Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Fairfax One: ‘Ambulance in the Air’ • Close-up look at Fairfax County’s police helicopter

PFC Nick Taormina, a paramedic and police officer, talks about the Fairfax One helicopter.



Members of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) recently toured Fairfax County’s heliport, got to speak with a pilot and saw the Fairfax One helicopter up close.

It’s a twin-engine, Bell 429 and does both police and medivac missions for the county. And one of its pilots, PFC Nick Taormina, is a paramedic as well as a police officer.

“We go on several thousand police missions a year,” he said. “We try to find criminals, such as burglars, and search for missing children and adults. The aircraft has a camera, a spotlight and an advanced navigation system.”

It’s also equipped inside with a cot and medical equipment, including a defibrillator and a medical monitor that displays the patient’s vital signs. Said Taormina, “It’s like an ambulance in the air.”

Each time the helicopter flies, it’s staffed with a crew of three — the pilot and two flight officers — and all the flight officers are paramedics. “Paramedics take a year of classes to be certified,” said Taormina. “Then they undergo training with the aircraft for three months before they can go up in the air.”

Also inside the helicopter are various radios to communicate with fire and police personnel, air traffic control and hospitals. “We’ll alert a hospital about the condition of a patient we’re bringing in,” said Taormina. “Working together as a crew is key.”

Two mechanics are on duty to keep Fairfax One in tip-top shape. “And we have a second aircraft because we work 24/7,” said Taormina. “So one gets maintained while the other flies. We can get into the air two minutes after getting a call. We use road maps to find houses and exact addresses.”

He said they fly pretty low, at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, so they can see well with their camera. Certain factors determine when the helicopter is used to whisk people to hospitals, rather than an ambulance.

“It depends on the time of day — for example, if there’s an accident on I-66 in rush hour — and the severity of the injuries,” explained Taormina. “If there’s a burn injury, for instance, it’ll take us just 10 minutes to get to the Washington Hospital Burn Center in D.C.”

When having to land in a spot with heavy traffic, he said, “The Fire Department will close off the roads and establish a landing zone for us, although sometimes the police do it, too.”

The aircraft averages 160 mph and can fly in 35-knot ground winds. Two crews a day are assigned to it, each working a 12-hour shift. There are five or six pilots, plus 10 police flight officers.

“We’re involved in mutual aid with jurisdictions including Spotsylvania, Winchester, Prince William, Loudoun and even West Virginia,” said Taormina. “We’re the only police medivac helicopter from the Potomac to Richmond.”

Each crew receives two to three hours of flying time a day, going on four to five missions. The average call lasts an hour or two. “But we could be flying as much as 10 hours on a particularly busy day,” said Taormina. “We usually burn a gallon of gas a minute and, at any given time, we normally have 100 gallons [in the tank].”

He’s been with the Fairfax County Police Department’s helicopter division since 2008. The toughest part of his job, he said, is any accident involving really young children. Best, said Taormina, is “being able to fly around the area, loving aviation and doing both police and medivac work.”

Story and photo:  http://www.connectionnewspapers.com

Beechcraft 65-A90-1 King Air, N7043G: Fatal accident occurred June 12, 2006 at Peter O. Knight Airport (KTPF), Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida


Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida
National Transportation Safety Board; Miami, Florida
National Transportation Safety Board; Seattle, Washington
Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Federal Aviation Administration / Office of Accident Investigation AAI-100; Washington, District of Columbia
Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Certification Office; Wichita, Kansas
Federal Aviation Administration / Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Office; Chicago, Illinois
Dynamic Aviation; Bridgewater, Virginia
Hawker Beechcraft; Wichita, Kansas
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
Hartzell Propeller Inc; Piqua, Ohio
Crane Aerospace & Electronics - ELDEC; Lynnwood, Washington

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N7043G 

Location: Tampa, FL
Accident Number: MIA06FA117
Date & Time: 06/12/2006, 1235 EDT
Registration: N7043G
Aircraft: Beech 65-A90-1
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event:
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use

Analysis


The first officer reported that during cruise flight, both propeller secondary low pitch stop (SLPS) lights illuminated, indicating the SLPS system prevented both propellers from going below the low pitch hydraulic mechanical stop. The right occurred first, then the left approximately 1 minute later. Emergency procedures to correct the condition were ineffective. The right propeller feathered at some point during the flight, and the first officer reported that while operating single engine, they experienced a problem with the propeller governor. The flight proceeded direct to an airport with short runways approximately 3.2 nautical miles (nm) northwest of their present position, rather than to an air carrier airport located 8.5 nm away. The captain entered a close-in right base to runway 35 (2,688 feet long runway), while flying at 155 knots (51 knots above single engine reference speed). He turned onto final approach with the landing gear and flaps retracted, but overshot the runway. The airplane contacted a taxiway near the departure end of intended runway, and then collided with several obstacles before coming to rest at a house located past the departure end of runway 35. A postcrash fire consumed the cockpit, cabin, and sections of both wings. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engines, and propellers revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. No determination was made as to the reason for the annunciation of both SLPS lights.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The poor in-flight planning decision by the captain for his failure to establish the airplane on a stabilized approach for a forced landing, resulting in the airplane landing on a taxiway near the departure end of the runway. Contributing to the accident were the failure or malfunction of the primary hydraulic low pitch stop of both propellers for undetermined reasons, the excessive approach airspeed and the failure of the captain to align the airplane with the runway for the forced landing.

