks his helicopter in a nearby field and was taking off Tuesday evening when he noticed a problem with his tail rotor. The helicopter then crashed into a fence, officials said.
Officials said the helicopter is a 2-seater. They identified it as a Hughes 300.
Fire officials said Parker told them he did not wish to speak with the media Tuesday evening.
No other details were immediately available, but check back with tampabay.com for more information.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com
ST. PETERSBURG -- A helicopter has crashed in the Lealman area of St. Petersburg.
It happened at 46th Avenue N. and 35 Street N.
The reports came in about 7 p.m.
In a phone interview, Lealman Fire District Capt. Jim Millican said the pilot, identified as 60-year-old Wayne Park, was operating a Hughes 300-type aircraft. The pilot took off and somehow the tail rotor came apart and the chopper crashed, according to Millican.
The pilot was not injured. There were also no reports of injuries on the ground.
The FAA is headed to the scene.
Source: http://www.baynews9.com
St. Petersburg, Florida -- A helicopter lost a tail rotor and spun to the ground in Lealman tonight, the sheriffs office reported.
The crash happened at the A1 Key & Safe, 4550 35th Street North shortly before 7 p.m.
Owner/pilot Wayne Parker, 60, who keeps the Hughes 300 helicopter at his business, said he was moving the helicopter by hovering to another locaton on the property when he lost a tail rotor, went into a spin and crashed into a fence.
He was not injured.
No fuel was spilled, and there was no fire.
The FAA and NTSB have been notified and will conduct the investigation, the sheriff's office said.
Source: http://www.wtsp.com
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in St. Petersburg, FL
Aircraft: HUGHES 269C, registration: N9679F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
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 July 24, 2012, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9679F, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and an uncontrolled descent during hover over the owner's business property in St. Petersburg, Florida. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the pilot the helicopter's last annual inspection was completed 12 years prior to the accident flight. On the day of the accident he decided to fly it to lubricate the parts. After liftoff, he brought the helicopter to a hover about 25 feet in the air and initiated some pedal turns. The nose of the helicopter then began to drift towards the right. He applied left pedal but did not experience a response. The helicopter then continued to circle; the pilot dropped the collective, the helicopter impacted the ground on the left skid, struck a fence, and then rolled over on its left side.
According to witnesses the helicopter hovered about 50 feet in the air. It did not circle but, appeared to move side to side, and was described as being out of control before it impacted the ground.
Post accident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the helicopter which would have precluded normal operation. During the examination it was discovered however, that the cyclic control system would not move freely as the friction lock was on.
According to FAA and maintenance records, the helicopter was manufactured in 1971. At the time of accident, the helicopter had accrued approximately 2,393 total hours of operation.
According to FAA and pilot records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and rotorcraft-helicopter. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 26, 2012. He reported that he had accrued 1,183 total hours of flight experience, of which, 365 hours were in the accident helicopter make and model.
The reported weather at Albert Whitted Airport (SPG), St. Petersburg, Florida, at 1900, included: winds 250 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 29 degrees C, dew point 26 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 9679F Make/Model: H269 Description: 269, 200, 280, 300, TH-300, SKY KNIGHT (
Date: 07/24/2012 Time: 2250
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: SAINT PETERSBURG State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N9679F HUGHES 269 ROTORCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, SAINT
PETERSBURG, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 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: TAMPA, FL (SO35) Entry date: 07/25/2012
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=9679F
[LARA CERRI | Times]
LEALMAN — A small helicopter crashed into a fence Tuesday night at a salvage yard in the 3600 block of 45th Avenue N.
The crash occurred about 6:50 p.m. as the pilot, Wayne Parker, was taking off in the Hughes 300 two-seater helicopter from a field in the salvage yard, fire officials said. Parker noticed a problem with the tail rotor just before he crashed.
When rescue personnel arrived, they found Parker, the aircraft's lone occupant, standing outside the helicopter. He was not injured.
Pinellas County sheriff's deputies secured the scene of the crash while waiting for officials from the Federal Aviation Administration to arrive. The National Transportation Safety Board will also conduct an investigation.
"My guess is the blades hit the fence, but that's not his story," said Lealman Fire District Capt. Jim Millican.
Parker, 60, has the helicopter for his personal use and regularly parks it at the salvage yard, authorities said. He is the owner of A-1 Key & Safe on 54th Avenue N, authorities said.
Fire officials said Parker told them he did not wish to speak with the media Tuesday evening.
http://www.tampabay.com
ST. PETERSBURG — Authorities are on the scene of a helicopter crash at a salvage yard in the 3600 block of 45th Avenue N.
Fire officials received the call of the crash at about 6:50 p.m. When they arrived, they found the pilot, who was the lone occupant, outside of the helicopter. He was not injured.
Authorities identified him as Wayne Parker, 60, and said he used the helicopter for personal use. He is the owner of A-1 Key & Safe on 54th Avenue N, officials said.
Fire officials said Parker parks his helicopter in a nearby field and was taking off Tuesday evening when he noticed a problem with his tail rotor. The helicopter then crashed into a fence, officials said.
Officials said the helicopter is a 2-seater. They identified it as a Hughes 300.
Fire officials said Parker told them he did not wish to speak with the media Tuesday evening.
No other details were immediately available, but check back with tampabay.com for more information.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com
ST. PETERSBURG -- A helicopter has crashed in the Lealman area of St. Petersburg.
It happened at 46th Avenue N. and 35 Street N.
The reports came in about 7 p.m.
In a phone interview, Lealman Fire District Capt. Jim Millican said the pilot, identified as 60-year-old Wayne Park, was operating a Hughes 300-type aircraft. The pilot took off and somehow the tail rotor came apart and the chopper crashed, according to Millican.
