Thursday, December 24, 2015

Denney Kitfox IV, C-FPTY: Accident occurred December 23, 2015 near Vernon Regional Airport (CYVK), Vernon, British Columbia, Canada


RCMP say two men aboard a small plane that crash landed in a field north of Tronson Road Wednesday afternoon are okay.

The plane was leaving the airport when it suffered engine trouble, said Cst. Richard Lausman, who was at the scene of the crash. 

The pilot tried but failed to land at the airport and took the aircraft down in a field. 

Lausman said an adult father and son were on board the plane. He could not say if they were from the Vernon area.

He said neither man suffered serious injuries.

A City of Vernon release stated the two-seater aircraft was 300 feet in the air when it experienced mechanical difficulties shortly after takeoff around 3:30 p.m.

The plane sustained damage to the landing gear and one wing upon landing.

One person suffered minor injuries. 

A small plane had to make an emergency landing near the Vernon Airport Wednesday afternoon.

The plane landed in a field north of Tronson Road about 3 p.m. 

The pilot was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after he hit his head in the landing, but was walking on his own before he was taken away.

A passenger in the plane reportedly walked away unscathed.

A fire department official on scene said the plane had tried to land on a nearby road, but vehicles forced the pilot to land in the field instead.

Source: http://www.castanet.net

http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca

Pilot, in yellow jacket, speaks to police officer after crash.



Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board have been notified of Wednesday afternoon's crash of a light plane in a field north of Tronson Road.

“Both agencies were notified immediately after the accident,” said Patti Bridal, a city spokesperson. “It is up to them if they want to investigate.”

Both men in the two-seater aircraft, a father and son, were able to escape with only minor injuries.

A City of Vernon release stated the plane was 300 feet in the air when it experienced mechanical difficulties shortly after takeoff from Vernon Airport, about 3:30 p.m.

An RCMP officer at the scene said the pilot blamed the accident on engine failure.

"We are aware of the accident and are gathering information, but we did not deploy (to the area)," said Roxanne Daoust, spokesperson for the TSB. "We will use the information." 

An airport spokesperson said the pilot of the downed craft was experienced and able to bring the plane down without loss of life.

Source:  http://www.castanet.net





Vernon — Two people have managed to escape without injury after a crash landing in a field north of Vernon’s airport.

Vernon’s fire captain, Chris Robinson, says the private plane took off around 3:00 p.m. and experienced an engine failure shortly after.

“The pilot landed in the field just next to the airport. There was just a bit of damage to the plane,” says Robinson.

The City of Vernon says the plane sustained damage to the landing gear and wing.

Cpl. Spencer Hornoi with the Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP says the pilot and passenger did not require emergency services.



A small plane with two people on board crashed in a field directly across from the Vernon Regional Airport Wednesday afternoon.

In a news release, the City of Vernon states the plane took off from the Vernon Regional Airport shortly after 3:30 p.m.

The plane climbed to approximately 300 feet before experiencing mechanical difficulties, and the pilot was unable to return to the runway.

The pilot made a forced landing in a field north of the airport west of Scott Road.

The two people in the plane suffered minor injuries with one of them taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital for precaution.

The airplane suffered damage to the landing gear and wing.



Civil Aviation Authority and Loganair need to 'come clean', says Member of Parliament

The CAA put Loganair "on notice" in June, according to MP Alistair Carmichael.


Emergency services greet the Loganair aircraft on the runway at Sumburgh on Wednesday night.



The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) put Loganair “on notice” that its maintenance and support systems needed to be improved in June, according to Alistair Carmichael.

The Northern Isles MP was responding to the latest episode in a shambolic year for the troubled airline, which has seen reliability of flights plummet with aircraft plagued by “technical faults”, frequent and sometimes lengthy delays.

On Wednesday, a flight from Aberdeen landed at Sumburgh Airport on one engine, triggering a full emergency, and Carmichael said public confidence in Loganair was now “at an all-time low”.

In October pilots union BALPA wrote to Loganair complaining that aircraft were “being returned to the line despite being unserviceable” and in some cases “aircraft retain defects that clearly affect flight safety”.

BALPA subsequently stressed that its pilots would never fly an unsafe plane, while Loganair stated the safety of its crew and passengers “is and always will be our number one priority”.

“The communities in the Northern Isles have been incredibly patient with Loganair and the CAA this year,” Carmichael said.

 “The reliability of our lifeline air services has fallen off a cliff and the number of incidents causing safety concern has increased markedly.

