Monday, June 22, 2015

Czech Sport PiperSport, N35EP: Accident occurred June 21, 2015 near Topsail Airpark (01NC), Holly Ridge, North Carolina

Dillard Martin Powell of Cary was killed June 21, 2015 while flying his plane near Topsail Island. Powell, a World War II veteran and lawyer, was 89. COURTESY POWELL FAMILY 
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Dillard Powell served in World War II, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and serving in the division that crippled German forces by uniting with the Red Army on the Elbe River. Powell manned anti-tank guns and earned numerous accolades, including two Bronze Stars. 
COURTESY OF POWELL FAMILY





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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina
Air Accidents Investigation Institute
Czech Sport Aircraft

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


http://registry.faa.gov/N35EP


NTSB Identification: ERA15FA245

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, June 21, 2015 in Holly Ridge, NC
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/12/2017
Aircraft: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT AS PIPER SPORT, registration: N35EP
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.


Earlier on the day of the accident, a condition inspection of the light-sport airplane had been completed, and the purpose of the flight was to relocate the airplane to its home base airport. About 1500, the pilot’s wife dropped the pilot off at the airport. The temperature was in the “upper 90s,” and, since the airplane was equipped with a clear cockpit canopy, it would have been hot inside of the airplane. According to the pilot’s wife, it was the pilot’s habit to leave the canopy up when it was hot until he was ready to depart.


About 1530, the pilot called his wife from the airplane before he took off and advised her that it would take him 15 minutes to fly to the home base airport and that he would wait for her to pick him up in the air-conditioned office of the fixed-base operator (FBO) at the field. However, when she arrived at the FBO, he was not there. A search was initiated, and the airplane wreckage was found in a wooded area about 1.1 miles west of the departure airport. Recorded data downloaded from a portable GPS unit that was onboard the airplane revealed that the airplane was airborne about 1 minute before reaching a peak GPS altitude of 309 ft and a derived groundspeed of 104 knots. This was the final recorded position. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the airplane struck trees in a steep, nose-low attitude and that the pilot was ejected from the cockpit. Examination of the damage to the canopy, the cockpit sill, and the canopy locking mechanism indicated that the canopy was not closed and locked when the airplane impacted the trees. This most likely occurred due to the pilot delaying closing of the canopy due to the high temperature (as was his habit) and then forgetting to lock it. Although the airplane’s Pilot’s Operating Handbook advised that the canopy could not be closed in flight and that there would be no change of flight characteristics with the canopy open, it is likely that the pilot was attempting to close the canopy in flight and lost control of the airplane, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into the trees.


The pilot’s four-point harness was intact and attached to its attachment fittings; however, the center buckle assembly was found unlatched. This may have been the result of the pilot forgetting to buckle the harness, or he may have unlatched it so he could reach the canopy sill and/or the latching mechanism in an attempt to close the canopy in flight. Other indicators that the pilot may have been in a hurry to get airborne due to the high temperature included his failure to arm the emergency locator transmitter, which was found in the “off” position, and to remove the ballistic recovery system activation handle safety pin with its “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” flag, which was found in place. The pilot’s autopsy revealed that his heart was mildly enlarged, and his coronary arteries were significantly narrowed by atherosclerotic plaques. Microscopic evaluation of heart tissue also demonstrated mild interstitial fibrosis. Toxicological testing revealed medications that were consistent with the pilot’s heart disease. Although the pilot’s heart disease put him at risk for physical symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a heart rhythm that could not produce enough blood pressure to stay awake, neither the heart disease nor his medications would have impaired his judgment or increased his risk of becoming distracted by the canopy issue. Thus, the pilot’s medical conditions and medications most likely did not contribute to the cause of this accident.


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

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT


On June 21, 2015, about 1532 eastern daylight time, a Czech Sport Aircraft Piper Sport, N35EP, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain after a loss of control during climb after departing from Topsail Airpark (01NC), Holly Ridge, North Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight, which was destined for the Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ), Jacksonville, North Carolina.


According to his wife, on the day of the accident, the pilot went to the airport to check on the airplane after they had lunch together. When he arrived at the airport, he met with the mechanic who was completing the condition inspection on the airplane, paid him for his services, and received a receipt. The pilot then went home but planned to return later and fly the airplane back to OAJ where it was based.


About 1500, the pilot's wife dropped him off at the airport. The temperature was in the "upper 90s;" the humidity was high, and there was little or no breeze. According to the pilot's wife, due to the airplane's "clear roof" (canopy), it would get hot inside of the airplane, and it was her husband's habit to leave the canopy up when it was hot until he was ready to depart.


The pilot's wife reported that he called her from the airplane before he took off at 1524 and advised her that it would take 45 minutes for her to reach OAJ, and he would be there in 15 minutes. He also advised her that he would meet her in the air-conditioned office of the fixed base operator (FBO) at OAJ. However, when she arrived at the FBO, he was not there.


At 1711, one of the two mechanics who had performed the condition inspection on the airplane received a call from the owner of 01NC who said that he had received a telephone call from the pilot's wife and that the pilot had not arrived at OAJ. The mechanic determined that the airplane was not at 01NC. After not finding the airplane around the area adjacent to the airport, the mechanic called 911. A search for the airplane by federal, state, and local authorities was initiated. About 2130, the wreckage of the airplane was discovered in a wooded area about 1.1 miles west of 01NC.


PERSONNEL INFORMATION


According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on July 24, 2013. He reported on that date that he had accrued 1,850 total hours of flight experience.


AIRCRAFT INFORMATION


The light-sport airplane was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane of conventional metal construction. It was equipped with a fixed-tricycle undercarriage with a castering nose wheel, and was powered by a 100-horsepower, Rotax 912 ULS engine, driving a three-bladed Woodcomp ground-adjustable propeller.


The fuselage consisted of a semi-monocoque structure. The cockpit frame and canopy frame were constructed of carbon fiber. The canopy was made of Plexiglass. It was hinged at the front and was equipped with a sliding window on each side.