The pilot was not injured. There were also no reports of injuries on the ground.
The FAA is headed to the scene.
Source: http://www.baynews9.com
St. Petersburg, Florida -- A helicopter lost a tail rotor and spun to the ground in Lealman tonight, the sheriffs office reported.
The crash happened at the A1 Key & Safe, 4550 35th Street North shortly before 7 p.m.
Owner/pilot Wayne Parker, 60, who keeps the Hughes 300 helicopter at his business, said he was moving the helicopter by hovering to another locaton on the property when he lost a tail rotor, went into a spin and crashed into a fence.
He was not injured.
No fuel was spilled, and there was no fire.
The FAA and NTSB have been notified and will conduct the investigation, the sheriff's office said.
Source: http://www.wtsp.com
Search for downed plane called off - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge Police have called off the search for a reported downed ultralight plane in a wooded area in the 14000 block of South Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge Police spokesman Cpl. Tommy Stubbs said.
Stubbs said police, the Civil Air Patrol and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, utilizing the department’s helicopter, all searched for the plane but nothing was ever found.
Source: http://theadvocate.com
Stubbs said police, the Civil Air Patrol and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, utilizing the department’s helicopter, all searched for the plane but nothing was ever found.
Source: http://theadvocate.com
Jeffko Glasair, N743CA: Accident occurred July 23, 2012 in Tonasket, Washington
NTSB Identification: WPR12FAMS1
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Tonasket, WA
Aircraft: JEFFKO ED & CLAIRE GLASAIR, registration: N743CA
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.
On July 23, 2012, an experimental amateur-built Jeffko Glasair, N743CA, did not arrive at its planned destination of Sequim Valley Airport, Sequim, Washington. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certified flight instructor was presumed to have sustained fatal injuries. The cross-country flight departed Tonasket Municipal Airport, Tonasket, Washington, about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport, and no flight plan had been filed.
On July 23, at 1520, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert notice (ALNOT) for the missing airplane after family members reported that it had not arrived at its planed destination. A search and rescue mission was subsequently initiated by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The search and rescue mission was called off at 1700 on July 29, after 100 sorties had been completed in the area of the Cascade Mountains, utilizing fixed wing and rotorcraft assets.
FAA records indicated that the airplane was issued its airworthiness certificate in October 2008.
The pilot, Ed Jeffko, was last seen on Monday, July 23 departing from Tonasket and heading for Sequim. The plane is home-built.
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14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Tonasket, WA
Aircraft: JEFFKO ED & CLAIRE GLASAIR, registration: N743CA
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.
On July 23, 2012, an experimental amateur-built Jeffko Glasair, N743CA, did not arrive at its planned destination of Sequim Valley Airport, Sequim, Washington. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certified flight instructor was presumed to have sustained fatal injuries. The cross-country flight departed Tonasket Municipal Airport, Tonasket, Washington, about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport, and no flight plan had been filed.
On July 23, at 1520, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert notice (ALNOT) for the missing airplane after family members reported that it had not arrived at its planed destination. A search and rescue mission was subsequently initiated by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The search and rescue mission was called off at 1700 on July 29, after 100 sorties had been completed in the area of the Cascade Mountains, utilizing fixed wing and rotorcraft assets.
FAA records indicated that the airplane was issued its airworthiness certificate in October 2008.
Ed Jeffko (right) seen with photo of missing plane.
Search crews are scouring Washington's Cascade mountains, looking for a missing airplane.
The pilot, Ed Jeffko, was last seen on Monday, July 23 departing from Tonasket and heading for Sequim. The plane is home-built.
Searchers will fly the projected flight path Tuesday, looking for any signs of the plane. Searchers flew for six hours Monday, but nothing turned up.
A flight beacon has not been found.
Teams focused their search on the Cascade Mountains because weather was overcast on Monday, when the plane went missing.
Family members in Sequim notified authorities when the pilot did not arrive on Monday.
Washington State Department of Transportation, the Civil Air Patrol,
Washington Air Search and Rescue and Douglas County are coordinating the
search out of Wenatchee.
Anyone who thinks they may have seen the aircraft or Jeffko is asked to contact the search base at Missingaircraft@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-410-7757.
PHOTO: First Lt. Jim Bates (from left), Major Greg Carpenter, and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Brittany Bates of the Civil Air Patrol out of Yakima help set up a communications center at Pangborn Memorial Airport Tuesday to search for a single-engine plane that went missing after taking off at 6:30 a.m. Monday from Tonasket. A satellite dish atop the state Department of Transportation's mobile headquarters, here for the search, is in the background.
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WENATCHEE, Wash. -- Search crews are scouring the Cascade Mountains from the air in an effort to locate a pilot missing in a home-built airplane.
The plane left Tonasket on Monday with just the pilot on board and was heading for Sequim to pick up a family member. However, family members called for help when the pilot didn't arrive as scheduled.
Searchers from the state Department of Transportation, the Civil Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue set up a search base at the Wenatchee Airport. Douglas County emergency officials are supporting aviation crews in Wenatchee.
WSDOT says four planes flew routes for six hours Monday night, starting in Sequim and heading to the Tonasket area, flying late into the night. Planes went up again early Tuesday and are continuing their to search routes the pilot may have taken.
While weather conditions were clear in Eastern Washington on Monday, there was a solid cloud cover in the Cascades. The DOT says clearer skies Tuesday will help in search efforts.
Officials have not located a flight plan or the plane’s emergency beacon.
The name of the pilot has not been released.
