Saturday, September 24, 2016

Piper PA-22-108 Colt, N4920Z: Accident occurred September 24, 2016 near Pearland Regional Airport (KLVJ), Brazoria County, Texas

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

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/N4920Z

Location: Pearland, TX
Accident Number: CEN16LA394
Date & Time: 09/24/2016, 1305 CDT
Registration: N4920Z
Aircraft: PIPER PA 22-108
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 24, 2016, about 1305 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, airplane, N4920Z, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage during impact with terrain while maneuvering to make an emergency landing near the Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from LVJ about 1300.

The pilot reported that he had completed a preflight and topped off with fuel prior to taxiing to runway 14 for takeoff at LVJ. During the pre-takeoff run up, the engine instruments indicated about 1,800-1,900 RPMs. After liftoff, about 100-200 feet AGL, the pilot noticed that the engine RPMs were not increasing beyond 1,800 and that the airplane was not gaining altitude. The pilot turned back toward the airport and tried to maneuver to make an emergency landing in a field. During the approach to the field, the pilot avoided a house and a barn before the left wing of the airplane struck a tree and the airplane impacted the ground nose first. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and were transported to the hospital.

The FAA inspector that examined the airplane wreckage at the accident site did not find any obvious pre-impact anomalies with the engine or the airframe. Fuel was present in the fuel tanks.

LVJ METAR: SPECI KLVJ 241802Z AUTO 21006KT 3SM RA BKN027 BKN034 OVC043 28/25 A3001

According to the Icing Probability Chart, with a temperature of 28 degrees and dew point of 25 degrees, the aircraft engine could have been susceptible to light carburetor icing at cruise or descent power, or borderline serious icing at descent power.

After the accident, the pilot reported that he did not use the carburetor heat during takeoff. The pilot also stated that the airplane had been running smoothly in recent flights.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/11/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/28/2015
Flight Time:  177 hours (Total, all aircraft), 170 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N4920Z
Model/Series: PA 22-108 108
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 22-8509
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/01/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1649 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 3200 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3269 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:  Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 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: LVJ, 44 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1302 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 180°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  3 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2700 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 25°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Pearland, TX (LVJ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pearland, TX (LVJ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1300 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class E 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:   29.508889, -95.233056 (est)

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA394
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 24, 2016 in Pearland, TX
Aircraft: PIPER PA 22-108, registration: N4920Z
Injuries: 1 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 September 24, 2016, about 1305 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, airplane, N4920Z, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage during impact with terrain while maneuvering to make an emergency landing near the Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from LVJ about 1300.

The pilot reported that he had completed a preflight and topped off with fuel prior to taxiing to runway 14 for takeoff at LVJ. During the pre-takeoff run up, the engine instruments indicated about 1,800-1,900 RPMs. After liftoff, about 100-200 feet AGL, the pilot noticed that the engine RPMs were not increasing beyond 1,800 and that the airplane was not gaining altitude. The pilot turned back toward the airport and tried to maneuver to make an emergency landing in a field. During the approach to the field, the pilot avoided a house and a barn before the left wing of the airplane struck a tree and the airplane impacted the ground nose first.

The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and were transported to the hospital.




PEARLAND, Texas - A husband and wife from Alvin were injured after their plane crashed in a field near Pearland Saturday afternoon, according to officials with the Department of Public Safety.

The couple took off from Pearland Regional Airport around 12:20 p.m. A mechanical issue with one of the wings was detected immediately, officials said.

The pilot crashed in a nearby field, purposely avoiding homes in the area.

A nearby homeowner, Robert Kettle witnessed the crash.

"Saw the plane come behind my house," said Kettle. "It veered right over the edge of my house and came straight over a bunch of trees and hit a row of trees, and that's when it flipped." 

Kettle and his grandson helped rescue the couple inside the plane.

"My grandson was with me and I told him, if these people are dead, just don't panic...We'll just go from there." said Kettle. 

He and his grandson used an ATV to transport the couple from the plane to his driveway so emergency crews could easily reach them.

"One of her arms was broken and he had damage," Kettle said. "The whole side of his face was swollen."

DPS Sgt. Stephen Woodard said the pilot purposely picked the field in order to avoid striking nearby homes.

"You know, today's a good day." said Woodard. "Two people landed or crashed in a field, from a plane, from the sky...and they're alive."

The man and his wife were taken to Clear Lake Regional Hospital. They are expected to be OK. 

Story and video:  http://www.khou.com




A married couple was injured Saturday when their plane crash landed in a field in rural Brazoria County, law enforcement authorities said.

The pilot officials the plane experienced problems with its left flap shortly after its noon takeoff from Pearland Regional Airport Saturday.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Stephen Woodard said the pilot told authorities that he intentionally crash landed the plane in a field rather than striking a nearby house.

A landowner heard the crash and helped free the pilot, Hector Ramon, 61, and his wife Maria Ramon, 56, from the wreckage, Woodard said.

The couple was transported to Clear Lake Regional Hospital, where they were being treated for injuries that did not appear life-threatening.

Source:   http://www.chron.com

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