Findings

Occurrence #1: AIRFRAME/COMPONENT/SYSTEM FAILURE/MALFUNCTION


Phase of Operation: CRUISE - NORMAL

Findings

1. PROPELLER SYSTEM/ACCESSORIES,HYDRAULIC PITCH CTL - INOPERATIVE

2. (F) REASON FOR OCCURRENCE UNDETERMINED

Occurrence #2: FORCED LANDING


Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING

Occurrence #3: IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN/WATER

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING

Findings


3. TERRAIN CONDITION - GROUND

4. (C) IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION - POOR - PILOT IN COMMAND

5. (F) AIRSPEED - EXCESSIVE - PILOT IN COMMAND

6. (F) PROPER ALIGNMENT - NOT ATTAINED - PILOT IN COMMAND

Occurrence #4: IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT


Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING

Findings


7. OBJECT - TREE(S) 

Factual Information


HISTORY OF FLIGHT


On June 12, 2006, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Beech 65-A90-1 twin-engine, turboprop airplane, N7043G, registered to Dynamic AvLease, Inc., and operated by Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., of Bridgewater, Virginia, contacted a taxiway then collided with a house during a forced landing at Peter O Knight Airport (TPF), Tampa, Florida. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as an other work use flight, and no flight plan was filed. Daylight marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident for the local flight from Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Sarasota, Florida. The airplane, house, and a vehicle parked there were destroyed by impact and a postcrash fire, and the captain was killed. The first officer/disperser (first officer) was seriously injured. The sole person in the house was not injured. The flight originated about 1130, from SRQ.

The purpose of the flight was to disperse sterile, Mediterranean fruit flies (fruit flies) under contract to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and was scheduled to return to SRQ after dispersing was completed. The flight duration was estimated to be slightly over 1 hour.

The first officer reported that the mission dispersing the fruit flies was uneventful, and while returning to SRQ, "...we got a light on the panel for the [propeller] governor. Possibly for the right engine first." The captain began trouble shooting the right propeller annunciation issue by manipulating the power and propeller controls, and was trying to keep up with it as the right propeller was changing pitch. The same annunciation from the left propeller occurred approximately 1 minute after the annunciation for the right propeller. The captain asked him to pull a circuit breaker (CB) located immediately adjacent to his control yoke on the lower instrument panel, but he (first officer) could not recall if this occurred after the first or second annunciation. He also did not recall what CB he pulled, but he pulled the same CB two times at the request of the captain, which had no effect. The captain was manipulating the power and propeller controls for both engines following the left propeller annunciation, but he (first officer) did not think the captain's actions were having any effect. At some point the first officer noticed TPF was off their right wingtip and suggested to the captain to proceed there.

The captain advised him to contact air traffic control (ATC) and then to declare an emergency. At 1232:39, the first officer contacted Tampa Approach Control (Tampa Approach) and advised that they wanted to fly direct to TPF. The controller advised the flight crew to proceed direct to TPF and advise when the airport is in sight. Radar data indicated that, about this time, the airplane was at an altitude of about 1,200 feet mean sea level (msl) and was located about 3.2 nautical miles (nm) east-southeast from TPF, or approximately 8.5 nm southeast from Tampa International Airport. At 1232:54, the first officer declared an emergency with Tampa Approach, and requested a direct vector to TPF. The controller instructed the flight crew that the vector uncorrected for wind was 304 degrees and 3 miles, provided the altimeter setting, and gave the wind as being from 090 degrees at 7 knots. Radar data indicated that from 1232:54 (time first officer declared an emergency) to 1233:40, the flight proceeded in a northwesterly direction towards TPF and descended from 1,300 to 500 feet msl.

At 1233:50, the first officer reported to Tampa Approach that the airport was in sight. The radar data indicated that, about this time, the airplane was flying in a westerly direction at an altitude of about 500 feet msl, and was located south-southeast of the approach end of runway 35. The controller asked if they needed assistance, to which the first officer responded at 1233:57, "no we're just going to try to land." No further communications were received from the flight crew.

The first officer did not recall any conversation between himself and the captain while on approach to land at TPF. The captain did not advise him to extend the flaps or landing gear, and he did not recall extending either for landing. They were on a short right base for runway 35, and turned onto final approach but were not lined up with it due to the angle approaching the airport. Radar data indicated that from 1234:00 to 1234:13 (last radar target), the airplane descended from 400 to 100 feet msl, and the groundspeed at the last recorded radar target was 155 knots. The first officer was not sure how far abeam the runway they were, did not recall the approach airspeed, and believed both propellers were rotating. After landing it did not feel rough nor did he feel "multiple hits." The airplane began skidding and he knew they were unable to stop. The airplane collided with a fence, and after stopping, he asked the captain if he was OK but there was no response. He (first officer) exited the wreckage and rolled onto the ground to extinguish the fire. He was helped to a vehicle by a nearby person, and passed out in an ambulance. The next memory he had was approximately 10 days later.

Numerous witnesses at TPF reported the airplane was not lined up with the runway while on approach, the landing gear was retracted, and only one engine was operating. Two pilot-rated witnesses reported the wind at the airport at the time of the accident was from the south. One was based on a personal observation, and the other was based on the TPF automated weather observation system (AWOS), which indicated the wind was from 150 degrees at 4 knots.

A pilot-rated witness located at TPF stated that she heard a strange sounding engine directly above her. As she looked up, she saw the accident airplane flying "extremely fast" at about 200 feet above ground level (agl). The witness further stated that the airplane was observed between runways 35 and 03 flying in a northerly direction, and flew over runway 03. The airplane then banked to the left, and it appeared to her that the left wing contacted the ground just off taxiway "F," which is located west of runway 35. The airplane flew through a fence, hit a house, and immediately became engulfed in flames and exploded. She further reported there was no communication by the flight crew on TPF common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF).

