Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Lawsuit: Allegiant Air pilot fired because he's too old

An Allegiant Air pilot who was fired in 2014 accuses the airline of age discrimination, alleging in a lawsuit filed Monday that he was terminated to make way for younger pilots.

Charles E. Roberts filed suit in Hillsborough Circuit Court, seeking unspecified punitive and compensatory damages for wrongful termination by the airline with headquarters in Las Vegas.

The suit said the airline is engaged in a continuing pattern of age discrimination.

Roberts, whose age and city of residence are not listed in the lawsuit, had worked as an Allegiant pilot for seven years. He could not be reached to comment. His attorney, Jennifer Birmingham of Winter Park, did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

Officials at Allegiant, which flies 95 percent of the passengers out of St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, also did not respond to a request for comment. The airport flew a record 1.6 million passengers in 2015.

The lawsuit said Roberts was subject to "unwarranted discipline" by the airline and ridicule by management, especially regarding his "upgrade training." That led to him being denied promotions and pay raises and "unsupported questioning of his professional integrity and, ultimately his termination."

Roberts' suit said he was told by an Allegiant training scheduler that the airline was "riding him out the door" because it was "trying to get rid of the old ones."

A supervisor told a simulator instructor to fail Roberts, according to the suit.

"Such treatment was made for the purpose of replacing pilots over 40 years of age … with significantly younger, less-experienced pilots," the suit said. "Although (Roberts) was informed he was doing well with … training, (Allegiant's) actions toward (him) were targeted to achieve his discharge."

The suit said the airline also gave him negative work evaluations and that other older employees were "targeted."

Allegiant is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the United States and now connects the Pinellas County airport with about 50 cities. The airline, however, also has experienced a series of highly publicized maintenance events and emergency landings leading some to question Allegiant's safety. The airline says it is one of the safest in the industry.

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

Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8A, N28437; accident occurred April 18, 2016 at Skagit Regional Airport (KBVS), Burlington, Skagit County, Washington -Kathryn's Report

http://registry.faa.gov/N28437

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Seattle FSDO-01

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA193
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Burlington, WA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/14/2016
Aircraft: SILVAIRE LUSCOMBE 8A, registration: N28437
Injuries: 2 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.

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he was practicing stop and go landings on an asphalt runway. He reported that during the third landing, he continued his landing roll to turn off the runway. He reported that he applied the brakes in order to slow down, but inadvertently applied too much pressure to both heel brakes. He recalled that due to the excessive braking the airplane veered right, and then veered left and the airplane subsequently exited the runway to the left and ground looped. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing. 

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and ground loop.



BURLINGTON — No one was believed to be hurt when a small airplane crashed Monday evening while landing at Skagit Regional Airport.

The crash, which happened about 5 p.m., was attributed to malfunctioning landing gear, said Andrew Entrikin, a spokesman for the Port of Skagit, which operates the airport.

Port officials believe two people were on board the plane when it crashed, but that number was not confirmed Tuesday.

The plane was identified as a fixed-wing, single-engine Luscombe 8A.

Entrikin said the aircraft was en route from Anacortes Airport, and its pilot had been practicing “touch-and-go” maneuvers, where a plane lands, then quickly takes off again. The maneuvers are used by pilots for routine training.

The aircraft received significant damage to its landing gear, propeller and sections of its fuselage, Entrikin said.

Federal Aviation Administration officials were at the airport Tuesday to inspect the plane and decide if further investigation is needed, a process that will likely continue for several days, he said.

Deputies with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene Tuesday morning, but the sheriff’s office is not involved in the investigation.

The airport’s runways remained open Tuesday.

Bell 206L-4 LongRanger, N119SP, Minnesota Department of Public Safety: Accident occurred April 18, 2016 in Arden Hills, Ramsey County, Minnesota

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY:   http://registry.faa.gov/N119SP

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Minneapolis FSDO-15

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA156
14 CFR Public Use
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Arden Hills, MN
Aircraft: BELL 206 L4, registration: N119SP
Injuries: 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 April 18, 2016, about 1224 central daylight time, a Bell model 206-L4 single-engine helicopter, N119SP, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Arden Hills, Minnesota. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The public-use helicopter was registered to and operated by Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local training flight that departed the Arden Hills Army Training Site about 1140.


