Monday, September 22, 2014

Manweiler Acro Sport II, Biplane Crazy LLC, N94SM: Fatal accident occurred September 20, 2014 in Middletown, Ohio

NTSB Identification: CEN14LA507
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 20, 2014 in Middletown, OH
Aircraft: MANWEILLER ACRO SPORT II, registration: N94SM
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 20, 2014, about 0857 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Manweiler Acro Sport II airplane, N94SM, impacted buildings and terrain near Middletown, Ohio, and a ground fire subsequently occurred. Both airplane occupants were private pilots and were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Biplane Crazy LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Butler County Regional Airport-Hogan Field (HAO), near Hamilton, Ohio, about 0830.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed a witness, who was outside in her driveway, when she heard the aircraft approaching. She said it was at a lower altitude than she normally sees aircraft in the area. As it was coming toward her from east to west it started to pitch, nose up, into what she said looked like a loop. As it got to the top of the looping maneuver, and an instant before it started down, the sound of the engine stopped. The aircraft then entered a spiralling, spinning maneuver, which continued until she lost sight of the aircraft behind some trees. She then heard the sound of an engine, consistent with the pilot adding engine power, followed immediately by the sound of impact. She told her husband to call 911 and report the accident. She then "grabbed" a neighbor, who is an EMT, and went to the crash site to try to help. The aircraft was engulfed in flames when they arrived, and they were unable to help. The inspector had her demonstrate what she saw with a model airplane. The demonstration was consistent with an attempted loop with a spin out of the top of the maneuver.


PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The 49-year-old pilot in the front seat held a FAA private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He held a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate issued on November 12, 2013. This medical certificate was issued without any limitations. The pilot reported on the application for that medical certificate that he had accumulated 1,525 hours of total flight time and 75 hours in the six months prior to the medical examination. This pilot's reported weight was 187 pounds at the time of the medical examination. The pilot recorded in his logbook that he had accumulated 1,662.1 hours of total flight time, 41 hours of flight time in the 90 days prior to the accident, 12 hours of flight time in the 30 days prior to the accident, and 6 hours of flight time in the accident airplane.

The 40-year-old pilot rated passenger in the rear seat held a FAA private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He was issued a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate on June 4, 2008. This medical certificate was issued without any limitations. The pilot reported on the application for that medical certificate that he had accumulated 900 hours of total flight time and 0 hours in the six months prior to the medical examination. This pilot's reported weight was 232 pounds at the time of the medical examination. The pilot recorded in his logbook that he had accumulated 906.5 hours of total flight time, 24.5 hours of flight time in the 90 days prior to the accident, 2 hours of flight time in the 30 days prior to the accident, and 2 hours of flight time in the accident airplane.


AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

N94SM was a plans-built, experimental, amateur-built Manweiler Acro Sport II airplane with serial number 733. The airplane's plan included a short wing span biplane design with a conventional tail wheel configuration, open cockpits, and faring covered fixed main landing gear. Its structure was a fabric-covered steel tube fuselage and empennage group with a wood wing structure. A 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine, with serial number L-17470-51A, powered the airplane. Review of an FAA 8050-2 bill of sale form revealed that the airplane was purchased on July 26, 2014. According to an owner's representative, the airplane last condition inspection was completed on August 28, 2014 and it accumulated 596 hours of total flight time at the time of that inspection.


METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 0853, the recorded weather at HAO was: Wind calm, visibility 6 statute miles; present weather mist; sky condition few clouds at 4,700 feet; temperature 16 degrees C; dew point 13 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.


WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane impacted buildings about 200 feet northeast of the intersection of Willow Creek Drive and Sunrise View Circle. FAA inspectors examined and documented the accident site and wreckage. The exterior wall of garage near where the airplane came to rest exhibited an opening and slash marks consistent with an airplane with a rotating propeller breaching that wall. The airplane came to rest upright in the rear yard of the house. The airplane, forward of its empennage, was discolored, deformed, and charred, with sections consumed by fire. The inspectors' examination and review of their accident site pictures did not reveal any preimpact flight control anomalies that would have precluded operation of the airplane.


MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the front seated pilot by the Butler County Coroner's Office. The autopsy indicated that injuries sustained during the accident were the cause of his death.

An autopsy was performed on the rear seated pilot rated passenger by the Butler County Coroner's Office. The autopsy indicated that cranial trauma was the cause of his death.

The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute prepared Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Reports for both pilots from samples taken during their autopsies. The report on each pilot was negative for the tests performed.


FIRE

The impacted house did not reveal any discoloration. The localized area where the airplane came to rest exhibited discoloration and charred vegetation consistent with a ground fire.


TESTS AND RESEARCH

The wreckage was recovered to a storage facility. An FAA inspector and an air safety investigator from the engine manufacturer examined the accident engine on October 7, 2014. There was evidence of a post impact fire resulting in engine damage. A thumb compression was observed on undamaged cylinders. Damaged cylinders were removed and inspected, where no damage to valves, pistons, rings, or cylinder walls were noted. Crankshaft continuity was confirmed by observing accessory gear rotation at the rear of the engine and movement of each piston and its rod while rotating the propeller hub by hand. Camshaft continuity was confirmed when the propeller hub was rotated by hand. All intake and exhaust valves moved through the opening and closing sequence. No preimpact anomalies were detected that would have precluded engine operation.

Radar return data was gathered by a National Transportation Safety Board air traffic control specialist. The specialist produced an illustration that depicted the accident flight's path. The illustration is appended to the docket material associated with this case.