“We have sought to work with the airline and the regulator, but frankly they have seen this willingness to cooperate and to work responsibly as a licence to take us for fools.

“Public confidence in Loganair is now at an all-time low and they have got to start coming clean with the communities and telling us what is going on here.”

Carmichael continued: “I have it on very good authority that the CAA put Loganair on notice in June of this year about the need to improve their maintenance and support systems.

“In that time the service, if anything, has got worse. The credibility of CAA as a regulator and enforcer of safety standards is now at stake.

“I want the CAA to confirm today that they put Loganair on notice in June. I want them to tell us exactly what they have been doing to monitor Loganair’s performance and why this does not seem to have made any difference.”

He added: “For their part, Loganair have to start being more open about what these incidents involve.  If public confidence in their service is not to follow they reliability off the cliff then they have to start coming up with answers.”

Campaigner Scott Preston said island communities had been "incredibly patient" but despite the efforts of the campaign, politicians and business owners, the CAA had "remained silent".

"People are beyond having lost confidence," he said. "The comments on the Shetland News stories and the campaign page demonstrate a significant worry that must be addressed. We have already said the time for talking is over but it appears that despite the huge numbers of people being involved in those talks, no one was listening anyway."

A Loganair spokesman said the airline did not wish to make any further comment.

A CAA spokesman again did not address the question of whether Loganair had been placed "on notice" to improve its maintenance and safety systems.

He said: "Aviation safety is our top priority and we ensure all UK registered airlines meet strict European safety standards.

"We work closely with Loganair and all other UK airlines on a continual basis, to provide safety oversight and advice. We can confirm that Loganair meets these European safety requirements."

Source:  http://www.shetnews.co.uk

Cessna 140, N2574N: Incident occurred December 23, 2015 at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (KDVT), Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona

ate: 23-DEC-15
Time: 22:38:00Z
Regis#: N2574N
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 140
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Minor
Activity: Personal
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Scottsdale FSDO-07
City: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY
State: Arizona

AIRCRAFT HIT THE BRAKES AND PROP STRUCK THE GROUND, PHOENIX DEER VALLEY, AZ.

http://registry.faa.gov/N2574N

Emergency Crews Respond to Reports of Downed Plane South of Dorchester, London, Ontario, Canada

Emergency crews responded to reports of a small plane crash in a rural area south of Dorchester early Thursday morning.

Dorchester Fire, along with Middlesex OPP and EMS were called to an an area south of Crampton Drive between Dorchester Road and Brady Road just before 6 a.m.

Details are few at this time, but police say there were reports of a downed 2-seater plane.

As of 6:30 a.m., the London Airport Authority was not reporting any beacons in the area, or missing aircraft.

Police searched the area on foot, but say they did not find any aircraft, or signs of a crash in the area.

Crews abandoned the search before 7 a.m., and said they would revisit the area when the sun came up.

Source:  http://www.am980.ca

Air service to resume in March • Tupelo Regional Airport (KTUP), Lee County, Mississippi

TUPELO, MISS. --   Commercial air service returns to Tupelo in March.

The U.S. Department of Transportation selected Corporate Flight Management to provide service in Tupelo with 30 nonstop round trips per week to Nashville International Airport.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1NCoCaG) Tupelo has been without an air carrier since Oct. 27, when SeaPort Airlines prematurely ended its service following nearly year-long complaints about its poor service.

The Tupelo Airport Authority unanimously selected Smyrna, Tennessee-based CFM to provide air taxi service using nine-passenger Jetstream planes.

CFM will be paid through the federal Essential Air Service program, which said it will pay the airline $4,292,405 each year, starting Feb. 1, 2016 through Feb. 28, 2018.

However, Matt Chaifetz, the CEO of the airline, said it will be March before service starts. With the Christmas and New Year's holiday approaching, many of the company's business partners and vendors will be unavailable. He said it's important to get all the details in order, including the schedule and marketing plans, before launching the service.

"We have the planes, we have most of the people," he said.

Chaifetz said it is important to begin marketing CFM's service and to reinforce the idea that the airline is vastly different from Tupelo's past two experiences with SeaPort and Silver.

"I know we have an uphill battle to climb, and we know it's not going to be easy at first," he said. "But I look forward to the challenge."

CFM is working with the airport to determine the best departure times between Tupelo and Nashville.

"We're not here to dictate what our schedule is going to be - we want to work with the community," he said. "We're working with a blank slate."

