Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N22AM
Location: Danville, VA
Accident Number: ERA16LA142
Date & Time: 03/27/2016, 1636 EDT
Registration: N22AM
Aircraft: PIPER PA 23-250
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On March 27, 2016, about 1636 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N22AM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a highway near Danville, Virginia. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the three passengers were not injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were reported in the area of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at the Charleston International Airport (CHS), Charleston, South Carolina, about 1330, and was destined for Martin State Airport (MTN), Baltimore, Maryland.
According to air traffic control (ATC) transcripts, before departure the controller advised the pilot of 700 ft cloud bases and asked him if he was instrument flight rules qualified. The pilot stated that he was, but the airplane was not, and that he wanted to depart under visual flight rules. Shortly after takeoff the pilot had difficulty maintaining his ATC-assigned headings and stated he was "between layers." About 90 minutes into the flight the controller asked the pilot if he was returning to his destination, the pilot replied "no, I'm in the middle of the clouds, what's my current heading?" The controller then asked if he needed assistance, and the pilot stated that he did not and that he would make a turn to get back on course. The pilot then notified ATC that he had an intermittent engine and requested to divert to the nearest airport.
A few minutes later, the pilot advised ATC that both engines were functioning again. The pilot was repeatedly unable to maintain a heading and began receiving no-gyro radar vectors. The controller asked the pilot if he could determine if he had a vacuum failure, the pilot stated, "how would I do that?" The controller made repeated requests to the pilot to maintain altitude and the pilot then reported to ATC he was in IMC and to "help me all you can." About 2 hours into the flight the pilot elected to divert to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Roanoke, Virginia. About 2 hours 30 minutes into the flight the pilot reported "mayday mayday I've just lost my engines." The pilot later stated he was using an application on a personal electronic device to navigate.
The pilot reported that the flight departed with 5 hours of fuel onboard for the estimated 2-hour, 30-minute flight. After switching fuel tanks, and turning on the fuel pumps, power was briefly restored to the right engine, followed by an abrupt loss of power in both engines. The pilot then performed a forced landing on the highway. During the landing, the airplane impacted a tree, and came to rest inverted in a grassy area along the road.
Photographs of the wreckage taken by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to both wings and fuselage, the airplane came to rest inverted. The right wing, outboard of the right engine was folded under the right engine, and the right wing tip separated from the wing, along with the right outboard fuel tank.
Examination of the wreckage and engine revealed impact damage to the right engine, the left engine was undamaged. No fuel was found in the right fuel tanks, which were compromised during the impact sequence. The left inboard fuel tank had a trace amount of fuel, and there was no blighting of the grass around the wreckage. Fuel lines from the left and right fuel pump to the fuel injector were secure and intact, no fuel was observed when the lines were disconnected from the fuel flow transducer. Fuel lines from the left and right output fuel injector to the input fuel flow divider were secure and intact, no fuel was observed when the lines were disconnected.
Due to the lack of integrity of the right fuel tanks, and the minimal quantity of fuel in the left tanks, the quantity of fuel when the accident occurred could not be determined.
The airplane was equipped with two Lycoming TIO-540, 250 horsepower, six-cylinder piston engines. The right engine No. 1 cylinder rocker cover and connecting rods sustained impact damage, separating them from the cylinder. A borescope was used to examine the cylinder, the exhaust valve head was laying inside the cylinder, preventing full 360-degree manual rotation. Valve train continuity was established on cylinder Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
On the left engine, the rocker covers were removed, none of the rockers, valve springs, and valve seats showed any signs of preimpact mechanical damage. The engine was manually rotated, continuity of the drive train, crankshaft, and camshaft were established, and thumb compression obtained on all cylinders.
The magnetos were placed on a test stand, all six leads on each of the four magnetos produced a spark. The left and right vacuum pumps thrust coupling were fractured, and exhibited rotational scoring consistent with the pumps failing and continued operation of the engines.
The airframe and engine logbooks were not available for review; however, the mechanic who inspected the airplane about 3 weeks before the accident provided a statement. He reported that the engines, propellers, and airframe were inspected in accordance with an annual inspection. He stated that the airplane was taxied around the airport for several hours, and that all systems were tested for proper operation.