A weight and balance calculation was conducted using a weight and balance worksheet dated August 6, 1994, which was forwarded by an airplane owner's representative. Assuming no weight in the baggage compartment, the calculation, using the pilot and pilot rated passengers weight listed on their last medical forms plus 15 pound parachutes, revealed that the airplane was below the maximum "allowable" weight listed on the worksheet and within the maximum and minimum center of gravity limit, at both maximum and minimum fuel amounts.


ADDITIONAL DATA/INFORMATION

The investigation could not determine which airplane occupant was manipulating the flight controls during the accident flight.


http://registry.faa.gov/N94SM  

NTSB Identification: CEN14LA507 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 20, 2014 in Middletown, OH
Aircraft: MANWEILLER ACRO SPORT II, registration: N94SM
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 may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On September 20, 2014, about 0857 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Manweiler Acro Sport II airplane, N94SM, impacted buildings and terrain near Middletown, Ohio, and a ground fire subsequently occurred. Both airplane occupants were private pilots and were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Biplane Crazy LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Butler County Regional Airport-Hogan Field (HAO), near Hamilton, Ohio, about 0830.

The airplane was observed in aerobatic maneuvers during the flight.

The pilot in the front seat held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He held a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate issued in November of 2013.

The pilot in the rear seat held a FAA private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He was issued a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate in June of 2008.

N94SM was a plans-built, experimental, amateur-built Manweiler Acro Sport II airplane with serial number 733. The airplane's plan included a short wing span biplane design with a conventional tail wheel configuration, open cockpits, and faring covered fixed main landing gear. Its structure was a fabric-covered steel tube fuselage and empennage group with a wood wing structure. A 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine powered the airplane.

At 0853, the recorded weather at HAO was: Wind calm, visibility 6 statute miles; present weather mist; sky condition few clouds at 4,700 feet; temperature 16 degrees C; dew point 13 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.

The airplane impacted buildings about 200 feet northeast of the intersection of Willow Creek Drive and Sunrise View Circle. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain where a ground fire occurred.

The Butler County Coroner was asked to conduct an autopsy on both pilots to include toxicological testing.


Any witnesses should email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP —The family of two brothers killed in a weekend plane crash released a statement to the media on Tuesday. 

 Jeff and Steve Krummen died when the biplane they were in crashed in a Liberty Township neighborhood. Both men died at the scene.

In the statement, the Krummen family said both men had "great integrity and character, mentors to many, incredible fathers and husbands, sons and brothers."

The brothers were married with three children each, the family said.

"Jeff and Steve were brothers who grew up the best of friends, enjoyed many of the same hobbies and activities together. They shared the love of flying together … and tragically died together," the family said.

Each man had more than 20 years of flying experience, the family said.

"Our thoughts, prayers and or hearts go out the neighborhood families that were affected by this tragedy. We are very thankful that no one else was injured," the family said. "If the world had more Steve's and Jeff's it would be a better place."

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Read more: http://www.wlwt.com



Jeff and Steve Krummen


HAMILTON, Ohio —Federal investigators want to know why a plane capable of doing aerobatic maneuvers crashed in a suburban Butler County neighborhood on Saturday.

In the meantime, a WLWT investigation is taking a closer look at the rules governing planes flying over neighborhoods and backyards.

Retired airline captain Jon Thocker is a pilot who loves to fly, and he loves his Van's RV-8 airplane.

Not only can the plane help him take a quick trip to Florida, but it can also do some tricked-out stunts high overhead. Since that's the case, Thocker loves to take part in airshows in the Tri-State and elsewhere.

"We fly as a 2-shift formation team, Redline Airshows," Thocker said. "And also for a larger team, Team Aerodynamics, based in Charlotte, North Carolina."

As someone steeped in the airshow world, Thocker said the rules are clear.

"No you shouldn't, in a populated area, look up and see an airplane doing aerobatics. We have to do them over sparsely populated areas and there are certain altitude restrictions that we can do them," Thocker said.

In fact, Federal Aviation Administration regulations state the following:

(FAR 91.303) No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight -
(a) Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement;
(b) Over an open-air assembly of persons;
(c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport;
(d) Within four nautical miles of the centerline of any federal airway;
(e) Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface; or
(f) When flight visibility is less than three statute miles.

But Thocker said unless a pilot is properly trained; the rules listed above can be hazy when a pilot is high above the horizon.

Thocker said he also knows that more and more flyers will continue to push the envelope in planes that can do more and more things in the sky.

"It's a very fun thing to do, but sometimes it gets guys in trouble because they haven't been formally trained," Thocker said.

WLWT's Todd Dykes talked to Thocker at the Butler County Regional Airport where he supports creating an aerobatic practice area. But so far that's just an idea.

Thocker said one other point to consider is the fact that the public can sometimes think they're seeing a stunt in the sky when, in reality, it's just part of a routine pilot training session.

Story and Video:    http://www.wlwt.com


LIBERTY TWP, OH (FOX19) - Two brothers who died Saturday in a Liberty Township plane crash have been identified as 49-year-old Jeff Krummen and 40-year-old Steven Krummen.

The men were inside a small two-seater plane when it went down between houses on Sunrise View Circle, hitting one of the homes before bursting into flames. Jeff was a resident of West Chester and Steven of Mason, according to the coroner's report.

Authorities responded to the residential street around 9 a.m. Saturday after multiple callers reported seeing a plane crash in the area.

"I'm pretty sure I saw a plane falling out of the sky," a witness told emergency dispatch on Saturday morning.

Jeff and Steven were reportedly still inside the burning plane when authorities arrived. The brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.

911 audio from the crash was released Monday, giving insight to the alarming moments after witnesses saw the plane go down.

"A plane just crashed into the backyard of my neighbor's house," another 911 caller said. Both houses were occupied during the crash but all residents were uninjured, according to authorities.

Witnesses on the scene said the plane was performing spirals in the air before crashing. Authorities are still investigating the accident.



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