The airline will be an air taxi, ferrying passengers between Tupelo and Nashville. Those who want to fly beyond Nashville must buy separate tickets through any number of airlines including Delta, American, Southwest and United.

While the airport board had thrown its support behind CFM, it wasn't sure if the Transportation Department would agree with the more expensive but preferred option of 30 round-trip flights.

The agency acknowledged Corporate Flight Management's bid was "significantly more" than other bids.

"However, the department recognizes the poor service experienced over the last year and now the current service hiatus," the U.S. Department of Transportation stated in its order. "Given these factors, the department will give even greater weight to the views of the community than under normal circumstances. The Tupelo Regional Airport Authority's 'unanimous decision' to recommend CFM and the community's support of CFM will be essential in rebuilding passenger traffic."

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com

Regulating The Regulator: How The Department of Civil Aviation Keeps Us Flying High, And Safe



Most people are familiar with the role of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in ensuring that our commercial operators meet the highest safety standards and what happened recently when those safety standards failed to be met at all times. In this article, the Malaysian Digest looks at the stringent global standards that the DCA itself has to meet, at all times.

In setting the strict benchmark for the Malaysian aviation industry, the DCA itself is subjected to extremely stringent global commercial aviation operations and safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The process includes a stringent audit by ICAO as part of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP).

If the audit finds that DCA's standards are not up to mark, the ICAO may "downgrade" its status. It's as simple and straightforward as that, a DCA official assures. Needless to say, the implications of a downgrade can be really adverse for the relevant country.

While the ICAO does not have any authority or jurisdiction to compel a DCA to upgrade its standards (i.e. regulation, processes, documentation, operation, monitoring and supervision and audit of commercial carriers documents, processes and safety inspection and procedures), the international body's downgrade could hurt the relevant country's aviation industry.

The category stature after an ICAO audit would effect how the carriers originating from the said country be treated when they fly into a country of stricter policy, practices and monitoring by the commercial aviation authority. As a consequence, this revision of status category would adversely affect commercial operations and, eventually, public perception towards the commercial carrier.

Case in point is the ICAO revision of status for Thailand recently. The ICAO downgrade trickled into the United States FAA treatment of commercial aircraft originated from Thailand and has these consequence effect:

"In other words," the DCA official said, "we have no choice but to adhere to the ICAO standards at all times". The regulator is also regulated.

In these challenging times, where global issues such as demand for higher comfort and service standards, efficiency and coupled with external factors such as terrorism and chronic armed and hostile conflicts, the requirement for DCA to move up and forward is pertinent to ensure progress for the Malaysian commercial aviation.

The DCA's ability to comply with the stringent ICAO rules and standards and continue to uphold these global practices and standards is an enabler for both the lateral and horizontal growth for the Malaysia commercial aviation.

It has consequential trickle-down effects on carriers, tourism, logistics, trade and advertising and promotion, among others.

In contrast with the gloomy global economic climate, Malaysia's tourism industry remains bullish. Tourist arrivals through commercial air travel, especially, are expected to grow.

The security of airports in Malaysia, which is under DCA supervision and regular ICAO audits, translates into market confidence that, in turn, influences people's decision to come to Malaysia for holiday as well as to do business.

As the demand and growth of commercial aviation industry grows, and the threats against it increases as well, we can expect the DCA's role to become even more crucial.

Source:  http://www.malaysiandigest.com

Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian, N891CR: Fatal accident occurred December 24, 2015 near Roscoe Turner Airport (KCRX), Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi 
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida 
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Montreal 
Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Ottawa

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

North Mississippi Pulmonology Clinic Inc

http://registry.faa.gov/N891CR 

Location: Corinth, MS
Accident Number: ERA16LA078
Date & Time: 12/24/2015, 0840 CST
Registration: N891CR
Aircraft: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-46
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 24, 2015, about 0840 central standard time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N891CR, impacted a tree and terrain during a return to the airport after takeoff from Roscoe Turner Airport (CRX), Corinth, Mississippi. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Two passengers received serious injuries, one of whom died 227 days after the accident due to her injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to North Mississippi Pulmonology Clinic, Inc., and was operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the cross-country personal flight that was destined for Ocean Reef Club Airport (07FA), Key Largo, Florida.

According to a line service technician at the airport, when he arrived at work on the day of the accident, he received a note stating that the airplane had been previously fueled. He then went to the hangar where the airplane was kept, unplugged the airplane from the battery charger, towed the airplane to the terminal, and parked the airplane so it was parallel to the front of the terminal. The line service technician reported that, when he unplugged the airplane from the battery charger, he did not close the right access door (located behind the engine and forward of the right-wing root), which provided access to the battery charging port. The technician stated that he left the door in the open position, that they would not open or close doors on an aircraft unless requested to, and that he had advised the pilot of this in the past.

The pilot's wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law arrived at the airport about 30 minutes before the pilot, as the pilot had to go to his office first. When the pilot arrived, he told the line service technician, "I'll see you." About 20 minutes later, the line service technician heard the engine start, and then he heard the airplane taxi to runway 18 and takeoff. The line service technician stated that it sounded to him like the airplane's engine was producing full power when the airplane took off. A little while later, the telephone rang, and he was advised that the airplane had crashed.

According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport about 0800, uploaded his navigational charts, and did a preflight check, which was normal. The pilot stated that the airplane's battery was on a trickle charger the night before the flight, which required that the right access door be open, but that he checked the door during his preflight check and secured it. The engine start, taxi, and engine run up were normal. They departed from runway 18 with the wing flaps set to 10°. Rotation for takeoff was at 85 knots indicated airspeed with power set to 1,240 ft-pounds of torque. After liftoff, he retracted the landing gear and continued to climb. Shortly thereafter, the right access door opened partially and started "flopping" up and down 3 to 4 inches in each direction. He reduced the torque to 900 ft-pounds to try to prevent the right access door from coming completely open and attempted to return to the airport. However, when he turned on the left crosswind leg for runway 18, the right access door opened completely, and the airplane would not maintain altitude even with full power, so he "put the nose back down." The airplane then hit a treetop and came to rest in the front yard of an abandoned house.

According to a witness, who was an airplane mechanic employed at the airport, he was driving past the south end of the runway, when he saw the airplane about 150 ft above ground level flying "real slow." It flew over Highway 2, and its wings were "wagging" like it was going to stall. The left wing "dropped," and the airplane "fell" through some trees, "pancaked," and then slid sideways.

Review of data recovered from the airplane's Avidyne Entegra avionics system indicated that, after becoming airborne, the airplane roughly followed the runway heading while climbing until it reached the end of the runway. The airplane then entered a left turn, and the airspeed, which had reached a maximum of about 102 knots began to decrease. At 0839:57, the airplane was at a pressure altitude of 507 ft. At this point, the airspeed had dropped to about 80 knots, and the airplane was in a left bank of about 45°. The recorded data ended about 60 seconds before impact because the system did not have time to write the buffered data to the system's memory card before the unit lost power.

According to the pilot, when the airplane came to a stop, the left wing was burning. The pilot told his daughter to get out of the airplane, which she did. His wife and daughter-in-law were both unconscious, so he asked his daughter to help him get them out. They got his daughter-in-law out first and then his wife, who was conscious by then.

When the witness got to the airplane, there was a small fire coming from the left wing. The pilot had already egressed, and his daughter was in the process of exiting the airplane. The pilot's daughter-in-law was laying on the floor of the airplane between the middle and aft rows of seats. The witness picked her up and laid her down by the road in front of the house. The pilot then went back into the airplane to get his wife out. She had facial injuries, and the witness helped to get her out of the airplane by kicking open the lower cabin door, grabbing her by her hands, and dragging her out of the airplane.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/17/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/19/2015
Flight Time:  1990 hours (Total, all aircraft), 427 hours (Total, this make and model), 1628 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He held an FAA third-class medical certificate dated June 17, 2015, with no limitations. The pilot reported that he had accrued about 1,990 total hours of flight experience, of which 427 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC
Registration: N891CR
Model/Series: PA-46 500TP
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 4697321
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/01/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:  4850 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 16 Hours
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time:  1407 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: P&W CANADA
ELT:  C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-42A
Registered Owner: NORTH MISSISSIPPI PULMONOLOGY CLINIC INC
Rated Power: 500 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The airplane was a high-performance, single-engine, pressurized, six-place, low-wing monoplane certificated in the normal category. It was equipped with retractable landing gear and wing flaps. It was powered by a 500-shaft horsepower, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A turboprop engine, driving a 4-bladed, hydraulically actuated, constant-speed, full-feathering, reversible-type propeller. The airplane was certificated for flight in visual, instrument, day, night, and icing conditions.

According to FAA airworthiness records and airplane maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2007. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on October 1, 2015. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued about 1,407 total hours of operation.

