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Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Piper; Vero Beach, Florida
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: ERA16FA032
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, November 04, 2015 in Cornelia, GA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/20/2017
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28-180, registration: N57WV
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.
The private pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight at night with two passengers on board. The pilot landed the airplane along his route to refuel. The airport manager reported that the airport's automated weather observation system was reporting 300 to 400 ft overcast ceilings. Further, one of the passengers sent a text message to someone waiting at their destination airport stating that they had to circle around the intermediary airport a couple of times to find a runway because it was "awful cloudy" and there was a "low ceiling." After refueling, the pilot departed despite the instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that prevailed at both the intermediary airport and the destination airport. Although the pilot was instrument-rated, there was no evidence that he maintained his currency. Further, the pilot did not file and instrument flight rules flight plan. Radar data revealed that, as the airplane crossed over the destination airport, it began a left turn before disappearing from radar. Residents who lived near the airport reported hearing a "whirling" noise, followed by a loud crash. They stated that, when they went outside to see what happened, there was heavy fog and mist. At no time during the flight was the pilot communicating with air traffic control or receiving radar services.
The wreckage was located about 0.25 mile from the destination airport. Forward-to-aft crushing signatures to the wreckage, damage to adjacent trees, and the lack of a linear wreckage debris path was consistent with a near-vertical, nose-low attitude at impact. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact anomaly or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
The conditions that existed during the flight, including dark night lighting conditions, low ceilings, and restricted visibility, were conducive to the development of spatial disorientation. Further, the airplane's near-vertical descent was consistent with the pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation. The pilot's decision to initiate the VFR flight into known IMC directly led to the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On November 4, 2015, about 2355, eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N57WV, impacted wooded terrain following a loss of control during approach to Habersham County Airport (AJR), Cornelia, Georgia. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, and was being conducted as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions existed at the airport at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Hazlehurst Airport (AZE), Hazlehurst, Georgia, about 2300 and was destined for AJR.
According to a witness who was waiting for the airplane to arrive at AJR, the flight originated from Treasure Coast International Airport (FPR), Fort Pierce, Florida, earlier that evening. The witness received a text message from one of the passengers, which stated that the flight had just landed at AZE to refuel and that they had to circle around the airport a couple of times to find the runway because it was "awful cloudy" and there was a "low ceiling." According to the AZE airport manager, he heard the airplane depart about 2300 and noted that the AWOS was reporting 300 to 400 ft overcast. Another witness, who was waiting for the airplane to arrive at AJR, reported that he
According to information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was not receiving radar services nor was he communicating with air traffic control at any time during the accident flight. Radar data obtained from the FAA, and correlated to the accident flight, revealed that as the airplane crossed over AJR, it began a left turn before disappearing from radar. Witnesses who lived near the airport reported hearing an airplane flying overhead and shortly afterward hearing a "whirling" noise, followed by a loud crash. They went outside to see if they could determine where the noise had come from but were not able to due to the heavy fog and mist in the area. They searched the area that night, located the airplane in a ravine, and notified the local authorities.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings and an FAA third-class medical certificate issued October 12, 2015, with the limitation that he must possess glasses for near vision. At the time of his medical examination, the pilot reported 800 total hours of flight experience, 0 hours of which were in the previous 6 months.
A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that the last entry was dated April 28, 2012. The total time entered was 732.3 flight hours. He had a total actual instrument time of 6.4 hours and a total simulated instrument flight time of 78.9 hours. On March 27, 2012, the pilot completed an instrument proficiency check. No other pilot records were found during the investigation.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4A-series engine and equipped with a Sensenich propeller. Review of a maintenance work order excerpt revealed that the airplane was last inspected in accordance with an annual inspection on August 18, 2015, at a tachometer time of 1,328 hours. The tachometer was destroyed; therefore, the time at the time of the accident could not be determined. The airplane's maintenance logbooks were not located during the wreckage examination. A review of the fueling records revealed that the pilot refueled the airplane with 23.8 gallons of 100 low lead fuel before departing from AZE.
The airplane was equipped with a J.P. Instruments engine data monitor, which was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board's recorder laboratory for data readout. The data revealed no anomalies with the engine's operation.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The 2355 AJR recorded weather included winds from 080° at 3 knots, 3 statute miles visibility, light rain, overcast clouds at 300 ft, temperature and dew point 16°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.30 inches of mercury (inHg).
The 2355 recorded weather at Toccoa Airport, Toccoa, Georgia, located 14 nautical miles southwest from AJR, included calm wind, 2 statute miles visibility, overcast ceiling at 200 ft, temperature and dew point 17°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.29 inHg.
The 2255 AZE recorded weather included winds from 110° at 4 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, an overcast ceiling at 600 ft, temperature and dew point 23°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inHg.