According to the operator, the accident occurred during a Minnesota Aviation Rescue Team (MART) training mission that was comprised of St. Paul Fire Department and Minnesota State Patrol personnel. The purpose of the training was to practice having the fire department personnel mount and demount the helicopter skids following a pinnacle approach and landing. The pinnacle landings were made to several conex shipping containers that were located within the training site. One of the firefighters had a helmet camera that partially captured the accident sequence-of-events. The firefighter was positioned on top of a shipping container and was preparing to mount the helicopter when the accident occurred. His helmet camera footage showed the helicopter approach and land on the shipping container. However, before he and his partner were able to mount the helicopter skids, the helicopter lifted off and moved forward away from the shipping container. The helicopter then descended and impacted terrain in between two additional shipping containers. The helmet camera footage was retained for additional analysis. The helicopter wreckage was recovered from the accident site to a secured hangar for additional examination.

Cessna 182A Skylane, N9909B, HBC Aero LLC: Accident occurred April 18, 2016 in Selma, Fresno County, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA094
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Selma, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/26/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 182A, registration: N9909B
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

Following an uneventful flight, the flight instructor and student pilot began a descent toward an airport where they intended to refuel the airplane. The flight instructor reported that, during the descent, the engine lost power. After notifying air traffic control, they received vectors to the nearest airport. Despite multiple attempts, the flight instructor was unable to restart the engine. He realized that the airplane would not be able to reach the airport, so he initiated a forced landing to an open sand- and dirt-covered field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The flight instructor reported that he did not use carburetor heat during the descent.

During examination of the airplane, the fuel strainer valve was stuck in the open position and the valve and the mixture metering sleeve were contaminated with sandlike debris, which likely entered the system during the accident sequence. The debris was removed. The fuel strainer valve then closed, indicating the impact sequence caused it to open. The carburetor was reassembled and reinstalled on the engine, and the engine started and ran continuously at various power settings until it was shut off using the mixture control. 

Recovery personnel noted that each wing fuel tank contained less than 2 quarts of fuel; the wings were not breached. Fuel burn calculations revealed that the airplane would have used 43.5 gallons of fuel after the airplane was topped off with fuel about 1 hour before the flight and should have had about 21.5 gallons of fuel remaining (the two tanks had a total capacity of 65 gallons), 18.5 gallons of which would have been usable. It could not be determined why only about 2 quarts of fuel remained in each wing tank.

Weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. It is likely that the flight instructor's failure to use carburetor heat during the descent resulted in the accumulation of carburetor icing and subsequent total loss of engine power.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the flight instructor's failure to use carburetor heat during the descent.

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office  
FSDO-17 Fresno, California 
Continental Motors Inc.; Mobile, Alabama 
Cessna Aircraft; Wichita, Kansas 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

HBC Aero LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N9909B

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA094
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Selma, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 182A, registration: N9909B
Injuries: 2 Minor.

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 April 18, 2016, about 1805 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N9909B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Selma, California. The airplane was registered to HBC Aero LLC, Rancho, Murieta, California, and operated by the student pilot. The student pilot and the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, about 1600, with an intended destination of Madera, California.

In a written statement to and a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the flight instructor (FI) reported that following an uneventful flight from Rancho Murieta to Hesperia, California, they flew to Apple Valley, California, to refuel. The FI stated that they topped the airplane off with 56.08 gallons of fuel, and flew to Carlsbad, which was about a 1-hour flight, where they dropped two people off prior to departing to return to Rancho Murieta.

During the flight, the FI and student pilot decided instead of their original intended fuel stop at Fresno, California, they would refuel in Madera. The FI further stated that during a descent from 6,500 feet to 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine lost power. The FI and student pilot received vectors from air traffic control to the nearest airport. Despite multiple attempts, the FI was unable to restart the engine, and realized they would not be able to make it to the Selma Airport, Selma, California. Subsequently, the FI initiated a forced landing to an open field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The FI reported that during the descent, carburetor heat was not used.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest in a field, which contained a mix of sand and dirt. The right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Examination of the recovered airframe and engine was conducted on June 15, 2016, at the facilities of Plain Parts, Pleasant Grove, California, by representatives of Cessna Aircraft and Continental Motors Inc. under the supervision of the NTSB IIC.