The closest weather reporting facility was Danville Regional Airport (DAN), Danville, Virginia, about 14 miles east of the accident site. At 1653, weather included wind from 080 at 5 knots; visibility 9 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, overcast at 400 ft; temperature, 13° C; dew point, 12° C; and altimeter setting 30.14 inches of mercury. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing before departing.
The pilot's total flight experience at the time of the accident could not be reconciled. At the time of his most recent application for an FAA medical certificate on June 30, 2015, he reported 2,200 total hours of flight experience.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/30/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 2200 hours (Total, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N22AM
Model/Series: PA 23-250 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1970
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 27-4501
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/11/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: TI0-540 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 310 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDAN, 571 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 102°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 9 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 80°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: CHARLESTON, SC (CHS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: BALTIMORE, MD (MTN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1330 EDT
Type of Airspace:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 36.623333, -79.625278 (est)
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, March 27, 2016 in Danville, VA
Aircraft: PIPER PA 23-250, registration: N22AM
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 Uninjured.
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 March 27, 2016, about 1636 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N22AM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a highway 10 miles east of Danville, Virginia. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, the three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions were reported in the area of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at the Charleston International Airport (CHS), Charleston, South Carolina, at about 1330, and was destined for Martin State Airport (MTN), Baltimore, Maryland.
The pilot stated that the flight departed with 5 hours of fuel onboard for the estimated two and a half hour flight. After about one hour the pilot reported to air traffic control that he had lost his directional gyro and attitude indicator. While diverting to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Roanoke, Virginia, the right engine abruptly lost power. After switching fuel tanks, power was briefly restored to the right engine, followed by an abrupt loss of power in both engines. The pilot then performed a forced landing on the highway. During the landing, the airplane impacted a tree, and came to rest inverted in a grassy area along the road.
On scene examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to both wings and fuselage. The right wing, outboard of the right engine was folded up over the right engine, and the right wing tip separated from the wing, along with the right outboard fuel tank. Damage to the right engine precluded a cursory check for continuity of the powertrain, and there was no evidence of rotational damage to the propeller. Functional testing of the magnetos for both the right and left engines showed spark at all terminal leads. Thumb compression was obtained on all but one of the left engine cylinders. One blade of the left propeller displayed a curled tip. No fuel was found in the right tanks, the left inboard tank had residual fuel, and there was no blighting of the grass around the wreckage.
The closest weather reporting facility was Danville Regional Airport (DAN), Danville, Virginia, about 14 miles east of the accident site. At 1653, weather included wind from 080 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 9 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, overcast at 400 feet; temperature, 13 degrees C; dew point, 12 degrees C; and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.14 inHg.
The airplane and engine were recovered and retained for further examination.
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (WSLS10) – State police have identified the pilot of the crashed twin-engine plane as Stephen C. Lloyd of Lexington, S.C.
Lloyd, another man, and that man’s two children were flying from Charleston, S.C. to Baltimore, Md., according to state police
Moments before the plane crashed at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Lloyd reported that the plane was starting to lose power and declared an emergency.
Rebecca Vaughn witnessed the crash and said that it sounded like a train coming through.
“I saw the plane just go behind the building and then the crash,” Vaughn recalled.
Bob Collie came out Monday to see the crash.
He has some flying experience and said because of the low power lines, homes nearby and all of the trees, he gives Lloyd a lot of credit for being able to get the plane down and keep everyone safe.
“As far as I’m concerned,” said Collie, “to be able to land an aircraft in this particular environment, the pilot was very talented. He did the best thing for the crew; the people on board.”
The three passengers were not hurt and Lloyd only suffered minor injuries.
“Other people were dealing with the pilot and the father, making sure they were okay, so I was just with the kids making sure they weren’t cold or anything like that,” Vaughn explained.
The FAA investigators would not speak on camera Monday, but said that a salvage company will pick up the plane and then the regional National Transportation and Safety Board office will decide where they want the plane to be taken so that the NTSB can conduct an investigation.
As of Monday afternoon, neither state police nor the FAA or NTSB had released the names of the father and two children on the plane.
Story and video: http://wsls.com
EMS crews said the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. near Long Circle Road at Martinsville Highway.
Police said the plane departed from Charleston, S.C. and was heading to Maryland. Shortly before the plane crashed, the pilot radioed into authorities about an in-flight emergency.
