Monday, May 09, 2016

American Champion 8GCBC Scout, Parker GCBC LLC, N326JH: Accident occurred May 09, 2016 at Hale County Airport (KPVW), Plainview, Texas

PARKER GCBC LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N326JH

FAA Flight Standards District Office:  FAA Lubbock FSDO-13

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA227
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, May 09, 2016 in Plainview, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/25/2016
Aircraft: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8GCBC, registration: N326JH
Injuries: 1 Minor, 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.

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll in gusty wind conditions, the airplane encountered a strong wind gust. He further reported that shortly after takeoff, the right wing dropped, followed by the left wing; and the left wing impacted the ground. 

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 

According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, at the time of the accident, conditions were wind 260 degrees at 29 knots, wind gust 40 knots. The airplane was departing on runway 22.

The pilot attempted to takeoff with about an 18 knot right crosswind component.

According to the airplane manufacture the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for takeoff and landing is 15 knots. 

The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004) discusses operations in crosswind conditions and states in part:

Takeoffs and landings in certain crosswind conditions are inadvisable or even dangerous. If the crosswind is great enough to warrant an extreme drift correction, a hazardous landing condition may result. Therefore, the takeoff and landing capabilities with respect to the reported surface wind conditions and the available landing directions must be considered.

It is imperative that pilots determine the maximum crosswind component of each airplane they fly, and avoid operations in wind conditions that exceed the capability of the airplane.

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

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during gusty wind conditions. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot's exceedance of the maximum crosswind component during takeoff.




Strong wind gusts were being blamed for a small plane crash that left one person injured but another unscathed Monday afternoon in Hale County.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash of the single-engine plane that was attempting to take off about 1:30 p.m. from the Hale County airport, according to FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The plane had two occupants. One suffered minor injuries and the other was not injured.

Texas DPS Cpl. John Gonzalez said the plane’s pilot suffered minor injuries, mostly to his face, due to the plane crashing into the ground just after take off. He said the plane was departing the Hale County airport after refueling when a strong gust of wind forced triggered the crash. Neither he nor Lunsford had additional details about the plane’s occupants.

The plane is listed as an American Champion 8GCBC Scout manufactured in 2008 and registered out of Dover, Delaware, according to its FAA registry information provided by Lunsford.

Lunsford said FAA investigators were en route to the scene late Monday and a full investigation would commence.

The Plainview Daily Herald reported the two men in the plane had stopped for fuel at Rocket Aviation before taking off for New Mexico.

Airport officials said their particular type of Scout airplane was built for soft, short takeoffs. Going west into the wind, the plane attempted to take off on an area of grass adjacent to the runway.

Wind gusts up to 41 mph reportedly caused the pilot to lose control once the plane left the ground, according to the Herald.

The plane made a hard landing, snapping the left wing. The pilot and passenger were able to walk away from the plane and call for help.

Original article can be found here:   http://lubbockonline.com

Two airplane occupants appeared to have suffered only bumps and bruises after their single-engine airplane crashed immediately after take-off Monday afternoon at the Hale County Airport. 

Though the Department of Public Safety has yet to release names of the pilot and passenger, the two men had reportedly stopped for fuel at Rocket Aviation before taking off for New Mexico. 

Airport officials said their particular type of American Champion 8GCBC Scout was built for soft, short takeoffs. 

Going west into the wind, the plane attempted to take-off on an area of grass adjacent to the runway just before 1:30 p.m. 

Wind gusts up to 41 mph reportedly caused the pilot to lose control once the plane left the ground.

The plane made a hard landing, snapping the left wing.

The pilot and passenger were able to walk away of the plane and call for help. 

DPS officers were at the scene Monday afternoon awaiting arrival of a team from the National Transportation Safety Board.

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

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