Lockheed Martin Flight Services reported that the pilot had not contacted it for weather information. There was also no record that the pilot used the Direct User Access Terminal Service for weather information and flight plan processing.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The wreckage site was in a wooded area about 0.25 mile from AJR on a magnetic heading of 330°. Freshly broken tree branches were observed above the wreckage. The airplane was observed in a nose-down position the nose and cockpit were buried about 4 ft below the ground's surface. All flight control surfaces were located at the accident site and were still attached to the fuselage. Both wings were accordion crushed toward the ground, and the airplane's tail section remained above ground and was crushed downward. The airplane was removed and repositioned for examination. Control continuity was confirmed from the control yoke to the elevators and ailerons and from the rudder to the rudder pedals.
Forward-to-aft crushing signatures were observed on the fuselage and both wings. Scraping damage, in a vertically down direction, was observed on adjacent trees. The wreckage debris path was not linear, and there was no evidence of fire. All the structural components of the airframe and engine were accounted for at the scene.
The cockpit instrument panel was destroyed, and the flight and performance instruments were separated. The attitude indicator and directional gyro were disassembled, and the internal gyros were found intact with no rotational scaring.
The stabilator and aileron control cables remained attached to the "T" bar assembly. The flap lever assembly was impact damaged, and the flap lever was found separated from its mounting point. The rudder pedal assembly was found separated from its mounts and was impact damaged. The rudder cables were found attached to their mounting points; however, the rudder bar assembly was destroyed by impact and separated from its mounts. The fuselage was found crushed aft and destroyed by impact.
Eight ft of the inboard left wing remained attached to the fuselage and was found crushed aft from impact. The remainder of the wing was separated outboard of the left fuel tank and was impact damaged. The left aileron was separated from its mounts, and the left aileron balance weight was found separated from the aileron and was not located in the wreckage. The aileron drive cable was attached from the bellcrank to the "T" bar chain, and control continuity was established from the "T" bar chain to the aileron bellcrank. The balance cable was attached to the bellcrank and to the roll servo and the center board pulley. Control continuity was established on the balance cable from the bellcrank to the centerboard of the fuselage. The left wing bellcrank stops were found in place. The left fuel tank was breeched by impact, the fuel cap was found in place, and the fuel tank pickup screen was found clear of debris. The left main landing gear (MLG) was found attached to the wing, and the left flap was attached to the inboard and outboard hinge attachment points; however, the center hinge attachment point was separated. Impact damage was noted in this area of the wing.
The right wing was found separated at the wing root from the fuselage, and the wing skin was crushed aft. The aileron cables were found separated at the wing root and had been cut during recovery. The aileron stops were found in place; however, the aileron bellcrank was found separated from its mount and protruding out from the bottom of the wing just outboard of the fuel tank. The outboard 5 ft of the wing was found separated from the remainder of the wing.
The right MLG remained attached to the wing. The right aileron was found attached to the wing, and the aileron balance weight was found attached to the aileron. The right flap was impact damaged and remained attached to its hinge attachment points. The right fuel tank was breeched from impact, and the fuel cap was found in place. The fuel tank pickup screen was found to be clear of debris. Aileron control continuity was established from the wing root to the bellcrank.
The right side of the stabilator was separated for recovery, and the stabilator trim tab remained attached. The left side of the stabilator and stabilator trim tab remained attached to its mounting points. The leading edge of the vertical stabilizer was found crushed aft. The rudder was impact damaged but remained attached to its mounts. Flight control continuity was established to the rudder, stabilator, and stabilator trim except where impact separated or cut for recovery, and no preimpact anomalies were noted.
The engine was found buried about 4 ft below the ground's surface. Engine internal continuity was confirmed from the propeller flange to the rear accessory drives; full rotation of the crankshaft was not possible due to impact damage. The four top spark plugs were removed for examination, and the plug electrodes were brown colored and exhibited normal wear patterns. The bottom spark plug electrodes revealed the same wear patterns. The carburetor was fractured across the throttle bore and separated from the engine. The carburetor bowl was removed from the upper assembly, and about 1 ounce of red liquid was observed in the bowl. The liquid tested positive for water using water-finding paste. The brass carburetor floats were deformed, consistent with hydraulic crushing.
The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. The propeller spinner was separated. The spinner back plate and starter ring gear support were fragmented. Both propeller blades exhibited chord-wise scratches, leading edge gouges, and paint abrasion. Both blades were bent aft and twisted.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Division of Forensics Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The autopsy report noted the cause of death as "multiple injuries."
Toxicology specimens were not collected at the time of the autopsy; therefore, postaccident toxicological testing was not performed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 60-4A, "Pilot's Spatial Disorientation," states, in part, the following:
The attitude of an aircraft is generally determined by reference to the natural horizon or other visual references with the surface. If neither horizon nor surface references exist, the attitude of an aircraft must be determined by artificial means from the flight instruments. Sight, supported by other senses, allows the pilot to maintain orientation. However, during periods of low visibility, the supporting senses sometimes conflict with what is seen. When this happens, a pilot is particularly vulnerable to disorientation. The degree of disorientation may vary considerably with individual pilots. Spatial disorientation to a pilot means simply the inability to tell which way is 'up.'