Another pilot-rated witness who was located on the north side of the airport immediately adjacent to the accident site, stated the airplane flew towards him about 5 feet agl with the landing gear retracted and yawing to the right. While airborne, the airplane collided with a fence on the north border of the airport, and then collided with trees, a car, and finally a residence. The witness ran to the wreckage and assisted the first officer who exited via the airstair door. The first officer advised him the captain was on-board, but fire prevented the witness from rescuing him. The witness asked the first officer what occurred and he initially responded that they had lost one engine, proceeded towards TPF, then lost the second engine. They were able to restart one engine, and then the propeller governor "ran away on us." The witness further asked the first officer if they had run out of fuel and he reported no, one engine quit and he did not know why.

Local fire rescue responded and extinguished the fire.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The captain, age 41, was hired by Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., on March 30, 2004, as base maintenance manager/first officer, and upgraded to captain on March 13, 2005. He held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings airplane single and multi-engine land, instrument airplane, issued October 15, 2003. The captain's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class airman medical certificate was issued on April 1, 2006, and contained the limitation that, "Holder shall wear correcting lenses while exercising the [privileges] of his/her airman certificate." The captain indicated on his last medical certificate application that his total time was 2,120 hours.

Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., records indicate that at the date the captain began employment, he did not have any Beech "King Air 90" flight time. His total flight time at that time was 1,519 hours, of which 1,058.9 hours were as pilot-in-command (PIC), and 213 hours in multi-engine airplanes. At the time of the accident, his total time was 1,907 hours, and his total PIC time was 1,451 hours. He had 457 hours total time and 305 hours as PIC in the accident make and model airplane, respectively. His last flight review in accordance with 14 CFR Part 61.56 occurred on March 13, 2005, when he upgraded to captain. At that time, he "Satisfactory" demonstrated knowledge of "Secondary Low Pitch Stop system failure."

The first officer, age 25, was hired by Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., on May 3, 2006. He holds a commercial pilot certificate with ratings airplane single and multi-engine land, instrument airplane, issued December 15, 2004. His most recent first-class medical certificate with no limitations was issued on March 14, 2006.

Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., records indicate that at the time the first officer began employment, he did not have any Beech "King Air 90" flight time. His total flight time at that time was 1,123 hours, of which 900 hours were as PIC, and 23 hours were in multi-engine airplanes. The first officer's pilot logbook indicates that at the time of the accident, he logged 44 hours total time in the accident make and model airplane; of which, 15 hours were logged as PIC. His last logged flight occurred on June 9, 2006; the flight was in the accident make and model airplane. Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., personnel reported the first officer did not have any official flight training or ground based systems training since employment, but he (first officer) reported he did "pick things up" while flying in the airplane. His last flight review in accordance with 14 CFR Part 61.56 occurred on December 15, 2004.

Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., performs all pilot training in-house, with "flight reviews" occurring every 12-18 months. They train using a cockpit procedures trainer (CPT), and classroom instruction. With respect to training pertaining to the propeller secondary low pitch stop (SLPS), they use the CPT for location of the propeller governor idle stop circuit breaker and simulation of potential failure. With respect to the classroom instruction, they use a cockpit diagram, and Flight Safety software to describe the SLPS system, components, and normal and abnormal operation of the SLPS system. They utilize 2 to 3 hours of classroom time to discuss the propeller, which includes discussion of the SLPS system. The Flight Safety software provides "animated" schematics of the SLPS and related systems.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION


The airplane was manufactured in 1967 by Beechcraft, and entered U.S. military service as model U-21A, military serial number (S/N) 66-18036, manufacturer S/N LM-37. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 engines, and was equipped with two constant speed, manual and auto-feathering, full reversing, three-bladed Hartzell HC-B3TN-3B propellers. The airplane was removed from military service in 1996, purchased by Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc. (under previous company name) in the fall of 1996, and was assigned U.S. registration N7043G in December 1996. The aircraft was in storage until 1998, when it was overhauled.

In August 1998, an FAA standard airworthiness certificate in the normal category was issued; the airplane total time at that time was reported to be 10,690.7 hours. In October 1998, a standard airworthiness certificate in the restricted category was issued, with the listed purpose of "Agriculture and Pest Control." Between certification in 1998, and the accident date, Dynamic Aviation (or previous company names) continuously operated the airplane. The airplane had not been operated between January 24, 2006, and March 1, 2006, during which time extensive maintenance consisting of installation of serviceable propellers was performed.

The airplane was maintained in accordance with the operator's maintenance manual supplement, and an inspection cycle consists of a 100-Hour, and four phase inspections performed at 100-hour intervals. The airplane was last inspected in accordance with a 100-Hour inspection on April 20, 2006. The airplane total time at that time was 15,590.7 hours, and the time since overhaul for the left and right engines at that time was 6,658.2 and 2,591.3 hours, respectively. Including the accident flight, the airplane had accumulated approximately 80.6 hours since the last 100-Hour inspection.

Propeller blade angle is controlled by propeller controls on the throttle quadrant. The propeller blades change position to low pitch (high rpm) and reverse using engine oil increased in pressure by the primary propeller governor. Propeller blade low pitch position (high rpm) is a mechanically monitored hydraulic stop, which senses blade angle. The mechanical linkage closes a valve and prevents oil from entering the propeller dome, thereby stopping the propeller blades from moving past the low pitch stop. A back-up system (SLPS) prevents the propeller blades from going beyond the low pitch stop into reverse in the event of a malfunction of the primary low pitch stop. Activation of the SLPS system illuminates a red annunciator light located in an annunciator panel above the glare shield, which indicates the propeller has attempted to go past the primary low pitch stop, but the SLPS has prevented the propeller from doing so.

Operational testing of the SLPS is performed as indicated in the "Before Takeoff" checklist utilized by the operator. The operator provided documents indicating no pilot noted discrepancies of the SLPS tests during seven flights over the previous 13 days. A list containing the last 30 days of pilot discrepancies was in the airplane and not recovered.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION


A surface observation weather report (METAR) taken at the Peter O Knight Airport on the day of the accident at 1228, or approximately 7 minutes before the accident, indicates the wind was from 090 degrees at 5 knots, the visibility was 4 statute miles with rain, scattered clouds existed at 400 feet, broken clouds existed at 3,100 feet, and overcast clouds existed at 4,300 feet. The temperature and dewpoint were 23 and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively, and the altimeter setting was 29.97 inches of mercury.

The first officer later reported that during the flight, visual to marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed; however, they remained in visual meteorological conditions from the point of the discrepancy to the time of the accident.

COMMUNICATIONS


The flight crew was in contact with Tampa Approach; there were no reported communication difficulties.

AIRPORT INFORMATION


The Peter O Knight airport is equipped with two runways designated 3/21 and 17/35. Runway 17/35 is asphalt and is 2,688 feet long and 75 feet wide, while runway 3/21 is 3,405 feet long and 100 feet wide. Taxiway "F" is 35 feet wide, parallels runway 17/35, and is located on the west side of the runway.

FLIGHT RECORDERS


The airplane was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION


Runways 17/35 and 03/21, taxiway "F," and areas of the approach end of runway 17 at TPF were examined by National Transportation Safety Board, FAA, and airframe manufacturer personnel. Fourteen parallel ground scars were located near the west edge of taxiway "F," and north of the intersection of that taxiway and runway 03/21. That location was also near the departure end of runway 35. The 14 ground scars were oriented on a north-northwesterly heading, measured 35 feet 11 inches in length, and were consistent with contact by the left propeller. The distance between the first and second ground scar measured 28 inches. Several ground scars on grass between the west edge of taxiway "F" and an airport perimeter fence located on the north side of the airport were noted. One of the ground scars was a single arching scar, which was consistent with contact by the right propeller. The airplane collided with the chain link fence, tree, street sign, roadway, a vehicle then a house. The airplane came to rest upright in the front yard of a house located approximately 342 degrees and 500 feet from the last parallel ground scar at the west edge of taxiway "F." The postcrash fire and/or impact damage destroyed the airplane, house, and the vehicle parked at the house.

The cockpit, cabin, and sections of both wings were consumed in the postcrash fire. Heat damage was also noted to both engines and both propellers. All components necessary to sustain flight remained attached or found in close proximity to the main wreckage location. The right propeller blades were in the feathered position, which correlates to the position of the right propeller control in the cockpit. The static impact signatures of the right engine also correlate to the feathered position of the right propeller. The flaps and landing gear were retracted. All secondary flight control trim positions were neutral or near neutral for roll, pitch, and yaw. Examination of the airframe, engines, engine controls and accessories, and propellers revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The left and right secondary low pitch stop linkages were in place, but the left electrical harness was fire damaged and the electrical wires were separated at the linkage connections. The right electrical harness block was not located. The right subpanel in the cockpit was destroyed, which precluded determination of the position of the propeller governor idle stop CB.

Visual examination of the propeller reversing electrical board and relays revealed heat damage; the canon plug that remained connected though the insulation of the wires was melted. The SLPS box located immediately aft of the rear spar next to the right fuselage sidewall also exhibited heat damage. The insulation of the wires was also melted, and several electrical wires were broken along their length. All electrical wires for the SLPS box were broken at the leading edge of the right butt rib near the right cockpit sidewall. The propeller reversing electrical board and relays, and the SLPS box were retained for further examination.


MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION


A postmortem examination of the captain was performed by Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department. The cause of death was listed as "Thermal Burns."


Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens of the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory (FAA Laboratory), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department. The result of analysis by FAA Laboratory was negative for cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs. Twelve percent carbon monoxide saturation was detected in the blood specimen. The result of analysis by Hillsborough Medical Examiner Department was negative for tested drugs and volatiles. Twelve percent carbon monoxide saturation was detected in the blood specimen.


SURVIVAL ASPECTS


The airstair door was first observed in the area where normally installed; however, the structure adjacent to the airstair door was destroyed in the post crash fire and the door was rotated up approximately 90 degrees. The inner door handle was in the unlatched and unlocked position. The first officer did not report any difficulty opening it.


TESTS AND RESEARCH


Calculations to determine estimated groundspeed were performed by Safety Board personnel using a formula that multiplies the distance between propeller scars (2.34 feet between the first and second), with the estimated engine rpm (1,900), and also the number of propeller blades (3). The result is divided by 101.3, which yielded an estimated groundspeed of approximately 132 knots. Each 100-rpm engine increase, increases the groundspeed approximately 7 knots.


The emergency procedures section of the FAA Approved Pilot's Operating Manual contains a section titled, "Failure of secondary low pitch stop" which lists procedures to perform in the event of annunciation of the secondary low pitch stop light(s). The section describes that if flying at airspeeds greater than 110 knots, and/or power setting above 400 ft. lbs., if either Secondary Low Pitch Stop Warning Light illuminates in flight, and the respective propeller begins feathering, a pilot should:


"1. Power Lever (affected side) - Reduce as Required (to keep torque within limits)


2. "Prop Gov - Idle Stop" Circuit Breaker (co-pilot's right subpanel) - Pull (warning light should extinguish and propeller speed should increase to governor setting)


3. Power Lever (affected side) - Return to Desired Power


 Warning


 Any malfunction of the Secondary Low Pitch Stop System must be repaired before the next flight."


Radar data indicates that between the time the first officer notified ATC of the need to divert to TPF (1232:39), and the last radar target at 1234:13, the recorded groundspeed never decreased less than 120 knots. As previously reported, the ground speed at the last radar target was 155 knots. The single engine reference speed (VRef) is 104 knots.


The first officer reported pulling a CB to the right of his control yoke, though he could not recall the exact CB he pulled. The propeller governor idle stop CB identified in the emergency procedures listed above is located on the right subpanel, which is to the right of his control yoke. The first officer also reported that they typically used the airplane's checklist with a challenge response, but they did not use the checklist after either secondary low pitch stop light illuminated. He was also asked who feathered the right propeller and responded that he doesn't think the captain manually feathered it.


Examination of the propeller reversing electrical board and relays with FAA oversight revealed no evidence of electrical shorts of the attached wire bundle, and no mechanical damage to the electrical board. The left and right propeller reversing relays were found in the open position (no power to its respective propeller governor secondary low pitch stop solenoid). The left relay actuated electrically to the open and closed positions, while the right relay could not be actuated electrically. The right relay exhibited greater heat damage than the left relay.


Examination of the SLPS box with NTSB oversight revealed heat damage to both circuit cards, which was the greatest in the area adjacent to cooling holes on both sides of the box. All gold fingers (primary electrical connections for both cards) were physically intact with no melting or deformation. Acceptance testing of both circuit cards revealed discrepancies consistent with fire damage, but there was no evidence of preimpact failure. A switch turn-on test was performed using a slave sensor and target, and each circuit card. This test determines at what gap between the sensor and target is required to activate the SLPS annunciation lights. The testing determined that circuit card "A" activated .017 inch earlier than specified, while circuit card "B" activated within limits.


Pilot Information


Certificate: Commercial

Age: 41, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Seatbelt, Shoulder harness
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/01/2006
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/01/2005
Flight Time:   2120 hours (Total, all aircraft), 457 hours (Total, this make and model), 1451 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Other Flight Crew Information


Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial

Age: 25, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Seatbelt, Shoulder harness
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/01/2006
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/01/2004
Flight Time:   1208 hours (Total, all aircraft), 44 hours (Total, this make and model), 960 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 173 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 53 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: Beech

Registration: N7043G
Model/Series: 65-A90-1
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: LM-37
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/01/2006, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 9650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 80.6 Hours
Engines: 2 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 15671.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-20
Registered Owner: Dynamic AvLease, Inc.
Rated Power: 550 hp
Operator: Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions

Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: TPF, 8 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1228 EDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 400 ft agl
Visibility:  4 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 90°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Rain
Departure Point: Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1130 EDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information


Airport: Peter O'Knight (TPF)

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 8 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Wet
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 2688 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 27.922222, -82.459167

Steven Ronald Huisman, Bradenton, Florida, died June 12, 2006.
He was 41 years old.

Mr. Huisman was born May 21, 1965, to Ron and Berta Huisman of Hot Springs Village, and grew up in Papua New Guinea, as his parents were missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

He was killed when the King Air twin-engine plane he was flying developed serious mechanical problems resulting in a fatal crash landing. Mr.Huisman and his co-pilot Launder were releasing sterilized Mediterranean fruit flies as part of a plan to limit the fly population in the area. The plane was scheduled to make a loop, starting and returning at Sarasota.

Born in Elmhurst, Ill., he came to Manatee County from Elizabethton, Tenn. He was a pilot, airplane mechanic, and Bible believing Christian. Survivors include wife, Sonya Huisman; three daughters,a son; sister in law, Michelle (David) Ballast, from Kansas; parents: Ronald and Roberta Huisman. Services will be 5:30 p.m., June 16, at Church of the Cross, 5051 26th Street West, Bradenton. Burial will be in Hot Springs Village, Ark.

Memorials may be made to: Huisman Family Fund, c/o Grace Community Church, 5415 11th Street Circle East, Bradenton, FL 34203. Toale Brothers Funeral Home Bradenton Chapel in charge.



TAMPA, Florida — Seven years after Ty Pennington led the chorus of “Move that bus,” catapulting a corner house on Davis Islands into the national spotlight, the rebuilt structure is on sale with the owners asking a cool $889,000 for the two-story, four-bedroom home with a view of Hillsborough Bay.

The house has been on the market for a little over a week, said Century 21 real estate agent Gary Garrett, who said there should be no problem selling a house like this.


“It’s an excellent time to sell,” Garrett said.


No offers have been made yet.


“But we do have an awful lot of people looking at it,” he said.


Built in 1983, the home at 629 E. Davis Blvd. was reincarnated after an airplane from the nearby Peter O. Knight Airport slammed into it in June 2006, killing the pilot, severely injuring the copilot and destroying the house.


Owned by Thomas and Cynthia Tate, the house was chosen by “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” an ABC television show that gave hapless homeowners new digs for free.


The Tates, through some misfortune and paperwork glitches allowed their homeowners insurance to lapse, so Pennington, the frenetic host of the show, set his sights on making over the plane-damaged Tate house.


Thomas Tate was reluctant to discuss his decision to sell when reached Tuesday afternoon. He wanted to keep the sale out of the news


“Our kids are grown,” Tate said, “and we’re down sizing.”


Though the house came to the Tates free of construction costs, it does cost between $11,700 and $13,700 a year in taxes, according to records at the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office, which assessed the property at $368,039 with a fair market value of $657,844.


On the real estate website Zillow, which factors in comparable nearby sales, the house is valued at $734,000 to $1.2 million.


The rebuilt, 3,477-square-foot, two-story structure has ceramic tile and hardwood floors and is situated on a 78-by-110 foot lot. The project was unveiled in January 2007.


The property comes with one unusual feature: A memorial near the front steps of the house bearing the names of Steve Huisman, 41, of Bradenton, the pilot killed in the crash, and co-pilot Sean Launder of Sarasota, who was severely burned. A National Transportation Safety Board report blamed the crash on pilot error and a problem with propeller controls on the twin-engine Beech aircraft.


