Saturday, December 03, 2016

Gordon Pegazair P 100, N129LZ: Fatal accident occurred December 02, 2016 in Mount Vernon, Posey County, Indiana

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana

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/N129LZ 

Location: Mt Vernon, IN
Accident Number: CEN17FA046
Date & Time: 12/02/2016, 1237 CST
Registration: N129LZ
Aircraft: Gordon PEGAZAIR P 100
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 2, 2017, about 1237 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Pegazair P 100 airplane, N129LZ, impacted a field near Mt Vernon, Indiana. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Carmi Municipal Airport (CUL), Carmi, Illinois, about 1150.

A witness stated that the airplane was flying overhead at about 400 - 500 feet above ground level, westbound, when he heard the engine quit running. The airplane then initiated a descending right turn, north bound, and then the engine started running again. The airplane maintained a northerly heading, for about ¼-1/2 mile, and then the engine quit a second time, started a decent, pitched up, rolled right, and then pitched nose down impacting the ground. The witness said that he went the accident site and there was a strong odor of gasoline and immediately called 911.

A second witness stated that he saw a similar flight path for the airplane but that the engine was running on impact. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 64, 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: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/21/2012
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/12/2012
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 118 hours (Total, this make and model) 

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He reported a total flight experience of 2,500 hours, with 0 hours in last 6 months, at the time of his last airman medical exam on March 21, 2012, when he was issued a third-class medical certificate that expired on March 31, 2014.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot did not hold an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate nor did he hold a repairman certificate for the airplane. The pilot had no FAA record of previous accidents, incidents, or enforcement actions.

The first and last entries in the pilot's logbook were dated December 2, 1978, and June 29, 2014, respectively. The logbook indicated that he received a private pilot check ride on June 22, 1980. The first logbook entry for flight in the accident airplane was dated March 18, 2012, and indicated that it was 25-minute local flight from CUL with two landings. The remarks section for this entry stated, "High speed taxi + lift (no pattern)." All the subsequent flight entries were for flights in the accident airplane.

The memoranda section of the pilot's logbook included an endorsement, dated May 12, 2012, by a flight instructor, stating that the pilot received a flight review. The only flight entry dated May 12, 2012, was for a 45-minute local flight from CUL in the accident airplane. The remarks section of this entry contained an individual's name and did not cite that a flight review was performed. There were no subsequent flight review endorsements in the pilot's logbook. Title 14 CFR 61.56 requires pilots to obtain a flight review every 2 years to act as pilot-in-command and flight reviews must include a minimum of 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gordon
Registration: N129LZ
Model/Series: PEGAZAIR P 100
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 9908108
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/15/2013, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 194.65 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Corvair
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 190
Registered Owner: Deregistered
Rated Power: 120 hp
Operator: Pilot
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane was a Gordon Pegazair P 100 model, which was manufactured in 2007 and was equipped with a Corvair 190 automotive engine.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration website, FAA Registry, Aircraft Inquiry, the airplane was originally registered to the previous aircraft owner, who was also the builder of the airplane. That registration expired May 14, 2013. The pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, had not reregistered the airplane after he had purchased it, and no subsequent application was made for registration.

Aircraft records obtained during the investigation had a special airworthiness certificate issued July 14, 2007 to the aircraft builder/previous owner. There was no current airworthiness certificate or an application for an updated airworthiness certificate in the aircraft records or in the FAA aircraft records database.

The last two logbook entries of the airframe logbook were dated April 2, 2012, at a tachometer time of 26.2 hours for a "completed annual conditional inspection" and July 15, 2013, tachometer time 194.65 hours for a "completed annual inspection." There were no subsequent maintenance entries in the logbook. Both entries were signed by the same the A&P who held an inspection authorization (IA).

The engine logbook had the last two entries for an "annual inspection" by the A&P IA, dated July 15, 2013, at a tachometer time of 194.65 hours. There were no subsequent inspections entered in the engine logbook that were signed by an A&P, but there were 10 later entries dated from July 15, 2013 to November 24, 2015, that cited maintenance work involving engine oil and filter changes, engine compression check, spark plug changes, the replacement of ignition points, and engine timing checks. The last entry dated November 24, 2015 had a tachometer time entry of 489.23 hours. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CUL, 388 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1235 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 345°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.27 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 0°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Carmi, IL (CUL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1150 CST
Type of Airspace:  Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude:  37.933333, 167.772500 (est)

The accident site was located in a flat dirt field about 17 nautical miles southeast of CUL. The power lines and trees adjacent to the field were undamaged.