Searchers from the state Department of Transportation, the Civil Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue set up a search base at the Wenatchee Airport. Douglas County emergency officials are supporting aviation crews in Wenatchee.
WSDOT says four planes flew routes for six hours Monday night, starting in Sequim and heading to the Tonasket area, flying late into the night. Planes went up again early Tuesday and are continuing their to search routes the pilot may have taken.
While weather conditions were clear in Eastern Washington on Monday, there was a solid cloud cover in the Cascades. The DOT says clearer skies Tuesday will help in search efforts.
Officials have not located a flight plan or the plane’s emergency beacon.
The name of the pilot has not been released.
Story and comments: http://www.komonews.com
EAST WENATCHEE — The search continues this afternoon for a
single-engine, home-made aircraft that disappeared after taking off from
Tonasket early Monday.
The pilot, who was the plane's sole passenger, took off at 6:30 a.m.
Monday from the Tonasket area aboard an experimental aircraft, the type
that enthusiasts build from kits. He never arrived at his destination in
Sequim. Officials have not yet released the pilot's name.
The state Department of Transportation, some 50 members of the Civil
Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue this morning set up a
search base at Pangborn Memorial Airport. Douglas County emergency
officials are supporting the crews at Pangborn.
According to a DOT news release, four planes flew search routes for
six hours Monday night, starting in Sequim and heading to the Tonasket
area.
Planes went up again early today from Pangborn and continue to search routes the pilot may have taken.
Officials have not located a flight plan, nor the plane’s emergency beacon, the news release said.
Source: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com
Hang glider crash at Firle Bostal
A WOMAN from London suffered serious back injuries today (Friday July 20) after her hang glider crashed into a tree and she fell about 25ft to the ground at Firle Bostal.
Police, fire, ambulance, the ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team and air ambulance crews were called to the scene near Firle Beacon at about 11.45am.
The 32-year-old was taken by land ambulance to Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital suffering non life-threatening pain in her back and pelvis.
Nanchang CJ-6A, N96YK: Accident occurred July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, Colorado
http://registry.faa.gov/N96YK
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
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.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On July 21, 2012, about 1135 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was en route to 4V1.
The pilot was flying to 4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the accident pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway, and entered the downwind leg for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane was observed to lower the landing gear and extend the flap. The witnesses perceived the airplane’s airspeed to slow as it started a right bank turn that quickly increased in bank angle and roll rate. The witnesses described the airplane in a spin or nose low spiral as it descended and impacted terrain.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 43, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. The pilot’s most recent flight review was accomplished on July 26, 2012. On July 11, 2011, the pilot was issued a third class medical certificate without limitations. On his medical certificate application, the pilot reported having accumulated 420 total hours with 70 hours in the preceding six months. The pilot is reported to have logged at least 50-60 hours in the CJ-6A and the pilot’s total time is estimated about 500 hours.
The pilot was a member of the Red Star Pilots Association, and received familiarity training in the CJ-6A to include an introduction to the airplane’s stall characteristics. Other than the introduction flight, it is unknown how often, or how recent, the pilot may have practiced stall recognition and recovery flight exercises in the CJ-6A.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The tandem two-seat, low wing, single engine Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, serial number 1232007, was manufactured in 1973. It was powered by a 285 horsepower Huosai 6JIA air-cooled radial engine driving a Nanchang J9G1, metal, two-blade propeller. The airplane was originally manufactured in China for use as a military trainer. The airplane was exported and registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the experimental category for exhibition purposes. On March 14, 2012, the airplane’s most recent inspection was conducted in accordance with FAR 43 Appendix D, at an airframe total time of 2,717.5 hours and an engine total time of 677.5 hours.
Registration documents filed with the FAA show that the pilot acquired the airplane on March 14, 2012.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1153 mountain daylight time, an automated weather reporting station located at Pueblo Memorial Airport (KPUB), Pueblo, Colorado, approximately 38 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported wind from 200 degrees and 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, skies clear, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 45 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.18 inches of mercury.
Density altitude was calculated to be 9,170 feet.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The Spanish Peaks Airfield, K4V1, is a non-towered airfield located at an elevation of 6,056 feet. It had two runways: 8-26, and 3-21; the intended landing was to runway 8.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The accident site was located in an open field with sparse vegetation. The site was about 0.3 nautical miles southwest of runway 8. The wreckage was generally aligned on a magnetic heading of 195 degrees. With the exception of small items, the wreckage was confirmed to a small area. Impact signatures were consistent with a nose-low, near vertical impact. The leading edges of both wings displayed accordion-style, rearward, crushing. When compared, the right wing displayed a greater amount of tearing and crushing than the left wing. The forward portion of the fuselage was crushed aft. The empennage was twisted clockwise about 90 degrees and bent to the right. The vertical stabilizer was deformed and bent to the right. The left elevator was torn at the trim tab. The right vertical stabilizer and elevator were crushed and wrinkled. The flap was found in the retracted position. The landing gear was in the extended position. Flight control continuity was established from the flight controls surfaces to the cockpit controls.
Both metal propeller blades remained attached in the propeller hub. In addition, both blades displayed leading edge polishing, curling, and chord-wise scratches. The propeller blades were labeled A and B for documentation purposes only. Blade A was bent about 90 degrees rearward near the 1/3 of the blade’s span. Blade B displayed S-bending.
The cockpit instrumentation was impact damaged and largely unreadable, with numerous components separated from their positions. The landing gear handle was found in the down position and the flap handle in the up (or retracted) position.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the El Paso County Coroner, as authorized by the Huerfano County Coroner. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was ruled an accident.
Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The specimens provided were not suitable for the testing of carbon monoxide or cyanide. No drugs were detected in the specimens. Ethanol was detected, but was determined to be from sources other than ingestion.
