Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N30341
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 27, 2015 in Pine River, MN
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/07/2016
Aircraft: PIPER J-4A, registration: N30341
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The private pilot was making a local personal flight. One witness who saw the airplane just after it became airborne reported that it sounded normal but that it was flying at a low altitude and a slow speed over the runway. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying around treetop level with the wings "wobbling" back and forth. According to these witnesses, the airplane banked to the left, its nose rose, and then the airplane entered a descending spiral. Examination of the accident site, which was located about 0.25 miles from the departure end of the runway, indicated that the airplane impacted the terrain in an open field in a nose-down attitude. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he did not have a current flight review nor had he logged any flights in the past 1.5 years. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any failure or malfunction of the flight controls, even though its annual inspection was overdue by 1 year 8 months. Debris was found in both the engine's oil and fuel screens; however, the amount of debris was not enough to have caused a loss of engine power. No airframe or engine anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal operations. The witness observations and the airplane's nose-down attitude at impact are consistent with the pilot allowing the airspeed to decrease to the point where the wing's critical angle-of-attack was exceeded. As a result, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and departed controlled flight. It is likely that the pilot's lack of recent flight experience contributed to his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. If he had obtained a flight review or refresher training before making the flight, the accident may have been prevented.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot' failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight without obtaining a flight review or refresher training.
On March 27, 2015, at 1835 central standard time, a Piper J-4A airplane, N30341, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Pine River Regional Airport (PWC), Pine River, Minnesota. The private pilot and passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
A pilot who had landed at the airport just prior to the accident reported she heard the airplane as it took off and that it sounded "normal for an older plane." She stated the airplane was very low above the runway with the wings wobbling back and forth. This witness also stated the ground speed was very slow, perhaps 20 miles per hour. She stated the wings stopped rocking for a bit, but the airplane remained slow and just above the treeline as it crossed Highway 1 at the south end of the runway. The witness stated she looked away and heard an unusual noise just before the airplane impacted the ground.
Another witness reported seeing the airplane flying toward the south just after it took off. This witness reported it was very noticeable that the airplane was "wobbling" back and forth at a low altitude. Once the airplane reached Highway 1, it banked to the left and the nose rose. The nose then descended and the airplane entered a nose dive to the ground.
Numerous witnesses reported seeing the airplane at a low altitude, with the wings "wobbling" before it banked left and descended to the ground.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 43, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land rating, issued on June 13, 2000. The pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate on September 27, 2013. This certificate did not contain any limitations. The pilot also held an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.
The pilot's logbook was reviewed during the investigation. The logbook contained entries from August 26, 1999 through September 29, 2013. The pilot's total flight time was listed as 428.1 hours with 6.7 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot's family stated the last time he flew, that they were aware of, was in 2013 and that the pilot was good about logging his flight time.
The most recent flight review signoff in the pilot's logbook was dated April 6, 2012.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident airplane was a 1940 Piper J4A, serial number 4-1168. It was a single engine, high wing, two-place airplane with fixed conventional landing gear. The fuselage and wings were fabric covered. The airplane was previously owned by the pilot's father and the pilot became a co-owner of the airplane in July 2011. The pilot had signed off as having performed the most recent annual inspection on the airplane and engine.
The tachometer time at the time of the accident was 1,273.86. A review of the aircraft logbook showed the last annual inspection was conducted on July 9, 2012, at a tachometer time of 1,267.2 hours and aircraft total time of 2,860.2 hours. The airplane had been flown 6.66 hours since this last inspection. According to the logbook, the annual last inspection was dated August 1, 1991.
The airplane was equipped with a 65-horsepower, Continental A65-8F engine. The engine logbook contained an entry dated July 9, 2012, stating that the engine was disassembled and overhauled. The tachometer time was listed as being 1,267.2 hours with a 0 time since overhaul.
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Weather conditions recorded at PWC at 1834 were: Wind from 150 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 miles or greater; ceiling 8,000 feet overcast; temperature 0 degrees Celsius; dew point -13 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.13 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The airplane impacted an open field about 1/4 mile from the departure end and 20 degrees to the left of the extended centerline of runway 16. Damage to the airplane and ground scars indicate the airplane was in a nose down, left wing low attitude when it impacted the terrain. Both wings, the forward fuselage, and cockpit sustained impact damage.
The nose of the airplane impacted the terrain pushing the engine, firewall, and instrument panel rearward into the cockpit area. The floor of the cockpit was crushed upward. The fuselage, aft of the cockpit seats, was intact with minor bending of the tubular frame. The empennage was intact. The right wing was bent downward, but it remained attached to the fuselage. The outboard leading edge of the right wing was flattened aft by impact forces. The inboard leading edge of the wing at the fuselage was crushed aft. This area contained yellow paint transfers indicating that it contacted the engine cowling where the transfer of red paint was visible. The lift struts remained attached to the fuselage. The remainder of the wing sustained little impact damage.
