Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Pitts Model 12, N488WT: Accident occurred April 22, 2015 in LaGrange, Georgia

GARY M.  COONAN:  http://registry.faa.gov/N488WT

NTSB Identification: ERA15LA197
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, April 22, 2015 in LaGrange, GA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/02/2016
Aircraft: JAMES KILROY PITTS MODEL 12, registration: N488WT
Injuries: 1 Serious.

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

According to the private pilot, shortly after takeoff for a cross-country flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, the engine rpm "quickly dropped to idle." He verified that the electric fuel boost pump was on and switched to the auxiliary fuel tank, but the engine performance did not improve. The airplane was unable to reach the airport, so the pilot performed a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed down and then came to a stop, which resulted in structural damage to the airplane and serious injuries to the pilot. 

An examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of fuel interruption, blockage, or contamination. Internal engine continuity was established, and the spark plug electrodes appeared normal. Continuity from the cockpit engine controls to the engine was confirmed. The throttle body, engine-driven fuel pump, and electric boost pump showed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure. Although data from the electronic engine monitor confirmed that the engine rpm decreased to near idle and continued to decrease throughout the accident sequence, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A partial loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

On April 22, 2015, about 1350 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Kilroy Pitts Model 12, N488WT, was force landed following a partial loss of engine power after departure from LaGrange-Calloway Airport (LGC), LaGrange, Georgia. The private pilot received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight to Lakeland, Florida (LAL) was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, he had completed an uneventful flight from Tullahoma, Tennessee (THA) to LGC and stopped at LGC for fuel. He started the engine and taxied to the active runway, which took about 15 minutes. Engine run-up was normal. Shortly after takeoff, while transitioning to climb mode, "the engine RPM quickly dropped to idle." He checked the electric boost pump on and selected the auxiliary fuel tank with no change in performance. He then moved the throttle forward and aft; the throttle felt normal and engine speed remained at idle. He was unable to return to the airport, so he elected to perform a forced landing in a field. He did not recall any events after setting up for the forced landing. 

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration FAA responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The wreckage site consisted of a grass field, about 500 yards southeast of the approach end of runway 31. The forward fuselage and lower wing exhibited structural damage from impact forces. The main landing gear were crushed upward, into the lower wing structure. The wooden propeller blades were broken off and splintered at the blade shanks.


On June 24, 2015, the NTSB investigator-in-charge examined the wreckage at the owner's facility. The fuselage fuel tanks were removed; both were clean inside with no evidence of blockage or contamination. Both tanks were breached due to impact damage and contained no visible fuel. The main tank filler cap was secure. All fuel tank vents were clear. All fuel lines to the engine were clear. The firewall-mounted gascolator was removed and opened. It contained about two ounces of blue-colored fuel and there were no water or contaminants observed. There was an in-line fuel filter installed at the firewall; it was opened for examination and was clean and there were no contaminants inside. 

The engine controls were checked for continuity. All controls to the engine were intact. The throttle cable was broken at the fuel control attachment with signatures consistent with overstress.

The engine-driven fuel pump was removed and disassembled. Initially, it was difficult to turn by hand; however, there was impact damage evident. Internally, it was unremarkable. The pump vanes showed no visible wear. There was no visible contamination inside the pump. The electric fuel boost pump was energized with a battery and it operated in a normal manner. The pump was then removed and disassembled; other than a small amount of thread sealant visible at the ports, it was clean inside. All internal parts were undamaged and showed no visible wear.

The throttle body was removed and disassembled. Due to impact damage, an operational test of the unit was not attempted. No contamination was observed inside the unit, and there were no obstructions to air flow. The rubber diaphragm was undamaged and was in a like-new condition.

Five representative spark plugs were removed and examined. The electrodes showed minimal wear and normal combustion signatures when compared to a spark plug inspection chart. The ignition harness was in an undamaged condition. The magnetos were not removed.

