NTSB Identification: GAA16CA121
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 24, 2016 in Big Bear, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/05/2016
Aircraft: GLINES KENNETH TAILWIND W 8, registration: N1983T
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
According to the pilot, during his approach at a non-towered airport at night, he made the descent to what he thought was the runway, but realized that it was actually the taxiway, and "slipped" right, to what he then perceived to be the runway. Upon touchdown, the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The pilot had landed and nosed over in the safety area to the left of the runway.
The pilot reported that he had been flying for the preceding 12 hour period, and conceded to having exceeded his personal endurance limitations. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's inadvertent landing off the left side of the snow-covered runway, resulting in a ground loop and nose over.
An experimental aircraft was found on its roof Monday morning, Jan. 25, at Big Bear Airport.
The pilot of the plane, authorities say, was nowhere to be found.
That is until later in the morning, when the pilot called airport and San Bernardino County Sheriff's authorities to tell them that the plane crashed about 7:30 p.m. and that nobody was hurt, according to an airport news release.
Airport authorities did not release the pilot’s name Monday.
Plane registration records show the plane is registered to Robert Earhart of Dallas, Texas.
Airport maintenance worker Ryan Goss said the pilot attempted to land on the runway, but was unable to turn on the airport's lights. The lights are "pilot-controlled" and can be turned on by keying the microphone five times.
The plane missed the runway, and hit snow.
The wheels, which had been deployed, dug into the snow and caused the plane to flip over.
Following standard procedures, the airport temporarily closed after the plane was found and Federal Aviation Administration, police and fire authorities were contacted.
Goss said he and other Airport workers have never come across a situation where a plane crashed and the pilot was nowhere to be found.
About 10 a.m., FAA officials gave the airport approval to remove the plane from the runway area. Airport staff, using its own equipment, righted the plane up on its wheels and towed it away. Debris was cleaned up and the airport opened back up by 10:30 a.m.
Story and photo: http://www.pe.com
A single engine airplane crashed at Big Bear City Airport sometime during the night. The pilot apparently walked away, then drove off the mountain.
The aircraft was discovered early Jan. 25 when airport personnel arrived to open the airport. As part of the opening routine, a sweep of the grounds, including the runways, is made, according to Dustin Leno, Big Bear airport manager. Staff discovered the plane on the northwest edge of the airport, just off the runway. There was no one inside, and no sign of the pilot, officials said.
The runways were immediately shut down, and emergency personnel notified, along with the FAA. According to Leno, the FAA advised the airport not to move the aircraft as the pilot was missing.
The pilot, whose name has not been released, called the Big Bear City Airport around 9:30 a.m. Jan. 25 to notify them of the accident, according to Leno. The plane, which is described as a single engine high-wing tail dragger, possibly a kit plane, was found upside down. The plane is registered out of Dallas, Texas.
Once the pilot was identified, the FAA gave permission to move the aircraft. Big Bear City Airport was re-opened by 10:30 a.m.
It's unknown exactly what happened, or when the accident occurred. It's also unknown if the pilot sustained any injuries in the crash, and whether he drove himself off the mountain.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net
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