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
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 July 21, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (K4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was destined for K4V1.
The pilot was flying to K4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway and entered the downwind for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane lowered the landing gear and flap prior to initiating the base turn. The airplane was then observed to slow and start a right bank turn that continued to increase in bank angle and roll rate. The airplane quickly descended and impacted terrain.
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
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.
On July 21, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (K4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was destined for K4V1.
The pilot was flying to K4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway and entered the downwind for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane lowered the landing gear and flap prior to initiating the base turn. The airplane was then observed to slow and start a right bank turn that continued to increase in bank angle and roll rate. The airplane quickly descended and impacted terrain.
COURTESY PHOTO/GERALD JERANT
An Arizona biotechnology entrepreneur and his 9-year-old son died Saturday when a small plane crashed in southern Colorado.
Jeff Morhet, 43, and Jackson Morhet, 9, both died when the small plane crashed about 5:30p.m. during an attempted landing near the Spanish Peaks Airfield north of Walsenburg, Colo., the Pueblo Chieftain reported.
The Morhets were the only passengers on the Nanchang CJ-6A aircraft when it crashed about a half-mile west of the airport, according to Federal Aviation Administration Spokesman Allen Kenitzer and Huerfano County, Colo., officials.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating details of the crash.
The aircraft took off from an airport in Grand Junction, Colo., and sought to land at the Spanish Peaks Airfield general aviation airport, possibly to refuel. The Morhets planned to fly from Colorado to the 2012 EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, according to the Chieftain.
The annual air show, which will run through Sunday, has more than 10,000 aircraft anticipated for the event. About 2,500 aircraft are considered show planes that are judged in 11 different categories, according to event spokesman Dick Knapinski.
Knapinski said he did not know whether Morhet planned to enter his aircraft in the annual event, but he said the Nanchang CJ-6A is the type of aircraft that may qualify for the air show's "Warbirds" category for military-style aircraft.
Records show the 1973 Nanchang aircraft was registered to a Baseline Road address in Mesa.
The aircraft had an "experimental" airworthiness certificate and its approved operations were for exhibition purposes, according to the aircraft's registration.
The Arizona Technology Council, the state Department of Commerce and then-Gov. Janet Napolitano named Morhet the Ed Denison Business Arizona Leader of the Year in 2008 for his work in the Arizona biotech community and as CEO of InNexus Biotechnology, an early-stage company. More recently, Morhet launched a new life-sciences company, Diomics Corp., with offices in La Jolla, Calif., and Chandler.
Morhet was paid by Chandler to help advise, review and launch the the city's Innovations technology incubator.
The lab has attracted a number of technology and early-stage research companies.
Chandler Economic Development Director Christine Mackay said that Morhet "did a tremendous job for the city. ... I am so sorry for his family."
Mackay said that Morhet had four children with his wife, Deirdre Morhet, who could not be reached for comment.
Leaders of Arizona's biotechnology industry said that Morhet was an important member of the community.
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmorhet
http://www.bizjournals.com
WALSENBURG — Two people killed in a plane crash Saturday have been identified as Jeff Morhet and his son, Jackson Morhet, both of Mesa, Ariz.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Jeff Morhet was piloting a two-seat Nanchang CT-68 and making his approach to land when something went wrong and the plane crashed in a field about a half mile from the runway at Spanish Peaks Airfield north of town.
The Morhets were traveling from Grand Junction with three other planes that planned to refuel in Walsenburg before continuing to an air show in Oshkosh, Wis.
Read the full story in digital edition.
http://registry.faa.gov/N96YK
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
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.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On July 21, 2012, about 1135 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was en route to 4V1.
The pilot was flying to 4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the accident pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway, and entered the downwind leg for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane was observed to lower the landing gear and extend the flap. The witnesses perceived the airplane’s airspeed to slow as it started a right bank turn that quickly increased in bank angle and roll rate. The witnesses described the airplane in a spin or nose low spiral as it descended and impacted terrain.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 43, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. The pilot’s most recent flight review was accomplished on July 26, 2012. On July 11, 2011, the pilot was issued a third class medical certificate without limitations. On his medical certificate application, the pilot reported having accumulated 420 total hours with 70 hours in the preceding six months. The pilot is reported to have logged at least 50-60 hours in the CJ-6A and the pilot’s total time is estimated about 500 hours.
The pilot was a member of the Red Star Pilots Association, and received familiarity training in the CJ-6A to include an introduction to the airplane’s stall characteristics. Other than the introduction flight, it is unknown how often, or how recent, the pilot may have practiced stall recognition and recovery flight exercises in the CJ-6A.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The tandem two-seat, low wing, single engine Nanchang China CJ-6A airplane, serial number 1232007, was manufactured in 1973. It was powered by a 285 horsepower Huosai 6JIA air-cooled radial engine driving a Nanchang J9G1, metal, two-blade propeller. The airplane was originally manufactured in China for use as a military trainer. The airplane was exported and registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the experimental category for exhibition purposes. On March 14, 2012, the airplane’s most recent inspection was conducted in accordance with FAR 43 Appendix D, at an airframe total time of 2,717.5 hours and an engine total time of 677.5 hours.
Registration documents filed with the FAA show that the pilot acquired the airplane on March 14, 2012.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1153 mountain daylight time, an automated weather reporting station located at Pueblo Memorial Airport (KPUB), Pueblo, Colorado, approximately 38 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported wind from 200 degrees and 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, skies clear, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 45 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.18 inches of mercury.