Both wings and the empennage were separated from the airplane to facilitate recovery of the wreckage. Personnel from the recovery company reported that there was less than 2 quarts of fuel in either fuel tank. Both the left and right fuel caps remained attached and secure. The airframe was intact and undamaged. The nose wheel landing gear was separated. Impact damage to the airframe air filter and air box was observed. When an alternate fuel sources was plumed to the right wing fuel inlet port, fuel was observed leaking out of the airframe fuel strainer. The fuel strainer valve was found stuck in the open position along with an abundance of sand like debris. The debris was cleaned away, and the fuel strainer valve closed normally.

All accessories remained attached, the ignition harness was intact, and the right side engine mounts were fractured. The left side exhaust was damaged. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. In addition, when the crankshaft was rotated, spark was observed on all ignition leads. Due to propeller damage, a test club propeller was installed on the engine in order to facilitate an engine run.





An external power supply was connected to the airplane's electrical system, and the engine was started. Initially, the engine ran for about 80 seconds before losing power. Multiple attempts were made to start the engine again, however, the engine would only start when primed, and would not continue running once the initial primer fuel was exhausted. The carburetor was then removed from the engine and disassembled. A small amount of sand like debris was cleared from the Mixture Metering Sleeve using light air pressure. No other anomalies were noted with the carburetor. The carburetor was reassembled and reinstalled on the engine. The engine started, and ran continuously at various power settings until the mixture control was moved to the idle cutoff position. The sources of the debris located within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve was undetermined.

Review of the Cessna 182 Pilots Operating Handbook (POH), 182 Cruise and Range Performance Chart, depending on rpm, manifold pressure, and mixture settings, fuel burn rates vary between 9.7 and 14.5 gallons per hour. The airplane was equipped with two wing fuel tanks, which have a capacity of 32.5 gallons of fuel per tank. The POH states that the left and right fuel tank have a usable fuel of 27.5 gallons per tank in all flight conditions along with an additional 3.5 gallons of fuel useable in level flight only. Each fuel tank has an unusable fuel level of 1.5 gallons.

The NTSB IIC calculated an estimated fuel burn using a fuel consumption rate of 14.5 gallons per hour, and the result was 3 hours of flight time. It was determined that the flight would have used about 43.5 gallons of fuel since the airplane was topped off with fuel.


At 1953, weather conditions recorded at the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, located about 14 miles north of the accident site, were temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, entitled Carburetor Icing Prevention, the temperature and dew point were conducive to the formation of icing at glide or cruise power.





NTSB Identification: WPR16LA094 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Selma, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 182A, registration: N9909B
Injuries: 2 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 April 18, 2016, about 1805 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N9909B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Selma, California. The airplane was registered to HBC Aero LLC, Rancho, Murieta, California, and operated by the student pilot. The student pilot and the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, about 1615, with an intended destination of Madera, California.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the CFI reported that following an uneventful flight from Rancho Murieta to Hesperia, California, they flew to Apple Valley, California, to refuel. The CFI stated that they topped the airplane off with fuel and flew to Carlsbad, where they dropped two people off prior to departing to Rancho Murieta. During the flight, the CFI decided to refuel in Madera. The CFI further stated that during a descent from 6,500 feet to 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine lost power. The CFI received vectors from air traffic control to the nearest airport. Despite multiple attempts, the CFI was unable to restart the engine and realized they would not be able to make it to the Selma Airport. Subsequently, the CFI initiated a forced landing to an open field and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. 


Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination. The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration; Fresno, California 
Continental Motors Inc.; Mobile, Alabama 
Cessna Aircraft; Wichita, Kansas 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

HBC Aero LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N9909B

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Fresno FSDO-17


NTSB Identification: WPR16LA094
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Selma, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 182A, registration: N9909B
Injuries: 2 Minor.

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 April 18, 2016, about 1805 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N9909B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Selma, California. The airplane was registered to HBC Aero LLC, Rancho, Murieta, California, and operated by the student pilot. The student pilot and the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, about 1600, with an intended destination of Madera, California.