The engine was turned through by manually by rotating the propeller hub. Continuity was confirmed through the engine to the accessory drive pads. There was no evidence of an internal failure.

The airplane was equipped with an Electronics International Inc. CGR-30P primary engine monitor. The monitor recorded engine performance data that included the accident flight. The data fields recorded were cylinder head temperature (CHT), exhaust gas temperature (EGT), engine fuel flow, engine fuel pressure, engine RPM, and manifold pressure.

The entire accident flight was recorded on the engine monitor. Prior to the loss of engine power, engine fuel flow and fuel pressure drop, immediately followed by engine RPM. Prior to the initiation of the forced landing, fuel flow drops from about 31 gallons per hour (gph) to 2-3 gph, fuel pressure drops from about 38 pounds per square inch (psi) to 5-6 psi, and engine RPM drops from about 2,700 to about 1,400. The last data points prior to the interruption of electrical power to the unit were 1 gph fuel flow, 3 psi fuel pressure, and 1,390 RPM.


The number 4 cylinder EGT and CHT parameters appeared to drop off prior to takeoff; however, they recovered during the application of takeoff power and remain aligned with the other cylinders for the remainder of the flight.

NTSB Identification: ERA15LA197 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, April 22, 2015 in LaGrange, GA
Aircraft: JAMES KILROY PITTS MODEL 12, registration: N488WT
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 April 22, 2015, about 1350 eastern standard time (EST), an experimental, amateur-built Kilroy Pitts Model 12, N488WT, force landed following a reported loss of engine power after departure from LaGrange-Calloway Airport (LGC), LaGrange, Georgia. The private pilot received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to an inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was departing to Lakeland, Florida to participate in the annual Sun 'n Fun fly-in. Shortly after departure, he reported that the engine was running rough. He turned back toward the airport; however, he was unable to maintain altitude and the airplane was force landed in a farm field about one mile from the airport.

The FAA inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The forward fuselage and lower wing exhibited structural damage from impact forces. The main landing gear were crushed upward, into the lower wing structure. The propeller blades were broken off at the blade shanks.

The airplane was equipped with an Electronics International Inc. CGR-30P primary engine monitor. The monitor recorded engine performance data that included the accident flight. The data will be forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory for examination and analysis.

FAA FSDO:   FAA Atlanta FSDO-11
The 51-year-old pilot of a single-engine plane that crashed at the LaGrange-Callaway Airport on April 22 has been released from the hospital and the National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the crash investigation, according to Chad Traylor, the airport’s manager.

Gary Coonan of Bell Buckle, Tennessee, had just taken off from the airport around 1:45 p.m. when he made a radio distress call about an engine malfunction and he was returning to the runway to land. He suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center.

In the days after the crash, the airport’s management has been evaluating their response, looking to highlight what went right and what could be improved, Traylor said.

“Everyone was acting within the procedures we have established here,” Traylor said. “The response, by everyone involved, was great. We’re blessed to have a good team.”

Traylor explained that both the city and county fire department hold periodic trainings at the airport, learning its terrain so they know where their trucks can — and can’t — go during an emergency in which seconds count.

“The fire department does training here, they survey the areas and see where they can and can’t get to,” he said. “They’ll go off the beaten path so they’re ready if a rescue needs to be a foot operation. The city and the county (fire departments) know how to move here.”

Traylor said the airport’s staff is planning to host another training in the coming weeks to keep emergency responders up to speed on the easiest ways to move around the airfield.

“Some places you can drive to, but some places you have to walk to,” he said. “Being on foot is slower, but it’s a lot faster than having a stuck truck.”

The airport is in the city limits of LaGrange, and there’s a LaGrange Fire Department station right outside its fence, but the Troup County Fire Department also responds to calls at the airport, Traylor said.

“The county is just as crucial,” he said. “They have the tanker trucks that can hold more water, so they really rely on each other.”