The fuselage also contained a ballistic recovery system (BRS) with a parachute to be deployed in case of emergency. The BRS consisted of a rocket-deploying container that was located just forward of the cockpit in the nose section of the fuselage. A cable ran from this container to an activation handle just to the right of the pilot's seat on the instrument panel. Once the activation handle had been pulled, the rocket would exit the fuselage and accelerate away from the airplane. After the parachute was completely extracted and exposed to the relative wind, it would begin to inflate, generating drag forces to decelerate the airplane. When the parachute had fully deployed, the airplane would descend at a rate of about 1,000 to 1,500 ft per minute.


According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2010. Its most recent condition inspection was completed on the day of the accident. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 74.7 total hours of operation.


According to one of the two mechanics who performed the condition inspection, on June 19, 2015, the pilot flew the airplane to 01NC on a ferry permit. The ferry permit was required because the pilot had been sick and could not fly the airplane somewhere to have the condition inspection performed when it was due.


On June 20, 2015, the two mechanics began the condition inspection. On that date, the pilot advised the mechanics that he had accidently "put oil" into the coolant fill port on top of the engine because he thought the oil level was low. The mechanics flushed the cooling system and added new coolant. The mechanics also noticed that the bushings holding the radiator onto the engine were cracked and replaced them.


The pilot told the mechanics that the engine oil had been changed 23 hours earlier and that the oil should not be changed. The mechanics then discovered that the spark plugs needed cleaning, but, after advising the pilot of the cost of new spark plugs, the pilot had them install new plugs instead of cleaning the old ones.


According to the mechanic, on the day of the accident, as part of the inspection, to the mechanics opened all the inspection panels on the airplane, closed them, and the airplane was returned to service about 1400. The mechanics then locked up the hangar and went home.


METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION


At 1556, the recorded weather at the New River Marine Corps Air Station (NCA), Jacksonville, North Carolina, located 16 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, included: wind 230° at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 5,000 ft, temperature 34°C, dew point 22°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.


AIRPORT INFORMATION


01NC was an uncontrolled, privately-owned airport, located 2 miles southwest of Holly Ridge, North Carolina. 


The field elevation was 65 ft above mean sea level. The airport had two runways oriented in a 18/36 and 3/21 configuration. Runway 21 was turf covered, in good condition, and measured 3,200 ft long and 75 ft wide.


FLIGHT RECORDERS


The airplane was equipped with a Garmin GPSMAP 696 portable multifunction display that was mounted in a recess in the instrument panel. The unit consisted of a GPS receiver with a 7-inch diagonal high resolution liquid crystal display.


The unit could store data including, date, time, latitude, longitude, and altitude information for multiple flights in non-volatile memory (NVM).


Data recovered from the unit included track logs from June 5, 2011, through June 21, 2015. The last track log corresponded to the accident flight and contained data from 1525:57 to 1531:35.


According to the data, the airplane began its takeoff roll on runway 21 at 1530:19 and became airborne about 1530:38. The airplane continued to climb while turning to the west until about 1 minute after the takeoff, and, at 15:31:35, the airplane reached a GPS altitude of 309 ft and a derived groundspeed of 104 knots. This was the final recorded position.


WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION


Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane struck trees in a steep, nose-low attitude, and the pilot was ejected from the cockpit. The airplane then fell nose first to the forest floor below, impacted in a 90° nose-down attitude, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.


Numerous areas of crush and compression damage to the fuselage and wings were noted, and there was evidence of fuel staining on the leading edges of the wings. There was no evidence of any inflight structural failure, inflight fire, or inflight explosion.


Examination of the cockpit canopy revealed that it was detached from its mounting location and was lying underneath the aft portion of the inverted fuselage. The majority of its clear bubble was broken into multiple pieces; however, the pieces were not scattered around the accident site but were collocated with the canopy frame. One of the canopy lift struts was missing and was not recovered. The damage patterns observed on the canopy frame and cockpit sill did not match and could not be correlated with each other. The canopy latching mechanism hooks were found to be partially retracted, the canopy locking mechanism and activation handle were in the "OPEN" position, and the slots in the canopy frame that the hooks engaged when the canopy was closed and locked showed no evidence of tear-out.


Both wing fuel tank caps were closed, both wing locker doors were closed and secured, all the inspection panels were closed and secured, and the pitot tube was clear and free of debris. The wing flaps were in the up position, and flight control continuity was established from the ailerons, elevator, and rudder to the control stick and rudder pedals in the cockpit. The aileron, elevator, and rudder trims, were about neutral.


The pilot's four-point harness was intact and attached to its attachment fittings; however, the center buckle assembly was unlatched. The emergency locator transmitter had not been armed, and the ballistic recovery system activation handle safety pin with its "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" flag was still in place.


The master switch, strobes switch, landing light switch, and electric fuel pump switch were all in the on position. The magneto switch was in the both position; the throttle was in the full throttle position; and the choke lever was in the off position. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. The carburetor heat control was in the off position.


Examination of the propeller speed reduction unit (PSRU) revealed that it was impact damaged, and the case had been breached. Examination of the propeller, the PSRU propeller gear assembly, and the PSRU overload clutch, revealed evidence of rotation. Smearing was evident on the metal faces of the overload clutch. The propeller drive shaft was also sheared, displayed a 45° conical break at the shear face, and showed evidence of torsional rotation.


Examination of the engine revealed that it was impact damaged; both carburetors had separated from their mounting locations, and the float bowls had separated from the carburetors. Portions of the air intake system, exhaust system, and the ignition harnesses had separated from their mounting positions.


MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION


The pilot was an 89-year-old male, who, as of his last FAA medical exam, was 68 inches tall and weighed 187 pounds. The pilot had first applied for a medical certificate in 2004 and reported to the FAA a medical history that included coronary artery disease treated with a stent in 2002 and coronary artery bypass grafting in 2004. In addition, he had hypertension and a history of a period of atrial fibrillation. After additional detailed information was reviewed, the pilot received a special issuance third-class medical certificate in 2005 with the limitation that it was valid for 1 year.