The landing gear was not deployed, a witness told the NTSB, when the plane struck a fence on the north side of the airport, then trees, a car and the house..


The property is listed on Century 21’s website, which gives details of the home, including the grim history:


“The moment you see this beautiful Davis Islands Mediterranean four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home you will appreciate the architecture, location and lush landscaping. Great views of the airport, walking path and water views of Hillsborough Bay and the channel. Featured on “Extreme Home Makeover” to replace the home destroyed in a freak plane accident.” 



Sean Launder, First Officer 

BRADENTON, Florida -- Family and friends are mourning a Bradenton pilot who was killed when his plane crashed into a home in Tampa on Monday afternoon.

While attempting to land at Peter O. Knight airport, the twin-engine aircraft skidded, collided with a tree, smashed into a minivan and crashed into a home on Davis Islands. The house and the plane burst into flames.

The Beechcraft King Air 90 turboprop had encountered an in-flight mechanical problem and was diverted to land at Peter O. Knight, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said.

Pilot Steve Huisman, 41, of Bradenton, was found dead inside the aircraft, officials said. Co-pilot Sean Launder, 25, of Sarasota suffered burns and was in serious condition at Tampa General Hospital late Monday. No one was harmed in the home.

Huisman leaves behind a wife and four young children. Friends and fellow members of Grace Community Church gathered in the family’s Bradenton home Monday night to support Huisman’s wife, Sonya, and the children.

“He’s just an all-around good guy,” said Kim Mitchell, a neighbor.

Huisman, a commercial pilot and mechanic, had been working for Virginia-based Dynamic Aviation. The contractor works to protect Florida’s agriculture industry under a program aimed at controlling the wild Medfly population.

“Steve loved to fly,” said Mike Reynolds, 41, a church friend of the Huismans. “He loved flying for missionary purposes.”

Reynolds and others said Huisman was a devoted Christian with a big heart. He had flown supplies to missionaries in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He also flew supplies to places like Afghanistan.

Huisman grew up in Papua New Guinea, the son of Bible translators, said Mike Burch, 34, a friend and fellow pilot.

Huisman’s flight Monday left at 11:21 a.m. from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, according to Shay Ku, operations officer at the airport.

The plane, owned and flown by Dynamic Aviation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was on a flight from the company’s Florida base, according to Ron Ciaravella, president of Dolphin Aviation, a fixed-base operator at the Sarasota-Bradenton airport.

Preliminary reports indicated the pilot reported a mechanical problem with the aircraft’s fuel system, Brown said.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which will become the lead federal agency for the crash investigation, said the pilot reported the aircraft lost power in one engine.

“We have reports the plane was on its way to Plant City, and we diverted it to Peter O. Knight,” Brown said.

Peter O. Knight is not equipped with a control tower. Aircraft landing there fly on a see and be seen basis and communicate with each other on a common frequency.

The plane crashed into a bedroom of Cynthia Tate’s home in Tampa.

Tate was alone with her pets Monday afternoon when she looked out her window and saw an airplane headed for her Davis Islands home.

Tate said she was thankful her family is safe. Her three children and her husband Tom, an owner of Tate Brothers Pizza, were not home during the crash.

“Yes, thank you God, my children weren’t home,” said Tate, 44. “But how can I be so selfish? There were people on that plane, and I couldn’t do a thing except run for my life.”

According to the National Weather Service, visibility in the Sarasota area half an hour before the plane took off was 5 miles, with moderate rain and haze.

Visibility in Tampa about noon was 1 3/4 miles, with light rain, light wind and haze.

No information was immediately available regarding whether the aircraft was flying under instrument or visual flight rules on a day when the early portions of a tropical storm moved into Tampa Bay.

The plane has not been involved in any prior accidents, according to Brown, who added that the NTSB investigation will also determine whether the aircraft had previous mechanical problems.

On the ground, two firefighters were injured Monday. They were treated and released from the hospital with what Fire Capt. Bill Wade described as minor injuries.

Firefighters worked for more than an hour to contain the flames. Among their challenges: A steady wind fanned the flames, and fuel from the aircraft spread into the house. The house had about $200,000 in damage, and firefighters feared it would collapse.

https://www.heraldtribune.com

Robinson R44, HQ Aviation LLC, N30242: Accident occurred March 22, 2015 in Orlando, Florida

NTSB Identification: ERA15FA164
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, March 22, 2015 in Orlando, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/16/2016
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N30242
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.

Approximately 5 minutes after the pilot departed he told air traffic control that he wanted to return to the airport, but did not specify a reason. The pilot was unable to make it back to the airport and collided with trees, powerlines, and a residence. Post-accident examination of the helicopter found that the lower swashplate left forward attachment ear had no rod end hardware present. A review of the helicopter's maintenance logbook revealed there were no entries regarding the repairs to the main rotor system; however, the helicopter's journey log revealed that several flight tests had been conducted due to a track and balance issue with the main rotor blades. According the mechanic who performed the most recent maintenance to the swashplate, he did utilize the manufacturer's maintenance manual; however, he did not complete the work and the chief mechanic later completed the job. The chief mechanic did not make any entries into the logbook because he "forgot."

The inflight loss of control was most likely caused by the detachment of the left front push-pull tube from the lower swashplate due to the liberation of the attachment bolt. The cause of the bolt liberation could not be conclusively determined because the attachment hardware could not be recovered.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
An inflight loss of control due to the likely detachment of the forward left servo control tube upper rod end attachment bolt.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 22, 2015, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, N30242, impacted a two-story residence while maneuvering near Orlando, Florida. The private pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured, and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to a private individual and operated by HQ Aviation. The local flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed from Executive Airport (ORL), Orlando, Florida, shortly before the accident.