Traylor said he also is evaluating the possibility of training all airport staff in basic emergency response methods, like CPR. He also works to keep his employees on their toes, even when there’s down time at the airport.

“If it’s slow, sometimes I’ll ask them ‘what would you do’ questions,” he said. “And when it’s busy, I’ll make sure that we’re checking the traffic around the airport and keeping an eye on things.”

Traylor noted that during regular operation hours at the airport, there’s always a staff member with a radio on, even if they’re outside. They’re required to bring the radios along if they go outside or have to leave the building, he said.

In all, he said the response to last week’s crash went well, considering the circumstances.

“Everyone worked well together,” he said. “Things just clicked. All the training really paid off, and that was pretty uplifting.”





A-51-year-old pilot was injured Wednesday when his single-engine plane crashed at LaGrange-Callaway airport.

The pilot, identified by LaGrange police as Gary Coonan, was injured and taken to an Atlanta-area hospital after the crash. 

He had just taken off from the airport around 1:45 p.m. when he made a radio distress call about an engine malfunction and he was returning to the runway to land, according to Chad Traylor, the airport’s director.

The pilot and his Pitts Model 12 airplane didn’t make it.

“I heard one radio call stating that an aircraft had lost his engine,” Traylor said. “At the time, there were no other aircraft outside, so it was pretty easy to (spot him). He was just south of the runway when I noticed that the plane was starting to descend pretty quickly.”

William Wileman was working inside a nearby hanger when he heard the plane take off.

“The plane sounded good and the engine sounded good,” he said. “Then I heard he declared an emergency and tried to make it back around, but he didn’t make it … people came flying out of the terminal and jumped in some vehicles and took off towards the end of the runway.”

The aircraft crashed on an embankment at the southeast end of one of runways, Traylor said. He rushed to the scene.

“It took a few minutes to locate him,” Traylor said. “While I was en route, I got in contact with 911 and kept them updated. After a few minutes I located the plane and noticed that the pilot was still inside the aircraft.”

State trooper Jimmy Jones arrived with Traylor moments later and the two pulled the injured pilot from the wreckage.

“We had to force into the canopy and take him out of his harness,” he said. “He was very dazed and we pulled him from the wreckage to get him away just for safety.”

LaGrange police and fire, along with Troup County Sheriff’s deputies arrived a short time later. The pilot was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center by helicopter.

The plane was full of fuel at takeoff, which leaked out after the crash, according to Chris Taylor, a spokesman for the LaGrange Fire Department. There was no fire, he added.

“He had a laceration on his forehead, bleeding moderately,” airport director Traylor said of the pilot. “He had a pretty good cut.”

The out-of-town pilot had stopped at the airport to refuel while he was on his way to the Sun ‘n Fun airshow in Lakeland, Florida, Traylor said.

The airport was closed to all traffic Wednesday after the accident, but re-opened today.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The aircraft is likely not equipped with a flight-data recorder, or “black box,” Traylor said.

The quick work and coordination between first responders was key in aiding the injured pilot, he added.

“Everyone worked seamlessly, exactly within the protocol,” Traylor said.


http://www.lagrangenews.com


One person was injured after his plane crashed at LaGrange-Callaway airport this afternoon.

Emergency personnel responded to the airport after a call at 1:43 p.m. of the crash, according to Lt. Chris Taylor of LaGrange Fire Department. The plane crashed near the end of the runway on the southeastern area of the airport, near Pegasus Parkway.

Georgia State Patrol was first on the scene and trooper Jimmy Jones pulled the 51-year-old pilot from the wreckage, Taylor said. The pilot suffered some facial injuries and was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center for treatment.

Officials did not release the pilot’s name, but Taylor said the pilot was the owner of the plane, a single-engine Pitts Model 12. The plane was full of fuel at takeoff, which leaked out after the crash, Taylor said, but there was no fire. LaGrange fire personnel secured the area and determined there was no immediate hazard at the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were notified and were expected to begin an investigation.


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