Paul Waller, his wife Tammy Waller, and their daughter Michele.
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Continental Motors Inc; Mobile, Alabama
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
MOTO Air Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N221D
Paul and Michele Waller
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NTSB Identification: CEN15FA245
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 29, 2015 in Plainview, TX
Aircraft: BEECH A36, registration: N221D
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.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On May 29, 2015, about 2115 central standard time, a Beechcraft A-36 airplane, N221D, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Hale County Airport (PVW), Plainview, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight was being operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions existed at the accident site at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The flight departed PVW destined for Boerne Stage Field Airport, Boerne, Texas.
A handheld GPS was retrieved from the accident site, Figure 1 depicts its downloaded data. It was revealed that the flight departed from runway 22 about 2119, banked left, and then reached about 80 ft above ground level (agl) at a groundspeed of 86 knots before the recording stopped less than 1 minute later. See Figure 5 for a wreckage diagram. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane take off to the southwest, make a sharp left turn, and then head straight down. One of the witnesses stated that they could not believe anybody would take off in the approaching storm. Another witness reported that she was "watching the storm clouds" and heard an engine at "full throttle" and then looked over and saw the airplane "traveling very fast" toward the ground.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. No pilot logbooks were made available for review. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on October 13, 2014, with no limitations. On his medical certificate application, the pilot reported that he had about 950 total hours of flight time.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
According to FAA records, the six-seat airplane, serial number E927, was issued its original airworthiness certificate on September 30, 1976, and was registered to the pilot on April 13, 2011. According to aircraft maintenance records, the last annual inspection was completed on December 3, 2014, at a recorded tachometer time of 6,705.4 hours.
The engine was originally a Continental Motors IO-520-BB. The engine was converted to an IO-550-B-RA engine, serial number 578094, by RAM Aircraft under Supplemental Type Certificate SE10746SC-D when it was overhauled on August 11, 2011, at an engine total time of 2,471.7. The last logbook entry, dated February 18, 2015, indicated that the engine had accrued 621 hours since the overhaul and conversion.
Maintenance records indicated that the airplane was retrofitted with an Aspen Avionics EFD1000, which replaced all the primary flight instruments. The airplane was also equipped with a Garmin 430W, which combined GPS, navigation and communication information.
Maintenance records revealed that the airplane sustained paint damage in September 2014 after being flown into inclement weather. The pilot's damage report stated that he "flew into a building storm not visible or on XM weather."
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
At 2058:58, the pilot filed an IFR flight plan on, and received weather information from ForeFlight.com. The weather information included conditions at the destination airport; the latest TAF; the latest METARs, SIGMETs, and AIRMETs along the flight route; notices to airmen; current severe thunderstorm watch and warning information; area forecasts; the convective outlook; PIREPs, and winds aloft information. Portions of that information are discussed below. For more weather information, see the Weather Study in the public docket for this accident.
The closest official weather station was PVW, located 1 mile from the accident site at an elevation of 3,374 ft msl.
At 2055, the PVW Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) reported wind from 100° at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies below 12,000 ft agl, temperature 21°C, dew point 17°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of mercury (inHg). Remarks: automated station with a precipitation discriminator, lightning distant (defined as beyond 10 miles but less than 30 miles from the center of the airport) west, temperature 21.1°C, dew point 16.6°C.
At 2115, the PVW AWOS reported calm wind, 10 miles visibility, clear skies below 12,000 ft agl, temperature 21°C, dew point 16°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.09 inHg. Remarks: automated station with a precipitation discriminator, lightning distant west and northwest, temperature 21.1°C, dew point 16.0°C.
At 2135, the PVW AWOS reported wind from 300° at 26 knots with gusts to 36 knots, 10 miles visibility, light rain, scattered clouds at 4,500 ft agl, scattered clouds at 6,000 ft agl, a broken ceiling at 6,500 ft agl, temperature 16°C, dew point 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.17 inHg. Remarks: automated station with a precipitation discriminator, lightning distant southwest through northwest, temperature 15.5°C, dew point 11.0°C.
