14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in Bolingbrook, IL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/27/2014
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20, registration: N406DC
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The airplane was captured on airport surveillance cameras as the pilot attempted to land. A review of the video revealed that the airplane touched down multiple times about halfway down the runway. During the go-around, witnesses reported that they observed the airplane depart the runway and make a left turn at low altitude. The airplane descended with the wings level as it flew over a few buildings. The airplane then struck a tree and a light pole, and then impacted terrain next to a bank building. A postimpact fire ensued and consumed most of the airplane. The slash marks found in the dirt next to the main wreckage were consistent with the propeller rotating at the time of impact. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The substances found in the pilot’s toxicology report were consistent with a resuscitation effort. Based on the available medical history, physical examinations, toxicology and autopsy, the pilot had no known or reported pre-existing medical issues that would have posed a hazard to flight safety.
A witness who spoke with the pilot immediately after the accident stated that the pilot told him that the airplane’s speed was too fast (witnesses stated that he was landing with a tailwind), so he decided to go around and attempt the landing again. He then stated that as he was banking, he lost power and control of the aircraft. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane during the go-around and subsequently impacted terrain.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On September 25, 2013, about 1715 central daylight time (CDT), a Cirrus SR20 airplane, N406DC, impacted terrain after executing a go-around from Bolingbrook's Clow International Airport, (1C5), Bolingbrook, Illinois. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to GDK International LLC 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 Georgetown Scott County Airport (27K), Georgetown, Kentucky, at 1505 eastern daylight time (EDT) and was en route to 1C5.
The airplane was captured on airport surveillance cameras as the pilot attempted to land on runway 18. A review of the video revealed that the airplane touched down multiple times at least half way down the runway. The airplane was observed to takeoff from the runway and then made a left turn. The airplane then descended and continued out of the camera's field of view.
Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane depart the runway and make a left turn at a low altitude. The airplane continued to descend with the wings nearly level and flying northbound. After the airplane flew over the last building the wing struck a tree and a light pole before impacting terrain next to a building. A post impact fire ensued and consumed most of the airplane.
In a statement provided by one witness, a Federal Aviation Administration Designated Pilot Examiner, who observed the landing attempt and go-around, the airplane touched down three fifths to three quarters of the way down the runway and bounced. It appeared to her that after the bounced landing the pilot increased engine power and started a climb and then rolled left. The accident pilot appeared to then regain control and level the airplane's wings. The airplane continued out of the witness' view.
According to a statement provided by another witness, an off-duty fire department Lieutenant, who observed the airplane flying eastbound after departing 1C5, the airplane was at a low altitude and the wings were nearly perpendicular to the ground. The airplane disappeared from view and then he saw several large plumes of black smoke. When he arrived at the wreckage he saw the pilot on the ground so he began to question him. The pilot stated that he was flying in from Kentucky and that on his first attempt to land at 1C5, his speed was too fast so he decided to go-around and attempt the landing again. He then stated that as he was banking, he lost power and control of the airplane.
The pilot succumbed to his serious injuries at the hospital hours after the accident. The only accident information provided by the pilot was to the witness on scene.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 63, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. On November 11, 2011, the pilot applied for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate. On the application the pilot reported his flight experience as 200 total flight hours and 40 hours in preceding six months. The pilot was issued a third class limited medical certificate with the limitations "must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision."
According to the pilot's airplane insurance provider, the pilot reported 299 total flight hours as of December 31, 2012.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The Cirrus SR20 was a four-seat, low wing, fixed gear, single engine airplane which was manufactured in 2004. The airplane was powered by a Continental Motors IO 360-ES engine, rated at 210 horsepower and drove a 3 blade metal Hartzell propeller.
An examination of the airplane's logbook revealed that an annual inspection was completed on January 10, 2013 at 1,399 hours on the Hobbs meter.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 1715, an automated weather report at the Lewis University Airport (KLOT), which was 5 miles south of the accident site, reported wind from 070 degrees at 8 knots, a clear sky, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 48 degrees F, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The accident was located in front of a bank building, which was 0.2 nautical miles east of the departure end of runway 18 at 1C5 at an elevation of 661 feet.
During the accident sequence, the airplane descended toward the bank building when it collided with a tree top and then a light pole. The airplane impacted the ground next to a small tree and came to rest upright on a heading of 350 degrees. The engine separated from the fuselage and continued into the bank parking lot. Slash marks were present in the dirt next to the main wreckage. A postimpact fire consumed a majority of the airplane.
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a 4 foot outboard section of the right wing tip separated from the inboard section and remained mostly intact. The left aileron was partially damaged by fire but was still recognizable. The cowling and engine mount were separated from the fuselage and were not damaged by fire. The nose landing gear remained attached to the cowling area and was not damaged by fire. The main landing gear remained attached to the fuselage and was damaged in the fire.
