Sunday, April 27, 2014

Alon A2 Aircoupe, N6364V: Accident occurred April 27, 2014 near Deck Airpark (NC11), Apex, North Carolina

NTSB Identification: ERA14LA208 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 27, 2014 in Apex, NC
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/04/2015
Aircraft: ALON A2, registration: N6364V
Injuries: 2 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.

The pilot stated that, before the accident flight, the airplane had about 15 gallons of automotive gasoline in the fuel tanks. The taxi and initial takeoff were “normal”; however, when the airplane was about 100 ft above the trees that bordered the airport, the engine experienced a sudden total loss of power. The pilot then reduced the throttle and reapplied full throttle. Although the engine momentarily restarted, it then immediately lost power. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest inverted. Local authorities reported a strong fuel smell at the accident location, but the exact amount of spilled fuel could not be determined. Examination of the airframe and a subsequent test run of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Federal Aviation Administration guidance indicates that vapor lock is a problem that mostly affects gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines and can result in a transient or complete loss of power. The guidance further states that restarting the engine from this state may be difficult because fuel can be vaporized by engine heat. Given that the ambient air temperature, the fuel flow condition (takeoff), and the likely engine temperature were conducive to the occurrence of vapor lock, it is possible that the loss of engine power was due to vapor lock; however, insufficient evidence existed to determine whether vapor lock occurred during the accident flight. The weather conditions about the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at cruise and glide power; however, given the pilot’s statement that the engine operated “normally” until the sudden loss of power and that the airplane was climbing at a high power setting, it is not likely that the carburetor accumulated ice. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination and testing.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On April 27, 2014, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an Alon A2, N6364V, experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Deck Airpark (NC11), Apex, North Carolina. The pilot subsequently made an off-airport forced landing into a forest. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. 

The pilot reported that the taxi and initial takeoff were "normal;" however, when the airplane was about 100 feet above the trees that bordered the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot retarded the throttle and immediately reapplied full throttle. The engine subsequently restarted, but immediately lost power again. He then performed a forced landing into the trees, about 500 feet past the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that he had about 15 gallons of autogas in the fuel tanks prior to departure.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to pilot provided information and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He held a third-class medical certificate, which was issued on August 20, 2013. The pilot reported 1471.6 total flight hours, with 38.3 of those hours in the accident airplane make and model.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane, an Alon A2 (serial number A-40), was manufactured in 1965. It was registered with the FAA on a standard airworthiness certificate for normal operations. The airplane had a total time of 1,872.36 hours as of the last annual inspection, which was completed on January 4, 2014. The airplane was powered by a Continental C90 series engine. As of the last annual inspection, the engine had accumulated a total of 1,661 hours, with 287 hours since last major overhaul.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The 1651 recorded weather observation at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Raleigh, North Carolina, located approximately 10 miles to the northeast of the accident location, included wind from 210 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds 25,000 feet above ground level, temperature 28.3 degrees C, dew point 8.9 degrees C; altimeter setting 29.92 inches of mercury

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Initial examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane impacted several trees and came to rest inverted between two trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Local authorities reported to the inspector that there was a strong fuel smell at the accident scene; however, the fuel tank selected at takeoff was not noted or provided to the NTSB.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

A subsequent examination, of the engine at a storage facility, under NTSB oversight, revealed minimal external damage. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls remained attached to the engine and operated without anomalies. The engine remained attached to the airframe and was fitted with a 5 gallon fuel container, between the wing root and the carburetor, to facilitate an engine run. The wings were removed at the wing root to facilitate transport, and continuity was not confirmed from fuel tank to the separation point. The engine started and operated through various power settings with no abnormalities noted. No anomalies were noted from the 5 gallon fuel container through the fuel system.

FAA Guidance

According to an NTSB accident report (ERA12LA131), testing conducted at the FAA Technical Center revealed that vapor pressure of autogas can vary widely as formulations are changed seasonally, and according to local requirements. High vapor pressure can promote vapor lock in aircraft fuel systems causing engine power to be reduced or the engine to completely fail and testing by the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center concluded that autogas with high vapor pressure can accelerate the formation of carburetor ice.

The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A) defines vapor lock as "A problem that mostly affects gasoline-fuelled internal combustion engines. It occurs when liquid fuel changes state from liquid to gas while still in the fuel delivery system. This disrupts the operation of the fuel pump, causing loss of feed pressure to the carburetor or fuel injection system, resulting in transient loss of power or complete stalling. Restarting the engine from this state may be difficult. The fuel can vaporize due to being heated by the engine, by the local climate, or due to a lower boiling point at high altitude."