The pilot continued to renew his special issuance medical certificate annually, providing detailed information requested by the FAA. He developed recurrent atrial fibrillation in 2008 when an atrial clot was also diagnosed. He was treated with rate control medication and blood thinners. With a few periods of being deferred because he needed to get better control of his rate or degree of blood thinning, the pilot generally continued to receive special issuance third-class medical certificates. At the time of his last exam, he reported using warfarin (a blood thinner), diltiazem (a blood pressure medicine also used to control the heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation), and febuxostat (a medication to prevent attacks of gout) and received a special issuance third-class medical certificate limited by a requirement for corrective lenses and marked, "not valid for any class after 07/31/2014." At the time of the accident, the pilot was flying an airplane that met the definition of a light sport aircraft; thus, he was required only to hold a valid driver's license.


According to the autopsy performed by the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Division of Forensic Pathology, the pilot's cause of death was multiple extreme injuries due to aircraft crash, and the manner of death was accident. The evaluation of natural disease was limited. The heart was described as "mildly enlarged" and weighed 430 grams (average for a 185-pound man is 358 grams with a range of 271-473 grams). The coronary arteries were significantly narrowed by atherosclerotic plaques including 80% stenosis of the left main and left anterior descending, 90% stenosis of the first diagonal, 70% stenosis of the circumflex, and 30% of the right coronary, which was fed by a patent coronary artery bypass graft. The septum was 1.5 centimeters thick (average is 1.3 centimeters). Microscopic evaluation of heart tissue demonstrated mild interstitial fibrosis.


The FAA's Bioaeronautical Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing, but it and was limited by the absence of available blood. The evaluation for volatiles identified 79 mg/hg of ethanol in muscle and 19 mg/hg in liver as well as N-butanol and N-propanol in muscle. Ethanol may be ingested in beer, wine, and liquor but may also be produced by microbial action after death. The alcohols N-butanol and N-propanol are only produced by microbial action after death. In addition, atenolol, verapamil, its metabolite norverapamil, and warfarin were detected in liver, and verapamil and warfarin were detected in muscle. Atenolol and verapamil are prescription medications used to treat hypertension and control the heart rate in atrial fibrillation. Warfarin is a blood thinner used to prevent clot formation and resulting strokes in patients in atrial fibrillation. None of these medications are impairing.


TESTS AND RESEARCH


The airplane manufacturer's published Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the airplane stated that "Before engine starting," the canopy should be "clean, closed, and locked" and that the pilot should "tighten" the safety harness. The POH also stated that "Before takeoff," the cockpit canopy should be "closed and locked," recommended to "manually check by pushing the canopy upwards," and again stated to "tighten" the safety harness.


Review of Section 7 (Description of Airplane and Systems) in the POH revealed guidance regarding the canopy that stated, "make sure that the canopy is latched and mechanism is securely locked into position on both sides before operating the aircraft." Section 7 also provided guidance regarding the safety harness that stated, "adjust the buckle to a central position on the body."


Supplement 03 to the POH, issued September 2010, advised that, if a canopy inadvertently opened on an airplane, it would not be possible to close the canopy, but the airplane would be fully functional. The supplement indicated the following:


- During takeoff: the canopy would open about 2-inches.

- During climb and descent (with the airspeed at 60-75 knots): the canopy would stay open 2-3.2 inches.
- During horizontal flight (with airspeed at 60-80 knots): the canopy would stay open 2-3.2 inches.


The supplement advised that in all of the above-mentioned cases, there would be no flight problems, no vibrations, good aircraft control, and no change of flight characteristics. It recommended that, before takeoff, the pilot should "manually check the canopy is locked by pushing on the canopy upwards," and cautioned that, with the canopy open in flight, "do not perform any slipping."

NTSB Identification: ERA15FA245

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, June 21, 2015 in Holly Ridge, NC
Aircraft: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT AS PIPER SPORT, registration: N35EP
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 June 21, 2015, at approximately 1530 eastern daylight time, a Czech Sport Aircraft, Piper Sport; N35EP, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain after a loss of control during climb, after departing from Topsail Airpark (01NC), Holly Ridge, North Carolina, The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, destined for Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ), Jacksonville, North Carolina.


According to the pilot's wife, on the day of the accident, the pilot attended church with her and then they went out to lunch. The pilot then dropped his wife off at their condominium and then he went to 01NC to check on his airplane. When he arrived at the airport, the mechanic was there who had finished the conditional inspection on the airplane. The pilot then paid him for his services and received a receipt.


The pilot then then decided to pick up his wife at their condominium and fly the airplane back to OAJ where he based it.


When the pilot and his wife returned later to 01NC, they found that the gate was closed so they could not drive up to the airplane. The pilot then walked to the airplane from the access road. This was 100 to 200 feet from the road. It was now around 1500 and the temperature was in the "upper 90s." The humidity was high, and there was little or no breeze at all, and with the "clear roof" (canopy) it would get hot inside of the airplane. The pilot then called his wife from the airplane before he took off at 1524 and advised her that would take her 45 minutes for her to reach OAJ and he would be there in 15 minutes. He also advised her that he would meet her in the air conditioned fixed base operator (FBO) at OAJ. However when she arrived at the FBO, he was not there.


According to a mechanic, on June 19, 2015, the airplane had been ferried to 01NC on a ferry permit, as the pilot had previously been sick and could not fly the airplane somewhere to have the conditional inspection performed when it was due.


On June 20, 2015, the mechanic along with another mechanic began the conditional inspection. On that date, the pilot advised the mechanics that he had accidently "put oil" into the coolant fill port on top of the engine because it looked low. The mechanic advised that the pilot was pretty upset about it. The mechanics then flushed the cooling system and added new coolant. The mechanics also noticed that the bushings holding the radiator on to the engine were cracked and broken and replaced them.


The pilot advised them that the engine oil had been changed only 23 hours earlier and that the oil should not be changed. The mechanics then discovered that the spark plugs needed cleaning but after advising the pilot of the cost of new spark plugs, the pilot had them install new plugs instead of cleaning the old ones.


The next day (day of the accident), the pilot arrived at the airport about 1030 and went home to get some rest, advising the mechanics that he would return about 1600. One of the mechanics advised him that they would leave the gate unlocked for him. At this time, the only thing still required to be done as part of the inspection was to open up all of the inspection panels on the airplane. This was accomplished, the inspection panels were then closed, and the airplane was returned to service at approximately 1400. The mechanics then locked up the hangar and went home.


