Sunday, August 07, 2016

Van's RV-4, N924WZ: Accident occurred August 07, 2016 at Miles Field Airport (3KY9), Waddy, Shelby County, Kentucky

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Louisville, Kentucky

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/N924WZ

Location: Shelbyville, KY
Accident Number: ERA16LA281
Date & Time: 08/07/2016, 1709 CDT
Registration: N924WZ
Aircraft: VANS RV4
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 7, 2016, about 1709 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-4, N924WZ airplane, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while on approach to Miles Field Airport (3KY9), Shelbyville, Kentucky. The private pilot owner was seriously injured. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at the Capital City Airport (FFT), Frankfort, Kentucky. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot completed a series of touch-and-go landings at 3KY9, flew to FFT to refuel, and was returning to 3KY9 at the time of the accident.

In a statement to the FAA, the pilot reported that he observed a deer while on the final approach leg of the traffic pattern and he elected to execute a low approach. He stated the engine was "running fine" until he applied full power on climbout; then the engine only produced partial power. Because the airplane was still able to climb, the pilot elected to fly the traffic pattern and make another approach. After turning onto the base leg of the traffic pattern, he added carburetor heat and 10 degrees of flaps. After he reduced engine power on the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, the engine began "running bad" and "a little rough." The airplane began sinking too fast, the pilot added full power and turned the carburetor heat off. The engine continued to lose power and the airplane kept descending until it impacted terrain about 200 feet from the runway.

The airplane's wings sustained leading edge damage, the cockpit was heavily damaged and folded open, and there was significant damage to the firewall.

The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-320, 150-horsepower engine. Initial examination of the engine by an FAA inspector revealed that both magnetos produced spark at their respective distributor blocks and the spark plugs appeared to be new and undamaged. The fuel selector was in the "ON" position.
The pilot's total flight experience could not be reconciled, but at the time of his most recent application for an FAA medical certificate on August 13, 2015, he reported 170 total hours of flight experience.
The closest weather reporting facility was the about 11 miles east of the accident site. At 1653, an aviation routine weather report at FFT was reporting in part: temperature 86° F; dewpoint 57° C.

An FAA carburetor icing probability chart indicated the temperature and dew point conditions were conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide power. According to the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, carburetor ice occurs due to the effect of fuel vaporization and the decrease in air pressure in the carburetor's venturi, which can cause a sharp temperature decrease in the carburetor. If water vapor in the air condenses when the carburetor temperature is at or below freezing, ice may form on the internal surfaces of the carburetor, including the throttle valve. This then restricts the flow of the fuel/air mixture and reduces engine power. Generally, the first indication of carburetor icing in an airplane with a fixed-pitch propeller is a decrease in engine rpm, which may be followed by engine roughness. Under certain conditions, carburetor ice can build unnoticed until power is added.

The handbook further described that carburetor heat is an anti-icing system that preheats the air before it reaches the carburetor, and is intended to keep the fuel/air mixture above the freezing temperature to prevent the formation of carburetor ice. Carburetor heat can be used to melt ice that has already formed in the carburetor if the accumulation is not too great, but using carburetor heat as a preventative measure is the better option. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 59, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied:
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/13/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  170 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: VANS
Registration: N924WZ
Model/Series: RV4
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 3218
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner: Jules Roberie
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FFT, 804 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 70°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 6000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 90°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 15°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: FRANKFORT, KY (FFT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Shelbyville, KY (3KY9)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: MILES FIELD (3KY9)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 850 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 05
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 38.122778, -85.125833




WADDY, Ky. (WDRB) -- A pilot called for help shortly after crashing his small plane over the weekend in a Shelby County field.

DISPATCHER: "Shelby County 911. What is your emergency?"

PILOT: "Hello, I'm in a plane crash."

Investigators released the call Monday that Steve Roberie made to 911 on Sunday.

The 59-year-old Owen County pilot said he had fueled up in Frankfort and had engine trouble shortly after take-off.

That's when he went down in Waddy near Miles Field.

During the call, it's clear the pilot has no idea where he went down.