The engine was separated from the airframe and was about 20 ft south of the airframe. A ground scar consistent in shape and length to the wing's leading edge was oriented lengthwise north/south on each side of the separated engine. [SG1] The fuselage was upright, and the tail-to-nose orientation of the airplane was approximately north/northwest. There was no evidence of fire or soot on the engine or airframe.

Examination of the flight control system revealed that the wing flaps and both leading edge wing slats were in the retracted positions. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the control surfaces to the cockpit controls.

The left- and right-wing fuel tanks were empty, and the fuel lines from the tanks to the fuel selector and from the fuel selector to the engine were broken open. The fuel selector panel was damaged by impact forces, and the fuel selector was positioned between the "LEFT" and "BOTH" positions. Both fuel tanks exhibited outward expansion consistent with hydraulic forces. There was an odor consistent with fuel present at the accident site.

The engine did not exhibit any evidence of mechanical failure. Engine control continuity to the cockpit was confirmed through overstress separations of the controls. The cockpit engine control positions could not be determined due to impact damage. Both propeller blades were broken off at the blade roots and displayed features consistent with overstress.

The airplane was equipped with an MGL Avionics EFIS display that contained an SD memory card. The display and memory card were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorder Division for download. No data pertinent to the event were recovered due to the extent of the damage to the SD card. 

Medical And Pathological Information

On his most recent medical certificate application, the 64-year-old pilot reported a history of a neurology evaluation in September 2011 for memory issues, but no records of the evaluation were contained in the FAA records. On that application, he denied any other medical concerns or the use of medications.

The pilot's personal medical records documented a history of a progressive neurodegenerative disease beginning in 2011. His symptoms included significant visual-spatial and language dysfunction, and he was diagnosed with alterations of consciousness and encephalopathy. In August 2015, he was prescribed the Alzheimer's treatment medication donepezil. His most recent record of altered consciousness was April 2016 when the pilot reported transient episodes of altered mental status, loss of balance, slurred speech, and weakness. At that time, he was no longer using any medications. No records of a detailed neurologic evaluation after April 2016 were located.

The Posey County Coroner's Office, Mt Vernon, Indiana, performed an autopsy of the pilot and determined that his cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. No natural disease was identified.

The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing and detected ethanol at 0.070 gm/dl in vitreous and 0.038 g/dl in blood. No carbon monoxide or tested-for-drugs were detected. Ethanol is the intoxicant commonly found in beer, wine, and liquor. It acts as a central nervous system depressant. After ingestion, at low doses, it impairs judgment, psychomotor functioning, and vigilance; at higher doses it can cause coma and death. Title 14 CFR 91.17(a) prohibits any person from acting or attempting to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft while having 0.040 gm/dl or more ethanol in the blood. Because ingested alcohol is distributed throughout the body, levels from different postmortem tissues are usually similar. Ethanol may also be produced in body tissues by microbial activity after death. However, vitreous humor from an intact eye and urine do not suffer from such production to any significant extent in relation to blood.

NTSB Identification: CEN17FA046
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, December 02, 2016 in Mt Vernon, IN
Aircraft: Gordon PEGAZAIR P 100, registration: N129LZ
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

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 either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On December 2, 2016, about 1237 central standard time, a Gordon Pegazair P 100, N129LZ (deregistered N-number), impacted a field near Mt Vernon, Indiana. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Carmi Municipal Airport (CUL), Carmi, Illinois about 1150.

Duane Daws
November 08, 1952 - December 02, 2016


Duane Alan Daws, 64, of Mt. Vernon, IN lost his life Friday, December 2, 2016, doing what he loved most, flying. He was born November 8, 1952 to Edwin Lee Daws and Lois Daws Blackburn.

Duane retired from CountryMark Refinery. His life passions were found in flying, skydiving, hang gliding, motorcycles, scuba diving, wind surfing, snowboarding, water skiing, and horseback riding, to name a few. Duane loved sharing these passions with others and was known to take many people for flights and parachute jumps.

Duane’s goal in life was to experience life to the fullest, to live each day with total involvement. He believed that life needs to be challenged at all levels; the mental, the spiritual, and the physical. He actively pursued life because he was not afraid to fail.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his daughters, Heather (Matt) Pugh of Princeton, IN and Hana Daws (fiancé Austin Denning) of Chandler, IN; his mother, Lois Daws Blackburn; siblings, Luonna (Steve) Uhde, Wayne Eddie (Donna) Daws, Nancy (Tom) Rivers, Mike Summers, Melinda Summers, and Melissa Summers; grandchildren, Adriana and Madalynn Pugh; the mother of his children, Lisa Thomson; along with aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Private funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion Owen Dunn, Post #5, 203 Walnut St., Mt. Vernon, IN 47620 on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, from 3:30 pm until 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or the Carmi Municipal Airport in Memory of Duane Daws, 1379 County Road 1500 N, Carmi, IL 62821

Duane Daws




POSEY CO., IN (WFIE) -   One Tri-State man says his friend who died in a plane crash on Friday taught him how to live life to the fullest.

