Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Piper PA-46 JetProp DLX, N2428Q, Flying Lazy T LLC: Fatal accident occurred June 18, 2014 in Lehman, Texas

http://dms.ntsb.gov

NTSB Identification: CEN14FA300
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Lehman, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/22/2016
Aircraft: PIPER PA 46-310P, registration: N2428Q
Injuries: 3 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 private pilot was conducting a personal flight during day, instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions. The pilot checked in with an air route traffic control center, and, after radar data showed multiple changes in altitude that were not in accordance with the assigned altitudes, an air traffic controller queried the pilot about the altitude changes. The pilot reported an autopilot problem and then later requested clearance to deviate around weather at a higher altitude. The airplane passed through several sectors and controllers, and it was understood that the pilot was aware of the adverse weather due to the deviation information in the flight strip. The air traffic controller did not provide additional adverse weather information and updates to the pilot, as required by a Federal Aviation Administration order; however, general broadcasts of this weather information were recorded on the frequency the pilot was using before the accident.

Multiple weather resources showed rapidly developing multicellular to supercell-type convective activity with cloud tops near 48,000 ft. Forecasts and advisories warned of potential strong to severe thunderstorms with the potential for moderate-to-severe turbulence, hail, lightning, heavy rains, and high wind. Radar data indicated that the pilot turned into the intense weather cells instead of away from them as he had requested.

The pilot declared a "mayday" and reported that he had lost visual reference and was in a spin. Damage to the airplane and witness marks on the ground were consistent with the airplane impacting in a level attitude and a flat spin. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation before the loss of control and impact with the ground. The investigation could not determine if there was an anomaly with the autopilot or if the rapidly developing thunderstorms and associated weather created a perception of an autopilot problem.

The autopsy identified coronary artery disease. Although the coronary artery disease could have led to an acute coronary syndrome with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or fainting, it was unlikely to have impaired the pilot's judgment following a preflight weather briefing or while decision-making en route. Thus, there is no evidence that a medical condition contributed to the accident.

The toxicology testing of the pilot identified zolpidem in the pilot's blood and tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolite in the pilot's cavity blood, which indicated that he was using two potentially impairing substances in the days to hours before the accident. It is unlikely that the pilot's use of zolpidem contributed to the accident; however, the investigation could not determine whether the pilot's use of marijuana contributed to the cause of the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's improper decision to enter an area of known adverse weather, which resulted in the loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to provide critical weather information to the pilot to help him avoid the storm, as required by Federal Aviation Administration directives.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On June 18, 2014, about 1635 central daylight time, a Piper PA 46-310P airplane, N2428Q, crashed in an open field ½ mile east of Lehman, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Flying Lazy T, LLC., and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Both visual and instrument meteorological conditions existed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The cross country flight originated from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field (KASE), Aspen, Colorado, at 1326 mountain daylight time, and was en route to Brenham Municipal Airport (11R), Brenham, Texas.

At 1517 central daylight time, N2428Q checked in with the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZAB) controller at Flight Level (FL) 270. Between 1523 and 1526 N2428Q's altitude indicated 300 feet to 400 feet higher than the assigned altitude of FL270 four times. At 1530, the ZAB controller issued a Fort Worth Center Weather Advisory (CWA). Five minutes later, the controller transferred control of N2428Q to the next ZAB controller. N2428Q checked in with that controller at FL270.

At 1549, the controller issued convective SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) 86C for Texas. Between 1552 and 1607, N2428Q's altitude indicated 300 feet to 400 feet above and 400 feet below the assigned altitude of FL270 eight times. After each altitude deviation, N2428Q leveled at FL270. At 1554, after the second altitude deviation, the controller queried the pilot about the altitude changes. N2428Q reported that they were having autopilot issues. At 1556, during the altitude deviations, N2428Q requested and was authorized to deviate to the east of course for weather avoidance, but then deviated to the west.

About this time, a flight of two F/A-18s, call sign Cowboy 31, passed below N2428Q's flight track from west to east at FL250 and, according to the flight lead, encountered moderate clear icing and requested and were approved to descend to FL190.

At 1607 the ZAB controller transferred N2428Q to the next ZAB controller and from 1608 to 1617 N2428Q's altitude indicated 400 feet to 1,000 feet below the assigned altitude of FL270 three times. At 1615 the controller transferred N2428Q to the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control (ZFW) controller.

At 1617, N2428Q checked in with the ZFW controller at FL260 climbing to FL270 and advised the controller that he was in a turn for weather avoidance.

At 1630, N2428Q started a left turn and a climb. The ZFW controller asked N2428Q if he was going north for weather. The pilot responded that he "was trying to go through a window." As the pilot continued his climb out of FL270, the controller asked the pilot if he needed a higher altitude of FL290. The pilot did not respond. The controller then advised N2428Q that radar showed that he was in the middle of moderate to extreme precipitation and asked the pilot if he needed a different altitude. The pilot did not respond. Thirty seconds later the controller again tried to establish communications with N2428Q without success. This was followed immediately by a single "mayday" transmission on the frequency. At 1632 the controller asked N2428Q to say altitude and the pilot responded with "nineteen."

There were several aircraft on the frequency in the vicinity of N2428Q. N656FP, an Eclipse jet en route from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Shreveport, Louisiana, was at FL410. The pilot of N656FP heard the situation developing on the frequency and, after the mayday call, asked the ZFW controller if they had heard it. The ZFW controller acknowledged with "N28Q, go ahead" after which someone on the frequency stated "oh, they just called a mayday to you." American Airlines flight 1536, also in the area at the time, reported that they had also heard the mayday call. In the meantime, the controller continued to try to reestablish communication with N2428Q and asked Alaska Airlines flight 670 if they would try to contact N2428Q.

At 1635, N2428Q reported that he was spinning. N656FP, in an effort to assist, asked the pilot of N2428Q if he could see the ground or the horizon, but did not receive a response. The ZFW controller asked N2428Q if he could see the ground but did not get a response. A transmission from one of the pilots in the vicinity transmitted that the last call from N2428Q was that he was spinning and had said something about not being able to see the ground or horizon.

American Airlines flight 2394 advised the ZFW controller that they had also heard N2428Q report that he was spinning. In response to a query from the controller, the pilot of American Airlines flight 2461 stated that he had heard N2428Q's transmissions but the words were so short that it was unclear what was said. United Airlines flight 1604 volunteered that they had heard N2428Q say he was spinning and that he had lost sight of the ground or horizon.

At 1638, another attempt by the ZFW controller to reestablish communications with N2428Q was unsuccessful. (Additional details and figures are available in the Air Traffic Control Factual Report available in the public docket.)

The wreckage was located in an open field by the land owner.

According to a witness in the area at the time of the accident, there was a severe thunderstorm in the immediate vicinity of the accident. The witness described high winds, heavy rain, and low visibility.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 61, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. His most recent third class airman medical certificate was issued on November 26, 2013. At that time, the pilot reported no chronic medical conditions and no medications. The certificate contained the limitation "Must wear lenses for distant, have glasses for near vision. Holder shall possess glasses for near/intermediate vision." At the time of medical certificate application, the pilot estimated his total time as 2,500 hours, 30 of which had been logged in the previous 6 months.

On August 3, 2006, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice of Proposed Certificate Action to the pilot due to a suspension of driving privileges in the state of Colorado in 2004. The pilot did not report this suspension on his medical certificate application and argued that he had refused a breath test. His lawyer had argued the driving under the influence case down to "driving while impaired" and the pilot stated that his driver's license had not been suspended or revoked. On June 18, 2007, the FAA issued an Order of Revocation, immediately revoking the pilot's third class medical certificate. It was re-issued six months later.