The rudder and elevator control cables were separated in tension overload. The right aileron control cable was separated in tension overload about 2 feet inboard of the right aileron actuation pulley. The left aileron control cable continuity was confirmed. The flight control cables and the associated hardware remained attached to the master pulley in the cockpit area. The elevator trim position could not be determined as the pitch trim motor was consumed by fire. The roll trim was between the neutral and the full left trim position. Based on the flap actuator position, the flaps would have been in the full up position.
The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) rocket and parachute were found in the main wreckage. The position of the CAPS activation handle could not be verified due to thermal damage. The parachute was found in a packed state and received thermal damage. The CAPS activation cable was examined and no stretching was observed. The rocket motor was found with the propellant expended.
The engine continued in the directional of travel and came to rest about 20 yards forward of the main wreckage. The three propeller blades were labeled A, B and C for identification purposes only. Blade A exhibited leading edge damage, chordwise scratches and was bent slightly aft. Blade B was bent aft and exhibited leading edge damage and chordwise scratches. Blade C exhibited leading edge damage and was bent forward. The left magneto was separated from its mount; when actuated by hand, the magneto's impulse coupling engaged. The ignition harness was impact damaged. All 4 engine mount legs were impact damaged. The oil sump was breached and the oil filter adapter was impacted damaged. The number 1 spark plug was impact damaged.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Cook County Medical Examiner, Chicago, Illinois, on September 27, 2013. The cause of death was thermal injuries. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute completed a Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report and the following Tested-for-Drugs were found:
>> 148 (ng/mL, ng/g) Fentanyl detected in Blood
>> 89 (ng/mL, ng/g) Fentanyl detected in Liver
>> Lidocaine detected in Liver
>> Lidocaine detected in Blood
>> 1.372 (ug/mL, ug/g) Midazolam detected in Blood
>> Midazolam detected in Liver
The substances were administered to the pilot during medical treatment after the accident.
An autopsy was performed on the passenger by the Will County Coroner, Joliet, Illinois, on September 26, 2013. The cause of death was thermal injuries. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute completed a Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report and the following was found:
>> 22 (%) CARBON MONOXIDE detected in Blood
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Avidyne Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-function Display (MFD)
The PFD and MFD were damaged from the postimpact fire. The recorded data from the devices was not able to be retrieved due to the extensive fire damage.
Flight Service Information
At 1104 eastern daylight time the pilot called the Washington FAA Contract Flight Service Station Preflight position by telephone and obtained a preflight pilot briefing for a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from 27K to 1C5.
Air Traffic Control (ATC)
During the flight, from 1506 to 1710 CDT, the pilot was in contact with ATC and was directed to maintain visual meteorological conditions throughout the entire flight. During the descent and approach into 1C5, the pilot requested multiple altitude and frequency changes. The air traffic controllers advised the pilot that he could descend at his discretion and to maintain VFR. The pilot continued to request approval for altitude changes.
Radar Summary (All times below are central daylight time unless otherwise specified)
1505 - The pilot departed the 27K from runway 03.
1506 - The pilot contacted Lexington approach, reported departing 27K and requested flight following to 1C5. Lexington Approach control assigned him beacon code 6752.
…
1710:49 - The airplane was 1.5 nautical miles southeast of 1C5. At this time the pilot acknowledged the frequency change approval.
1710:58 - The pilot changed transponder code to 1200 and turned onto the left downwind leg for runway 18 at the 1C5. On the downwind leg, he flew at 1,400 feet above ground level (AGL) with an average ground speed of 109 knots.
1712:12 - The airplane was 1.3 nautical miles north of the runway 18 threshold; the pilot started a 180 degree left turn to final course at an average rate of 5.5 degrees per second.
1512:26 - The pilot started his descent out of 2,100 feet to land at 1C5.
1712:44 - The pilot stopped his turn to final about 1.1 nautical miles north of the runway 18 threshold.
1713:08 - The last radar return recorded for the airplane occurred at 500 feet AGL, 0.4 nautical miles north of the runway 18 threshold.
The data revealed that from 1712:26 to 1713:08, the airplane had an average rate of descent of 1,301 feet per minute and an average ground speed of 117 knots on final approach.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
Engine Examination and Test Run
On December 17, 2013, the engine was examined at Continental Motors, Inc., under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The examination revealed external impact damage concentrated to aft and under side of the engine. The left magneto sustained impact damage so it was tested on a magneto test bench and then disassembled with no anomalies noted. The engine was subjected to functional tests in an engine test cell per the manufacturer test procedures. The engine start and test were completed with no anomalies noted.
http://registry.faa.gov/N406DC
NTSB Identification: CEN13FA558
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in Bolingbrook, IL
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20, registration: N406DC
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 September 25, 2013, about 1715 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR20 airplane, N406DC, impacted terrain after executing a go-around near Bolingbrook’s Clow International Airport, (1C5), Bolingbrook, Illinois. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to GDK International LLC 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 Georgetown Scott County Airport (27K), Georgetown, Kentucky about 1500 and was destined for 1C5.
The airplane was captured on 1C5 airport surveillance cameras while attempting to land. A review of the video showed that the airplane touched down multiple times about half way down the runway. The airplane was observed making a left turn after takeoff, descending, and then proceeding out of camera view.