According to local authorities, the left wing of the airplane was partially separated from the fuselage attach point. Both lift struts were separated from the fuselage. First responders removed the wing and cut the aileron control cables to gain access to the occupants. The left wing sustained impact damage along the entire length of the wing. A ground scar was visible that correlated with the left wing tip. The outboard section of the left wing was bent up and rearward.
The fuel tank was ruptured. First responders reported that fuel was leaking from the tank. There was an odor of fuel around the accident site the day after the accident.
Flight control cable continuity was established from the cockpit flight controls to their respective flight control surfaces.
The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft. One propeller blade was bent aft was lying under the engine. The other blade was straight. Both blades exhibited minor chordwise scratches. Neither blade exhibited any twisting.
The fuel selector was in the on position.
The rear of the engine sustained impact damage. The firewall was crushed into the rear of the engine. The oil tank, magnetos, and exhaust tubes and muffler sustained impact damage. Half of the housing case on each magneto was missing which prevented testing the magnetos. However, a visual inspection revealed that other than impact damage, the magnetos appeared capable of normal operation.
The top spark plugs were removed from the cylinders. The number 4 spark plug was fractured from impact damage. The plugs appeared to be normal with light carbon deposits. The oil dipstick indicated just below 4 quarts of oil in the oil sump which was crushed, but not ruptured. The oil screen was removed and a moderate amount of metal particles were on the screen and inside the screen housing. There was no indication that the engine suffered from a lack of lubrication.
The propeller was turned by hand. Thumb compression and suction were noted on all of the cylinders. Continuity was established from the front of the engine rearward to the magneto drive gears. Continuity was also established to the cylinder valve springs and rocker arms.
The carburetor was removed from the engine and examined. The throttle valve control arm linkage remained intact and attached to the carburetor. The throttle plate was intact and operable.
The metal float was secured and intact. Approximately 1 ounce of fuel was drained from the carburetor bowl. The fuel was pale yellow in color, which appeared to be automotive fuel. The fuel did not contain any debris. The thumb screen was removed. Both the screen and the screen housing contained debris, although not enough to have completely blocked the fuel flow.
The exhaust system sustained impact damage. The muffler sustained impact damage which matched the impact damage on the surrounding muffler shroud.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy of the pilot was performed on March 28, 2015, at the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office, Saint Paul, Minnesota. The autopsy report attributed the death to multiple traumatic injuries.
A Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was prepared by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The results for tests performed were negative with the exception of:
Ephedrine detected in Urine
Ephedrine NOT detected in Blood (Cavity)
Pseudoephedrine detected in Urine
Pseudoephedrine detected in Blood (Cavity)
NTSB Identification: CEN15FA181
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 27, 2015 in Pine River, MN
Aircraft: PIPER J-4A, registration: N30341
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On March 27, 2015, at 1835 central standard time, a Piper J-4A airplane, N30341, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Pine River Regional Airport (PWC), Pine River, Minnesota. The private pilot and passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
A pilot who had landed at the airport just prior to the accident reported she heard the airplane as it was took off and that it sounded "normal for an older plane." She stated the airplane was very low above the runway with the wings wobbling back and forth. This witness also stated the ground speed was very slow, perhaps 20 miles per hour. She stated the wings stopped rocking for a bit, but the airplane remained slow and just above the treeline as it crossed Highway 1 at the south end of the runway. The witness stated she looked away and heard an unusual noise just before the airplane impacted the ground.
Another witness reported seeing the airplane flying toward the south just after it took off. This witness reported it was very noticeable that the airplane was "wobbling" back and forth at a low altitude. Once the airplane reached Highway 1, it banked to the left and the nose rose. The nose then descended and the airplane entered a nose dive to the ground.
The airplane impacted an open field about 1/4 mile from the departure end and 20 degrees to the left of the extended centerline of runway 16. Damage to the airplane and ground scars indicate the airplane was in a nose down, left wing low attitude when it impacted the terrain.
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John Witt
Stacy Sundquist
For 43-year-old John Witt, Friday's ill-fated flight from the Pine River airport was just one of many flights in his lifetime.
Witt was an experienced pilot, his mother Barbara Witt said, and he spent several years working as an airplane mechanic. He first worked as an apprentice under his late father, Tom Witt, and later took over the family business Witt's Aircraft Repair Services.
Witt was piloting his vintage Piper J-4A Cub aircraft when it crashed in a field one-quarter mile south of the airport at 6:35 p.m. Friday night. The crash killed him and a passenger, 32-year-old Stacy Sundquist, a single mother of three about to embark on a new phase of her nursing career.
"I know he died doing what he loved to do," Barbara Witt said. "He was afraid of heights, but yet, he could hop in a plane and go up a few thousand feet and it didn't bother him one bit."