The pilot applied for and received his instrument airplane rating on March 31, 2008. At the time of application he reported 754.6 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command and 70 hours of simulated/actual instrument time. Prior to this application, he had previously applied for, and been disapproved for the same rating. The record did not indicate which areas were deficient but did state all areas of operation were to be retested.

One pilot logbook was located in the wreckage of the airplane. The logbook contained flight log entries dated between September 4, 2011, and January 5, 2014. No flights were logged between January 5, 2014, and the date of the accident. All of the flights contained in the flight log were conducted in the accident airplane.

The pilot noted in his logbook if he had flown an instrument approach and he would log his total flight time; however, his landings and his instrument flight times were not annotated for each flight. The pilot had carried over a total time of 2,241.8 hours on the last page of the flight log. The total flight time logged on the last page was 16.6 hours. The last instrument approach annotated in his logbook was on August 12, 2013 – a Localizer DME 15 approach into ASE. He also annotated an instrument checkride on March 15, 2012. There were no endorsements in the back of the logbook, nor did any of the entries contain notes indicating a flight review or instrument competency check had been completed. Investigators were unable to determine if the pilot met the flight review or currency requirements as outlined in 14 CFR Part 61.56 Flight Review and Part 61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane, a Piper PA 46-310P (serial number 46-8508088), was manufactured in 1985. It was registered with the FAA on a standard airworthiness certificate for normal operations. The airplane was originally certified by Piper with a Lycoming 350 horsepower reciprocating engine. A Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engine, with maximum continuous engine torque of 1,337 foot-pounds, powered the airplane at the time of the accident. The engine was equipped with a Hartzell (model HC-E4N-3I) 4-blade, variable pitch propeller.

The airplane was maintained under an annual inspection program. A review of the maintenance records indicated that an annual inspection had been completed on November 1, 2013, at an airframe total time of 4,735.5 hours (Hobbs 1,711.0 hours). The airplane had flown 64.4 hours between the last inspection and the accident and had a total airframe time of 4,799.9 hours.

The airplane had been equipped with the Supplemental Type Certificate ST00541SE in 1999. In the limitations section of the JetProp LLC Pilot Operating Handbook, flight above FL 270 was not approved. In addition, the altimeters in the airplane were only certified to 25,000 feet.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The synoptic or large scale migratory weather systems influencing the accident area were documented using standard National Weather Service (NWS) charts issued by the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).

Surface Analysis

The south central section of the NWS Surface Analysis Chart for 1600 on June 18, 2014, centered over Texas depicted a low pressure system over Colorado at 1000-hectopascals (hPa) along a stationary front, with a dry line that extended southward from the low across southeast Colorado and into eastern New Mexico. Ahead or east of the dry line, the chart depicted a relatively warm moist airmass that flowed northward from the Gulf of Mexico into northwestern Texas. The station models over the Texas Panhandle depicted southerly wind, partly cloudy skies, with temperatures in the 90's degrees Fahrenheit (F), and dew point temperatures above 60° F. Over New Mexico behind the dry line temperatures were also in the 90's with dew point temperatures below 40° F. The accident site was located in an area of general confluent wind flow ahead of the dry line.

Weather Radar

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) - Research Application Laboratory (RAL) regional radar mosaic image for 1635 depicted several bands of intense radar echoes oriented in a general north-northeast to south-southwest bands across western Texas. The accident site was located in the immediate vicinity of one of the intense echoes. Additional scattered echoes continued to the south-southwestward into southeastern New Mexico and extreme southwestern Texas.

The NOAA National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) National radar reflectivity mosaic image for the same period of 1635 depicted a large organized area of echoes directly over Lehman, Texas, and immediately south, which were associated with an area of strong to severe multicellular to supercell-type thunderstorms.

NWS Convective Outlook

The NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Convective Outlook chart issued at 1440 indicated that general thunderstorm activity was expected over the general route of flight with a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over northwestern Texas.

Surface Observations

The closest official NWS reporting location to the accident site was from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (KLBB), Lubbock, Texas approximately 50 miles east of the accident site at an elevation of 3,282 feet. The airport had an Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) and was augmented by certified NWS weather observer during the period. The following conditions were reported near the time of the accident.

Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (KLBB) weather observation at 1553, wind from 160° at 8 knots, visibility unrestricted at 10 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet agl, scattered 18,000 feet, scattered at 30,000 feet, temperature 32° Celsius (C), dew point temperature 17° C, altimeter 29.91 inches of mercury (Hg). Remarks: automated observation system, sea level pressure 1006.7-hPa, cumulonimbus clouds (CB) distant south and southwest through northwest, moving northeast slowly, towering cumulus clouds (TCU) distant northeast, altocumulus castellanus (ACC) distant northwest, temperature 32.2° C, dew point 16.7° C, 3-hour pressure tendency fallen 1.6-hPa.

The observations indicated that while visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the surface at the airport, high based thunderstorms were reported in the distance or beyond 10 miles and intermittently at the station after the accident in which a peak wind gust of 33 knots was reported associated with a thunderstorm. While the peak wind was below the classification of a severe thunderstorm, it still suggested a strong outflow from the storm. There was also a period of blowing dust reported, also indicative of strong outflow winds and/or potential microburst activity. There was also a high frequency of lightning activity reported during the period with the cumulonimbus clouds, which varied from occasional, to frequent, and after the accident was reported as continuous lightning activity.

Upper Air Data

The closest upper air sounding or rawinsonde observation (RAOB) was from the NWS Amarillo (KAMA) Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO), located approximately 107 miles northeast of the accident site. The 1900 sounding depicted a warm low-level environment with a surface temperature of 86.7° F (30.4° C), and a dew point temperature of 59.7° F (15.4° C), with a relative humidity of 40%. The sounding indicated expected bases of the clouds between 7,500 to 8,000 feet agl, with expected convective cloud tops to approximately 45,000 feet, with the tropopause at 46,300 feet. The freezing level was identified at 15,414 feet and supported icing in clouds above that level.

The stability parameters indicated a very unstable atmosphere. The Severe Weather Threat Index indicated a moderate risk of severe thunderstorm development. The maximum vertical velocity of the potential updrafts was calculated at 142 knots. The sounding also supported hail, heavy rain, and/or downbursts with the thunderstorms across the region. The sounding stability indices indicated a moderate to strong risk of severe multicellular type thunderstorm development across the region.

The sounding wind profile depicted southerly winds from the surface through 19,000 feet with wind veering to the southwest with height with increasing wind speeds. A low level jet stream was identified at 4,850 feet agl with wind from 185° at 20 knots, with the level of maximum wind at 225° at 65 knots located below the tropopause at 43,990 feet. The 18,000 feet wind was from 213° at 25 knots with the mean storm motion from 243° at 19 knots. At the accident airplane's cruising altitude of 27,000 feet the wind was identified from 240° at 32 knots, with a temperature of -25° C. The sounding supported potential clear to mixed icing at 27,000 feet, especially with the convective updrafts which would have likely increased the icing potential at altitude.

Satellite Data

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite number 13 (GOES-13) infrared image for 1630 at 4X magnification with a standard MB temperature enhancement curve illustrated cloud tops associated with deep convection and high cirriform clouds. Also added to the image was the frontal and dry line boundaries identified at 1600 by the NWS. The last radar contact was identified on the southwestern side of a band of cumulonimbus clouds with a radiative cloud top near 36,000 feet based on the KAMA sounding. Higher cloud tops were identified 6 miles north near 41,000 feet. The anvil tops of the cumulonimbus cloud extended northeastward and merged into another large cumulonimbus cloud system, which extended across most of the northern portion of the panhandle of Texas.