The unpressurized nose section included the engine compartment and nose landing gear assembly. The engine compartment contained the powerplant and associated accessories. The forward section of the engine compartment was enclosed by a two-piece nose cowl. Aft of the nose cowl, two hinged access doors (also identified as "cowl doors" or "gull wing doors" in the airplane manufacturer's various documents) provided servicing and inspection access to components in the aft engine compartment. The left access door provided access to the engine oil sight gauge and the brake fluid reservoir. The right access door provided access to the fuel control unit, fuses, fuel line, oil line, and the battery charging port.

The access doors were attached to the airplane structure with piano-type hinges and secured with latches. Once opened, each door was held in the open position by a support rod with a "twist-lock" mechanism. The doors were closed by slightly lifting on the door, then unlocking the mechanism by twisting the upper part of the support rod a quarter-turn while holding the lower part of the support rod. Once the mechanism was unlocked, the door could be lowered into the closed position and latched.

Review of flight test data for the PA-46-500TP indicated that at 0° of bank (1G), the airplane would stall at 79 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) with the landing gear down and the wing flaps set at 10°. With the airplane in the same configuration in a 45° bank (about 1.4G), the stall speed would be about 95 KIAS (about 20% higher). 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CRX, 424 ft msl
Observation Time: 0840 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C / 11°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 100°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Corinth, MS (CRX)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: KEY LARGO, FL (07FA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0835 CST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

The reported weather at CRX, at 0915, included wind 100° at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 15°C, dew point 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury.

Airport Information

Airport: ROSCOE TURNER (CRX)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 424 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6500 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

CRX is a non-towered, publicly-owned airport located 4 miles southwest of Corinth, Mississippi. The airport elevation is about 425 ft above mean sea level, and there is one runway oriented in a 18/36 configuration. Runway 18 is asphalt, grooved, marked with precision markings, and measures 6,500-ft-long by 100-ft-wide. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Serious, 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  34.902778, -88.598056 (est) 

The airplane came to rest about 1,792 ft from the departure end of runway 18 on a 132° magnetic heading on the front lawn of a residence. Examination of photographs of the wreckage taken at the accident site revealed that the right cowl door was open (see Figure 1).


Figure 1 –Right Side Access Door


Wreckage Examination

Examination of the wreckage revealed that during the impact sequence the nose landing gear was separated from the airframe. The nose gear actuator was found in the down and locked position. The firewall was separated from the forward pressure bulkhead.

The tail section of the aircraft from fuselage station 249.60 to station 326.05 was impact-damaged and crushed downward.

The pilot's side window was fire damaged, and the window just aft of the pilot's side window was also fire damaged and was partially separated from the window frame. The fuselage was accordion-crushed forward and down between the pilot's side window and the number three window. The bottom of the fuselage was crushed upward into the cabin floor.

The top engine cowl had separated from the airframe and was impact-damaged. The top engine cowl mounting points were separated from the cowl on the right side and remained attached to the airframe and bottom cowl.

The left access door was found separated from its mounting points. The hinges were found to be bent forward, and the forward clevis keeper was pulled upward deforming its mounting area.

The right access door was found open and unlatched with minimal damage noted to the door. The right access door support rod was found lying on top of the battery bay, and the battery charging port cover was not installed over the charging port. A functional check of the right access door latches found them to be functional with no indication of overstress or deformation, and there was no deformation or indication of overstress to the clevis keepers.

The rudder and rudder trim tab remained attached to the vertical fin. The rudder was impact damaged on the bottom right side. The rudder skin was crushed down along the entire span of the rudder; the top rudder attach point was partially separated from the vertical fin; and the rudder torque tube remained attached to the rudder bellcrank. The rudder trim actuator was extended about 1.5 inches, which indicated a neutral to slight-nose-right trim setting.

The elevator and elevator trim tab remained attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The left and right sides of the horizontal stabilizer had leading edge impact damage. The aft spar of the horizontal stabilizer was separated from the remainder of the structure.

The elevator pitch torque tube remained attached to the elevator and to mounting area of the pitch sector. The elevator trim rods remained attached to the elevator trim tab, but the rod ends were found to be fragmented from the elevator trim barrel assembly. The elevator trim barrel remained attached to the fuselage and had three threads exposed on the leading edge of the trim barrel, which indicated a neutral to slight-nose-down elevator trim setting.