At 1711, one of the mechanics received a call from the airport owner who advised that he had received a telephone call from the pilot's wife and that the pilot had not arrived at OAJ and that he was probably was still at 01NC. The airplane however was not at 01NC. After looking around the area adjacent to the airport for the airplane without result, the mechanic called 911. Downed airplane procedures were then initiated, and then about 1900, a search for the airplane by federal, state, and local authorities was initiated.


At approximately 2130, the wreckage of the airplane was discovered in a wooded area approximately 1.1 miles west of 01NC.


Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane had struck trees in a steep nose low attitude and the pilot had been ejected from the cockpit. The airplane then fell nose first to the forest floor below, impacted in a 90 degree nose down attitude, nosed over, and then came to rest inverted.


Examination of the wreckage revealed that the majority of the airplane's wreckage was present on-scene. Numerous areas of crush and compression damage and evidence of fuel staining on the leading edges of the wings were also present. There was no evidence of any inflight structural failure, inflight fire, or inflight explosion.


Both wing fuel tank fuel caps were closed, both wing locker doors were closed and secured, all of the inspection panels were closed and secured, and the Pitot tube was clear and free of debris


The wing flaps were in the up position, and flight control continuity was established from the ailerons, elevator, and rudder to the control stick and rudder pedals in the cockpit. The rudder trim was approximately neutral.


The magneto switch was in the both position, the throttle was in the full throttle position, and the choke lever was in the off position. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. The carburetor heat control was in the off position. The pilot's four point harness was intact and attached to its attachment fittings however; the center buckle assembly was unlatched. The emergency locator transmitter had not been armed, and the ballistic recovery system activation handle safety pin was still in place.


Examination of the propeller speed reduction unit (PSRU) revealed that it was impact damaged and the case had been breached. Examination of the propeller, the PSRU propeller gear assembly, and the PSRU overload clutch revealed evidence of rotation. Smearing was evident on the metal faces of the overload clutch. The propeller drive shaft was also sheared, displayed a 45 degree conical break at the shear face, and evidence of torsional rotation.


Examination of the engine revealed that it was impact damaged, both carburetors had separated from their mounting locations and the float bowls had separated from the carburetors. Portions of the air intake system, exhaust system, and the ignition harnesses, had separated from their mounting positions.


Examination of the cockpit canopy revealed that it was detached from its mounting location and was lying underneath the aft portion of the inverted fuselage. The majority of its clear bubble was broken into multiple pieces however, they were not scattered around the accident site but were instead collocated with the canopy frame. One of the canopy lift struts was also missing, and the damage patterns observed on the canopy frame and cockpit sill did not match and could not be correlated with each other. The canopy latching mechanism hooks were also found to be partially retracted, the canopy latching mechanism and activation handle were in the "OPEN" position and the slots in the canopy frame that the hooks engaged when the canopy was closed showed no evidence of tear-outs.


The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.





Dillard Martin Powell 


Cary pilot killed in crash remembered for love of flying, service

As a boy in Ruffin, Dillard Martin Powell climbed atop a smokehouse on his family’s tobacco farm whenever he heard a plane approaching.

Powell loved planes. He loved them so much that he acquired his pilot’s license at 15. He tried on multiple occasions to join the Army Air Corps to fight in World War II. Too skinny to be a pilot, he was sent to the front lines in Europe. He even owned a flying service in his hometown.

His family members say they don’t think he ever let his pilot’s license lapse.

It was no surprise to them that Powell was in his single-engine plane above Topsail Island the afternoon of June 21, even at the age of 89.

That’s when Powell’s Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser crashed shortly after takeoff in Holly Ridge, killing him, and stunning many who admired the Cary lawyer for the way he lived an illustrious life as a WWII veteran and civic leader.

“He’s been a rich contributor all his life to his country and community,” said John Halada, a lawyer who got his start in the legal field years ago when Powell hired him straight out of law school. “He had a very full life and influenced a lot of people.”

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, his family says.

Powell, the youngest of eight children, was always a good kid, they said. His 18th birthday, the day he enlisted the Army, might have been the only time he ever disappointed his mother.

He quickly made her proud.

Powell arrived in Europe in 1944, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and serving in the division that crippled German forces by uniting with the Red Army on the Elbe River. Powell manned anti-tank guns and earned numerous accolades, including two Bronze Stars.

But his time liberating the concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany, might have been his longest-lasting memory.

“He said he saw things no 19-year-old should ever see,” said John Powell, Dillard’s 53-year-old son, a few days after his father had died.

Immersed in Cary

Dillard Powell enrolled at N.C. State University upon returning from war and married Anita Hall, who he stayed with for 62 years until she died in 2010.

He earned a degree in textile management before going to work at the Fieldcrest Mills plant near Ruffin. He worked there nearly 20 years before burning out.

“He said he didn’t want to be a corporate slave,” said Judy Wood, Powell’s 60-year-old daughter.

Powell moved his family back to the Triangle and got a job at N.C. State while he earned a law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. Upon passing the bar at age 46, Powell opened what his family believes to be Cary’s first law practice.

He soon became entrenched in the Cary community and its core group of movers and shakers, including Ralph Ashworth, Jerry Miller, Dick Ladd, Jim Adcock, former Cary Mayor Koka Booth and others.

Powell served as president of the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the Cary Rotary Club. He also was on the founding board of the Cary Library and helped launch the Heart of Cary Association, an advocate group for businesses and residents in downtown Cary.

“We’ve lost a true Caryite that helped build the foundation of the chamber,” said Howard Johnson, president of the Cary Chamber of Commerce. “He was a true business guy.”

Powell often claimed he was months away from retiring, but never did. He practiced law up until his death, often wearing three-piece suits to Ashworth Drugs for a hot dog – with chili, slaw and onions – before going to court.

“I would ask him, ‘Aren’t you overdressed for Ashworth’s?’” his son recalled. “He’d say, ‘No, I have to go to court.’”

Ashworth described Powell as a serious, “no fuss” kind of guy.

“He was old Cary,” Ashworth said. “And he was all business, but he got things done and was helpful.”

A life of faith

Powell’s faith played an important role in his life, family members said. He was active in White Plains Methodist Church and often performed legal work pro bono for local church groups.

John Powell remembers walking by his parents’ bedroom as a child and seeing his dad on his knees, praying next to their bed. At the time, he didn’t quite understand the depth of his dad’s faith. But John now reflects on it with reverence.

“He would say he felt called to use his talents to give back,” John Powell said.

As Powell’s three adult children swapped stories in his living room on Wednesday, they reflected on how their dad used his skills to give back to them.

They remembered how as kids in Ruffin, they’d go flying with him and sit in his lap.

“He would wave the wings at our mom as we passed over the house,” said his oldest daughter, Marcia Pitts, 63, of Cary.

They remembered how, one winter, Powell tied the strings of their sled around his waist and lead them through the snow on skis. He had learned to ski in the Alps while part of the U.S. Occupation Forces.

He was good at showing appreciation for those he loved, including Peggy Valentine, whom he married last year.

From his condo at Topsail Island, Powell liked to use his binoculars to watch military helicopters fly down the beach. Sometimes, if he made eye contact with someone on the chopper, he’d salute them.

“And sometimes they’d salute back,” Pitts said.

At his funeral service Saturday, his friends will, too.

“He was an American patriot,” said Ladd, his longtime friend. “He was a good man. There was no one like him.”

http://www.newsobserver.com


PENDER COUNTY -- A Cary attorney was killed Sunday when his single-engine plane crashed south of Topsail Airpark.

Dillard M. Powell, 89, was the sole occupant of his Czech Sport PiperSport. He was pronounced dead at the scene.


Pender County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered Powell's plane in a heavily wooded area near Holly Shelter Game Land, said Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins.


Powell was expected to land Sunday at Albert Ellis Airport in Jacksonville after he took off sometime after 3 p.m. When he did not arrive, family members called the airport after 7 p.m. asking about his status, Collins said.


Peggy Powell, his wife, said she and her husband were going to meet at the airport in Jacksonville and it was a 45-minute drive for her, but 15 minutes for him by plane. The plane passed its annual inspection Saturday and Powell said they were taking the plane back to Jacksonville where they store it. When he did not show up, Powell said she knew something was wrong.


"I knew the plane must have crashed somewhere and so I called the Topsail (Airpark) immediately and they said they did not see the plane," she said, and added how thankful she was for the responding agencies that helped locate the crash site.


The sheriff's office, working with N.C. State Highway Patrol, was able to ping Dillard Powell's cellphone to the area near Holly Shelter, Collins said. SABLE, the Wilmington Police Department's helicopter, assisted in locating the crashed plane and sheriff's deputies traveling on ATVs got to the crash site at 1:30 a.m., he said. The crash site was not far from U.S. 17.


Collins said no one saw or heard the plane go down Sunday.


Powell was ejected from the plane during the crash, said Sgt. M. King of the highway patrol.


He was a World War II veteran who at the time of his enlistment wanted to be a pilot, but was told by the military he was too small.


Powell would often joke, "So they put a 90-pound backpack on me and marched me across Africa into Italy," said family friend Brian White.


According to friends and family Powell learned to fly as young as 15 or 16 years old. He worked as a crop duster to pay his way through college, said White.


He was a University of North Carolina School of Law graduate and practiced law in Cary for decades. He represented many families, some for four generations, White said.


"He was the most honest man there ever was," he said.


Peggy Powell said her husband was "one of the nicest, most caring people you have ever met." The two were married in October 2014, but have known one another since 1999, she said.


Todd Gunther, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, was conducting an initial investigation Monday and recording the details of the wreckage site, said NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss.


Federal Aviation Administration records show his pilot's license, registered to a North Topsail Beach address, was issued in June 1954. FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said Powell had no prior accidents or incidents and no FAA enforcement actions.


Original article can be found here: http://www.starnewsonline.com

Cessna U206G, N120HS: Fatal Accident occurred April 20, 2006 in Bloomington, Indiana

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana
Cessna Aircraft Company; Wichita, Kansas
Teledyne Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama


Location: Bloomington, IN
Accident Number: CHI06FA117
Date & Time: 04/20/2006, 2345 EDT
Registration: N120HS
Aircraft: Cessna U206G
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event:
Injuries: 5 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The airplane crashed into trees about 1/2-mile from the approach end of runway 35 while the aircraft was conducting a precision instrument approach in night instrument weather.  The flight's plotted radar data was consistent with an airplane that was being vectored for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach. The radar track depicted the aircraft flying above glide path and to the right of course until radar contact was lost at 2,000 feet at 2338:34 about two and a half miles from the approach end of the runway. About 2345, the Sheriff responded to telephone calls of a possible airplane crash.  A witness described the airplane sounds as an engine acceleration, followed by a thud, and then no more engine sounds were heard.  The airport's weather about the time of the accident was: Wind 230 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 1 statute mile; present weather mist; sky condition overcast 100 feet.  The published decision height for the approach was 200 feet agl and one-half mile visibility.  A post accident inspection of the ILS determined the ILS was operating normally.  The tower did not record after hour radio transmissions.  An on-scene examination of the aircraft wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. A review of data from an engine monitor showed a reduction in fuel flow consistent with a descent followed by an increase in fuel flow consistent with a full power setting. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's continued descent below decision height and not maintaining adequate altitude/clearance from the trees while on approach.  Factors were the the night lighting conditions, and the mist.

Findings 

Occurrence #1: 
IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT
Phase of Operation: APPROACH - FAF/OUTER MARKER TO THRESHOLD (IFR)

Findings

1. OBJECT - TREE(S)
2. (C) DECISION HEIGHT - CONTINUED BELOW - PILOT IN COMMAND
3. (F) LIGHT CONDITION - NIGHT
4. (C) ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE - NOT MAINTAINED - PILOT IN COMMAND
5. (F) WEATHER CONDITION - DRIZZLE/MIST

Occurrence #2: 
IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN/WATER
Phase of Operation: DESCENT - UNCONTROLLED

Findings
6. TERRAIN CONDITION - GROUND

Factual Information

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On April 20, 2006, about 2345 eastern daylight time, a Cessna U206G, N120HS, piloted by an instrument rated private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain while on approach to runway 35 at the Monroe County Airport (BMG), near Bloomington, Indiana.  The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.  Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was on file and was activated.  The pilot and four passengers sustained fatal injuries.  The flight originated from the Purdue University Airport (LAF), near Lafayette, Indiana, about 2245.

The person representing N120HS contacted the Terre Haute, Indiana, federal contract facility automated flight service station (AFSS) to get a weather briefing about 2213. 

The AFSS briefer at position "PF-3" gave the following brief, in part, to the pilot:

2213:25 PF-3 terre haute flight service

2213:27 N120HS hi i'd like to get a weather briefing

2213:29 PF-3 yes ma'am

2213:30 N120HS um lafayette lima alpha foxtrot and bloomington bravo mike golf and any interesting weather that might be between them

2213:39 PF-3 okay uh what's the aircraft call sign you're using

2213:42 N120HS november one two zero hotel sierra

2213:45 PF-3 and what time are you leaving lafayette

2213:47 N120HS we will probably be leaving in about twenty minutes to half an hour

2213:58 PF-3 okay and is this a v f r flight or IFR

2214:02 N120HS for VFR

2214:03 PF-3 VFR only

2214:05 N120HS *(ho ho) wait i'm sorry go ahead

2214:08 PF-3 is that VFR only

2214:10 N120HS yes yes sir well depending on what the weather's like

2214:19 PF-3 and they're saying that that may continue the rest of the evening into early tomorrow morning and

2214:23 N120HS okay

2214:23 PF-3 looking at the bloomington weather they do have IFR ceilings eight hundred broken right now with visibility eight miles

2214:30 N120HS *(okay)

2214:30 PF-3 so i wouldn't recommend VFR

2214:32 N120HS okay well

2214:33 PF-3 uh

2214:33 N120HS definitely not I'm sorry I got I looked at the *(tafs they) didn't predict that okay can I file an IFR flight plan with you

2214:39 PF-3 sure would you like me to continue with the rest of the weather and and all that

2214:42 N120HS yeah that would that would be great

2214:44 PF-3 okay uh that's the only airmet uh going down that  way for you uh looks like a low pressure system we've got uh one in western Kentucky Tennessee another one's up around the chicago area *(it's a) stationary front running from that one across northern Indiana and Ohio and then uh high pressure over to our east precip uh nothing really along that route there is some in southeastern Indiana but it shouldn't affect your flight at all

2215:08 N120HS *(okay)

2215:08 PF-3 at Lafayette uh the winds are two eighty at four ten miles skies clear below twelve thousand sixteen and seven and two nine nine one that's an automated report en route looking at a few clouds at thirteen thousand with niner miles and then again in the Bloomington area winds two forty at three eight miles ceiling eight hundred broken seventeen and sixteen and two nine nine four that's also an automated report at Bloomington and I don't see any uh pilot reports right now along that route for you the forecast Lafayette was saying the rest of the evening a few clouds at six thousand winds three ten at five en route uh calling for *(uh) it looks like three thousand scattered six to ten thousand broken to overcast they were saying occasional showers in central indiana til zero three  hundred though there's nothing really showing except for a little northeast of indy and then uh for the Bloomington area uh six hundred broken five thousand overcast visibility better than six winds one sixty at four now they were saying within an hour you might see six hundred scattered five in mist around Bloomington four hun four thousand broken and winds one fifty at four but the airmet was calling for IFR to continue the rest of the night into early tomorrow

2216:26 N120HS boy am I glad I called you wow

2216:27 PF-3 and

2216:28 N120HS okay

2216:28 PF-3 and then winds aloft uh would you like three and six for those

2216:32 N120HS um just three please

2216:33 PF-3 three thousand you're looking at light and variable winds at three thousand

2216:37 N120HS okay great

2216:38 PF-3 and notams uh Lafayette RCO one two two three five is out of service

2216:44 PF-3 and uh it says the class D surface area and uh tower only available through zero one hundred daily down at Bloomington uh showing tower and class d surface area available through zero one thirty daily and three five pilot controlled lighting is out of service at Bloomington Indiana and otherwise en route I don't see anything else enroute for you notam D wise as far as TFRs no unpublished TFRs along that route at this time 2217:15 N120HS *(great)

2217:15 PF-3 *(we'd) appreciate uh pilot reports flight watch is shut down for the evening but any any flight service frequencies along the route for you would you like to go ahead and file then

2217:24 N120HS yes sir

2217:25 PF-3 okay i'm ready to copy

2217:26 N120HS (unintelligible) november one two zero hotel sierra it's a Cessna two oh six slash alpha airspeed a hundred and a hundred and thirty knots flying at three thousand feet departing lafayette lima alpha foxtrot Lafayette direct Bloomington Indiana bravo mike golf five on board three hours of fuel the aircraft is based in South Bend pilots name ...  and aircraft is red white and blue

2218:12 PF-3 (unintelligible) uh what's your time enroute from Lafayette to Bloomington

2218:15 N120HS time on route forty minutes

2218:19 PF-3 and you say you're leaving in just a few minutes I put that out for zero two thirty that's on the half hour

2218:23 N120HS *(perfect)

The transcript of the weather briefing showed that the pilot did not give an alternate airport to the briefer when the flight plan was filed.  The briefer did not ask for an alternate airport and was not required to ask for one.