Density altitude was calculated to be 9,170 feet.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The Spanish Peaks Airfield, K4V1, is a non-towered airfield located at an elevation of 6,056 feet. It had two runways: 8-26, and 3-21; the intended landing was to runway 8.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The accident site was located in an open field with sparse vegetation. The site was about 0.3 nautical miles southwest of runway 8. The wreckage was generally aligned on a magnetic heading of 195 degrees. With the exception of small items, the wreckage was confirmed to a small area. Impact signatures were consistent with a nose-low, near vertical impact. The leading edges of both wings displayed accordion-style, rearward, crushing. When compared, the right wing displayed a greater amount of tearing and crushing than the left wing. The forward portion of the fuselage was crushed aft. The empennage was twisted clockwise about 90 degrees and bent to the right. The vertical stabilizer was deformed and bent to the right. The left elevator was torn at the trim tab. The right vertical stabilizer and elevator were crushed and wrinkled. The flap was found in the retracted position. The landing gear was in the extended position. Flight control continuity was established from the flight controls surfaces to the cockpit controls.
Both metal propeller blades remained attached in the propeller hub. In addition, both blades displayed leading edge polishing, curling, and chord-wise scratches. The propeller blades were labeled A and B for documentation purposes only. Blade A was bent about 90 degrees rearward near the 1/3 of the blade’s span. Blade B displayed S-bending.
The cockpit instrumentation was impact damaged and largely unreadable, with numerous components separated from their positions. The landing gear handle was found in the down position and the flap handle in the up (or retracted) position.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the El Paso County Coroner, as authorized by the Huerfano County Coroner. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was ruled an accident.
Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The specimens provided were not suitable for the testing of carbon monoxide or cyanide. No drugs were detected in the specimens. Ethanol was detected, but was determined to be from sources other than ingestion.
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
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 July 21, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (K4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was destined for K4V1.
The pilot was flying to K4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway and entered the downwind for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane lowered the landing gear and flap prior to initiating the base turn. The airplane was then observed to slow and start a right bank turn that continued to increase in bank angle and roll rate. The airplane quickly descended and impacted terrain.
NTSB Identification: CEN12FA462
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Walsenburg, CO
Aircraft: NANCHANG CHINA CJ-6A, registration: N96YK
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.
On July 21, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time, an experimental Nanchang CJ-6A airplane, N96YK, impacted terrain near the Spanish Peaks Airfield (K4V1), Walsenburg, Colorado. The private pilot and the passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from an undetermined location and was destined for K4V1.
The pilot was flying to K4V1 to join three other airplanes for a formation flight. The other pilots in the formation were already at the airfield waiting for the pilot and observed the accident. The witnesses reported that the airplane approached the airfield from the north, overflew the midpoint of the runway and entered the downwind for a right base turn to runway 8. The airplane lowered the landing gear and flap prior to initiating the base turn. The airplane was then observed to slow and start a right bank turn that continued to increase in bank angle and roll rate. The airplane quickly descended and impacted terrain.
Jeff Morhet
Charlie Leight/The Republic
COURTESY PHOTO/GERALD JERANT
Two people were killed when a plane crashed Saturday at Spanish Peaks Airfield near Walsenburg.
Jeff Morhet, 43, and Jackson Morhet, 9, both died when the small plane crashed about 5:30p.m. during an attempted landing near the Spanish Peaks Airfield north of Walsenburg, Colo., the Pueblo Chieftain reported.
The Morhets were the only passengers on the Nanchang CJ-6A aircraft when it crashed about a half-mile west of the airport, according to Federal Aviation Administration Spokesman Allen Kenitzer and Huerfano County, Colo., officials.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating details of the crash.
The aircraft took off from an airport in Grand Junction, Colo., and sought to land at the Spanish Peaks Airfield general aviation airport, possibly to refuel. The Morhets planned to fly from Colorado to the 2012 EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, according to the Chieftain.
The annual air show, which will run through Sunday, has more than 10,000 aircraft anticipated for the event. About 2,500 aircraft are considered show planes that are judged in 11 different categories, according to event spokesman Dick Knapinski.
Knapinski said he did not know whether Morhet planned to enter his aircraft in the annual event, but he said the Nanchang CJ-6A is the type of aircraft that may qualify for the air show's "Warbirds" category for military-style aircraft.
Records show the 1973 Nanchang aircraft was registered to a Baseline Road address in Mesa.
The aircraft had an "experimental" airworthiness certificate and its approved operations were for exhibition purposes, according to the aircraft's registration.
The Arizona Technology Council, the state Department of Commerce and then-Gov. Janet Napolitano named Morhet the Ed Denison Business Arizona Leader of the Year in 2008 for his work in the Arizona biotech community and as CEO of InNexus Biotechnology, an early-stage company. More recently, Morhet launched a new life-sciences company, Diomics Corp., with offices in La Jolla, Calif., and Chandler.
Morhet was paid by Chandler to help advise, review and launch the the city's Innovations technology incubator.
The lab has attracted a number of technology and early-stage research companies.
Chandler Economic Development Director Christine Mackay said that Morhet "did a tremendous job for the city. ... I am so sorry for his family."
Mackay said that Morhet had four children with his wife, Deirdre Morhet, who could not be reached for comment.
Leaders of Arizona's biotechnology industry said that Morhet was an important member of the community.
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmorhet
http://www.bizjournals.com
WALSENBURG — Two people killed in a plane crash Saturday have been identified as Jeff Morhet and his son, Jackson Morhet, both of Mesa, Ariz.
Jeff Morhet was 43 and Jackson was 9, according to Huerfano County Sheriff's Office Lt. Milan Rapo.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Jeff Morhet was piloting a two-seat Nanchang CT-68 and making his approach to land when something went wrong and the plane crashed in a field about a half mile from the runway at Spanish Peaks Airfield north of town.