DISPATCHER: "Do you see any houses or anything around you?"

PILOT: "No."

DISPATCHER: "No? Ok, is anyone injured?"

PILOT: "I'm injured. I'm in the airplane."

DISPATCHER: OK and um, the plane crashed?

PILOT: "Yes. Engine trouble."

The pilot is at University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington. His girlfriend says his injuries include broken bones, but he is expected to survive.

The FAA is investigating the crash.



SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- Officials say a pilot has suffered several injuries after making an emergency landing at a small air strip in Shelby County.

News crews were kept far back from the scene on Grubbs Lane, near Miles Field in Waddy.

Waddy Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief James Riddle said the pilot of the small plane was able to call 911.

The pilot has not been identified but told crews he had been to Frankfort and back on Sunday, and was logging some miles in the plane.

When crews arrived they say he was confused, but alert. 

Riddle said the pilot suffered lower extremity injuries and was trapped in the plane. Crews used extrication equipment to free his legs and feet.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but Riddle says the pilot told him he thought something was wrong with the engine. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to visit the crash site Monday.

Story and video:  http://www.wdrb.com



WADDY, Ky. (WHAS11) – The FAA is investigating a plane crash just southeast of Shelbyville. It happened at the Miles Field airstrip in Waddy, Kentucky Sunday evening.

According to FAA officials, the experimental aircraft crashed 200 feet from the end of a private airstrip in Shelby County around 5 p.m. Sunday. The aircraft was taking off when the accident occurred.

Officials said only the pilot was on board the plane. He was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Hospital. Earlier Sunday evening, officials described his injuries as critical, but there's no update on his condition at this time.

As far as the investigation goes, it's still too early to say what could've led to the crash.  Officials have confirmed fuel was leaking from the plane, but the leak was contained. So, it didn't pose a danger at the crash site.

The woman who lives in a home at Miles Field said it’s been a private grass strip for years. She told WHAS11 it’s very common to hear the sound of planes outside her home. She didn’t hear a loud bang or burst when the plane crashed, just the sirens that followed. She said she’s shaken up by the accident and just hopes the pilot survives.

The pilot’s name hasn’t been released. The plane’s tail number is also not available yet, but the woman who lives at the airport said small, recreational aircraft are common at Miles Field.

The FAA will investigate the cause of the crash starting Monday morning. 

Source:   http://www.whas11.com



One person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries Sunday evening in a small plane crash that occurred in Shelby County.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Medical Services, and local fire departments responded to a report of a plane crash on Grubbs Lane, just southwest of Shelby County, at 5:09 p.m. The plane, a two-passenger aircraft with a single occupant, was located at the end of a private grass runway, according to a statement from Shelby County police.

The pilot of the plane, whose name has not yet been released, was flown to the University of Kentucky Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified of the crash and will be handling the investigation, the statement said.

Source:  http://www.courier-journal.com

WADDY, KY (WAVE) - A small plane had to make an emergency landing in a field near Waddy, according to WAVE 3 News in Louisville. 

Few details were immediately available, but a spokesperson from Frankfort's Capital City Airport confirmed that a plane that took off from there and made an emergency landing near Miles Field, a small airport in Waddy, at about 5 p.m. Sunday.

The spokesperson said the pilot was alive but unsure how severely he or she was injured.

It's not clear what caused the pilot to make the emergency landing.

Source:  http://www.lex18.com

SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. —Emergency crews converged on a field in Shelby County Sunday after a pilot made an emergency landing.

The pilot of the two-seat plane made the landing around 5 p.m. in the 700 block of Grubbs Lane.

First responders said the pilot left Frankfort's Capitol Airport and radioed for help shortly after takeoff.

The pilot, who was the only one in the aircraft, said he was experiencing engine trouble.

Officials told WLKY that the pilot had to be extracted from the plane. He suffered injuries to his legs and has a possible fracture.

They said he would be transported to the hospital by helicopter.

Emergency medical services personnel and firefighters remain on scene.

Source:  http://www.wlky.com

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