The GOES-13 visible images at 4X magnification at times 1545, 1615, 1625, 1630, 1637, 1645, 1655, and 1700 depicted the rapid development and growth of the cumulonimbus cloud during the period, and movement to the east-northeastward. The vertical extensive cumulonimbus cloud heights were also evident by the shadows under and immediately east of the clouds, and also depicted several overshooting cloud tops with the anvils.

In-Flight Weather Advisories

The NWS issued Severe Weather Forecast Alert (AWW) number 323 at 1447 and was valid through 2200 for severe thunderstorms over portions of Oklahoma and western Texas. The area was identified from 65 miles east and west of a line from 12 miles east-northeast of Lubbock, Texas, to 39 miles east of Liberal (KLBL), Kansas. The area was issued for a few severe thunderstorms with hail to 2 inches, extreme turbulence, and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few of the cumulonimbus clouds had a potential of maximum tops to 55,000 feet. The mean storm motion was from 240° at 20 knots.

The NWS also issued Convective SIGMETs that impacted the route of flight at 1455, 1555, and 1655. They called for areas of severe thunderstorms moving from the southwest at 15 knots, cloud tops to FL450, hail 1.5 inches in diameter, and wind gusts to 50 knots. The updated Convective SIGMET at 1555 increased the hail diameter to 2 inches and wind gusts to 60 knots.

The Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (KZAB) controller at 1530 broadcasted the issuance of KZFW CWA 201 and at 1549 Convective SIGMET 83C on the frequency and advised users to obtain further information on the nearest Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) broadcast. No other information relating to the nature of the hazard or the location of the advisories were provided, or mention of the weather watch 323 was made at that time..

At 1556, the Albuquerque controller advised on frequency that Convective SIGMET 86C was current and advised users to tune to HIWAS for further details. The airplane was equipped with the ability to access the recorded information; however, it is unknown if the accident airplane obtained the details of the advisory. CWA 202 was issued prior to the accident at 1630 and was not broadcasted by air traffic control until after the accident.

Immediately after the accident at 1655 Convective SIGMET 90C was issued over the accident site for a line of severe thunderstorms.

An extensive Meteorology Report with additional details and figures, illustrating the flight track and weather radar imagery, is available in the public docket for this report. The weather radar imagery (WSR-88D) shows the accident airplane deviating into a rapidly developing severe thunderstorm, when the altitude deviations and MAYDAY call are made.

Preflight Weather Briefing

The pilot's personal iPad was located in his luggage, in the wreckage of the airplane. The location suggested that it was not being used at the time of the accident or during the accident flight. The Safari application was the only open application. Within this there were two active tabs – one for Intellicast and the second for Airport Information. The first tab selected to Intellicast illustrated weather radar information for San Antonio, Texas, Abilene, Texas, and Dyees Air Force Base. The second tab illustrated airport information for Brenham Municipal Airport.

The accident pilot contacted Lockheed Martin Automated Flight Services Station (AFSS) at 1309 mountain daylight time on June 18, 2014. He filed an IFR flight plan from ASE to 11R, planning to depart at 1338 with an estimated time en route of 3 hours and 30 minutes. He was provided an abbreviated weather briefing which consisted of the destination METAR (routine aviation weather report), convective SIGMENT information, PIREPS (Pilot Reports), NOTAMS, and AIRMETS.

During the abbreviated weather briefing, the briefer discussed the dry line with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico flowing northward and the expected precipitation. The pilot of N2428Q acknowledged he was familiar with the expected conditions. During this period the briefer provided Convective SIGMET 76C, which related to a developing line of thunderstorms over southern Texas near the destination in the Houston area with the storms moving northward. At the time of the briefing no advisories for thunderstorms were current over western Texas or in the vicinity of the accident site, and the briefing did not mention or comment on the risk of severe thunderstorms expected during the period or forecast.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The main wreckage came to rest in an open field, oriented on an approximate heading of 270 degrees at an elevation of 3,770 feet. The main wreckage included the fuselage, empennage, both wings, and the engine and propeller assembly. There were no ground scars or debris field leading to the main wreckage.

The fuselage was buckled, wrinkled, and crushed in several directions along the entire span of the fuselage. The forward right side of the fuselage was torn and bent due to emergency responder activity. The floor of the fuselage, from the forward cabin, aft to the rear cabin seats and luggage area, was crushed up and wrinkled. All of the seats in the airplane remained attached. The internal ceiling and sidewall paneling in the fuselage separated partially and was scattered on the inside of the cabin.

The instrument panel in the forward cabin was crushed down and broken. Multiple switches and several instruments had separated from the panel and were impact damaged. Many of the engine instruments, the suction gauge, and fuel quantity instruments read zero. Readings from any of the digital displays and instruments were not recovered on scene. The following readings from the analog instruments and gauges were observed:

Pilot's side encoding altimeter – 3,670 feet
Pilot's side airspeed – zero
Turn coordinator – left wing down, 5 degrees, ball just left of center
Pilot's side artificial horizon – nose up 20 degrees, 5 degrees left wing down
Kollsman window – 29.90
Vertical speed indicator – 500 foot climb

Copilot's side altimeter – 3,220 feet
Kollsman window – 29.80
Copilot's side vertical speed indicator – 1,200 foot climb
Directional gyro – 135 degrees
Copilot's side airspeed – zero
Artificial horizon – 20 degrees nose down.
Turn coordinator – left wing down 5 degrees, wings level, ball just left of center

The landing gear actuator handle was selected to the down or extended position. The flap selector handle was selected to 20 degrees of flaps. In the throttle quadrant, the fuel was on, the propeller control was positioned at mid-range, and the throttle control was towards reverse. The friction lock was at midrange. The Hobbs meter showed a reading of 1,775.4 hours.

The right wing remained attached at the fuselage. The outboard portion of the wing separated partially at the production splice. The entire wing was bent and wrinkled. The de-ice boot was torn at the separation point but was otherwise unremarkable. The right flap was bent and wrinkled and separated partially at the outboard hinge. The flap appeared to be extended 20 degrees. The right aileron was deflected up and was bent. One flight control cable for the right aileron was broken in tension at the wing separation point. The second flight control cable was continuous from the aileron inboard to the wing root. The pushrod at the aileron control was broken, consistent with impact damage.

The right main landing gear remained attached to the wing. The hydraulic actuator was extended, consistent with the landing gear being extended. The right main landing gear strut was down and imbedded in the ground. The right main landing gear wheel assembly separated from the strut and came to rest under the trailing edge of the right flap.

The left wing remained attached to the fuselage. The de-ice boot was unremarkable. The wing was bent, buckled, and wrinkled along the entire span. The flap appeared to be extended approximately 20 degrees and remained attached to the wing. The left aileron remained attached to the wing but was bent and broken at the outboard hinge point. The flight controls were continuous but difficult to move, due to impact damage.

The empennage included the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, the elevator, and the rudder. The empennage separated at the rear pressure bulkhead, just forward of the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The fiberglass on the lower airfoil of the vertical stabilizer was torn. The leading edge of the stabilizer was otherwise unremarkable.

The rudder control was deflected to the right and the lower portion of the control was bent up and wrinkled. The control was jammed and difficult to move, due to impact damage. The control cables to the rudder were continuous.

The horizontal stabilizer was wrinkled along the leading edge. The de-ice boots were unremarkable. A witness mark, consistent with the bottom portion of the rudder control was located on the trailing edge of the right horizontal stabilizer, directly beneath the rudder control. The trim tab on the elevator was deflected up. The control cables to the elevator were continuous.

The engine remained attached to the fuselage. The fuselage forward of the cabin, up to the engine, was buckled up and wrinkled. The engine cowling was broken and torn. The engine was impact damaged and exhibited slight bending and twisting along the entire span of the engine.

The propeller assembly remained attached to the engine. Two blades separated from the engine and were imbedded in the soft ground directly beneath the engine. Both blades separated near the hub and were bent and exhibited polishing on the face of the blade and along the leading edge. Two other blades remained attached to the engine and were labeled "A" and "B" for identification purposes. Blade A was bowed more than 90 degrees and exhibited leading edge polishing and polishing and scratching along the face of the blade. Blade B was embedded in the ground and was bowed.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

According to the autopsy performed by South Plains Forensic Pathology, the cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma. The autopsy also identified an enlarged heart which weighed 440 grams (average for a 203 pound man is 375 grams with a range of 284-495 grams). In addition, there was coronary artery disease with an area of 80% stenosis in the first diagonal coronary artery. No other significant natural disease was identified.

Toxicology testing performed at the request of the pathologist by NMS laboratories found no ethanol but identified caffeine and 2.2 ng/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, in the pilot's blood.

Toxicology testing performed by the FAA's Bioaeronautical Research Laboratory found no ethanol but identified 1.9 ng/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 2.4 ng/ml of its inactive metabolite, tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-OOH), in the pilot's blood as well as desmethylsildenafil, the metabolite of sildenafil (a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, also named Viagra), and zolpidem (a prescription sleep aid, marketed with the name Ambien) in the pilot's cavity blood. Urine testing identified desmethylsildenafil, ibuprofen (an over the counter analgesic commonly called Motrin and Advil), ranitidine (an over the counter medication used to treat heartburn, commonly known as Zantac), tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (117.4 ng/ml), and zolpidem. The report from the lab further noted that neither tetrahydrocannabinol nor tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid were identified in brain tissue.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

Airframe

Shop air at 30 psi was applied at the center air port in the empennage and the elevator de-ice boots and the rudder de-ice boot inflated without issue. Shop air at 40 psi was applied to the right wing and movement of the outboard de-ice section was observed. The left wing was impact damaged. Shop air at 50 psi was applied and the de-ice boots inflated to the second crimp in the wing. Impact damage precluded testing the remainder of the left wing de-ice boot.

Propeller Blades

The propeller blades that separated from the airplane and were under the wreckage were labeled "C" and "D" for identification purposes only. Both blades were bent, twisted, bowed, and exhibited leading edge polishing and scratching and polishing along the front and back of the blade.

Servos, Flight Computers, & Indicators

The flight computer, radios, rate gyro, and autopilot servos were removed from the airplane and sent to Honeywell for further examination and bench testing.

The pictorial navigation indicator and flight command indicator were impact damaged and could not be functionally tested. The directional gyro was functionally tested without anomaly.

The crystal in the flight computer was impact damaged preventing functional testing. Once the crystal was replaced the pitch and roll command, servo drive, and pitch trim functions were satisfactory. The altitude hold would not engage due to impact damage on the circuit board. The yaw computer and rate gyro passed functional testing.

The yaw servo was tested without anomaly. The pitch servo was impact damaged. Once the shaft and bracket were straightened the unit tested without anomaly. The roll servo was impact damaged with a displaced spring bar. Once the bar was repositioned, the unit tested without anomaly. The trim servo was impact damaged and did not pass functional tests for manual and auto trim.

The roll, yaw, and trim servo mounts were examined and tested. The roll servo mount tested within limits. The yaw servo mount tested one pound beyond limits. The trim servo tested one pound beyond limits.

The altitude preselector was impact damaged and could not be functionally tested. Non-volatile memory recovered from the unit indicated the last altitude selected was 27,000 feet with a vertical speed descent of 500 feet per minute.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Thunderstorm Advisory Circular

The FAA Advisory Circular AC 00 – 24C "Thunderstorms" dated January 30, 2013, provided a basic review of thunderstorms and general guidance avoidance policy. The advisory circular described basic thunderstorm development, life cycle, organization or types of storms; from single cell, multicellular storms or clusters, to squall lines, and supercell type thunderstorms. A supercell is a single long-lived thunderstorm which is responsible for nearly all of the significant tornadoes produced in the United States and for most of the hailstones larger than golf ball-size.

The advisory circular also discussed thunderstorm terminology such as the use of the Convective Outlook (AC) and the perceived level of threat for convection and severe thunderstorms, and the general hazards within and near thunderstorms. Also included in the updated advisory circular with the use of ground-based weather radar, echo intensity or reflectivity, and the use of data link into the cockpit, as well as airborne weather radar and its primary limitation of attenuation and the need for proper tilt management. Avoidance of any heavy to extreme intensity echoes or one identified as severe by at least 20 miles was also emphasized.

Air Traffic Control

N2428Q received ATC handling by ASE ATCT, ASE approach, two radar controllers at ZDV, three radar controllers at ZAB; R16, R15, and R87, and two radar controllers at ZFW sector R93.

N2428Q reported an equipment issue, and also exhibited numerous altitude deviations and a course deviation. No information regarding the equipment issues or the multiple altitude and course deviations was passed between controllers during the transfer of radar identification. Federal Aviation Administration Order (FAAO) 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, paragraph 5-4-3b4, Transfer of Radar Identification, Methods, states in part:
Advise the receiving controller of pertinent information not contained in the data block or available flight data unless covered in an LOA or facility directive. Pertinent information may include:
(a) Assigned heading.
(b) Speed/altitude restrictions.
(c) Observed track or deviation from the last route clearance.
(d) Any other pertinent information.

During the period leading up to the accident, moderate, severe, and extreme levels of precipitation were present and indicated on the controller's radar presentation. As a result of the weather conditions, numerous aircraft, including the accident aircraft, were requesting deviations from their filed flight plan routes to avoid the weather. The tops of the weather cells were being reported at 41,000 to 43,000 feet.

FAAO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, paragraph 2-6-4a, Weather and Chaff Services, requires that air traffic controllers issue pertinent information on weather and chaff areas by defining the area of coverage in terms of azimuth (by referring to the 12-hour clock) and distance from the aircraft or by indicating the general width of the area and the area of coverage in terms of fixes or direction from fixes. Paragraph 2-6-4g states in part that when requested by the pilot, provide radar navigational guidance and/or approve deviations around weather or chaff areas. Paragraph 2-6-4g states:
When requested by the pilot, provide radar navigational guidance and/or approve deviations around weather or chaff areas. In areas of significant weather, plan ahead and be prepared to suggest, upon pilot request, the use of alternative routes/altitudes.
1. An approval for lateral deviation authorizes the pilot to maneuver left or right within the limits of the lateral deviation area.

In the radar data block of N2428Q, "DR" indicates that the aircraft is authorized to deviate to the right of the filed route of flight.

Automated information transfer (AIT) procedures utilizing en route fourth line data block free text are to be used within and between en route ATC facilities as defined in a facility AIT directive and letter of agreement.

At 1615, the ZAB R87 controller initiated a transfer of control to the ZFW R93 controller. At 1617 N2428Q checked in with the ZFW R93 controller at FL260 climbing to FL270 and advised the controller that he was in a turn for weather avoidance. The controller did not provide information on weather in the area because block 4 of the radar data block indicated "DR" for deviating right for weather. The controller stated that since N2428Q was already deviating, he did not issue weather to the aircraft because he thought the pilot was "obviously" aware of it.

At 1625, a position relief briefing began at the ZFW R93 position. The position relief briefing took four minutes to accomplish. During the position relief briefing, the controller being relieved was busy with multiple intra-facility coordination requirements, responding to numerous requests for deviation and numerous aircraft transfer of control actions/handoff to adjacent sectors. ZFW sector 93 did not have a radar associate coordinator position staffed.

There were no radio transmissions or coordination recorded at the ZFW R93 position for the next 50 seconds. No weather information was provided to N2428Q or any other airplane during this time. At 1630 the oncoming ZFW R93 controller asked N2428Q if the pilot "was going to go north of that weather there." The pilot responded that he was trying to "go through a window." Fifty seconds later, noting that N2428Q was climbing above his assigned altitude of FL270, the R93 controller asked the pilot 3 times if he needed a higher altitude. The pilot did not respond.

The controller who had previously been on at the ZFW R93 position remained in the area after being relieved and, noting the flight deviation of N2428Q, opened the D93 position to assist the R93 controller. At this time the controller-in charge (CIC) was also monitoring the developing situation from an adjacent control position

At 1632, the R93 controller advised N2428Q that he was in the middle of moderate to extreme precipitation and once again asked the pilot if he needed a different altitude. The pilot did not respond.

After observing N2428Q climb and then begin to descend, the R93 controller coordinated with the Lubbock low sector controller, sitting next to her, as N2428Q was about to depart her airspace and enter the airspace of the Lubbock low sector. While she was coordinating with the Lubbock sector controller, a single "MAYDAY" transmission was made. Although the MAYDAY transmission was recorded on the frequency, the controller stated that she did not hear the MAYDAY transmission. Immediately after the pilot transmitted MAYDAY, the controller asked N2428Q to say altitude. A pilot responded "nineteen."

According to the FAA Official Guide to Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures; the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), chapter 6, Emergency Procedures, Section 3; Emergency and Distress Procedures, paragraph 6-3-1; Distress and Urgency Communications, states:
a. A pilot who encounters a distress or urgency condition can obtain assistance simply by contacting the air traffic facility or other agency in whose area of responsibility the aircraft is operating, stating the nature of the difficulty, pilot's intentions and assistance desired. Distress and urgency communications procedures are prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), however, and have decided advantages over the informal procedure described above.
b. Distress and urgency communications procedures discussed in the following paragraphs relate to the use of air ground voice communications.
c. The initial communication, and if considered necessary, any subsequent transmissions by an aircraft in distress should begin with the signal MAYDAY, preferably repeated three times. The signal PAN-PAN should be used in the same manner for an urgency condition.

d. Distress communications have absolute priority over all other communications, and the word MAYDAY commands radio silence on the frequency in use. Urgency communications have priority over all other communications except distress, and the word PAN-PAN warns other stations not to interfere with urgency transmissions.

The AIM, chapter 6, Emergency Procedures, Section 3; Emergency and Distress Procedures, paragraph 6-3-2; Obtaining Emergency Assistance, paragraph a3a states in part:
Transmit a distress or urgency message consisting of as many as necessary of the following elements, preferably in the order listed:
If distress, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY; if urgency, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN.

FAAO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control and the AIM pilot controller glossary define MAYDAY as the international radiotelephony distress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates imminent and grave danger and that immediate assistance is requested.

Twenty three seconds after N2428Q responded to the altitude query, a pilot on the frequency asked if the controller had heard the MAYDAY call followed by a transmission by AAL1536 stating that he believed he heard a MAYDAY call as well.

After several unsuccessful attempts by the R93 controller to contact N2428Q and a request to Alaska Airlines flight 670 to attempt to contact N2428Q, the pilot of N2428Q reported "28Q spinning" at 1635. The R93 controller acknowledged N2428Q's call. An unidentified pilot on the frequency asked if N2428Q could see the ground or the horizon. The R93 controller asked N2428Q if the pilot could see the ground. There was no further response from N2428Q.

Additional details and figures are available in the Air Traffic Control Factual Report available in the public docket.

http://registry.faa.gov/N2428Q

NTSB Identification: CEN14FA300
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Lehman, TX
Aircraft: PIPER PA 46-310P, registration: N2428Q
Injuries: 3 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 June 18, 2014, about 1635 Central daylight time, a Piper PA 46-310P, N2428Q, crashed in an open field ½ mile east of Lehman, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Flying Lazy T, LLC., and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The cross country flight originated from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field (KASE), Aspen, Colorado, at 1326, and was en route to Brenham Municipal Airport (11R), Brenham, Texas.

Preliminary data available from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the airplane was at flight level (FL) 270, deviating to the east due to weather. This preliminary data indicated that the airplane climbed to an altitude of FL293 before starting a descent. The airplane was last recorded on radar at an altitude of 12,500 feet.

The wreckage was located in an open field by the land owner. The wreckage came to rest upright, on an approximate heading of west. The main wreckage included the fuselage, empennage, both wings, and the engine and propeller assembly. The empennage and the outboard portion of the right wing separated partially from the main wreckage but came to rest immediately adjacent to the main wreckage. There were no ground scars nor was there a debris field associated with the accident.

According to a witness in the area at the time of the accident, there was a severe thunderstorm in the immediate vicinity of the accident. The witness described high winds, heavy rain, and low visibility.


 Investigating Flight Standards District Office:  FAA Lubbock FSDO-13


David Patton 




  David Patton riding the range near Basalt 



The NTSB is completing its investigation of the deadly plane crash that KCBD first told you about on Wednesday.

The plane went down around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, just south of Morton, near Highway 214 and Highway 125.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigator told KCBD on Saturday that they have finished up their on-site preliminary examination of the aircraft.

The investigator said that the wreckage will be taken to Landcaster, Texas, on Monday, where it will remain until the investigation is complete.

The investigation could take anywhere between 10 to 12 months.

The investigator said that she is working on learning more about the communication between the pilot and the Lubbock Air Traffic Controller before the plane went down.

So far, the investigators have not determined what caused the plane to crash.

Long-time Abilene businessman Thomas Joseph Taylor was reportedly piloting the plane when it crashed.

Taylor, 61, was killed in the crash, as well as his two passengers, 35-year-old Matthew Axtell and 51-year-old David Bradly, both from Colorado.

The plane was registered to Flying Lazy T Corporation out of Abilene.

Valley residents killed in Texas plane crash remembered 
 
Two Roaring Fork Valley residents who were killed in a small plane crash in Texas Wednesday were being remembered following the tragedy, one as a Tennessee native who chased his cowboy dream in Colorado and the other as an avid boater, outdoorsman and “great friend” who grew up in Aspen.

David Bradley Patton, 51, of Carbondale, and Matthew Axtell, 35, of Basalt were in a plane piloted by Thomas Joseph Taylor, 61, of Abilene, Texas, when it crashed in a remote part of West Texas after departing Aspen earlier that day. All three were killed.

“David was a great guy, and he was a pretty good cowboy,” John Howe said of Patton, who often helped with Howe’s Capitol Peak Outfitters business. “He always had a smile on his face, and helped whenever and wherever he could.”

Steve Groom of Carbondale said Patton “was one of those guys who would climb to a mountaintop for you, especially if it involved hunting.”

He recalled that Patton showed up one day at the Carbondale rodeo grounds, which Groom helps maintain, with a couple trailers full of washed sand that he had salvaged from sandbags that had been used to protect against flooding along the Roaring Fork River near Basalt.

“He asked if we could use it, and I said, ‘heck yeah,’” Groom said. “We’ve been using it ever since.’

Patton was also an avid rodeo fan, and often helped Groom’s brother, Jeff Groom, with his cattle operation at the St. Benedict’s Monastery in Old Snowmass.

“He was always on horseback, whether it was out moving cows, fixing fences, or just helping anybody and any way he could,” Steve Groom said.

Patton was also remembered Thursday in Portland, Tennessee, where he grew up and went to high school.

“I can say that David chased his dream and caught it,” high school classmate Marty Bullington told The Portland Leader newspaper. “He was a cowboy and was always on a horse. He used to ride bulls in high school.” Patton’s parents still live in Portland.

The other Colorado crash victim, Axtell, owned Axe Trucking LLC in Carbondale, but lived in Basalt.

Colter Smith, a partner and broker associate at Aspen Associates Realty Group, said he grew up with Axtell in Aspen and both attended Aspen High School.

“Matt was the type of guy who would help out a friend in any situation,” Smith told the Aspen Times. “He was a great friend. Matt was really fun. He loved boating and entertaining. He was a real stand-up guy.”

A Federal Aviation Administration statement said the single-engine Piper PA-46 aircraft dropped off of air-traffic radar shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday while en route from Aspen to Brenham, Texas. Law enforcement officials searching for the aircraft found the wreckage near Morton, about 50 miles west of Lubbock, Texas.

Taylor, a Texas oilman who once chaired the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, was piloting the plane, the sheriff’s office said. A spokesman for the alliance said that Taylor often traveled to Aspen for vacation. The aircraft was registered to Flying Lazy T LLC in Abilene, a town of about 120,000 resident roughly 150 miles west of Fort Worth.

A neighbor who lives directly across from the pasture where the plane crashed said strong storms with winds reaching 40 mph and ping-pong-ball sized hail were hitting the area at the time of the accident.



Source:   http://www.postindependent.com




 



ABILENE, Texas -

Longtime Abilene businessman Tom Taylor was the pilot of a plane that crashed Wednesday west of Lubbock.

Taylor and two other men died in the crash.

Thomas Joseph Taylor was 61. He was prominent in the oil and gas business in the Abilene area for many years and a past president of the National Oil and Gas Association.

He was also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

His two passengers were Matthew Axtell, 35, of Basalt, Colo., and David Bradley Patton, 51, from an unknown town in Colorado.

Previous Story

A plane registered to Flying Lazy T LLC in Abilene and traveling from Aspen, Colo., to Brenham crashed Wednesday, killing all three people aboard the aircraft.

The Flying Lazy T LLC is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration as a cattle company.

The plane crashed in Cochran County, which is about 50 miles west of Lubbock and near the New Mexico state line, officials said. The accident may be the result of bad weather.

The victims names weren't immediately released pending notification of next of kin.

Cochran County Sheriff Raymond Weber told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the plane was discovered about an hour west of Lubbock near Morton. A landowner found the plane on his property, the newspaper said..

According to the FAA, the Piper PA-46 single-engine aircraft disappeared from the air traffic radar about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board was set to conduct an investigation Thursday.

Here’s the latest information from Lynn Lunsford, public information officer for the FAA:

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) will be releasing any updates. Their investigator is supposed to arrive today.

A Piper PA-46 single-engine aircraft dropped off of air traffic radar at about 4:51 pm for unknown reasons.

The aircraft had departed earlier in the afternoon from Aspen, Colo., on its way to Brenham, Texas.

Law enforcement officials discovered the wreckage near Morton. They told us that three people were aboard the aircraft, all fatalities. You'll need to confirm that with either the county sheriff or DPS.

FAA investigators are en route to the site. The NTSB has been notified and will be in charge of the investigation and all updates.

The FAA does not identify crash victims. Those names will be released by the medical examiner or JP after relatives have been notified.

The tail number of the aircraft is N2428Q. You can look up the registered owner by plugging that number into the N-number search field on our home page at www.faa.gov.


Story,  video and comments:  http://www.ktxs.com

A former Portland resident was among three people killed Wednesday evening when their Piper PA-46 JetProp DLX aircraft heading from Aspen, Colo. to Brenham, Texas crashed in Cochran County, Texas near Lubbock. The Cochran County Sheriff's Office has confirmed David Bradley Patton, 51, of Carbondale, Colo. perished along with a friend of his, Matthew Axtell, 35, of Basalt, Colo. and the pilot of the aircraft, Thomas Joseph Taylor, 61, of Abilene, Texas.

According to Texas authorities, strong storms in the area was the probable cause of the crash. Officials said that that there was communication between the occupants in the plane and the Lubbock airport when they went down.

Cochran County Sheriff Raymond Weber, in a press release, said the plane was discovered about an hour east of Lubbock, Texas near Morton when a landowner spotted it on his property. According to the FAA website, the plane is registered to Flying Lazy T LLC in Abilene, Texas.

Patton, whose parents still live in Portland (dad Richard was a long-time minister at First Baptist Church), was remembered by his classmate and good friend Marty Bullington as an adventurer.

"I can say that David chased his dream and caught it," Bullington said Thursday afternoon. "He was a cowboy and was always on a horse. He used to ride bulls in high school. I remember in high school, David, myself, Bubba Douglas, Steve Dobbs and others started wearing cowboy hats to school. There is a picture on his Facebook of several of us wearing them from school."

Bullington also remembered Patton's thoughtfulness. When Marty's father passed away a couple of years ago, Patton was among the many mourners paying his respect.

"There was a long line at the funeral home for visitation for my dad," Bullington explained. "I saw a short guy with a cowboy hat on his chest. I realized it was David. He happened to be in town and came to the funeral home. I hadn't seen David I guess since high school and never saw him again after that, though we did talk on the phone a couple of times. It's a sad day."

Timmy Elliott, golf coach at Portland High School, also recalled some humorous moments from hanging around Patton.

"I remember going to Arlington on Sunday evenings and watching David ride bulls," Elliott remarked. "He rode bulls in college until he got hurt. I guess I came as close to getting on a bull as I ever did one time with David. I never did do it. He had a Volkswagen Rabbit and we would get out when it was snow and ice on the road and do spins on the highway."

Elliott and his family moved to Portland when he was ten years old and he explained that he and Patton became life-time friends.

"David was the first friend I made when I moved here," Elliott explained. "We didn't lose contact after high school. He would call whenever he was in town and we tried to get together."

Patton's zest for life was evident in the pictures he posted on Facebook, Elliott added.

"Every picture he posted was a postcard picture," Elliott noted. "He was living his dream of being a cowboy. In fact, he was heading to Texas (Wednesday) to look at some ponies. He loved camping, backpacking and moving herds from one place to another. He was 100% cowboy....a true cowboy."

No arrangements have been made at this time.


Source:  http://www.portlandleader.net


COCHRAN COUNTY, TX (KCBD) -   There are new developments in Wednesday afternoon's deadly plane crash in Cochran County. The pilot, Thomas Joseph Taylor of Abilene, 61; and both passengers, Matthew Axtell From Basalt, Colorado, 35; and David Bradley Patton, 51, of Colorado were killed in the crash.

The plane, a 1985 PIPER PA-46-310P, was a fixed wing single engine aircraft with six seats. The owner is Flying Lazy T LLC out of Abilene.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m., south of Morton, near Highway 214 and Highway 125. The area is about one hour west of Lubbock.

Cochran County Sheriff Raymond Weber said the plane was headed from Aspen to Brenham, Texas, west of Houston and got caught in the storm. They were communicating with the Lubbock airport when they went down.

On Thursday afternoon around 2 p.m., Jennifer Rodi, an air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board began her investigation into the crash.

"We arrived on scene and we were able to do a preliminary examination. We will be on scene for the next couple of days examining the wreckage and looking for any signs of mechanical anomalies and trying to piece together and understand what exactly happened during this accident," Rodi said.

A neighbor who lives directly across from the pasture where this plane crashed said there were terrible storms in the area, with strong winds reaching 40 miles per hour and ping pong sized hail.

He said the weather was so bad, his family had to pull the car over just about two miles from his home, something Cochran County Sheriff believes impacted this flight.

"The weather could potentially play a role. What's important to take into consideration is what the weather is doing on the ground can be significantly different than what the weather is where the pilot is actually flying," Rodi said.

Rodi said the plane was flying at 27,000 feet at one point during the flight.

"We don't have data recorders or cockpit voice recorders or the known black boxes on board this particular airplane, however, there may be the potential for non volatile memory or smaller devices that will store recorded data from the flight that would be beneficial," Rodi explained.
She said while the onsite preliminary examination will take a couple of days, the investigation could actually take up to ten months or a year.

"We don't want to rush anything, we don't want to miss anything important, especially if it has the possibility to impact safety for other pilots and other aircraft," Rodi said.

She said the aircraft is scheduled to be moved on Monday.


Story, videos and photos:  http://www.ktre.com

MORTON, Texas — A single-engine airplane en route to Central Texas crashed in a remote area of West Texas, killing all three people aboard, including Basalt resident Matthew Axtell.

The sheriff’s office in Cochran, Texas, released the names of the three victims. 

The passengers were Axtell, 35, and David Bradley Patton, 51, also from Colorado. 

The pilot was identified as Thomas Joseph Taylor, 61, from Abilene, Texas.

A Federal Aviation Administration statement said the Piper PA-46 aircraft dropped off of air traffic radar shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday while en route from Aspen to Brenham, Texas.

The Abilene Reporter News reported that the plane is owned by Flying Lazy T LLC in Abilene. 


Abilene is about 150 miles west of Fort Worth. Other Abilene media reported that there were thunderstorms in the region when the plane crashed.

Law enforcement officials searching for the aircraft found the wreckage near Morton, about 50 miles west of Lubbock.


 The FAA said all three people aboard were killed but had no details on their identities.

Investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have been dispatched.


Source:   http://www.postindependent.com

MORTON, Texas – National Transportation Safety Board officials are expected to begin their on-scene investigation Thursday into a plane crash involving an Abilene-based plane that killed three people.

Justice of the Peace Donna Schmidt in Cochran County said the autopsies on the crash victims are being conducted this morning.

The NTSB is not allowing local officials to release the names of the victims until all of the next of kin have been contacted, Schmidt said.

On Wednesday, a Piper PA-46 en route from Aspen, Colorado to Brenham, Texas crashed in a remote area just south of Morton, Texas.

A Federal Aviation Administration statement says the aircraft dropped off of air traffic radar shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Law enforcement officials searching for the aircraft found the wreckage near Morton, about 50 miles west of Lubbock, Texas. The FAA says all three people aboard were killed but had no details on their identities.

Source:  http://www.reporternews.com


MORTON, Texas (AP) - A single-engine airplane en route to Central Texas crashed in a remote area of West Texas, killing all three people aboard.

A Federal Aviation Administration statement says the Piper PA-46 aircraft dropped off of air traffic radar shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday while en route from Aspen, Colorado, to Brenham, Texas.

Law enforcement officials searching for the aircraft found the wreckage near Morton, about 50 miles west of Lubbock, Texas. The FAA says all three people aboard were killed but had no details on their identities.

Investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have been dispatched. NTSB will be releasing any updates. The tail number of the aircraft is N2428Q.


Source:  http://www.myfoxlubbock.com

All three passengers of an aircraft traveling from Aspen, Colorado, to Brenham died Wednesday when the plane crashed for unknown reasons, said Cochran County Sheriff Raymond Weber.

Lynn Lunsford, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson, said a Piper PA-46 aircraft dropped off of air traffic radar about 4:50 p.m. for unknown reasons.

Weber said the plane was discovered about an hour east of Lubbock, near Morton when a landowner spotted it on his property. According to the FAA website, the plane is registered to Flying Lazy T LLC in Abilene.

In his 20 years with the Cochran County Sheriff’s office, Weber said this is the fourth plane crash he’s assisted with.

“It didn’t look very good,” he said. “I couldn’t tell you what caused it. There was a storm in this area when it happened (so a) reasonable thought would be it was probably weather-related.”

Weber said he’s confident the National Transportation Safety Board, which plans to conduct an investigation Thursday, will have more information on a possible cause.

Lunsford said Federal Aviation Administration investigators and representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board will provide updates on the crash.

The victims names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Piper PA-28-235, N8966W: Accident occurred March 27, 2005 in West Union, Iowa

NTSB Identification: CHI05FA080. 
 The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Sunday, March 27, 2005 in West Union, IA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/27/2005
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-235, registration: N8966W
Injuries: 3 Fatal,1 Serious.

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 collided with the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff on a 4,248 foot long, concrete runway. A witness reported seeing the airplane travel down the centerline of the runway, lift off, and settle back onto the runway. He stated he then heard the tires squeal and the airplane lifted off again, veering to the left. He stated the airplane's attitude was fairly level at this time and he thought to himself, "Come on [pilot's name], get some airspeed." The witness stated the airplane then banked to the left. The left wing contacted the ground and the airplane caught fire and became engulfed in flames. Inspection of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any pre-impact failures/malfunctions which would have resulted in the loss of control. The flaps were found set to 25 degrees, which is the flap setting normally used for short and soft field takeoffs. The normal takeoff flap configuration is zero degrees. The pilot had received his private pilot certificate one and a half months prior to the accident. The pilot's logbook indicated he had a total flight time of 73.3 hours of which 49.5 hours in the accident airplane. Two 14-pound weights were located in the rear fuselage area of the wreckage. The airplane owner stated they usually kept the weights in the airplane to help balance the airplane's cener of gravity when there were just two adults in the front seat. The aircraft occupants during the accident flight consisted of two adults in the front seats and two children in the rear seats.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff, and the pull-up to avoid obstacles which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, the fence, and the tree line.


HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 27, 2005, at 1425 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N8966W, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while taking off on runway 17 (4,248 feet by 50 feet, dry concrete) at the Scott Municipal Airport (3Y2), West Union, Iowa. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. One passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

A witness, the pilot's father, stated he and his son flew to 3Y2 to have dinner with family. He stated they then decided to go to the airport to take family members on local sightseeing flights. He stated he flew the first flight with family members. His son was beginning the second flight of the day with family members when the accident occurred.

The witness stated his son taxied the airplane toward the end of the runway where he heard his son perform an engine run-up. He stated he was not sure if the pilot began the takeoff roll at the end of the runway or from the run-up pad. The run-up pad is located approximately 900 feet from the approach end of runway 17. The witness stated he saw the airplane travel down the centerline, it lifted off, and settled back onto the runway. He stated he then heard the tires squeal and the airplane lifted off again, veering to the left. He stated the airplane's attitude was fairly level at this time and he thought to himself, "Come on [pilot's name], get some airspeed." The witness stated the airplane then banked to the left. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane was engulfed in flames.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a airplane single-engine land rating which was issued on February 10, 2005. He also held a third-class medical certificate which was issued on July 7, 2004. The medical certificate contained the limitation that the pilot must wear corrective lenses.

According to the pilot's logbook, he had a total flight time of 73.3 hours of which 49.5 hours were logged in the accident airplane.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a 1964 Piper PA-28-235, serial number 28-10543. It was certified as a four-place, normal category airplane. It was a low-wing, single-engine airplane, which incorporated fixed, tricycle landing gear.

The airplane was power by a Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine, serial number L-8073-40. The carbureted, normally aspirated engine was rated to 235 horsepower.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the pilot's father owned the airplane. The records show the airplane was registered to the current owner on August 27, 2004.

All of the maintenance logbooks were inside the airplane at the time of the accident. The logbooks were burned; however, portions of the logbooks were legible. The aircraft logbook showed the last annual inspection was completed on August 25, 2004, at an aircraft total time of 2782.3 hours. The last entry in the aircraft logbook was dated January 10, 2005, and the aircraft total time was listed as 2906.44 hours.

The engine logbook was also located in the wreckage. The last annual inspection was dated August 25, 2004, at a total time of 2782.3 hours, 870.3 hours since major overhaul. This entry noted that all of the cylinders were replaced. There were three additional oil change entries for which the dates were not legible. The last of these entries showed an aircraft time of 2898.3 hours. A maintenance invoice shows this last oil change was accomplished on January 6, 2005.