Four people, including two children, were on board the Piper PA-23-250 Aztec D plane at the time of the crash, according to 8News sister station WSLS. Only the pilot was injured. The pilot was transported for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The FAA is responding to the scene Monday to investigate.
Story and video: http://wric.com
UPDATE: 7:30 PM
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (WSET) -- Virginia State Police say the Piper PA-23-250 Aztec D, carrying four people, crashed around 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Pittsylvania County.
They say the Piper PA-23-250 Aztec D plane made a crash landing near Martinsville Hwy. and Long Circle Road in the community of Cascade.
The pilot was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries, and the three passengers on-board were not injured according to officials.
The FAA and NTSB have both been notified.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing at this time.
UPDATE: 5:30 PM
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (WSET) -- Firefighters tell ABC 13 four people were inside that plane, including the pilot.
The pilot was taken to an area hospital. The three passengers are expected to be okay.
State police responded to the scene along with local fire and rescue and they're still out there right now.
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (WSET) -- State Police say crews are responding to what may be a small plane crash near Danville.
Emergency dispatch did confirm that State Police and local fire and rescue crews have been sent to the scene.
We're getting reports that the plane may have gone down in the area of Route 58 and Long Circle Road.
Original article can be found here: http://wset.com
PITTSYLVANIA CO., Va. -
We are following a breaking news out of Pittsylvania County.
Virginia State Police have confirmed that a small plane crashed Sunday afternoon.
The pilot was injured and taken to the hospital. Two children and another adult onboard were not seriously hurt.
The plane crashed in the Brosville area, west of Danville, just off of Route 58.
We're told the plane reported that the plane lost power before it crashed. The pilot tried landing the plane in a field, but on the way down he hit some trees. The pilot is the owner of the plane. He sustained lacerations.
The plane was flying from Charleston, South Carolina to Hyattsville, Maryland.
The NTSB and FAA are aware of the crash and are coordinating a response.
The accident happened around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The area where the plane went down was near Long Circle, which is in the Cascade community.
Original article can be found here: http://www.wdbj7.com
Arlethia Campbell said she and her family returned home to 1009 Long Circle to find the small plane, upside down in the street in front of her house. Trees in the yard had been broken, and branches and parts of the plane were strewn across the yard. Her mailbox was gone.
A neighbor, Junior Scales, said he saw four people get out of the plan, two adult males and two children. One of the adult males was taken away in an ambulance, Scales said.
Virginia State Police Sgt. J. Doss said it would take some time to issue a full report on the crash, but that he admired how the pilot tried to land it.
“You can see what he was trying to do,” Doss said, pointing to a field across the street. “He did a remarkable job not to hit the house.”
Original article can be found here: http://www.newsadvance.com
Virginia State Police released more information Monday morning on the small plane crash Sunday afternoon in Cascade.
The plane was flying from Charleston, South Carolina, to Baltimore, Maryland, when the pilot began experiencing problems with the aircraft losing power, according to a news release from the Virginia State Police.
“The pilot declared an emergency and immediately began seeking a place to land,” said Corinne N. Geller, public relations director with the Virginia State Police. “As the Piper PA-23-250 Aztec D made its descent, the wing struck the trees and the plane overturned onto its roof.”
Virginia State Police received the call of the crash at 4:38 p.m. Sunday.
The pilot, Stephen C. Lloyd of Lexington, South Carolina, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The three passengers on board were not injured.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A small red and white plane crashed just off Martinsville Highway on Long Circle in Cascade shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday, drawing Virginia State Police and several Pittsylvania County volunteer fire departments to the scene.
Arlethia Campbell said she and her family returned home to 1009 Long Circle to find the small plane, upside down in the street in front of her house. Trees in the yard had been broken, a section of fence was twisted and branches and parts of the plane were strewn across the yard and her driveway. Her mailbox was gone.
A neighbor, Junior Scales, said he saw four people get out of the plane, two adult males and two children. One of the adult males was taken away in an ambulance, Scales said.
The pilot was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to Corinne Geller with the Virginia State Police. The three passengers onboard were not injured.
Virginia State Police Sgt. J. Doss said it he could not comment on the crash until the investigation was completed, but that he admired how the pilot tried to land the plane.
“You can see what he was trying to do,” Doss said, pointing to a field across the street where the pilot was trying to land. “He did a remarkable job not to hit the house.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have both been notified, Geller said.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment