Saturday, October 10, 2015

Beechcraft P35 Bonanza, N877DM: Fatal accident occurred October 06, 2015 near Chadron Municipal Airport (KCDR), Dawes County, Nebraska

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 
Continental Motors, Inc.; Mobile, Alabama 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

John J. Prickett: http://registry.faa.gov/N877DM 




NTSB Identification: CEN16FA005 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, October 06, 2015 in Chadron, NE
Aircraft: BEECH P35, registration: N877DM
Injuries: 1 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 October 6, 2015, about 1125 mountain daylight time, a Beech P35 (Bonanza) single-engine airplane, N877DM, collided with trees and terrain during cruise flight near Chadron, Nebraska. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight with an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan on file. Day instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the accident site. The cross-country flight departed Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR), Chadron, Nebraska, at 1121, and was destined for Alliance Municipal Airport (AIA), Alliance, Nebraska.

According to available flight plan information, on the morning of the accident the pilot filed two flight plans using a direct user access terminal service. The first flight plan was for an IFR flight from North Platte Regional Airport, North Platte, Nebraska, to CDR. The second IFR flight plan was for the accident flight between CDR and AIA. The pilot filed for a direct routing from CDR to BOOKY (a IFR reporting point), then direct to JIVAM (an initial approach fix to AIA), and a cruise altitude of 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl). A fixed-base operator (FBO) employee at CDR reported seeing the airplane arrive on the ramp about 1050. The pilot and passenger subsequently entered the main lobby briefly to use the restroom. The pilot did not use the FBO's weather system before he exited the lobby to the ramp. The FBO employee then observed the pilot walk around the airplane a couple of times before he boarded. The airplane taxied from the ramp about 1110.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control (ATC) track data, the airplane transmitted automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) position data throughout the flight. A review of the ADS-B data established that the flight departed CDR on runway 11 about 1121:19. After departure, the flight turned right toward the south and proceeded toward the intended destination.

At 1122:16, the pilot established radio contact with Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and transmitted, "Eight seven seven delta mike, off of Chadron, I would like to pick up an IFR to, ah, Alliance." The controller replied, "November eight seven seven delta mike, Denver Center roger, ah, stand-by." About 8 seconds later, the controller issued a discrete transponder code, which the pilot correctly acknowledged. At 1122:52, the assigned transponder code updated on the controller's display, which indicated the flight was at 4,200 ft msl and had a ground speed of 145 knots. According to the ADS-B data, the flight proceeded south between 4,200 and 4,400 ft msl and at ground speeds between 135 and 155 knots.

According to recorded ATC transmissions, there were no verbal exchanges between the controller and the pilot during the 2.5 minutes following the issuance of the transponder code; however, the controller was actively communicating with several other aircraft that were operating within his airspace sector. At 1125:16, the ADS-B data indicated that the airplane was at 4,200 ft msl and had a ground speed of 143 knots. No additional track data was received from the airplane. At 1125:23, the controller transmitted, "November eight seven seven delta mike, radar contact nine miles south of the Chadron airport, say altitude." There was no response from the pilot.

According to ADS-B track data and topographic elevation data, the airplane encountered rising terrain as it continued south from the departure airport. The airplane subsequently impacted treetops and a ridgeline about 10 miles south of the departure airport at 4,200 ft msl. The height of the ridgeline was about 900 ft above the departure airport elevation.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to FAA records, the 61-year-old pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings. The single-engine land rating was limited to commercial privileges. He had been employed as a pilot by American Airlines since 1989 and was type-rated for the Boeing 727, Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Douglas DC-9, Fokker 100, and Lockheed JetStar. He also held a flight instructor certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument airplane ratings and a flight engineer certificate for turbojet airplanes. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on June 10, 2015, with a limitation for corrective lenses. On the application for his current medical certificate, the pilot reported having accumulated 18,900 hours of total flight experience, of which 400 hours were flown within the previous 6 months.

A current pilot logbook was not located during the investigation; the pilot's most recent logbook entry was dated December 16, 2004. According to an insurance application that was submitted for the operation of the airplane, dated July 24, 2015, the pilot reported having a total flight experience of 19,010 hours, of which 939 hours were flown within the previous year. The pilot reported having flown 195 hours in Beech Bonanza airplanes. According to the insurance application, the pilot's last flight review was completed on June 20, 2015.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was a 1963 Beech P35 (Bonanza), serial number D-7238. The airplane was a single-engine, low-wing, monoplane of conventional aluminum construction. The airplane was powered by a 285-horsepower, 6-cylinder Continental IO-520-CB-C-BB reciprocating engine, serial number 576182. The engine provided thrust through a constant-speed, three-blade, Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF propeller, serial number EE2277A. The airplane was equipped for operations in IMC. The airplane had a maximum allowable takeoff weight of 3,300 pounds and a total fuel capacity of 110 gallons. The FAA issued the airplane a standard category airworthiness certificate on August 6, 1963.

The airplane's recording tachometer was destroyed during the postimpact fire, which precluded a determination of the airplane's total service time at the time of the accident. According to the maintenance logbooks, the last annual inspection was completed on June 11, 2015, at 4,078.86 total airframe hours. At the time of the annual inspection, the engine had accumulated 1,953.08 hours since new and 212.77 hours since the last major overhaul, which was completed on April 29, 2005. The static system, altimeter system, automatic pressure altitude reporting system, and transponder were last tested on March 13, 2015. A postaccident review of the maintenance records found no history of unresolved airworthiness issues.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The National Weather Service (NWS) Surface Analysis Chart issued at 1200 depicted a cold front extending from southern Wyoming east into central Nebraska then northeast into southern Minnesota. The weather station models depicted cloudy skies and a variable surface wind under 5 knots for locations near the accident site. The NWS Area Forecast Discussion issued at 0704 mentioned areas of dense fog and low cloud ceilings near the departure airport and the planned destination. Further, the forecast indicated a slow improvement in weather conditions through the morning hours; however, the conditions were not forecast to improve above marginal visual meteorological conditions (VMC). At the time of the accident, the terminal forecast for CDR indicated a surface wind from 100° at 8 knots, visibility greater than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 ft above ground level (agl), and an overcast ceiling at 2,000 ft agl.

At 1053, about 32 minutes before the accident, the CDR automated surface observing system (ASOS) reported: calm wind, 9 miles surface visibility, broken ceiling at 1,500 ft agl and an overcast ceiling at 3,400 ft agl, temperature 14°C, dewpoint 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of mercury.

At 1153, about 28 minutes after the accident, the CDR ASOS reported: calm wind, 9 miles surface visibility, few clouds at 1,600 ft agl and an overcast ceiling at 3,000 ft agl, temperature 15°C, dew point 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.24 inches of mercury.

An individual, who had been working outside near the accident site, reported that throughout the morning there had been light precipitation, mist, fog, and low clouds that obscured the surrounding ridgelines. The individual also recalled that the weather conditions had improved shortly before noon.

A review of weather briefing requests made to official vendors revealed that the pilot had not received a formal weather briefing before departure.

COMMUNICATIONS

A review of available ATC information confirmed that the flight had received normal services and handling. A transcript of the voice communications recorded during the flight are included in the docket materials associated with the investigation.

The departure airport was equipped with a remote communication outlet (RCO) that provided a radio link to Columbia Flight Service Station; however, on the day of the accident, a notice to airman (NOTAM) indicated that the RCO was out of service. A RCO is routinely used by pilots to obtain an IFR clearance while on the ground. If a RCO is out of service, a pilot can telephone a flight service station to obtain an IFR clearance or, if the weather conditions permit, they can choose to depart under VFR and obtain an IFR clearance when airborne.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The initial impact point was identified by broken treetops that preceded a ridgeline, fractured tree limbs found along the ridgeline, red paint chips found on the ridgeline that matched the paint color of the airplane's lower fuselage, and a portion of the airplane's VHF marker beacon antenna. The initial impact point was about 250 ft south-southeast of the final recorded ADS-B position.

The main wreckage was in a canyon/ravine to the south-southeast of the initial impact point. A wreckage debris path, which initiated from the ridgeline, was about 560 ft long and oriented on a 160° magnetic heading. A large area of burnt ground and vegetation surrounded the main wreckage, which consisted of the fuselage, empennage, right wing, engine, and propeller. A majority of the fuselage, including the cockpit and cabin, had been consumed during the postimpact fire. The left wing had separated from the fuselage and was located further down in the ravine. Flight control cable continuity could not be established due to impact and fire damage; however, all observed separations were consistent with overstress. The flaps were fully retracted. The nose and right main landing gear were fully retracted. The left main landing gear had separated from the wing during the impact sequence. The altimeter's Kollsman window was centered on 30.24 inches of mercury.

The engine remained partially attached to the firewall, and the propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. The three-blade propeller exhibited chordwise scratches, spanwise S-shape bends, and a leading edge gouge. One blade exhibited significant blade twisting along its span. Internal engine and valve train continuity were confirmed as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. Neither magneto provided a spark when rotated by hand; however, both magnetos exhibited damage consistent with impact and prolonged exposure to fire. The upper spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normal engine operation. A borescope inspection of each cylinder did not reveal any anomalies with the cylinders, pistons, valves, or valve seats. The vacuum pump produced suction when rotated by hand. The mechanical fuel pump did not rotate freely by hand; however, further disassembly revealed thermal damage to the internal pump components. The fuel pump vanes and drive coupling were not fractured. The fuel metering unit inlet screen was clear and free of any obstructions. The postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation during the flight.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Regional West Medical Center, located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, performed an autopsy on the pilot at the request of the Dawes County Attorney. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt-force injuries sustained during the accident. The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on specimens obtained during the autopsy. The test results were negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and all tested drugs and medications.