The tachometer was not located in the wreckage.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The closest weather reporting station to the accident site was located at the Decorah Municipal Airport (DEH), Decorah, Iowa, approximately 18 statute miles north of the accident site. The DEH weather at 1455 was reported as wind from 230 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 15 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of Mercury.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

A single black tire mark, which started approximately 1,200 feet from the approach end of runway 17, was visible on the runway. The mark began on the right side of the runway centerline continuing for approximately 96 feet, gradually veering to the left of the centerline. Three tire tracks were visible in the grass beginning at the edge of the runway. These tracks continued for approximately 180 feet. The center track ended prior to the two on either side of it. A broken runway light was found just after the point where both side tracks ended. The airplane then cleared a fencerow, which contained a wire fence, small trees, and high brush, prior to impact in the open field.

The airplane impacted the field approximately 200 feet from the east edge of the runway. The ground was scorched beginning at the initial impact and fanning out in a V-shape up to the location of the main wreckage that was located approximately 300 feet from the initial impact. The flight path from the runway was 120 degrees and the main wreckage came to rest inverted with the nose of the airplane facing a heading of 220 degrees.

The initial terrain impact point contained pieces of red lens cap. This impact was followed by another impact mark, which was approximately 5-inches in depth. A strip of the door seal was found near the second impact mark. The third impact mark contained the green lens cap from the right wing tip.

The entire instrument panel and cockpit area were consumed by fire. The attach fittings on the right seat and rear bench seat were detached from their floor rails which were consumed by the fire. The left seat bottom remained attached to its floor rail with the back of the seat detached. An approximate six-foot long section of the lower portion of the left side of the fuselage was burned, but remained intact. Two 14-pound lead weights were located in the rear fuselage area.

The fuel selector was consumed by fire. A portion of the fuel selector valve was located, but fire and impact damage precluded determining which fuel tank was selected. The flap handle was found with the pin engaged in the second detent. This setting corresponds to 25 degrees of flaps. This setting was also confirmed on the flap chain sprocket and the flap rod lever which was measured to be at 5 ¾ inches.

The right wing structure was melted away from the fuselage. The wing tip was crushed upward and the inboard section of the wing was consumed by fire. The aileron remained attached to the wing. The aileron control cables were intact and continuity was established from the wing to the cockpit flight controls. The outboard flap attach point was intact. The inboard section of the flap was crushed and its associated wing attachment was destroyed by fire.

The inboard section of the left wing as well as the entire lower surface of the wing was consumed by fire. The remainng outboard section of the left wing was separated into two sections. The outboard aileron remained attached to the wing by its outboard attachment fitting. The inboard section of the aileron and its associated wing structure were consumed by fire. The left flap was destroyed by impact and fire damage. The aileron control cable continuity was established from the wing to the cockpit flight controls. One of the cables was intact. The other was separated and melted at the point of separation.

The tail was separated from the fuselage just forward of the vertical stabilizer and stabilator. The right side of the vertical stabilizer was burned through the skin. The rudder remained attached to the stabilizer. The right stabilator was consumed by fire. The left stabilator sustained impact damage. Stabilator and rudder control cable continuity was established from the control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The stabilator trim was measured to be 9 threads which corresponded to approximately 6 degrees of nose up trim.

Both main landing gear were consumed by fire. The main gear wheel/brake assemblies sustained impact and heat damage from the post impact fire. The nose gear was intact.

Inspection of the engine revealed the oil sump, fuel pump, and carburetor were consumed by fire. The magnetos were present, but had sustained severe fire damage. The vacuum pump housing was burned and the drive was melted. Because of the fire damage the engine accessories and the accessory housing were removed to facilitate engine rotation by hand. Molten metal was located around the accessory gears.

The propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was slightly bent rearward and the outer third of the blade was twisted. The other blade contained an "S" bend beginning at the root of the blade.

All of the spark plug leads sustained fire and impact damage. The spark plugs were removed and normal wear patterns were noted. An inspection of the cylinders using a boroscope revealed the valves were intact and the piston heads exhibited normal wear patterns.

The starter was jammed up against the ring gear with rotational scoring noted on the starter gear housing. The propeller ring gear was pushed back against the engine. The propeller was removed along with the ring gear. The propeller was then reinstalled to facilitate engine rotation by hand. Then engine was rotated by hand and thumb compression was noted on all cylinders along with continuity throughout the engine.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLIGCAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the State of Iowa, Department of Public Health, on March 28, 2004.

Toxicological tests on the pilot were conducted by the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Results were negative for all tests conducted.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The pilot's father flew the airplane just prior to the accident flight. He stated he used 40 degrees of flaps during his landing and that he retracted the flaps while taxiing to the ramp. He also stated they usually used two weights, which they kept in a milk crate in the rear of the airplane, when they were flying with just two adults up front. He stated this helped balance the airplane and he got this idea from a PA-28-235 website. The pilot's father stated he remembers seeing the weights in the rear of the airplane prior to taking off from their home airport and that the accident pilot must have put them in the airplane. He stated he thought about taking them out, but didn't as they didn't make that much of a difference in the way the airplane handled. The aircraft occupants during the accident flight consisted of two adults in the front seats and two children in the rear seats.

The PA-28-235 Owner's Handbook states, "Take-offs are normally made with flaps up, to simplify operating procedure. However, for short field take-offs, and for take-offs under difficult conditions such as in deep grass or on a soft surface, distances can be reduced appreciably by lowering flaps to 25 [degrees] (second notch)."

Parties to the investigation included the FAA, Piper Aircraft, and Textron Lycoming.





MINNEAPOLIS - The sole survivor of a deadly plane crash originally blamed on pilot error is speaking out in a YouTube video, saying "It's safe to say I've been to hell and back."

Her story about what caused the crash may anger - and inspire - you.

Three people were killed in the 2005 Easter Sunday in West Union, Iowa. But remarkably Caryn Ann Stewart survived.

Just 8-years-old at the time, Caryl lost her mother Connie, her sister Sarah, and her cousin Andy Bryan, who was piloting the small private plane.

Now 17, Caryn's YouTube video describes the horror of the fiery crash that left her burned over 75 percent of her body - and her agonizing recovery.

Documents obtained by KARE 11 and our partners at USA Today show that investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board blamed Andy, her cousin, for the crash. The NTSB cited the "pilot's failure to abort the take-off" as the cause.

But our investigation found something the government investigators apparently missed.

Caryn and her father, Brian Stewart, sued the aircraft manufacturer. During a long legal battle they turned up evidence that the engine maker had known about carburetor problems for years. Those problems could cause the engine to stall unexpectedly - a potentially deadly defect, especially in flight.

"If you are at 24-thousand feet and your engine quits, you can't pull over to the side of the road," says aviation attorney Bruce Lampert.

In Iowa, the engine stalled on take-off. Court documents revealed that similar carburetor problems had been linked to earlier crashes. But there's no mention of carburetor failure in the NTSB crash report.

Caryn and her family settled their lawsuit for $19 million, much of it to pay for her past surgeries and continued medical care.

Officials from NTSB say they are committed to safety.

And in a written release today General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) - a group representing private plane manufacturers - called USA Today's investigation "sensationalistic."

But critics say, too often, government investigators are blaming pilots, and missing hidden mechanical defects.

"You can't blame six pilots in a row for the same mistake," says attorney Lampert. "There is something else going on."

But Caryn Stewart's story is more about survival than tragedy.

Even though she endured seven different reconstructive surgeries, she's battled back.

She still has visible scars. But she tells the world in her YouTube video she's an active teenager who's fought her way through hell - and back.

"The moral of the story," she says as some of her favorite music plays in the background, "just because you've gone through hell doesn't mean you can't get back from it."

Her plane crash is just one example of the problems USA Today has found. You can read their entire report here.