The AC notes that a disoriented pilot may place an aircraft in a dangerous attitude and recommends that pilots "not attempt visual flight rules flight when there is a possibility of getting trapped in deteriorating weather."
NTSB Identification: ERA16FA032
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, November 04, 2015 in Baldwin, GA
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28-180, registration: N57WV
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 November 4, 2015, about 2355, eastern standard daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N57WV, was destroyed when it impacted wooded terrain, following a loss of control during an approach to the Habersham County Airport (AJR), Cornelia, Georgia. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned flight to AJR. The flight originated from the St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR), Ft. Pierce, Florida, about 1830.
According to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was not receiving radar services, nor was he in communication with air traffic control (ATC) at the time of the accident. Local residents near the airport reported that they heard an airplane flying overhead and shortly afterwards heard a "whirling" noise followed by a loud crash. They came outside to see if they could locate where the noise came from, but was unsuccessful due to the heavy fog and mist in the area. As they searched the area they located the airplane in a ravine and notified the local authorities.
The wreckage site was located in a wooded area 0.25 miles on a 330 magnetic course from AJR. Freshly broken tree branches were observed above the wreckage. The airplane was observed in a nose down position and buried about four feet below the surface of the ground. All flight control surfaces were located at the accident site and still attached to the fuselage. Both wings were accordion crushed towards the ground and the tail section of the airplane remained above ground and crushed downward. The airplane was removed and repositioned for examination; control continuity was confirmed from the control yoke to the elevators and ailerons. Control continuity was also confirmed from the rudder to the rudder pedals.
The cockpit, cabin section and empennage were crushed. The instrument panel and instruments were crushed. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat control levers were crushed in the forward position. The engine remained partially attached to the firewall. The two-blade propeller remained attached to the engine hub. Both propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratching. One propeller blade was s-bent while the other was bent aft.
The 2355 recorded weather at Toccoa Airport (TOC), Toccoa, Georgia, located 14 nautical miles southwest from AJR, included wind calm, 2 statute miles visibility, and an overcast ceiling at 200 feet. The temperature was 17 degrees C, the dew point was 17 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 30.29 inches of mercury.
The airplane was recovered for further examination.
James Thomas Lysett, Edward Leslie Black, Steven Matthew Wisor
James Lycett
Steven Matthew Wisor
Edward Black
Rugers, one of two dogs killed in Georgia plane crash being held by James Lycett's granddaughter Nicole Salmons.
Lisa, one of two dogs killed in Georgia plane crash.
Obituary for James Thomas Lycett
James Thomas Lycett, 57, known to many as Tom, passed away unexpectedly and tragically beside his close friends, Ed Black and Steve Wisor, along with his beloved dogs Cadisa and Ruger on Thursday, November 5, 2015.
Tom was born in West Virginia to Rebecca and James Lycett. Tom has been a long time resident of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, moving from Pennsylvania. He was the owner of Treasure Coast RV Center and Easy Livin’ RV Campground in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Tom enjoyed flying his Piper Cherokee, gun smithing, playing golf with his friends, travelling to his cabin in Clarkesville, Georgia, taking cruises, and hosting Wednesday night cookouts with his close friends. He was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 513 of Port Saint Lucie, Florida and American Legion Post 358 of Fort Pierce, Florida. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country from 1976 to 1979.
Tom is the cherished son of Rebecca and James Lycett of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving fiancé Lisa Parziale, daughter Melissa Salmons and her husband Haines of Maitland, Florida, and son Justin Lycett of Palm Beach County, Florida. He is the adored “Pappy Tom” to granddaughter Nicole Salmons, devoted brother of Cindy Schultz, Nancy Spiker, and Donald Lycett all of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Tom was predeceased by his brother Michael Lycett. He also leaves his beloved stepsons Anthony Parziale and Kevin Parziale, both of Port St. Lucie, Florida, along with several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 starting at 1:00pm at American Legion Post 318, 1000 Savannah Club Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
A donation to the charity of your choice may be made in honor of their passing.
Obituary for Ed Black and Steve Wisor
Edward L. Black, 45, of Port St. Lucie, FL. passed away unexpectedly and tragically, alongside his cousin Steven Matthew Wisor, and longtime friend, James Thomas Lysett, on November 5, 2015.
Ed was the beloved fiancé of Jennifer Mack of Port St. Lucie; devoted father of Christiana Marie Black and Noah Anthony Myrick of Port St. Lucie; adored "Pop" (grandfather) of Jonah Douglas Damaceno; cherished son of Gloria Jean (Dysard) and Thomas Tucker of PA; loving brother of Daniel Wayne Black and wife Denise, Mary Lorena Barber and husband Eugene, DeRel LaRue Black and companion Debbie, Tammie Lynn Mostyn and husband Phillip, Terri Lee McLaren and companion Jeff, Cynthia LeAnn Stockman and husband Gary, all of PA, and Dallas LeRoy Black Sr. And wife Laura of Port St. Lucie; he was also a loving cousin, uncle, nephew, and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by a brother James William Black, father Darrell LaRue Black, paternal grandparents James Earl and Harvetta Romaine (Gerlach) Black, and maternal grandparents Samuel Ora and Hazel Edna (Metz) Dysard.
Steven Matthew Wisor, 47, was born in New Castle, PA and raised in Slippery Rock, PA. He moved to Port Saint Lucie in 1988 along with Ed. He was the owner and operator of Steve's Cleaning Service as well as a Service Manager for Treasure Coast RV. He was a longtime member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 318. He was a Pittsburgh fan just like the rest of his family, but he also had a huge soft spot for the Redskins. One of Steve's favorite things was listening to Ed and Dallas sing. He also enjoyed NASCAR, golfing, playing softball at Sandhill Crane Park, building model cars, and hanging out with family and friends; who he would do anything for. He was also the biggest prankster around.
Steve was the beloved son of Melda Ruth (Dysard) English of PA; brother of Linda Lee (Dysard) Keller and husband Robert and Larry Earl Wisor of PA.
He was preceded in death by his father Jennings Plummer "JP" English, maternal grandparents Samuel Ora and Hazel Edna (Metz) Dysard, and paternal grandparents William George and Dema Fay (Cooper) English.
Ed and Steve both touched the hearts of all they have met and made them glow brighter than ever. They will be forever loved and cherished.
A celebration of Ed and Steve's lives is planned for Saturday November 14th at 1pm at American Legion Post 318.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — James Thomas Lycett and two other men were flying to Georgia where Lycett had a home. They were meeting others to celebrate Lycett's birthday Saturday.
Lycett, who piloted the single engine plane, was joined by friend and employee Steven Wisor and Wisor's cousin, Edward Black. They planned to golf and shoot targets with others for Lycett's 58th birthday.
"Just a boys weekend out," said Chuck Kepford, a longtime Lycett friend and employee on Friday. "There was eight or 10 of them all meeting up there."
Lycett, Wisor and Black died as the plane crashed about midnight Wednesday near an airport about 80 miles northeast of Atlanta. All three were of St. Lucie County, according to information from Kasey McEntire, coroner of Habersham County.
The trip to Lycett's home in Clarkesville, Georgia, was typically an annual event, Kepford said.
Kepford said Lycett owned Treasure Coast RV Center on South U.S. 1 just north of Midway Road and was part owner of the neighboring Easy Livin' R.V. Park.
"He loved to fly," said Lycett's daughter, 31-year-old Melissa Salmons. "He got his pilot's license on his own as a hobby and that was his passion."
The Piper Cherokee, which flew out of Fort Pierce, crashed near Habersham County Airport.
Salmons said her father was well liked in the community.
"He just drew everyone in, and he was very charismatic, and funny and he told jokes and he loved my daughter," Salmons said. "He was there when she was born."
Salmons' daughter, Nicole, is 11, and she noted a photo of Nicole standing in front of Lycett's plane.
Black, 45, began working with the city of Port St. Lucie's Utility Systems Department in 1991, according to emails from Jenny Newell, city public information officer.
Black "worked his way up through the field crew to ultimately serve as superintendent of the Water Distribution Division, one of the largest divisions of field crews," Newell said. "This is a tremendous loss not only to the utility family, but to the city of Port St. Lucie as a whole.
"Ed was well-known and well-liked both as an employee and a friend."
Kepford said Wisor wasn't married and had no children. He said Wisor lived in the Easy Livin' RV Park.Two dogs — a Pomeranian named Lisa and a miniature Yorkshire terrier named Ruger — belonging to Lycett and his longtime girlfriend, Lisa Parziale, also died.
In addition to flying and golf, Lycett, known as Tom, enjoyed guns.
"That's why the dog's name is Ruger," Salmons said.
Salmons, of Orlando, last saw her father about 6 months ago. She said his siblings and parents live in Pennsylvania.
Salmons, Parziale and Lycett's ex-wife, Kathy Lycett, spoke of James Lycett Friday at Treasure Coast RV Center.
Kathy Lycett said James Lycett was a Navy veteran and recalled moving to Florida in an RV.
Salmons said her father enjoyed the Florida Keys, where she used to live, and flew the plane there.
"I think that's where I want to spread his ashes, in the ocean," Salmons said. "He just loved it down there."
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