The left wing had fire damage to the outboard wing section from wing station 220.00 to the wing tip. Fire damage was also noted between wing stations 71.00 and 134.00. The left main landing gear was fire damaged but had remained attached to its mounts; the left main landing gear actuator was found in the down-and-locked position. The left aileron remained attached to the wing, and about 12 inches of the outboard side had been consumed by fire.

The left flap separated at the inboard and center attaching points but remained partially attached to the outboard attaching point. Fire damage to the flap was noted between wing stations 82.50 and 116.00. Impact damage was noted within the outboard section of the flap. Examination of the flap motor jack screw indicated that the wing flaps were in the 10° position.

The right wing had leading edge damage to the entire span of the wing; circular leading edge damage was noted inboard of the recognition light. The right main landing gear door was impact damaged. The right main landing gear remained attached to the wing, and the right main landing gear wheel assembly, scissor link, and strut tube were separated. The right main landing gear actuator was observed to be in the down and locked position. The right flap and the right aileron remained attached to their mounts

Control continuity was established from all the flight control surfaces to the breaks and cuts in the system and from the breaks and cuts in the system to the cockpit.

The bleed air switch was in the "ON" position. The power lever was in the "FULL" position. The condition lever was in the "RUN" position. The manual override was in the "OFF" (stowed) position. The fuel shutoff valve was stowed. The landing gear selector was found in the down position. The wing flap lever was set to 10°.

The pilot's and copilot's seats were undamaged, and a functional check of the seat stops of both seats revealed no anomalies. The pilot's and copilot's seat belts were examined and found to be functional. The left and right center row seats were undamaged, and their seat belts were functional. The left and right aft row seat backs were found canted inward and aft. The seat back stops were in place and operational. The left aft seat belt was found unlatched, and the seat belt was extended. Functional checks of the aft seat belts found them to be operational.

Engine Examination

The spinner was impact damaged and crushed aft. The propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratching, and three of the four blades were bent aft mid span about 90°. The fourth blade was twisted about midspan.

The power lever cable remained attached to the cam assembly; the condition lever cable remained attached to the control arm; and the manual override cable remained attached to the fuel control unit. All the engine fuel lines remained intact and were attached to their respective fittings. The engine displayed impact damage including compressional deformation of the exhaust duct.

Strong circumferential contact signatures were displayed by the compressor 1st stage blades and shroud; compressor turbine vane ring and turbine; power turbine 1st stage vane ring, shroud, and turbine; and power turbine 2nd stage shroud and turbine, which was consistent with them making contact under impact loads and external housing deformation.

None of the engine mechanical components displayed any indications of any preimpact anomalies or distress. 

Medical And Pathological Information

On August 7, 2016, the pilot's daughter-in-law, who had been seated in the left seat of the aft row, died. According to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Houston, Texas, the daughter-in-law's cause of death was complications of subdural hemorrhage due to blunt force head injuries. 

Tests And Research

The mechanic witness reported that he had seen the airplane in the hangar many times and that the right access door was always open, as the airplane was always hooked up to a battery cart.

Checklists

During the wreckage examination, a checklist that was provided by a simulator training provider was found on the floor by the pilot's rudder pedals. Examination of the checklist revealed that the section titled "EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT" only listed one item, which stated, "EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT…COMPLETE." Both sides of the checklist stated, "FOR SIMULATOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY."

A copy of the airplane manufacturer's published pilot's operating handbook (POH) was found in the cabinet behind the pilot's seat, a location that was not accessible from the pilot's station. Review of the POH revealed that it contained detailed guidance regarding the preflight check of the airplane. One item in the "Preflight Checklist" stated, "Right Cowl Door…OPEN-CHECK GENERAL CONDITION-SECURE DOOR."

Under "AMPLIFIED NORMAL PROCEDURES," the POH stated that, during the preflight check, the pilot should "open the right side cowling door and check general condition of the linkage, hoses, and wiring, then close and secure the door." 

Additional Information

Airplane Flying Handbook

Under the heading, "Door Opening In-Flight," the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B) states: In most instances, the occurrence of an inadvertent door opening is not of great concern to the safety of a flight, but rather, the pilot's reaction at the moment the incident happens. A door opening in flight may be accompanied by a sudden loud noise, sustained noise level, and possible vibration or buffeting. If a pilot allows himself or herself to become distracted to the point where attention is focused on the open door rather than maintaining control of the airplane, loss of control may result even though disruption of airflow by the door is minimal."