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane depart the runway and make a left turn at a low altitude. The airplane continued to descend, struck a tree and a light pole before impacting a parking lot and sidewalk. A post impact fire ensued and consumed most of the airplane.
The automated weather reporting station at Lewis University Airport which was 5 miles south of the accident site reported at 1715: wind from 070 degrees at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 21 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 9 degrees C, and a barometric pressure 29.94 inches of mercury.
During the on-scene examination investigators confirmed flight control continuity and that the flaps were in the retracted position. The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) rocket and parachute were found in the main wreckage. The position of the CAPS activation handle could not be verified due to thermal damage. The parachute was found in a packed state and received thermal damage. The CAPS activation cable was examined and no stretching was found.
The airframe and engine were retained for further examination.
Dr. Narayan Venguswamy and his wife, Jay
This memorial appeared at the crash site on September 26, 2013.
Cirrus SR20 G2 (N406DC)
Investigators inspect the charred remains of a Cirrus SR20 G2 plane in the Chase Bank branch parking lot at 262 S. Weber Rd. in Bolingbrook on Sept. 26 after it crashed the day before, killing two people.
A small plane that crashed in September outside Bolingbrook's Clow International Airport touched down several times on the runway before taking off again, making a left turn and crashing.
The details, released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board, offers new insight into the Sept. 25 Cirrus SR20 plane crash that killed Dr. Narayan Venguswamy, a Kentucky surgeon, and his wife, Jay Venguswamy.
The single-engine plane's final moments were captured by Clow surveillance cameras, according to the NTSB.
The cameras lost sight of the plane after it went left, according to the board.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane leave the runway and make a left turn at low altitude, according to the NTSB. The airplane continued to descend, struck a tree and a light pole before crashing into a parking lot near the Chase Bank at 262 S. Weber Road at about 5:15 p.m.
Jay Venguswamy died at the scene. Narayan Venguswamy was first taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital with severe burns, then was transferred to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:45 a.m. on Sept. 26, according to officials.
Witnesses at the scene in September said the plane burst into flames after crashing, and that Narayan Venguswamy staggered away from the wreckage.
The flight originated from Georgetown Scott County Airport in Kentucky, according to the NTSB.
"We kept telling him to roll," said Mike Grohar, who was working nearby. "He kept asking to get his wife out."
Bolingbrook firefighters extinguished the plane fire in about 15 minutes.
An on-scene examination by investigators revealed the plane's flight controls were still operable at the time of the crash, according to the NTSB.
An airframe parachute system was found still packed in the plane, but the position of the parachute's activation handle could not be verified due to fire damage, according to the NTSB.
The four-seat airplane was registered to GDK International in Georgetown, Ky., according to Federal Aviation Administration records. GDK's Web site lists it as an importer/exporter. Narayan Venguswamy was a licensed pilot, according to a federal database.
Narayan Venguswamy, known to colleagues at Georgetown Community Hospital as Dr. Vengu, had worked at the hospital for 27 years, according to hospital spokeswoman Cindy Wesley.
"He was an extraordinary physician, outstanding surgeon, who was passionate about the practice of medicine," she said shortly after his death.
Jay Venguswamy had worked in her husband's office, according to Wesley.
The couple had two adult children, she said.
The information released Thursday is preliminary, according to the NTSB, and a final report is yet to come.
http://www.chicagotribune.com
Nearly 400 friends and family attended a vigil in Kentucky Tuesday night for a couple killed last week in a small plane crash in southwest suburban Bolingbrook.
Dr. Narayan Venguswamy and his wife, Jay, died when their plane plunged into a Chase Bank parking lot after attempting to land at Clow Airport.
Mrs. Venguswamy was killed immediately in the fiery crash just after 5 p-m last Wednesday.
Dr. Venguswamy died later at Loyola Medical Center’s burn unit.
At Tuesday night’s vigil in their hometown of Georgetown, the couple were remembered for their generosity to the community.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.
http://wgntv.com
Newly-released dispatch recordings capture the pandemonium among emergency responders moments after a small plane crashed into the parking lot of a Bolingbrook Chase Bank Wednesday.
A Kentucky couple, Narayan and Jay Venguswamy died in the crash.
It was just after 5:15 pm that arriving emergency units radioed back to their command center that a monumental tragedy was unfolding.
At first authorities weren't sure what they had, believing the plane had actually struck the bank, and there was genuine concern that bank employees were in jeopardy.
One of the responders reported that people were trapped inside the bank. As it turned out, everyone inside the bank was safe, and the injuries were contained to the two individuals inside the plane.
It was 6 minutes from the original call that dispatch was notified that the pilot had made his way out of the plane, but was badly burned.
The Will County Coroner announced Friday that it will be two weeks before they determine whether Jay Venguswamy died from the crash or the fire.
Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board say the pilot actually touched down at Clow International Airport, but may have aborted his landing because he didn't have enough runway.
http://www.nbcchicago.com
Coroner: Dental records ID woman killed in plane crash