The observations from PVW indicated visual flight rules ceilings at the surface at the time of the accident with no visibility restrictions. The sun set at 2051, and civil twilight ended at 2119, the approaching storm was visible as noted by a witness to the accident.
PVW was the closest site with a National Weather Service (NWS) TAF. The TAF valid at the time of the accident, which was issued at 1820 and was valid for a 24-hour period beginning at 1900, indicated the following:
Wind from 060° at 10 knots, greater than 6 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 5,000 ft agl, and a broken ceiling at 25,000 ft agl. Temporary conditions of variable wind at 25 knots with gusts to 45 knots, 2 miles visibility, thunderstorms and heavy rain, and a broken ceiling of cumulonimbus clouds at 3,000 ft agl were forecast between 2100 and 0100.
The closest NWS Weather Surveillance Radar-1988, Doppler (WSR-88D) was from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), Lubbock, Texas, which was located 31 miles south of the accident site at an elevation of 3,282 ft. Figure 2 shows the LBB WSR-88D base reflectivity images for the 0.5° elevation scans initiated at 2115. The image shows lightning flashes and strikes associated with a squall line, which are indicated by small black dots, north and west of the accident site between 2100 and 2115. The figure shows the gust front's location, depicted by a red line. The gust front was moving eastward over the accident site at the accident time.
The first severe thunderstorm warning that included the accident site was issued at 2046 by the NWS Office in Lubbock, Texas. Another severe thunderstorm warning, which was valid for the accident site at the accident time, was issued at 2113; and a severe thunderstorm watch was issued at 1545 and was valid through 2300. Figure 3 shows the 2046 severe thunderstorm warning area outlined in red, the 2113 severe thunderstorm warning area outlined in green, and the severe thunderstorm watch area outlined in blue. The accident site is marked by the star in figure 3. The severe thunderstorm warnings reported 60 mph wind gusts and hail.
FAA Advisory Circular AC 00-24C, "Thunderstorms," issued in February 2013, is a training guide for pilots on thunderstorm hazards. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a squall line thunderstorm from AC 00-24B depicting a shelf cloud, gust front, and its related cold air outflow. A gust front typically causes a sudden wind shift and increase in wind speed along with potentially moderate-to-severe turbulence up to 1,000 ft and occasionally to 3,000 ft agl. A sudden wind shift and gusty winds associated with a gust front can be seen at both PVW and LBB, when the gust front moves across those airports. Multiple surges of cold dense air are typical results in individual strong gusts. Gust fronts often extend up to 15 miles from the main precipitation core of the thunderstorm.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The main wreckage was located in a flat, grass field about 1,100 ft southeast of runway 04/22. The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of 130ยบ at an elevation of 3,609 ft. A postimpact fire had ensued.
Airframe
The airplane impacted terrain in about a 20°-nose-down attitude. Ground scars were consistent with a near vertical impact. The ground scars were also consistent with the landing gear being extended at the initial impact; however, fire damage precluded determination of the landing gear actuator position. A propeller blade fractured at impact and separated from the crankshaft, and the hub separated from the engine's propeller flange. The remainder of the airframe continued to travel on a southeasterly heading and impacted the ground about 100 ft from the initial impact.
As viewed from the initial impact point looking south, the main cabin door separated from the fuselage and came to rest left of, and about 162 ft from, the main wreckage. The separated nose landing gear was found near the initial impact point and 152 ft from the main wreckage. The separated left main landing gear (MLG) was found left of the main debris path and about 74 ft from the main wreckage. The separated right MLG was found right of the main debris path and about 90 ft from the main wreckage. The postimpact fire consumed major portions of the fuselage, empennage, and wings.
The flap actuator housings were consumed by the postimpact fire, which precluded their measurement.
Engine
The engine was examined on-scene by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge and an engine manufacturer representative. The engine crankcase remained intact; however, the engine sustained extensive thermal damage due to the postimpact fire. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and continuity was established between the crankshaft, camshaft, connecting rods, and associated components. All six cylinders were examined using a borescope, and no anomalies were noted. All cylinders produced compression when the crankshaft was rotated, and all rocker arms and valves operated normally.
The right and left magnetos rotated by hand and produced a spark on all six posts during impulse coupling operation. The ignition harness sustained significant impact and thermal damage; however, the ignition harness produced a spark on the upper spark plugs for the Nos. 1, 3, and 5 cylinders. The remaining ignition leads could not produce a spark, consistent with thermal damage. All spark plugs displayed normal operating and wear signatures.
Thermal damage was noted on all the fuel and oil system components. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The separated propeller sustained significant impact damage. All the propeller blades displayed leading-edge polishing, chordwise scratches, leading-edge gouging, and twisting deformation consistent with being under power at the time of impact.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The South Plains Forensic Pathology, P.A., Lubbock, Texas, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death for the pilot was attributed to "blunt force injuries of head, neck, torso and extremities."
The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. The toxicology results were negative for all tests.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 29, 2015 in Plainview, TX
Aircraft: BEECH A36, registration: N221D
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 May 29, 2015 about 2115 central standard time (CST), a Beechcraft A-36, N221D, impacted terrain on the airfield at Hale County Airport (PVW), Plainview, Texas. The commercial certificated pilot and two passengers on board were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Moto Air Inc. and operated by a private individual on a visual rules flight plan under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident, with an intended destination of Boerne Stage Field Airport (5C1), Boerne, Texas.
According to a witness statement, the airplane was observed with the engine at "full throttle traveling very fast" headed toward the ground. The witness reported a storm was arriving over the airfield at the time of the accident.
The 2115 recorded weather observation at PVW, included calm winds, visibility 10 miles, temperature 21 degrees C, dew point 16 degrees C; barometric altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather station located just northwest of PVW recorded 5 minute observations with winds at 2115 from 006 degrees at 0 knots gusting to 2 knots. At 2120, winds were recorded from 301 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 45 knots.
Officials say the crash happened about 100 yards from the runway
Tammy Waller and daughter Michele.
Paul Waller
A community shaken by the loss of a well known family after their plane crashed at Hale County airport.
Just seconds after reading the news of a Hale County plane crash, Tawnya Tidwell's heart sank.
"I just looked at my husband and said I know them, and he says who was it, and I said I don't know. The names are not released but I know who it was I know them," Tidwell said.
Friday night, Michele Waller, 18, celebrated her graduation from Plainview High School.
"She's grown up into such a beautiful young adult, that just ended too quickly," Tidwell said.
The same evening she her mother and father were killed after their Beechcraft A-36 Bohnanza burst into flames.
"They would fly all the time, they would go places all the time. I know Paul was a very experienced and cautious pilot," Tidwell said.
Just before 9:30 Friday evening, Captain Derrick McPherson with the Plainview Police Department says Paul Waller, 46, his wife Tammy Waller, 44, and their daughter Michele took off from Hale County Airport en route to the San Antonio area.
"Almost immediately after take off the aircraft crashed on the south east portion of the aircraft property. We had three witnesses that stated that the aircraft did take off and almost immediately crashed back to the ground," Captain McPherson said.
Upon crashing, the aircraft burst into flames.
"I just cried all night, just having a feeling that it was them and then getting confirmation that it was them," Tidwell said.
Tidwell said the Waller's were well known throughout the Plainview area and were considered a second family to many.
Paul Waller had his own automotive shop.
"We would always take our cars to him, everybody in Plainview knows them," Tidwell said.
The Waller's leave behind their 13-year-old son.
"I'm just concerned for their son that's left behind, I can't imagine what he's going through right now."
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the crash to determine a probable cause.
"Winds were moving into this area very quickly and were very strong so we feel like that was probably a factor," Captain McPherson said.
For now residents are just trying to make sense of it all.
"You don't expect things like that to happen, it just shows us how short life really is," a Plainview resident said.
Plainview ISD released this statement:
"Our hearts are heavy as we absorb the news of the tragedy that took the life of PHS graduate Michele Waller and her parents, Paul and Tammy Waller, following graduation on Friday evening. We offer our deepest condolences to the Waller family. We ask that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers and provide them with comfort and support in the days ahead."
Source: http://www.myfoxlubbock.com
Plainview authorities have confirmed that the three occupants of a Beech A36 Bonanza who died in a local plane crash Friday night were Plainview automotive garage owner Paul Waller, 46; his wife Tammy, 44; and their 18-year-old daughter Michele. The Wallers’ young son was not aboard the ill-fated flight.
Less than an hour earlier, Michele Waller had received her diploma as a member of the Plainview High School Class of 2015.
The names of the victims were released by Plainview police at a news conference at Plainview-Hale County Airport about 10 a.m. Saturday.
The three died at 9:17 p.m. Friday when their private plane crashed while attempting to take off from Plainview-Hale County Airport.
The plane went down on the southeast portion of airport property and burned on impact.
The airplane was based in Plainview and piloted by a Paul Waller. According to a flight plan filed by the pilot, the aircraft was flying from Plainview to San Antonio with three people on board. According to social media, the family was traveling to San Antonio to attend a wedding. A press release issued Saturday morning said the plane was bound for Burney, Tex.
The crash may have occurred as a strong wind gust front was moving through the area and inclement weather could have had a factor in the crash. The airplane was inverted when it crashed. There was no debris found on the runway.
According to the Texas Tech Mesonet station that’s located a few hundred yards north of the airport, the peak wind gust in Plainview on Friday was 45 mph, recorded at 9:20 p.m. The crash occurred three minutes before that, and the leading edge of a strong storm system was moving through the area at the time. It was not raining when the crash occurred, but started shortly after. In all, 0.96 inch of precipitation was measured in downtown Plainview overnight.
FAA investigators, as well as the National Transportation Safety Board representatives, were on the site of the crash Saturday morning.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation, according to local police, as well as all updates on its progress.
Following the crash, the bodies were initially taken to a local funeral home before being transported to the medical examiner’s office in Lubbock.
Source: http://www.myplainview.com
UPDATE: Authorities identified three Plainview residents who died late Friday in a plane crash at the Hale County airport.
After a preliminary investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, Paul Waller, 46, Tammy Waller, 44, and Michele Waller, 18, were identified as the victims of Friday's plane crash, according to a statement released Saturday morning.
No other people were on the plane.
Positive ID will not be determined until the final autopsy is complete.
Michele Waller graduated from high school Friday night.
The family was en route to Boerne near San Antonio.
Paul Waller was an auto mechanic in Plainview.
The National Transportation Safety Board will arrive on scene Saturday afternoon.
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Three people are dead after a plane crashed shortly after taking off Friday from Hale County Airport in Plainview.
A Beech A-36 Bonanza crashed while departing from the airport about 9:15 p.m., according to information from the Federation Aviation Administration.
“Local authorities reported that the aircraft was destroyed by fire after the crash,” according to the FAA statement. “According to a flight plan filed by the pilot, the aircraft was flying from Plainview to San Antonio.”
Plainview Fire Chief Rusty Powers said the names of the victims are being withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin. The deceased are two females and a male. Officials were able to retrieve their bodies from the scene of the crash Friday night and transported them to a local funeral home.
“At the time of departure we were having severe winds,” said Capt. Derrick McPherson, emergency management coordinator for the Plainview Police Department. “I feel like that was possibly a factor.”
McPherson said he did not believe it was raining at the time of the crash.
Although officials experienced some difficulties getting close to the actual site of the crash due to weather, McPherson said units arrived at the scene within three to four minutes.
“Initial response units at the fire department had four-wheel drive capabilities so we were able to get our four-wheel drives out there very rapidly,” Powers said.
An Federal Aviation Administration investigator is expected to arrive at the scene Saturday to conduct an investigation, Powers said.
The National Transportation Safety Board has also been notified and will arrive at the crash site as soon as possible.
The aircraft’s tail number will be released once it is verified by investigators.
Until investigators arrive, the Plainview Police Department is providing security for the site of the crash.
“At this time, our prayers go out to the families. We know it’s going to be devastating for the entire community,” McPherson said. “It’s just unfortunate.”
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