Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N550BS
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
Location: Westfield Township, OH
Accident Number: GAA15LA027
Date & Time: 03/28/2015, 1958 EDT
Registration: N550BS
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS CC18 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
According to the pilot, he departed on a cross-country flight to his home airport. He planned to arrive about sunset and land to the west. The pilot's last recollection of the events leading up to the accident was initiating a right turn from the base to final leg in the traffic pattern. The airplane wreckage was found inverted on the runway, adjacent to a tree line near the approach end. A semicircular, concave indentation on the leading edge of the right wing exhibited wood and paint transfer marks consistent with marks found on a severed treetop and branches at the initial point of impact. It is likely that the pilot misjudged the airplane's height above the trees when he turned onto final and was flying toward the setting sun.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a base-to-final turn while landing toward the sun.
Findings
Aircraft
Altitude - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Monitoring environment - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Glare - Effect on personnel (Cause)
Tree(s) - Awareness of condition (Cause)
Factual Information
On March 28, 2015, about 1958 Eastern daylight time, a Carbon Cub 18-180 airplane, N550BS, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during the landing at Crazy Bob's Airfield (2OI4), Westfield Center, Ohio. The commercial pilot performed the flight while visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The solo pilot received serious injuries. The airplane departed Loraine County Regional Airport (LPR), Loraine/Elyria, Ohio about 1900, with Crazy Bob's Airfield as the intended destination.
In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported that he obtained the flight's weather planning information using television and radio weather reports. His departure time was 1930, and sunset occurred at 2015. The destination runway was runway 27. The pilot further acknowledged that the turn from base to final was the last memory he could recall pertaining to the events of the accident.
The initial point of impact was located in the southern tree line near the approach end of runway 27. One large treetop, approximately 3 inches in diameter with what appeared to be yellow paint transfer from the right wing of the airplane, was found suspended in the tree line, along with several smaller branches found on the ground in the same vicinity. The airplane wreckage was situated on the runway, approximately 100 feet from the initial point of impact, adjacent to the tree line. The airplane was intact and came to rest inverted.
The airplane was moved into the pilots' hangar at the airport where a post-accident examination was conducted under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. The examination revealed there were no pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The right wing leading edge, outboard of wing's lift strut attachment, had a semi-circular, concave indentation, and a 12 inch span-wise dent, which was 8 inches deep. An examination of the onboard engine data management system revealed that manifold pressures and exhaust gas temperatures were indicative of an ascent to a cruising power, cruise flight, and a descent.
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern base
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Approach-VFR pattern final
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 81
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/17/2013
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/11/2014
Flight Time: (Estimated) 8200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1000 hours (Total, this make and model), 40 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: CUB CRAFTERS
Registration: N550BS
Model/Series: CC18 180 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: CC18-0015
Landing Gear Type: Amphibian
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/14/2014, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 322 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C4P
Registered Owner: SYME, ROBERT P.
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: SYME, ROBERT P.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Does Business As: ROBERTS MARINE
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: BJJ, 1136 ft msl
Observation Time: 2356 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 180°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: -4°C / -12°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots, 330°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.28 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: LORAIN/ELYRIA, OH (LPR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Westfield Township, OH (2OI4)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1930 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Crazy Bob's Airport (2OI4)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1195 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Soft
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1600 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 41.045278, -81.936667 (est)
NTSB Identification: GAA15LA027
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, March 28, 2015 in Westfield Township, OH
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS CC18 180, registration: N550BS
Injuries: 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On March 28, 2015, about 1942 eastern daylight time, an amphibious float-equipped, Cub Crafter CC18-180 airplane, N550BS, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and terrain during landing at Crazy Bob's Airfield (K2OI4), Westfield Center, Ohio. The airplane was being operated by the commercial pilot as a visual flight rules, personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the pilot sustained serious injury. The flight departed Lagrange Airport (92D) about 1900.
A witness who heard the accident said, when he looked up, the airplane was upside down on the turf runway. The runway is lined on both sides with tall trees, and broken tree branches lay near the airplane.
Due to his injuries the pilot has not been interviewed. The investigation is continuing.