According to the coroner's office, 64-year-old Duane Daws of Mt. Vernon was the only person on board when his aircraft took a nosedive and crashed in a field off Gun Club Road.

The FAA and NTSB are still trying to figure out what caused the crash. Meanwhile, his loved ones are left mourning and remembering the good times they shared with Daws.

Duane Daws' friend, Neal Schroeder, says they met years ago and formed a strong bond. Neal says he learned a lot from his friend who put 110 percent into everything he did.

Now, he's dealing with losing Duane, who died doing what he loved.

"There's a litany of people out there today who are still, like me, in mourning."

The news that Neal Schroeder's good friend, Duane Daws, died in a crash hit him hard. Neal says they were partners in crime. They were so close that Duane was in his wedding years ago.

They flew planes together for 20 years. Neal says there was so much more to him than that.

"There wasn't anything he wasn't good at and didn't excel at 200%."

From parachuting, skydiving, snorkeling, and canoeing, Neal says Duane gave everything his all. On Friday, he drove by that crash not knowing his friend was involved.

Neal says Duane was a good pilot with 30 years of flying under his belt.

According to the coroner's office, Daws was the only person on board when the aircraft took a nosedive and crashed in a field off Gun Club Road.

Afterward, his loved ones posted online and shared their memories amid their shock.

Neal says what he'll remember most about his Daws is his ability to enjoy every single moment.

"There's nothing more noble than dying doing what you love. If he were to chose, how he wanted to exit this world, that would've been it. So, there's a lot of peace in that."

There is no word on when a memorial and a funeral will be held. We will keep you updated once we find out that information.

Story and video:   http://www.14news.com


Investigators are working to figure out what caused a fatal plane crash in Posey County.

Authorities say 64-year-old Duane Daws crashed around noon, near Highway 62 and Gun Club Road.

The sheriff’s office says it was a small plane the crashed into a field.

Daws was the only person on board.

Authorities are now trying to figure out what caused the crash.

Indiana State Police were on scene investigating, with the FAA and NTSB.

Story and video:   http://44news.wevv.com




One person died after a small aircraft crashed in Posey County, according to Indiana State Police officials.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Todd Ringle said a small aircraft crashed about a half of a mile south of Indiana 62 and 500 feet west of Gun Club Road. Emergency crews were notified of the crash at about 12:15 p.m. Friday.

The pilot, identified Friday night as 64-year-old Duane Daws of Mount Vernon, was the only person in the plane.

The type of plane is still unknown as of Friday afternoon.

"It was damaged to the point where — unless you know aircraft — you're not going to even remotely identify it," Ringle said.

Ringle said the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were expected to arrive Friday evening to the crash site.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com



UPDATE: 

The Posey County Coroner has identified the victim in as 64-year-old Duane Daws of Mt. Vernon.

PREVIOUS:

Indiana State Police say a small aircraft has crashed south of S.R. 62 and east of Gun Club Road in Posey County.

Posey County Coroner Jay Price says the pilot of a single-engine fixed plane died in the crash just after noon. The pilot's identity has not been released. 

Authorities are in the early stages of determining how it went down. Price says the single-engine fixed aircraft went down in the field just south of Highway 62. We still have no official word yet on the type of plane it was, where it took off from, or where it was headed. Gun Club Rd. was blocked off since first responders arrived. Price says dispatchers didn't receive any calls from the pilot before it crashed.

"There's nothing that we have found on that. Nothing came in to our 911 center. Witnesses that had seen the plane go down said it just took a nose dive in to the field,” he says.

Authorities say the FAA and NTSB are on their way to the scene. Gun Club Rd. will be closed off for several hours.

Story and video:   http://www.tristatehomepage.com



POSEY CO., IN (WFIE) - The name of the pilot who died in a plane crash in Posey County has been released.

According to the coroner's office, Duane Daws, 64-year-old, of Mt. Vernon, was the only person on board when the aircraft took a nosedive and crashed in a field off Gun Club Road.

The FAA and NTSB are trying to figure out what caused the plane to crash.

Story and video:  http://www.14news.com

2 comments:

  1. I built that plane and sold it to Duane. It is like a kick in the stomach to see this. I wondered why I hadn't heard from him in awhile.

    ReplyDelete