A review of voice transcriptions obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the pilot contacted the ORL air traffic control tower to request his takeoff clearance. The pilot received a clearance, for a downtown departure leaving from the operator's helipad. Approximately 5 minutes later the pilot contacted the control tower and stated that he wanted to return to the operator's ramp. There were no other transmissions made by the pilot.

Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud helicopter flying low, which caught their attention. As they looked in the direction of the sound they observed the helicopter descending into a tree. One witness watched the helicopter's main rotor blades break apart as it descended through the trees. The helicopter subsequently impacted a power line transformer before colliding with the residence and erupted in flames. The witnesses called the local authorities and attempted to extinguish the fire.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 48, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for rotorcraft-helicopter. A review of his logbook revealed he had a total flight experience of 124 hours, including 13 hours during the last 6 months. The pilot possessed a third-class medical certificate dated September 6, 2013, with no limitations or restrictions. Further examination of the pilot's logbook revealed he was signed off on August 9, 2014 for the special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) No. 73, which required him to have special training to operate the Robinson R-44.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The helicopter was a Robinson Helicopter Company model R44 II that was manufactured in 2007. It was powered by a Continental IO-540-AE1A5 engine, rated at 235 horsepower. The Hobbs meter was destroyed and per the journey log the last known recorded airframe total time was 1,267.5 hours on the day of the accident flight. The last annual inspection of the airframe and engine occurred on October 31, 2014, at an airframe total time of 1,092.1. The last recorded 100 hour inspection noted under discrepancies "rotated TR pitch links" on December 28, 2014, at an airframe total time of 1,186.1 hours. This was also the last maintenance entry made in the airframe logbook.

Though no recent maintenance entries were noted in the helicopter maintenance logbook, there were entries in its journey log (flight log of every flight) that several maintenance flights were conducted in support of attempts to track and balance the main rotor blades. The maintenance flights were identified by (MX or MTX) in the journey log. The first flight was conducted by another pilot on March 1, 2015, and the pilot stated that the MX flight was conducted for a track and balance of the main rotor blades. The next MX flight was conducted on March 6, 2015 and March 11, 2015, by another pilot who stated the flight was conducted for a track and balance of the main rotor blades. The last MX flight was conducted on March 15, 2015, and was signed off by the operator to show that the work was completed.

In a telephone interview, the mechanic who performed the most recent track and balance of the rotor blades stated he performed the job in accordance with the R44 Maintenance Manual section 10.230, the tail rotor in accordance with section 10.240 and the fan in accordance with section 6.240. He said that he did not complete the work and the chief mechanic later completed the job. The chief mechanic stated that he was not clear where the previous mechanic had finished the previous day. Further interviews with the chief mechanic, revealed that he performed the last check and reading of the track and balance of the main rotor blades. He also mentioned that he replaced the belt tensioning actuator gear motor on March 10, 2015, but "forgot" to make all of the entries in the helicopter's maintenance logbooks.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The recorded weather at ORL, at 1453, included winds from 240 degrees at 10 knots; 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 4,900, temperature 30 degrees Celsius (C), dew point temperature 18 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.

WRECKAGE INFORMATION

Examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter came to rest on the top floor of a two-story residence, about 3 miles northwest of ORL, and on a 360 degree magnetic heading. The wreckage debris field was about 50 yards in circumference. All flight control surfaces were located at the accident site. Examination of the wreckage revealed that a post-impact fire was concentrated within the second story of the building where the helicopter came to rest. A postcrash fire had consumed a majority of the wreckage. The main rotor mast, head, and gearbox were found separated from the main wreckage and within the debris field.

Examination of the cockpit and cabin section revealed that the instrument console was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The collective and anti-torque pedals were found within the wreckage. The mixture was found within the wreckage in the full rich position and impact damaged. Examination of the flight control system revealed that is was fire and impact damaged. At the lower swashplate, the left forward attachment ear had no rod end hardware present, and could not be located. The rod end was present at the top of the left push pull tube, which was found within the wreckage.

The swashplate and push pull tube with the attached rod end were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further examination. The examination of the lower swashplate attachment lug bolt holes were examined for indications of damage or deformation. The side of the lug that butted up against the rod end was referred to as the "rod end-side" of the lug and the other side was referred to as the "opposite side." The rod end-side of the front left push-pull tube attachment lug exhibited an outward deformation along the outer lower portion of the bolt hole. There were no other notable features on the front left lug nor were there any signs of deformation on any of the other lugs.

Examination of the hydraulic control servos revealed that they were intact and the two forward servos had bends in their shafts and could not be moved. The aft servo piston was free to move when force was applied. The tail rotor pitch change slider was free to slide along the tail rotor gearbox output shaft.

Examination of the driveline revealed that the drive belts were completely burned away but displayed belt residue in the grooves of the upper and lower sheaves. The belt tension actuator was fractured between the anti-rotation scissors. The upper and lower actuator bearing were fire damaged. The lower bearing did not rotate when force was applied. The upper bearing rotated but dragged when force was applied. The sprag clutch was fire damaged and did not rotate. The forward flex coupling, main rotor gearbox input arm and main rotor gearbox was fractured. Further examination of the main rotor gearbox revealed that it was fire damaged. The main rotor gear box did not rotate and the mast tube was fractured. The main rotor shaft was bent and fractured. The droop stops and droop stop tusk were intact and in place. There was scoring on the main rotor hub just inboard of the pitch change housings.

Both main rotor blades were accounted for at the crash site. One main rotor blade was intact and impact damaged. The rotor blade was bent downward and approximately 33 inches from the coning bolt and the spar was fractured. The blade was distorted over the span of the blade and scored on the lower surface.

The opposite main rotor blade was fractured and scored on the lower surface. Examination revealed it was bent upward from the coning bolt and approximately 12 inches further outboard bent downward. The spar was fractured in two areas on the rotor blade; 70 and 104 inches from the coning bolt. The blade spar had a forward bend at the outboard separation. A section of the skin and honeycomb separated from the spar at the bend. The main rotor blade was sent to the NTSB Material Laboratory for further examination, and examined for indications of fatigue failure. The pieces consisted of an approximately 95-inch long section of blade from the outboard tip to a fracture through the spar at the inboard end and a smaller piece of the blade consisting of the trailing edge, upper and lower skins, and honeycomb core. The small piece was separated from the rest of the blade by a chordwise fracture approximately 80 inch from the blade tip and a longitudinal fracture that proceeded inboard just aft of the spar. The deformation and fracture features on the blade were visually examined. The blade exhibited an aft bend that extended from the blade tip to the approximate position of the chordwise fracture, buckling of the upper and lower skins, and a comparatively severe forward bend at the inboard end. The fracture at the inboard end of the spar was located at a circular hole in the spar and exhibited 45° inclined fracture surfaces, consistent with an overstress fracture. No evidence of fatigue was observed.

The intermediate flex coupling was intact but impact damaged. The tail rotor driveshaft was separated a few inches forward of the tail rotor driveshaft damper. The tail rotor driveshaft damper bearing was fire and impact damaged and was not free to rotate. The friction linkage was intact, but separated from the tail cone and the linkage pivots were fire damaged.

The tail boom was separated from the main fuselage, and displayed fire damage. The tail rotor control tube was fractured at the fuselage, and remained attached to the tail rotor gearbox. The vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer were impact damaged and remained attached to the tail boom. The tail rotor blades were undamaged and remained intact to the gearbox. The aft flex coupling was intact. The tail rotor gearbox was intact and free to rotate, and contained blue oil.

Examination of the fuel system revealed that it was fire and impact damaged. The main fuel tank was not recovered. The auxiliary tank was distorted and the fuel cap was not recovered. The fuel tanks were not bladder-style tanks and were ruptured. The main fuel tank flexible outlet line was breached, but intact on the fuel valve. The fuel valve was in place and in the partially closed position. The gascolator was intact and was removed for examination and no debris was found in the fuel screen. The remaining fuel lines were fire damaged, but the fittings remained.

Examination of the engine revealed that when rotated by the cooling fan, continuity to the rear gears and valve train was confirmed. Compression and suction were observed on all four cylinders. Further examination of the engine revealed that the bottom of the sump was fire damaged and the fuel servo was not observed or recovered. The flow divider was intact and the fuel injector nozzles were removed and examined. The fuel injector nozzles were unobstructed. The engine driven fuel pump remained attached to the engine and was impact damaged. Examination of the magnetos revealed that they both remained attach to the engine. The left magneto was impact damaged, but when rotated by hand it sparked on all towers. The right magneto was fire damage and did not rotate. The top spark plugs were removed and top spark plugs and the electrodes were undamaged. The bottom spark plugs were not removed and examined using a borescope. The bottom spark plug electrodes were undamaged an oil soaked. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the State of Florida District Nine Medical Examiner, Orlando, Florida.

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot, with negative results for drugs and alcohol.

















NTSB Identification: ERA15FA164
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, March 22, 2015 in Orlando, FL
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N30242
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 March 22, 2015, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N30242, impacted a two-story building while maneuvering near Orlando, Florida. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to a private individual and operated by HQ Aviation, Orlando, Florida. The local flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed from Executive Airport (ORL), Orlando, Florida, shortly before the accident.

Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud helicopter flying low which caught their attention. As they looked in the direction of the sound they observed the helicopter descending into a tree canopy. One witness watched the helicopter's main rotor blades break apart as the helicopter descended through the trees. The helicopter subsequently impacted a power line transformer before it collided with a building and exploded into fire. The witnesses called 911 and attempted to extinguish the fire.

Preliminary review of air traffic control radar data and voice transcription revealed that the pilot requested a downtown departure. The helicopter departed ORL on a westerly heading and approximately 5 minutes into the flight the pilot requested to return to the airport. This was the last recorded transmission from the pilot.

Examination of the accident site by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in charge revealed that the helicopter impacted the top of a two-story building about 3 nautical miles northwest of ORL on a 360 degree magnetic heading. The wreckage debris field was about 50 yards in circumference. All flight control surfaces were located at the accident site. Examination of the wreckage revealed that a post-impact fire was concentrated within the second story of the building where the helicopter came to rest.

The cockpit section of the helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire. The main rotor mast, head and gearbox were found within the wreckage debris field.


A preliminary report on a College Park helicopter crash that killed three people was released by the National Transportation Safety Board Tuesday. 

The report said that several witnesses reported hearing a loud helicopter flying low.

According to the report, witnesses said they saw the Robinson R44 helicopter flying low and descending into a tree canopy just before the March 22 crash.

One witness reported that the helicopter's main rotor blades broke apart as it descended through the trees, according to the report.

According to the report, the helicopter struck a power line transformer before hitting a house and exploding into fire around 2:40 p.m.

"The impact was a very solid, 'Boom,' and then dead silent," neighbor Donn Carr told a Channel 9 reporter shortly after the accident.

The report said that the helicopter piloted by Bruce Teitelbaum, took off from Orlando Executive Airport and about five minutes later Teitelbaum requested to return to the airport. That was the last communication from the helicopter, the report said.

Teitelbaum, his wife, Marsha Khan, and passenger Harry Anderson died in the March 22 crash. No one in the house was injured in the crash.

Story, video and photos:   http://www.wftv.com