ADDITIONAL DATA/INFORMATION

According to available ATC information, the pilot had not received an IFR clearance and, therefore, was still operating under VFR when the airplane impacted rising terrain at 4,200 ft msl. According to federal regulations, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and FAA Order 7110.65 (Air Traffic Control), a pilot operating under VFR is responsible for terrain, obstacle, and cloud clearance until reaching the minimum en route altitude (MEA) or the minimum IFR altitude (MIA). The MEA is the lowest published altitude between radio navigation fixes that assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes. However, any flight segment not on a published airway or route, such as the direct routing used on the accident flight, the MIA is 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 nautical miles (nm) from the course to be flown in a non-mountainous area. The departure airport and accident site were in a designated non-mountainous area. According to ATC documentation, the MIA was 6,000 ft msl over the departure airport and increased to 6,300 ft msl about 10 nm south of the airport.


According to the FAA Terminal Procedures Publication, the departure airport had non-standard takeoff minimums for runway 11 (a climb to 4,800 ft msl at 240 ft per nm if departing in IMC, or 1,200 ft agl ceiling and 3 sm visibility if departing in VMC). Although adherence with takeoff minimums and departure procedures are not required for 14 CFR Part 91 operations, the AIM encourages their use to ensure obstacle and terrain clearance.

NTSB Identification: CEN16FA005
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, October 06, 2015 in Chadron, NE
Aircraft: BEECH P35, registration: N877DM
Injuries: 1 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 October 6, 2015, about 1125 mountain daylight time, a Beech model P35 single-engine airplane, N877DM, was destroyed during a postimpact fire after colliding with trees and terrain during cruise flight near Chadron, Nebraska. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the accident flight. Day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR), Chadron, Nebraska; however, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) likely prevailed at the accident site. The personal flight departed CDR at 1121 and was enroute to Alliance Municipal Airport (AIA), Alliance, Nebraska.

According to preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control (ATC) information, the airplane had transmitted Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) position data throughout the accident flight. A preliminary review of the available ADS-B data indicated that the flight departed runway 11 about 1121:19 (hhmm:ss). After departure, the flight made a right turn toward the south and proceeded toward the intended destination.

At 1122:16, the pilot established radio contact with Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and then transmitted, "877DM, off of Chadron, I would like to pickup an IFR to, ah, Alliance." The controller replied, "Alright, 877DM, Denver Center roger, ah, stand-by." About 8 seconds later, the controller issued a discrete transponder code which the pilot correctly acknowledged. At 1122:52, the transponder code updated on the controller's radar scope, and indicated that the flight was at 4,200 feet mean sea level (msl) and had a ground speed of 145 knots. According to the available ADS-B data, as the flight proceeded southbound, the recorded altitudes varied between 4,200 to 4,400 feet msl with ground speeds varying between 135 and 155 knots.

According to ATC voice recordings, during the 2.5 minute period after the transponder code was issued to the accident flight, the controller communicated with multiple aircraft operating within the airspace sector. However, during the same 2.5 minute period, there were no recorded communications between the controller and the accident flight. At 1125:16, the ADS-B data indicated that the airplane was at 4,200 feet msl and had a ground speed of 143 knots. No additional ADS-B data was received from the accident airplane after 1125:16. At 1125:23, the controller transmitted, "N877DM, radar contact 9 miles south of the Chadron airport, say altitude." There was no response received from the accident flight.

According to the available aircraft position data and topographic elevation data, the flight encountered rising terrain as it continued southbound from the departure airport. The airplane impacted treetops and a ridgeline located at 4,200 feet msl. The initial impact point was located about 10 miles south of the departure airport, which was identified by broken treetops that preceded the ridgeline, fractured tree limbs found on the ridgeline, red paint chips found on the ridgeline that matched the paint color of the lower fuselage, and a portion of a very high frequency (VHF) marker beacon antenna. The final ADS-B position data, recorded at 1125:16, at 4,200 feet msl, was located 250 feet north-northwest of the initial impact point.

The main wreckage was located in a canyon/ravine located to the south-southeast of the initial impact point. A wreckage debris path, which initiated from the ridgeline, was about 560 feet long and oriented on a 160-degree magnetic heading. A large area of burnt ground and vegetation surrounded the main wreckage, which consisted of the fuselage, empennage, right wing, engine, and propeller. A majority of the fuselage, including the cockpit and cabin, had been consumed during the postimpact fire. The left wing had separated from the fuselage and was found further down in the ravine. Flight control continuity could not be established due to impact and fire damage; however, all observed separations were consistent with overstress. The altimeter's Kollsman window was centered on 30.24 inches-of-mercury.