MEDINA COUNTY, OH (WOIO) - A plane crash in Medina County Saturday evening raised questions about the safety record of the plane involved, as well as the field on which it attempted to land. 81-year-old pilot Robert Syme of Westerfield Township was severely injured in the crash at Crazy Bob's Airport, which he owns.
Chief Investigator Carl Monday found little government regulation or oversight of the landing strip.
Crazy Bob's Airport is a 1,600 foot landing strip, a little larger than three football fields.
A spokesman for the National Pilots Association told 19 Action News the strip is a "little short," but that is not uncommon.
The spokesman also said the size of the landing area was not an issue in the crash.
The spokesman told 19 Action News that the soggy ground caused by weekend rain was probably a major factor, a conclusion he shares with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash.
The FAA will conduct a follow-up probe.
Because the airfield is private, it is not monitored by the FAA or the Ohio Department of Transportation. The three planes housed at the airstrip, however, are licensed with the FAA.
Crazy Bob's has been open since 1980. The Highway Patrol says there have been no incidents at the airstrip over the past thirteen years that the agency tracked.
No one can say for certain how many private landing strips can be found in Ohio, but it is likely that there are hundreds across the state, located mostly in rural areas.
Story, photo and video: http://www.19actionnews.com
WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP, OH (WOIO) - Investigators have released new details on a weekend plane crash at Crazy Bob's Airport in Medina County. On Saturday evening, a single-engine private plane crashed during its final approach at the Westfield Township airport.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is investigating, says the plane's landing gear got stuck in the soft ground, causing it to overturn on the grass runway.
"It doesn't appear that mechanical issues were a factor for this crash. It appears that when the pilot touched the ground, the wheels became lodged in the mud, causing the plane to overturn," explained Lieutenant Mark Neff.
The only one on board the Cub Crafters CC18-180 was the pilot, Robert Syme, 80, of Westfield Township. That same name is listed as the owner of airfield.
Family members declined to comment to us, but say the area surrounding the airport is also their private property.
Lt. Neff says once the plane was uprighted, it would be moved to a hanger for the FAA to examine.
"This crash could serve as a warning for others trying to land on private airfields like that one," said Neff.
The pilot was airlifted to Akron City Hospital. At last check, he was in critical condition with unknown injuries.
Story, video and photo: http://www.19actionnews.com
An 81-year-old pilot was severely injured during a single-engine plane crash Saturday night in Westfield Township, Medina County.
The pilot, Robert Syme, 81, of Westfield Township, remains in the Critical Care Unit at Akron City Hospital, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Officials say the prominent Medina County businessman was attempting to land the Cub Crafters CC18-180 aircraft at Crazy Bob’s Airport on Westfield Road when it crashed, at approximately 7:40 p.m. Saturday.
Officials said the plane’s landing gear got stuck in the mud, causing it to overturn on a grass runway. Syme was the only person on-board.
Westfield paramedics flew the 81-year-old to Akron City Hospital, where he is being treated for severe injuries.
OSHP, Medina County Sheriff’s Department and Westfield Police/EMS responded to the scene of the crash. The Federal Aviation Admiration has been contacted to conduction a follow-up investigation and inspection.
Story from Saturday night: A prominent Medina business owner suffered head and facial injuries after attempting to land his Piper Cub plane according to fire officials.
Officials said the plane turned over on a runway that sits in the backyard of the pilots Westfield Township home.
He was the only person on board.
The crash happened at approximately 7:45 p.m. Saturday on Westfield Road.
The pilot was taken to Akron City hospital by medical helicopter according to officials. He was said to be alert and talking. Several crews responded to the scene to assist state troopers. Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio – The pilot of a single engine airplane that crashed in Medina County Saturday night remains hospitalized this morning. 81-year-old Robert Syme of Westfield Township was trying to land his Cub Crafters CC18-180 at Crazy Bob’s Airport at 7:30 p.m. last night when the landing gear of the plane got stuck in the mud. The plane overturned on a grass runway.
He was taken by helicopter to Akron City Hospital with severe injuries and is in the critical care unit there. The Federal Aviation Administration has been contacted and will begin an investigation into the cause of the crash.
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