The handbook explains that, in the event of an inadvertent door opening in flight or on takeoff, the pilot should concentrate on flying the airplane. It states that "there may be some handling effects, such as roll and/or yaw, but in most instances, these can be easily overcome." It further states that, "if a door opens after lift off, do not rush to land. Climb to normal traffic pattern altitude, fly a normal traffic pattern, and make a normal landing."

The handbook cautions that "attempting to get the airplane on the ground as quickly as possible may result in steep turns at low altitude." It further cautions the pilot to complete all items on the landing checklist and to "remember that accidents are almost never caused by an open door. Rather, an open door accident is caused by the pilot's distraction or failure to maintain control of the airplane."

Aerodynamic Stalls

The Airplane Flying Handbook, also contained information regarding aerodynamic stalls, advising that, at low angles of attack (AOA), the airflow over the top of the wing flows smoothly and produces lift with a relatively small amount of drag. As the AOA increases, lift as well as drag increases; however, above a wing's critical AOA, the flow of air separates from the upper surface and backfills, burbles and eddies, which reduces lift and increases drag. This condition is a stall, which can lead to loss of control if the AOA is not reduced.

The handbook further advised that, it is important for the pilot to understand that a stall is the result of exceeding the critical AOA, not of insufficient airspeed. The term "stalling speed" can be misleading, as this speed is often discussed when assuming 1G flight at a particular weight, and configuration. Increased load factor directly affects stall speed (as well as do other factors such as gross weight, center of gravity, and flap setting). Therefore, it is possible to stall the wing at any airspeed, at any flight attitude, and at any power setting. For example, if a pilot maintains airspeed and rolls into a coordinated, level 60° banked turn, the load factor is 2Gs, and the airplane will stall at a speed that is 40 percent higher than the straight-and-level stall speed. In that 2G level turn, the pilot must increase AOA to increase the lift required to maintain altitude. At this condition, the pilot is closer to the critical AOA than during level flight and therefore closer to the higher speed that the airplane will stall at. Because "stalling speed" is not a constant number, pilots must understand the underlying factors that affect it to maintain aircraft control in all circumstances.

Use of Seatbelts and Shoulder Harnesses

According to the CFRs, the regulations give the pilot in command two tasks regarding seat belts and shoulder harnesses.

The first is to brief the passengers on how the seat belts work:

...the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures that each person on board is briefed on how to fasten and unfasten that person's seat belt and, if installed, shoulder harness. (14 CFR 91.107(a)(1)).

The second is to notify the passengers that seat belts must be fastened:

...the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures that each person on board has been notified to fasten his or her safety belt and, if installed, his or her shoulder harness. (14 CFR 91.107(a)(2).)

The POH, also provided guidance under "NORMAL PROCEDURES," on the "BEFORE STARTING ENGINE CHECKLIST.":

"Seat Belts and Harness…FASTEN / ADJUST – CHECK inertia reel"

It also states Under "BEFORE TAKEOFF":

"Belts/Harness…FASTENED/ADJUSTED"

Lauren Chase


The daughter-in-law of a Booneville physician has died almost eight months after suffering severe head injuries in a Christmas Eve plane crash near the Corinth-Alcorn County Airport. 

Lauren Chase died Sunday in Texas where she had been moved to a hospice facility the previous week, according to posts by the administrator of a web page set up to provide updates on her progress and raise funds to offset her medical costs.

Lauren Chase, who was married to Dave Chase, son of the plane’s pilot Dr. David G. Chase Sr. of Booneville, was seriously injured in the crash of the single-engine turboprop plane last Christmas Eve morning as it attempted to return to the Corinth-Alcorn Airport shortly after takeoff.

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board focuses on a battery compartment panel that apparently opened after takeoff. The pilot, Lauren Chase’s father-in-law Dr. David G. Chase Sr. of Booneville, told investigators the door opened partially after takeoff and started flopping up and down by a few inches in each direction. The pilot turned the aircraft to the left to return to the airport, and the door opened completely.

“He could not keep the airplane flying even with ‘full power’ though he ‘put the nose back down,’” states the report. “The airplane then struck a tree, impacted the front lawn of a residence, ‘spun around,’ and caught on fire.”

Two other passengers in the plane received less serious injuries and Dr. Chase had minor injuries, according to the NTSB report.

Funeral arrangements for Lauren Chase were incomplete Monday with Pegues Funeral Home in Tupelo.