About 2319, the pilot checked on with the Air Route Traffic Control Center controller working the Shelbyville, Indiana, sector (SHB R).  The transcript of their transmissions, in part, stated:

2319:57 N120HS indy center november one two zero hotel sierra is with you at five thousand

2320:01 SHB R november one two zero hotel sierra Indianapolis center roger how do you hear center

2320:04 N120HS ah loud and clear

2320:05 SHB R okay and ah what type of approach are you going to shoot into Bloomington this morning or this evening

2320:11 N120HS we'd like to go for a runway three five six ah i l s

2320:14 SHB R i l s three five okay you can expect that ah one two zero hotel sierra do you have the ah asos weather

2320:19 N120HS yes sir

2320:20 SHB R all right

2323:11 SHB R Cessna one two zero hotel sierra you're one two miles north of Bloomington cross Bloomington at or above two thousand six hundred cleared for the i l s runway three five approach report procedure turn inbound

2323:23 N120HS oh any way we can have vectors to the---ah final course

2323:26 SHB R not a problem at all ma'am what's your heading

2323:30 N120HS one seven zero

2323:32 SHB R okay turn ah right heading of ah one nine zero it'll be a vector for a left down wind entry for i l s three five straight in

2323:39 N120HS one niner zero for a---right down wind entry ah for three five zero hotel sierra

2323:43 SHB R yes ma'am and maintain five thousand

2323:46 N120HS maintain five thousand

2328:35 SHB R cessna one two zero hotel turn left heading one eight zero

2328:39 N120HS left heading one eight zero

2333:03 SHB R Cessna one two zero hotel sierra descend at pilot's discretion maintain four thousand

2333:08 N120HS descend and maintain four thousand for zero hotel sierra

2333:13 SHB R I am going to take you about two miles outside of claye if that's okay with you ma'am

2333: 18 N120HS that's great

2333:50 SHB R Cessna one two zero hotel sierra turn left heading zero eight zero

2333:53 N120HS left heading zero eight zero

2334:36 SHB R cessna one two zero hotel sierra three and a half miles south of claye turn left heading zero two zero maintain two thousand six hundred until established on the localizer you're cleared straight in i l s runway three five approach

2334:48 N120HS turn left heading zero two zero---cleared for the approach maintain twenty six hundred til ah established zero hotel sierra

2336:15 SHB R Cessna one two zero hotel sierra see you joining up on the localizer now radar service is terminated change to advisory
tower frequency of one two eight point zero two is approved---and i'll need you to cancel---with ah terre haute tower on that  frequency one two eight point zero two they monitor that frequency and they'll relay for ya

2336:35 N120HS radar service terminated and cancel with terre haute on one two eight point zero two thanks (unintelligible) zero hotel sierra

2336:40 SHB R and you can change to that frequency now you have a good night

2336:43 N120HS thanks

A Continuous Data Recording (CDR) airplane radar track data file was obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in reference to the accident flight.  The airplane's radar returns along with their respective altitudes and times were plotted.  The plotted data was consistent with an airplane that was being vectored for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway (rwy) 35.  The plot showed the airplane at about 5,000 feet on a downwind.  At 2334:30, the return showed the airplane was about 4,500 feet on base about ten miles from the approach end of runway 35.  The airplane's return at 2337 was right of and approaching the outer marker CLAYE at an altitude of 3,300 feet.  About 2337, the pilot made an advisory radio call on the Hulman Approach control frequency for BMG (128.025) that the flight was six miles south of BMG and inbound for runway 35.  The last plotted return showed the airplane at 2,000 feet at 2338:34 about two and a half miles from the approach end of runway 35.  About 2343, the controller from the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field air traffic control tower, near Terre Haute, Indiana, who was working the approach frequency, advised the flight that the BMG common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) was 120.77 and the flight responded with "Thank you sir."  No further communication was recorded with the accident flight.  That plotted chart is appended to the docket material associated with this case.

About 2345, the Monroe County Sheriff responded to telephone calls of a possible airplane crash.  About 0400, the wreckage was located in a wooded area about one-half mile from the approach end of runway 35.

Witnesses in the area stated that they were awakened by a low flying aircraft.  A witness said that the airplane noise was like a roar.  Another described it as an engine acceleration.  A thud was heard and no more engine sounds were heard.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings.  The airplane operator reported that the pilot had completed a flight review or equivalent on July 3, 2005.  It was further reported that the pilot had accumulated 379.1 hours of total flight time, 24.5 hours of actual instrument time, 51.1 hours of simulated instrument time, 30.4 hours of total flight time in the previous 90 days, 18.0 hours of total flight time in the previous 30 days, and 1.8 hours of total flight time in the previous 24 hours.

She held a FAA third-class medical certificate issued on August 19, 2003, with a limitation for corrective lenses.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

N120HS, a Cessna U206G, Stationair 6, serial number U20604728, was a six-place, single engine, high-wing, all-metal airplane of semi-monocoque construction.  The wings were externally braced and each wing contained a standard integral 46-gallon fuel tank.  The airplane was powered by a six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air cooled, fuel injected, marked as a Continental IO-520-F (17) engine, with serial number 812264-R.  The engine was rated at 300 horsepower for five minutes and 285 horsepower continuously.  Maintenance records showed that the airplane's propeller was a three-bladed McCauley D3A34C404B model, hub serial number 785309.  The airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate and was certified for normal category operations.

Maintenance records show that the last annual inspection was performed on June 7, 2005, and that the airplane had accumulated 2,125.7 hours at the time of that inspection.  An entry in the records showed that the static system was inspected in accordance with Part 91.411 and 91.413 requirements on May 19, 2005.

The airplane was equipped with a J.P. Instruments Engine Data Management (EDM) 700 system.  According to manufacturer's data, the EDM will monitor up to twenty-four critical parameters in your engine, four times a second, with a linearized thermocouple accuracy of better than 0.1 percent or 2 degrees F, has a user selectable index rate, fast response probes, non-volatile long term memory, records and stores data up to 30 hours, and has post-flight data retrieval capabilities. 

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 2340, the recorded weather at BMG was: Wind 230 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 1 statute mile; present weather mist; sky condition overcast 100 feet; temperature 17 degrees C; dew point 16 degrees C; altimeter 29.94 inches of mercury. 

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

There were eight non-precision instrument approaches and one precision approach available at the airport.

The published inbound course for BMG's ILS RWY 35 approach was 354 degrees magnetic, with the published decision height (DH) of 1,045 feet msl.  The crossing altitude for the final approach fix (CLAYE) was 2,533 feet msl.  The distance between CLAYE and the missed approach point was 5.1 nautical miles (nm).  The airport elevation was 846 feet msl.

The published weather minimums for the ILS RWY 35 approach were a 200-foot ceiling and one-half mile visibility for category A, B, C, and D aircraft.

On April 21, 2006 the FAA conducted a post aircraft accident technical inspection and found the ILS system was operating normally.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

BMG had two asphalt-surfaced runways, 17/35 and 6/24.  Runway 17/35 was 6,500 feet long and 150 feet wide.  Runway 35 was equipped with a medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights (MALSR) and high intensity runway lights (HIRL).  Runways 6,17, and 24 were equipped with visual approach slope indicators (VASI) located on the left side of their respective runways.

The airport was serviced by an Air Traffic Control tower.  The tower was attended from 0630 - 2130 local.  After hour local traffic communications were accomplished via the published airport CTAF 120.775 megahertz (MHz).  The tower did not record the CTAF transmissions made after hours.  Indianapolis Approach provided approach/departure control services for the airport.

The pilot controlled lighting function of the approach lights was not operative.  The approach lights were turned on before the tower was closed. 

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane came to rest inverted on an approximate 180 degree magnetic heading.  Broken and linearly separated tree branches were observed.  A tree on a 230 degree magnetic heading from the wreckage and about 6 feet from the wreckage contained embedded aluminum colored metal consistent with the nose wheel rim.  The engine was found about three feet below the surface. The propeller hub remained attached to the engine crankshaft propeller flange.  The propeller blades separated from their hub.  One blade exhibited forward bending and leading edge deformation.  All of the blades exhibited chordwise abrasion.  The wings were detached from the fuselage.  The outboard section of the left wing had separated from the inboard section.  The rudder was detached from the empennage and its control cables remained attached.

An on-scene examination of the wreckage was conducted. Flight control cables were traced. All breaks in cables were consistent with overload.  Flight control continuity was established from the cabin area to all flight control surfaces.  The engine's control cables were traced from the cabin to the engine and engine control continuity was established.  A blue liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation gasoline was observed in the left tank.

The wreckage was relocated for a detailed examination and wreckage layout.  The right engine driven vacuum pump was separated from the accessory case.  The pump's drive coupler was not recovered.  The right vacuum pump was rotated by hand and an inspection revealed that its rotor and vanes were intact.  The left pump was attached to the accessory case.  The pump was crushed and an inspection revealed its rotor was fragmented.  The sparkplugs were removed and no anomalies were detected.  The engine was rotated by hand and a thumb compression was observed at all cylinders.  The right magneto was crushed, deformed, and did not produce any spark when rotated by hand.  The left magneto produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand. The engine driven fuel pump's coupler was intact.  A blue liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation gasoline was found in the fuel line from the engine driven fuel pump to the manifold valve.  The attitude indicator and horizontal situation indicator rotors exhibited rotational scoring.  The rotor housings exhibited witness marks consistent with contact with their rotors.  The altimeter's Kollsman window indicated 29.91.  The airplane's engine monitor was crushed.  The on-scene investigation did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. 

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Monroe County Coroner's Office on April 22, 2006.

The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report. The report was negative for the tests performed. 

TESTS AND RESEARCH

The engine monitor was examined at its manufacturer.  The unit and its circuit board were crushed.  The data memory chip was removed from its circuit board and installed on a serviceable circuit board.  The accident flight's data was downloaded.  The downloaded data was graphed.  The end of the graph showed a reduction in fuel flow consistent with a descent followed by an increase in fuel flow consistent with a full power setting and the data stopped at that point.  The graph of the engine monitor's data is appended to the docket material associated with this investigation. 

ADDITIONAL DATA/INFORMATION

Federal Aviation Regulation Part 91.169 IFR flight plan: information required, in part, stated:

(a) Information required. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each  person filing an IFR flight plan shall include in it the following  information:

(1) Information required under Sec. 91.153(a).

(2) An alternate airport, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Exceptions to applicability of paragraph (a)(2) of this section. 

Paragraph (a)(2) of this section does not apply if part 97 of this chapter prescribes a standard instrument approach procedure for the first airport of intended landing and, for at least 1 hour before and 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, the weather reports or forecasts, or any combination of them indicate--

(1) The ceiling will be at least 2,000 feet above the airport elevation; and

(2) The visibility will be at least 3 statute miles.

(c) IFR alternate airport weather minimums. Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may include an alternate airport in an IFR flight plan unless current weather forecasts indicate that, at the estimated time of arrival at the alternate airport, the ceiling and visibility at that airport will be at or above the following alternate airport weather minimums:

(1) If an instrument approach procedure has been published in part 97 of this chapter for that airport, the alternate airport minimums specified in that procedure or, if none are so specified, the following minimums:

(i) Precision approach procedure: Ceiling 600 feet and visibility 2 statute miles.

(ii) Non-precision approach procedure: Ceiling 800 feet and visibility 2 statute miles.

(2) If no instrument approach procedure has been published in part 97 of this chapter for that airport, the ceiling and visibility minimums are those allowing descent from the MEA, approach, and landing under basic VFR.

The operator's safety recommendation, in part stated:

Even if a tower is closed, as it was in this case, there should be an automatic recording of all pilot transmissions on the common frequency.  Such a recording would make available vital information in the case of a fatal accident [for example] did the pilot make a distress call?  Does the pilot's voice indicate that they are under duress?  Was it the pilot's intention to do a missed approach?  Was there anything that may have interfered with the pilot's conduct of the flight?  Did the pilot make any announcement indicating what problem they were facing?  Was there any other aircraft in the immediate vicinity?

The parties to the investigation included the FAA, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Teledyne Continental Motors.

The aircraft wreckage was released to a representative of the insurance company. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 24, Female
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: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/01/2003
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/01/2005
Flight Time: 379 hours (Total, all aircraft), 144 hours (Total, this make and model), 312 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N120HS
Model/Series: U206G
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: U20604728
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2005, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2125.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Teledyne Continental
ELT: Installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-F
Registered Owner: Yatish Air LLC
Rated Power: 285 hp
Operator: Yatish Air LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: BMG, 846 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2340 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 355°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  1 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 230°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: In the Vicinity - Mist
Departure Point: LAFAYETTE, IN (LAF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Bloomington, IN (BMG)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 2245 EDT
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: MONROE COUNTY (BMG)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 846 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach: ILS
Runway Length/Width: 6500 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 4 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 5 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 39.154722, -86.616667