DOT/FAA/CT-87/05 "Autogas in General Aviation Aircraft," states in part "The conditions which define the worst case for vapor lock testing (i.e., most likely to result in vapor lock) are as follows.
1. Takeoff fuel flow
2. Initial fuel temperature between 38 and 43 degrees Celsius (100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
3. Ambient air temperature of 29 degrees Celsius or higher (85 degrees Fahrenheit).
4. Engine at operating temperatures typically found after a prolonged idling or a hot soak.
5. ASTM class E (winter grade) fuel if the testing is for autogas"

An FAA chart, titled "Conditions Favoring Carb Ice Formation," indicated that with the ambient temperature and dew point, "Icing at glide and cruise power" was probable.

NTSB Identification: ERA14LA208
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 27, 2014 in Apex, NC
Aircraft: ALON A2, registration: N6364V
Injuries: 1 Minor,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 April 27, 2014, about 1900 eastern daylight time, an Alon A2, N6364V, experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Deck Airpark (NC11), Apex, North Carolina. The pilot subsequently made an off-airport forced landing into a forest. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The pilot reported that the taxi and initial takeoff were "normal;" however, when the airplane was about 100 feet above the trees that bordered the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot retarded the throttle and immediately reapplied full throttle. The engine subsequently restarted, but immediately lost power again. He then performed a forced landing into the trees, about 500 feet past the departure end of the runway.

Initial examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane impacted several trees and came to rest inverted between two trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Local authorities reported to the inspector that there was a strong fuel smell at the accident scene.

The engine was retained for further examination.


http://registry.faa.gov/N6364V


APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- 74-year-old Bryan Esterly suffered minor injuries when a two-person plane crashed Sunday in Apex.

 The passenger, his 15-year-old grandson, is fine.

Just after 5 p.m. Sunday, the plane went up with Esterly and his grandson on board.

Eyewitnesses said the plane then came crashing down into trees. Exclusive video from Chopper 11 showed the scene: a single engine aircraft buried deep in the trees.

Esterly is listed as an owner of the plane. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Wake Med in Apex.

"Don't really know much, expect that he was attempting to take off from the runway," said Sgt. Travis Ingold, with the N.C. Highway Patrol.

The FAA reports the plane lost power on takeoff from Deck Airport, at 1617 Air Park Drive in Apex. It all happened hundreds of yards away from Highway 64.

Esterly is listed as the owner of a private landing strip right beside that highway.

The Wake County Sheriff confirms that Esterly was the pilot in a plane crash in August on that same landing strip.

A different passenger was with him.

The Sheriff says Esterly came in too fast and overshot the runway.

The Highway Patrol is handling this case. The FAA will begin its ground investigation Monday.

"I think considering the circumstances, I think they're pretty fortunate," Ingold said.

Story and comments/reaction:    http://abclocal.go.com


APEX, N.C. -   Two people suffered minor injuries Sunday when the Alon A-2 plane they were in crashed into a wooded area near Deck Airpark Airport in Apex.

The Wake County Sheriff's Office said the plane went down in the area of 1617 Air Park Drive, and the pilot suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The sheriff's office said the pilot of the plane, 74-year-old Bryan Henry Esterly, is the same man who piloted a plane that crashed at the same airport in August 2013.  Esterly's 15-year-old grandson was also in the plane, but was not injured, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

In August, the Cessna 172E Skyhawk that Esterly was piloting flipped when it overshot the runway and hit an embankment. No one was seriously injured in that crash either.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to start an investigation in what happened on Monday.



Two people suffered minor injuries when the plane they were in crashed into a wooded area near Deck Airpark Airport in Apex. Credit: Jason Thompson Two people suffered minor injuries when the plane they were in crashed into a wooded area near Deck Airpark Airport in Apex. 

NTSB Identification: ERA13CA393 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 30, 2013 in Apex, NC
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/21/2013
Aircraft: CESSNA 172E, registration: N3513S
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

Immediately after the accident, the pilot reported to the responding police officer that he landed “hot,” and “overshot” the 1,950-foot-long turf runway. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, struck a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted with substantial damage to the wings, empennage, and tail section of the airplane. Interpolation of the airplane manufacturer’s landing distance chart revealed that the required landing distance over a 50-foot obstacle was approximately 1,300 feet. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and subsequent aircraft noseover. 














APEX, N.C. -  Wake County Emergency Services said a small plane crashed near U.S. Highway 64 in Apex Friday afternoon.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said 73-year-old Bryan Henry Esterlyt and his grandson were flying back from Fayetteville when they overshot the runway around 4:45 p.m. The plane hit and embankment and flipped.

The plane came to a rest in the pilots driveway, located about 100 feet from U.S. 64, authorities said.

No one was injured in the incident, according to the sheriff's office.