The engine remained partially attached to the firewall and the propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. The three-blade propeller exhibited chordwise scratches, spanwise S-shape bends, and a leading edge gouge. One blade exhibited significant blade twisting along its span. Internal engine and valve train continuity was confirmed as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. Neither magneto provided a spark when rotated by hand; however, both magnetos exhibited damage consistent with impact and prolonged exposure to fire. The upper spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normal engine operation. A borescope inspection of each cylinder did not reveal any anomalies. The vacuum pump produced suction when rotated by hand. The mechanical fuel pump did not rotate freely by hand; however, further disassembly revealed thermal damage to the internal pump components. The fuel pump vanes and drive coupling were not fractured. The fuel metering unit inlet screen was clear and free of any obstructions. The postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal engine operation.

At 1053, the CDR automated surface observing system reported: calm wind; 9 mile surface visibility; broken ceiling at 1,500 feet above ground level (agl) and an overcast ceiling at 3,400 feet agl; temperature 14 degrees Celsius, dew point 11 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of mercury.

At 1153, the CDR automated surface observing system reported: calm wind; 9 mile surface visibility; few clouds at 1,600 feet agl and an overcast ceiling at 3,000 feet agl; temperature 15 degrees Celsius, dew point 11 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.24 inches of mercury.

An individual, who was outside working near the accident site, reported that throughout the morning there had been light precipitation, mist, fog, and low clouds that obscured the surrounding ridgelines. The individual also recalled that the weather conditions had improved shortly before noon.
===========


A Texas pilot was the only fatality in a single-engine aircraft crash southwest of Chadron last week and became just the third aircraft fatality in 12 Chadron crashes since 1982.

John Prickett of Double Oak, Texas, 61, was the registered owner and the only one on board the plane when it crashed in the Pine Ridge Oct. 6, according to a press release from Dawes County Coroner/Attorney Vance Haug.

Haug’s office said Prickett was flying from Chadron to Alliance to meet with family members, but his plane failed to arrive at the Alliance Airport as scheduled. Two spotter planes, flown by Roger Wess of the Civil Air Patrol and Jeff Jensen of Heartland Aviation, began searching the anticipated flight route for wreckage sometime around 3 p.m. Tuesday.  Jensen eventually spotted the wreckage southwest of Chadron several miles in the vicinity of Deadhorse Road, and the accident was then reported to local officials in the late afternoon.  

Members of the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department, the Dawes County Sheriff Office, Dawes County Attorney/Coroner responded. Because the plane went down in a wooded, steep, remote location, assistance from area locals, the Yohe, Scherbarth and Sellman families, was enlisted to help locate the wreckage on the ground. 

 The crash site was physically located shortly before dark.  Documentation and initial review of the scene were accomplished and deputies, firefighters and their guides were able to remove the body from the remote area some time after dark.  

Haug has ordered an autopsy to be completed pursuant to federal requirements pertaining to fatal aircraft accidents.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are undertaking an investigation to determine the specific cause of the accident.  More information will be released as it becomes available.  

A preliminary accident report by the Federal Aviation Administration indicates that the plane was a Beech P35, which was destroyed on impact. The tail number registration information indicates the plane was manufactured in 1963 and was a fixed wing single-engine model. 

Flightaware.com, which tracks flights online, shows Prickett left Denton, Texas, Oct. 4. His flight path that day took him to Sterling, Colo., and Chadron before he stopped for the night in North Platte. He returned to Chadron Oct. 6, landing at the airport at 10:45 a.m. The stop was brief, as he left for Alliance at 11:23 a.m. His flight plan on flightaware.com indicated he intended to fly at 7,000 feet and expected his speed to top out at 184 mph. However, his plane never flew higher than 4,300 feet and his speed maxed out at 175 mph. The plane was dropping 95 feet per minute and his speed had slowed to 162 mph according to the last reading on flightaware.com.

Records on the National Transportation Safety Board’s website indicate that 11 other planes have crashed near Chadron since 1982. Only one other wreck was fatal – a 1987 crash in which two people died aboard a Cessna.


2 comments:

  1. John was an experienced commerical pilot. He was an exceptional person. He will be deeply missed. I will love him forever.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I knew John well and flew with him as his First Officer on many occasions. John was not only an exceptionally experienced, cautious and conservative pilot he was a truly kind, ethical and salt of the earth type. John would do the right thing even when no one was looking. I will be following the investigation closely and want to know what the findings are. John is very much missed by many people.

    ReplyDelete