The Morhets were traveling from Grand Junction with three other planes that planned to refuel in Walsenburg before continuing to an air show in Oshkosh, Wis.
Read the full story in digital edition.
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 96YK Make/Model: CJ6 Description: CJ-6, PT-6
Date: 07/21/2012 Time: 1730
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: WALSENBURG State: CO Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON FINAL APPROACH. SPANISH PEAK, CO
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 0 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Approach Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: DENVER, CO (NM03) Entry date: 07/23/2012
http://registry.faa.gov/N96YK
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-RVRF: Accident occurred July 29 2011 in Eccles, Greater Manchester - United Kingdom
A man who spent months in hospital after the light aircraft he was a passenger in
crashed into houses in Greater Manchester has said he is looking forward
to taking to the skies again.
Joel McNicholls was a passenger in the plane which crashed
into two Salford houses on 29 July 2011. The pilot, Ian Dalglish, died
from the injuries he received in the crash.
The 20-year-old said he had no memory of the crash, but did recall using "every ounce of energy trying to get out of the aeroplane".
He said he thought about the crash "every day when I look in the mirror, but that is the risk that you take when you go flying".
He added flying was "a feeling like no other" and that he would not let what happened stop him flying again.
http://www.bbc.co.uk
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-RVRF
Registration: G-RVRF
Type: Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
Location: Newlands Avenue, Eccles, Greater Manchester
Date of occurrence: 29 July 2011
Category: General Aviation - Fixed Wing
Summary: The aircraft suffered an engine stoppage on takeoff at approximately 200 ft, stalled, rolled more than 60º to the left, crashed into houses and caught fire. Both occupants survived the impact and fire but the pilot succumbed to his injuries later in hospital. The most likely cause of the engine stoppage was stiffness of the fuel selector valve causing it to be in an intermediate position, reducing fuel flow to a level too low to sustain continuous engine operation.
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk G-RVRF 04-12.pdf (3,492.89 kb)
Two critical after aircraft crash
The 20-year-old said he had no memory of the crash, but did recall using "every ounce of energy trying to get out of the aeroplane".
He said he thought about the crash "every day when I look in the mirror, but that is the risk that you take when you go flying".
He added flying was "a feeling like no other" and that he would not let what happened stop him flying again.
http://www.bbc.co.uk
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, G-RVRF
Registration: G-RVRF
Type: Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
Location: Newlands Avenue, Eccles, Greater Manchester
Date of occurrence: 29 July 2011
Category: General Aviation - Fixed Wing
Summary: The aircraft suffered an engine stoppage on takeoff at approximately 200 ft, stalled, rolled more than 60º to the left, crashed into houses and caught fire. Both occupants survived the impact and fire but the pilot succumbed to his injuries later in hospital. The most likely cause of the engine stoppage was stiffness of the fuel selector valve causing it to be in an intermediate position, reducing fuel flow to a level too low to sustain continuous engine operation.
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk G-RVRF 04-12.pdf (3,492.89 kb)
Two critical after aircraft crash
El Paso International (KELP), Texas: Bird strike concerns near airport force soccer complex elsewhere
EL PASO, Texas -
So what do the Hudson River accident back in 2009 and El Paso's Butterfield Trail Golf Course have to do with one another?
Two weeks ago, El Paso City Council decided against building a soccer complex on El Paso International Airport land surrounding the Butterfield Trail Golf Course.
The reason was because concern about bird strikes, the same thing that caused the Hudson River accident three and a half years ago.
"We've been very concerned about this for a long time," said Jeff Schutles, assistant director of aviation at El Paso International.
Schultes said since the Hudson River accident in January of 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration has made preventing bird strikes across the country a priority. Especially at places like Butterfield Trail Golf Course, which opened five years ago, in between the takeoff and landing paths at el paso international.
"We have done a complete wildlife study for the golf course," Schultes said.
That study revealed that the golf course does attract birds, and a proposed soccer complex would have attracted many more, which could create a problem for planes.
"If you have more and more green space right next to it, it just creates more of a potential hazard," Schultes said. "The last thing we want to do is have a problem with birds, so we stay on top of it and we want to make sure the airport is a safe as it can be. Even some of our drainage ditches that are near the runway we have netting over the top for birds."
The general manager of Butterfield Trail Golf Course echoed the concern about birds.
"Obviously the FAA deemed it a concern," said Val D'Sourza, GM at Butterfield Trail. "This golf course co-exists with mother nature. Most prominent we see some swallows. They're very active around the property and there's a lot of small insects they like to eat. And we see lots and lots of quail. We have four different species of quail which are all very beautiful birds."
D'Souza said Butterfield Trail has two of the largest ponding areas you'll find in El Paso. But he said they only attract smaller birds, not bigger birds like the Canadian geese that caused the Hudson accident.
"The biggest thing that's around here is on four legs," D'Souza saod. "So I don't think they'll put any damage on airplanes."
D'Souza was referring to coyotes, which have been known to venture onto the runway from time to time, but are actually part of the solution when it comes to birds on the golf course. He said in the ponding areas those coyotes serve to police the area, running off unwanted birds that may stop at the course during migration.
Story and video: http://www.kvia.com
Two weeks ago, El Paso City Council decided against building a soccer complex on El Paso International Airport land surrounding the Butterfield Trail Golf Course.
The reason was because concern about bird strikes, the same thing that caused the Hudson River accident three and a half years ago.
"We've been very concerned about this for a long time," said Jeff Schutles, assistant director of aviation at El Paso International.
Schultes said since the Hudson River accident in January of 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration has made preventing bird strikes across the country a priority. Especially at places like Butterfield Trail Golf Course, which opened five years ago, in between the takeoff and landing paths at el paso international.
"We have done a complete wildlife study for the golf course," Schultes said.
That study revealed that the golf course does attract birds, and a proposed soccer complex would have attracted many more, which could create a problem for planes.
"If you have more and more green space right next to it, it just creates more of a potential hazard," Schultes said. "The last thing we want to do is have a problem with birds, so we stay on top of it and we want to make sure the airport is a safe as it can be. Even some of our drainage ditches that are near the runway we have netting over the top for birds."
The general manager of Butterfield Trail Golf Course echoed the concern about birds.
"Obviously the FAA deemed it a concern," said Val D'Sourza, GM at Butterfield Trail. "This golf course co-exists with mother nature. Most prominent we see some swallows. They're very active around the property and there's a lot of small insects they like to eat. And we see lots and lots of quail. We have four different species of quail which are all very beautiful birds."
D'Souza said Butterfield Trail has two of the largest ponding areas you'll find in El Paso. But he said they only attract smaller birds, not bigger birds like the Canadian geese that caused the Hudson accident.
"The biggest thing that's around here is on four legs," D'Souza saod. "So I don't think they'll put any damage on airplanes."
D'Souza was referring to coyotes, which have been known to venture onto the runway from time to time, but are actually part of the solution when it comes to birds on the golf course. He said in the ponding areas those coyotes serve to police the area, running off unwanted birds that may stop at the course during migration.
Story and video: http://www.kvia.com
Cessna C-208 Caravan, PR-ARZ, Emergency Landing - Brazil (Singer Amado Batista)
July 12, 2012 by mrtedao2
"Passing the spot where the Cessna Caravan Amado Batista made an emergency landing"
Story and photos: http://www.blogdoanderson.com/2012/07/02/aracatu-aviao-permanece-na-ba-262/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spottingyn/5979198879/
A plane of the singer Amado Batista, stays in the BA-262, near Aracatu in southwest Bahia, after an emergency landing on the morning of Monday (2). The plane was carrying the team of the singer who performed on Sunday (1) in the public square Itiruçu. The boat was carrying 10 passengers and two crew. The Cessna Caravan, PR-ARZ, followed toward the Montes Claros (MG), which would fuel before heading to Sao Paulo. Passing through the southwestern region of Bahia, the pilot noticed an engine failure the aircraft. The pilot used the highway as a runway for landing. No one was injured during an emergency maneuver. The aircraft suffered no damage.
Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, Weatherbell Aviation LLC, N500VA: Aircraft landed gear up - Martinsville, Virginia
FAA IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 500VA Make/Model: BE20 Description: 200 SUPER KING AIR
Date: 07/22/2012 Time: 0435
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Minor
LOCATION
City: MARTINSVILLE State: VA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT LANDED GEAR UP. MARTINSVILLE, VA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 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: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: RICHMOND, VA (EA21) Entry date: 07/23/2012
HENRY COUNTY, VA -- Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell says they didn't know anything was wrong until they touched down. He was in the co-pilot's seat
"Once we got on the ground, we knew the wheels weren't down because sparks and flames spewed out and we started sliding
Campbell, a pilot himself, was just along for the ride on this trip.
The pilot put the plane down on its belly, where it slide several hundred yards out into the grass. The propellers are mangled from hitting the ground. All seven people on board walked away without injuries.
Campbell is down playing the seriousness of this close call.
"It sounds like a big deal, but really in mind it wasn't. Everybody was fine. That's the main thing. Nobody was hurt,” said Campbell.
Airport Manager Jason Davis let us walk up to the plane. While I couldn't take pictures that close, I could see that there's virtually no damage to the plane other than what you can see to the propellers.
The plane is a Beechcraft King Air B200, the same plane that killed 10 members of the Hendrick's family and staff in the 2004 plane crash. They were also headed to the Blue Ridge Airport.
"It's just ironic. The Beechcraft Kings Air is one of the best airplanes ever made. There are a lot of them in the air. They're a very reliable airplane. In this case, it held up well,” said Campbell.
Campbell maintains that it's just a coincidence. He says he pilots his kings air for about 200 hours a year and has never had a problem in one.
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell admits someone else may have been scared if his or her private plane’s landing gear malfunctioned and the plane landed on its belly early Sunday like his did.
His racing background may have helped him handle the situation better than other people, he acknowledged.
“I’ve got to say, I wasn’t (nervous),” Campbell said.
Thirty-six hours later, he was just thankful no one was hurt.
“I’m fine,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that it happened, but the main thing is everybody got out safely. There were no injuries. You know, we can fix airplanes all day long, but human life is a different story.”
Campbell’s Beachcraft King Air B200 was forced to land at Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Spencer on the base of its fuselage after its landing gear malfunctioned on a flight from Ohio, according to a Virginia State Police report. The incident occurred at 12:15 a.m.
The aircraft has a wingspan of 54-feet, 6-inches and the capacity for 13 passengers. Sunday morning, the plane had seven people on it — Campbell, the pilot and five members of his racing crew.
Campbell said he thought the plane’s landing without landing gear was almost uneventful, noting that he wasn’t even shaken from his seat despite only wearing a lap belt at the time.
He was riding up front with pilot Garry Edwin Casey of Lexington, N.C. Campbell wasn’t paying much attention to what Casey was doing because Campbell’s role was to search for the runway lights.
“We didn’t even know it was going to happen until it was already on the ground doing it,” he added.
Once the plane touched down, it was apparent to Campbell that there was no landing gear beneath them and that the gear had malfunctioned.
“First the belly touched, and then the propellers started striking. Just picture a fan hitting something, so you’ve got that rapid succession popping. And sparks started flying and flames started shooting. Obviously, we knew what was going on,” he said.
The plane skidded down part of the runway and eventually came to a stop in the grass at the end of the runway. No one in the plane was hurt, according to a police report.
“It was a beautiful landing,” Campbell said. “Had the gear been where it needed to be, it would have been perfect. Landing on the belly like that, it was not a violent hit.”
Campbell is an instrument and multi-engine rated pilot and usually does most of his flying, which he estimates at about 200 hours a year. But the Henry County native was returning after racing in the Jegs 150 K&N Pro Series auto race Saturday night at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway in Columbus. He said he thought it better that he not fly himself back after racing.
The pilot, Casey, is certified as an airline transport pilot, according to FAA records, meaning he is certified to fly commercial planes for airline companies.
And despite Campbell’s report of seeing flames, the way the plane landed — although not very common — actually is not very dangerous, said Jason Davis, managing director of the Blue Ridge Regional Airport.
“The airplane is a pretty resilient piece of equipment,” Davis said. “It’s manufactured and engineered to withstand that type of landing and keep the fuselage intact, and it worked beautifully. (There was) no damage to the fuselage itself. The tube is completely intact. It’s not even bent.”
Virginia State Police Sgt. J.M. Phillippi said Sunday the plane sustained damage to the undercarriage, wings and propellers.
Campbell does not have an estimate on the damage, but said an adjuster is coming Wednesday to provide that estimate. Campbell also said a crew of people will be looking at the plane today to assess what will need to be done to fix it.
Once the plane touched down, Casey called Greensboro Approach to cancel its IFA flight plan, which Campbell said is normal procedure. Emergency personnel arrived promptly after that.
Davis said he appreciated the responders’ promptness and professionalism.
Davis was not at Blue Ridge Regional Airport on Saturday night.
“The airport doesn’t close, but we stop manning (the facility) at 5 o’clock (p.m.),” Davis said.
Davis said he coordinated that effort to remove the plane Monday with its manufacturer, and brought in Atlantic Aero out of Greensboro to help remove the plane Monday from its resting point.
“There’s an actual lifting procedure and strap procedure in place that you have to use per the manufacturer’s specs,” Davis said. “That’s what we did. And because it’s a pressurized vessel, you’re not lifting up a concrete pipe, so there are certain places that you can’t pull or put weight on.”
The FAA was contacted and arrived Monday to continue the investigation into the cause of the crash, according to a police report.
“Depending on what we’ve found, if it’s only minor damage, FAA will investigate what happened,” FAA spokesman Jim Peters said. “If there is substantial damage, or the injury to the pilot is more than just minor, than we turn it over to the National Transportation Safety Board for investigation.”
Peters said the FAA will check “that the plane is properly registered, that it has what we call an airworthiness certificate, the pilot is properly licensed, his medical certification is current. I don’t think that’s going to rise to this level. I mean: Gear up landing — it happens.”
The plane is registered to Weatherbell Aviation LLC in Ridgeway, Sgt. Robert Carpentieri with the Virginia State Police stated in a news release.
Pilots escape serious injuries after two gliders crash mid-air over Newmarket - UK
PICTURE: David Milnes
Newmarket Heath has seen plenty of flying machines in its time but few like this. Thankfully this glider missed both the equine and human population when coming down near the Al Bahathri Polytrack on Monday afternoon.
The pilot escaped serious injury when ejecting from the aircraft after a mid-air collision with a rival plane while competing in the British Gliding Association Club Class Championship organised by Cambridge Gliding Centre.
EMERGENCY services were scrambled to Newmarket yesterday afternoon after an eyewitness saw a man parachute from the falling wreckage of a glider.
One pilot deployed his parachute and safely made it to earth while the other ejected from his aircraft after the impact.
Friends Josh Logan, James Goodchild, Daniel Owen and Robert Green, all aged 17 and from Newmarket, saw the gliders come down from a nearby park.
Newmarket College student Mr Logan said: “We were watching the gliders flying around. There must have been 20-30 of them.
“One of them suddenly headed straight down and looked like it was nosediving. You could see the pilot trying to pull up but it split in two and he ejected.”
Mr Goodchild, who is studying at Long Road College in Cambridge, added: “After he nosedived we thought he’d recovered but he obviously hadn’t.
“After he ejected it looked like a bit of the wreckage hit his parachute.”
The group rushed over to where the men had landed to see if they could help but emergency services were already arriving.
Police, paramedics, the air ambulance and firefighters all attended the crash scene just before 4pm.
Both male pilots were found about 30 minutes later in a field on the east side of Newmarket gallops, close to the A1304 and the July Racecourse.
One had sustained head injuries and the other was uninjured in the crash.
An ambulance spokeswoman said: “One sustained no injuries and the other was initially unconscious but regained consciousness and did not suffer any traumatic injuries.
“That patient was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital by land ambulance.” The gliders were taking part in the third day of the 2012 British Club Class Gliding National Championships held by Cambridge Gliding Centre.
The pilots, who are from southern England, started from the club’s base at Gransden Lodge Airfield in Bedfordshire at 1.40pm.
Spokesman Richard Brickwood said the two pilots, who were competing in the competition, crashed during the race that involved around 50 competitors.
He added: “Two race gliders were involved in a mid-air collision near Newmarket.
“The Air Accident Investigation Branch, the police and the British Gliding Association have all been informed.
“One pilot landed safely and the other required medical attention.”
One of the aircraft was found in dense woodland by the side of the A1304.
Story and photos: http://www.cambstimes.co.uk
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