Several witnesses reported the single-engine passenger plane took off from the airport on a course headed south and shortly after takeoff appeared to be "low and slow."
The plane crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The wreckage was removed Sunday to an NTSB facility in Minneapolis. An FAA official reported the entire investigation will likely take about a year to complete.
Although the Piper Cub was in the family for 50 years and was restored recently to its original appearance, Barbara Witt said her son rarely flew it, preferring instead to fly his Piper Tri-Pacer.
Witt's love for flying began early. After attending high school in Rockford, Minn., he joined the U.S. Air Force with dreams of becoming a pilot. He spent six or seven years in the service, Barbara Witt said, although his dream never quite came to fruition. Instead, he worked packing bombs into planes.
His time in the Air Force gave him his first taste of traveling. He visited England, Idaho and Alaska, but it was the latter locale he loved the most.
"He thought that it was magnificent," Barbara Witt said. "He just loved to go hunting and fishing up there."
As an over-the-road trucker later in life, Witt visited all corners of the country and parts of Canada, but he always returned to Pine River, where the other modes of transportation he loved awaited. Besides flying, Witt also enjoyed riding both a motorcycle and a bicycle. His enjoyment of trail riding stemmed from working as a baggage hauler with the Jaunt with Jim Klobuchar bike ride (now called the Tour of Minnesota).
"He would go on the Paul Bunyan Trail and ride to Hackensack, Walker," Barbara Witt said. "He really liked that, going out and just riding."
His mother said she was the only one who knew of his plans to fly Friday night.
"He told me, 'I'm gonna go flying for awhile so I'll see you later,'" she said. "I said, 'OK.' Well, I never saw him later, because that happened."
Sundquist, according to her sister, Jacki Cox, was nervous about the flight. She'd never flown with Witt before and feared crashing.
"My last text message to her, five minutes before they crashed was, 'It's going to be OK,'" Jacki Cox said.
Despite her fears, Jacki Cox and her husband Mike described Sundquist as outgoing and fun, always up for adventure. She was a mother of three children - Alexis, 14; Andrew, 11; and Hunter, 3 - and loved to help people, her sister said. She worked as a licensed practical nurse and had recently acquired a new position, but never got the chance for her new start.
"She was in the process of doing training right now," Mike Cox said. "She loved her job."
Sundquist grew up in Pine River and attended high school there, the daughter of Diane Sundquist and Brett Sundquist of California. She and sister Jacki did not become close until later in life, having grown up separately.
It was especially within the last year, Jacki and Mike Cox said, their families became nearly inseparable. The sisters enjoyed going to the casino together, but most of their activities revolved around having fun with their children - visiting Itasca State Park, having picnics, going swimming and going to the fair.
"The last couple months, we had really good times," Mike Cox said.
Jacki Cox has three small children of her own, and she and her husband said they are working on plans to care for Sundquist's kids.
"She told us over and over, like she knew something was going to happen, if anything ever happens she wanted us to take care of her kids for her," Mike Cox said. "We told her likewise, if anything ever happens to us."
Members of the Pine River community have rallied around the Witt and Sundquist families, with funds set up in both their names. Witt's fund will support funeral costs, while Sundquist's fund, "Stacy's Angels," is intended to be long-term savings for her children. To donate to Witt's fund, visit www.gofundme.com/qbrpxw, or to Sundquist's fund, visit www.gofundme.com/StacysAngels.
Story and photos: http://www.brainerddispatch.com
PINE RIVER, Minn. -- Two people are dead after a small passenger plane crashed in a field south of the Pine River Regional Airport Friday night, the National Transportation Safety Board reports.
Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch said their identities are being withheld pending notification of family and he expects to release more information Sunday.
According to the NTSB, the crash of the Piper J4A Cub Coupe aircraft was reported at 6:35 p.m. Friday.
Several witnesses reported the plane took off from the airport on a course headed south and appeared to be “low and slow” before crashing one-quarter mile away.
Burch reported fuel was leaking from the aircraft after impact, but did not ignite.
The plane reportedly was engaging in a local flight, with departure and landing planned in Pine River.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registry, the plane involved is registered to John M. Witt of Pine River. It is a fixed wing single-engine airplane manufactured in 1940.
Investigators from the FAA and NTSB were on scene Saturday documenting the wreckage.
Once the on-scene investigation is complete, the NTSB will remove the wreckage to a facility in Minneapolis for further investigation.
An FAA official reported its investigation will roll into the NTSB investigation, and it will be close to a year before it is complete.
Pine River is about 66 miles south of Bemidji along Highway 371.
Rest in peace Stacy and John
ReplyDeletePR is my birthplace. Can you give s last name to the people you mention?
DeleteJohn Witt and Stacy Sundquist.
ReplyDelete