Source: http://www.dailycorinthian.com

ALCORN COUNTY, Miss. — Crews are investigating a Thursday morning plane crash near Corinth, Miss., that resulted in one person being airlifted to a Memphis hospital.

The crash occurred around 8:44 a.m. along County Road 504 near the Roscoe Turner Airport outside Corinth.


The Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed four people were in the the Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian plane. One was airlifted to Memphis, and the other three reportedly did not have serious injuries.


The sheriff’s department has confirmed Dr. David Chase of Mississippi was the pilot. They say the plane is registered in Mississippi.


The sheriff’s department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol currently are investigating the crash.


Source: http://www.wbbjtv.com




CORINTH, Miss. (WTVA) -- Two people were airlifted from the scene of a plane crash in Alcorn County this morning.

Investigators at the scene tell WTVA's Susan Parker the plane had taken off from Roscoe Turner Airport shortly after 8:30 this morning.


The pilot apparently noticed the flap on one of the wings was stuck and attempted to return to the airport.


The plane landed in the yard of a home on County Road 504 southeast of the airport.


Four people were on the plane when it went down.


Two suffered serious injuries and were flown to a hospital for treatment.


The other two were taken to Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Corinth for observation.


Federal investigators are expected to visit the scene and look into what caused the plane to crash.


Source: http://www.wtva.com




Two people were airlifted from the scene of a plane crash in Alcorn County Thursday morning.

Investigators told WTVA that the plane took off from Roscoe Turner Airport shortly after 8:30 a.m. when pilot apparently noticed the flap on one of the wings was stuck and attempted to return to the airport.

The plane landed in the yard of a home on County Road 504 southeast of the airport. Four people were onboard.

Two people suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to a hospital.

The other passengers were taken to Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Corinth for observation.

Source: http://www.clarionledger.com













NTSB Identification: ERA16LA078
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, December 24, 2015 in Corinth, MS
Aircraft: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-46, registration: N891CR
Injuries: 3 Serious, 1 Minor.

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 may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On December 24, 2015, at approximately 0840 central standard time, a Piper PA-46-500TP; N891CR, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and terrain during a return to the airport, after takeoff from Roscoe Turner Airport (CRX), Corinth, Mississippi, The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The three passengers received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, destined for Ocean Reef Club Airport (07FA), Key Largo, Florida.

According to the pilot, prior to takeoff, the preflight inspection and engine run-up were normal. After takeoff from runway 18, the right cowling door opened partially, and started "flopping" up and down 3 to 4 inches in each direction. He then turned to the left, to return to the airport, and the door "came completely open." He could not, keep the airplane flying even with "full power" though he "put the nose back down." The airplane then struck a tree, impacted the front lawn of a residence, "spun around," and caught on fire.

The airplane came to rest on a 132 degree magnetic heading from the departure end of runway 18, approximately 1,792 feet from the end of the runway, on the front lawn of a residence. Examination of photographs provided by Alcorn County Emergency Services revealed that the "cowling door" that "came completely open" was the cowl door for the battery compartment, located on the right side of the nose of the airplane, just forward of the wing leading edge.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and pilot records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent application for a FAA third-class medical certificate was dated June 17, 2015. The pilot reported that he had accrued approximately 470 total hours of flight experience. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 2007. The airplane was retained by the NTSB for examination.

Aircraft Flight Instructor Wanted: Build time, have aircraft and fuel at Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD), Maricopa County, Arizona

Need a flight instructor for my son. If you want to build time and work with your other students in my plane then let's talk.

His previous instructor (Tim) was scamming me to build time and my son has over 50 hrs of flight time and he (Tim the instructor) still will not release him for solo. Yea, I know. I am an ATP with over 20,000 hrs and flew with him on 2 flights for over 3 hours and 35+ landings and he never had a bad one and I never had to take the aircraft from him. 

I am interested in someone that can get him his private license. I have a Beech Buccaneer, 145 HP, manual flaps, fixed gear, that is bomb proof machine and can be used with other students of the instructor with some restrictions but bring me your ideas. It is also usable for transport with my son getting dual-time if covering gas and maintenance or whatever works, but we can talk. 

My son is 18 a Senior on the honor roll at ASU Prep and wants to go into the flying career and get his bachelor's degree from ASU. Plane is located at Chandler Airport (CHD) and all maintenance, fees, and AD's are current. Plane is VFR with single stack VHF and VOR and has Garmin 396 mountable available. Burn is 10/8 gal/hr in the pattern/cruise and no swaks. 

Read more here: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/wan/5373514668.html