In a written statement to and a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the flight instructor (FI) reported that following an uneventful flight from Rancho Murieta to Hesperia, California, they flew to Apple Valley, California, to refuel. The FI stated that they topped the airplane off with 56.08 gallons of fuel, and flew to Carlsbad, which was about a 1-hour flight, where they dropped two people off prior to departing to return to Rancho Murieta.

During the flight, the FI and student pilot decided instead of their original intended fuel stop at Fresno, California, they would refuel in Madera. The FI further stated that during a descent from 6,500 feet to 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine lost power. The FI and student pilot received vectors from air traffic control to the nearest airport. Despite multiple attempts, the FI was unable to restart the engine, and realized they would not be able to make it to the Selma Airport, Selma, California. Subsequently, the FI initiated a forced landing to an open field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The FI reported that during the descent, carburetor heat was not used.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest in a field, which contained a mix of sand and dirt. The right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Examination of the recovered airframe and engine was conducted on June 15, 2016, at the facilities of Plain Parts, Pleasant Grove, California, by representatives of Cessna Aircraft and Continental Motors Inc. under the supervision of the NTSB IIC.

Both wings and the empennage were separated from the airplane to facilitate recovery of the wreckage. Personnel from the recovery company reported that there was less than 2 quarts of fuel in either fuel tank. Both the left and right fuel caps remained attached and secure. The airframe was intact and undamaged. The nose wheel landing gear was separated. Impact damage to the airframe air filter and air box was observed. When an alternate fuel sources was plumed to the right wing fuel inlet port, fuel was observed leaking out of the airframe fuel strainer. The fuel strainer valve was found stuck in the open position along with an abundance of sand like debris. The debris was cleaned away, and the fuel strainer valve closed normally.

All accessories remained attached, the ignition harness was intact, and the right side engine mounts were fractured. The left side exhaust was damaged. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. In addition, when the crankshaft was rotated, spark was observed on all ignition leads. Due to propeller damage, a test club propeller was installed on the engine in order to facilitate an engine run.

An external power supply was connected to the airplane's electrical system, and the engine was started. Initially, the engine ran for about 80 seconds before losing power. Multiple attempts were made to start the engine again, however, the engine would only start when primed, and would not continue running once the initial primer fuel was exhausted. The carburetor was then removed from the engine and disassembled. A small amount of sand like debris was cleared from the Mixture Metering Sleeve using light air pressure. No other anomalies were noted with the carburetor. The carburetor was reassembled and reinstalled on the engine. The engine started, and ran continuously at various power settings until the mixture control was moved to the idle cutoff position. The sources of the debris located within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve was undetermined.

Review of the Cessna 182 Pilots Operating Handbook (POH), 182 Cruise and Range Performance Chart, depending on rpm, manifold pressure, and mixture settings, fuel burn rates vary between 9.7 and 14.5 gallons per hour. The airplane was equipped with two wing fuel tanks, which have a capacity of 32.5 gallons of fuel per tank. The POH states that the left and right fuel tank have a usable fuel of 27.5 gallons per tank in all flight conditions along with an additional 3.5 gallons of fuel useable in level flight only. Each fuel tank has an unusable fuel level of 1.5 gallons.

The NTSB IIC calculated an estimated fuel burn using a fuel consumption rate of 14.5 gallons per hour, and the result was 3 hours of flight time. It was determined that the flight would have used about 43.5 gallons of fuel since the airplane was topped off with fuel.


At 1953, weather conditions recorded at the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, located about 14 miles north of the accident site, were temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, entitled Carburetor Icing Prevention, the temperature and dew point were conducive to the formation of icing at glide or cruise power.

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA094 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, April 18, 2016 in Selma, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 182A, registration: N9909B
Injuries: 2 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 April 18, 2016, about 1805 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N9909B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Selma, California. The airplane was registered to HBC Aero LLC, Rancho, Murieta, California, and operated by the student pilot. The student pilot and the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, about 1615, with an intended destination of Madera, California.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the CFI reported that following an uneventful flight from Rancho Murieta to Hesperia, California, they flew to Apple Valley, California, to refuel. The CFI stated that they topped the airplane off with fuel and flew to Carlsbad, where they dropped two people off prior to departing to Rancho Murieta. During the flight, the CFI decided to refuel in Madera. The CFI further stated that during a descent from 6,500 feet to 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine lost power. The CFI received vectors from air traffic control to the nearest airport. Despite multiple attempts, the CFI was unable to restart the engine and realized they would not be able to make it to the Selma Airport. Subsequently, the CFI initiated a forced landing to an open field and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over.


Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.



Two people were involved in a small plane crash near Fowler on Monday.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said the plane, a Cessna 182A Skylane heading to Sacramento, was having engine problems and crash landed in a field near Highway 99 and Manning St., between Selma and Fowler, around 6 p.m. 

The passengers were a flight instructor and a student he was giving flying lessons to.

The department said the flight instructor suffered minor injuries. The student didn’t have any injuries.

Kenn Ortmann reaches new heights after retirement

Kenn Ortmann with his plane at Skyhaven Airport on April 14 in Rochester.



ROCHESTER — Kenn Ortmann has been a familiar face to many in the Lilac City for the better part of four decades, working in various positions within the city of Rochester and most recently as co-chairman of Rochester Listens.

It was not until his retirement from public service that he got a chance to live out a lifelong dream, and help others at the same time.

“I was always very intrigued by flying airplanes,” he said. “A lot of kids will say that when they grow up they want to be a fireman or a police officer. I never really thought about flying as a profession, but I was definitely intrigued.”

Ortmann retired from his post as Rochester's planning director in 2013. He went on to work for Community Action Partnership in Dover and retired — this time for good — last year.

For his 40th birthday, Ortmann’s wife bought him an introductory plane ride in the Lakes Region, and his dream of having a pilot’s license was rekindled. However, a very demanding job got in the way of that dream for a few more years.

Right around the time he hit another birthday milestone 10 years later, he recounted a story about how he finally decided to get his pilot’s license.

“My wife and I used to ride our bikes down Route 108 to this restaurant in Somersworth that we liked to go to on the weekends,” he said. “We passed the airport and I saw this ‘for sale’ sign on an airplane and I really began thinking. I had just turned 50, and I said I need to make a decision because you never know with life.”

He purchased the plane with a friend of his — who was also a certified flying instructor — and after getting enough experience and passing a test, he was soon flying on his own. He initially had a recreation license, meaning he could only fly in good visibility using landmarks for navigation. He eventually upgraded to a private license with instrument endorsement, which allowed him to fly in any weather using his electronics for navigation.

With more time on his hands and not having the burden of a work schedule, Ortmann began to volunteer his plane and services with Angel Flight and PALS (Patient Airlift Services). Both groups provide free flights for children and adults to get medical care. He also volunteers with Young Eagles, a group that exposes children to flying.

Ortmann explains that sometimes it’s easier and quicker for people to get treatment by being transported in a private plane. “It provides for folks to get from ‘point A’ to ‘point B’ in a way that’s more manageable given the fact that they’re fighting a disease,” he said.

Ortmann said that most of the people he transports go to Boston for cancer treatments, but some patients may have more complex needs that make his airplane the safest way to travel. “I had someone whose immune system was compromised and they couldn’t be in a public space,” he said. “Picking someone up in a private airplane keeps them out of that environment.”

Flying his tiny airplane into one of the country’s busiest airports — Boston’s Logan International — does come with some challenges. “The fastest my airplane can go is the slowest a commercial aircraft can go that go in there,” he said. Ortmann says the flight from Skyhaven Airport takes about an hour, and the air traffic controllers need to fit him in between all the commercial flights. “The controllers in Boston are great and they know what my flight is all about. They’ve always been really, really nice.”

Even though he’s officially retired from public service, he’s decided to keep his hand in helping the community by recently volunteering to co-chair the Rochester Listens discussion group. The group is a product of the University of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Listens, and is an alternative way to spark conversation on addressing the community’s needs, outside of the more formal City Council meetings.

“I was asked by (City Manager) Dan Fitzpatrick to be a co-chair,” he said. “I felt it was consistent with the way I participated with the community in the past.”

“You get involved with whatever your profession is, and the things I did were housing and planning,” Ortmann said. “You need a fairly intricate relationship with people in the community. Listening is the most important part.”

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

Beech 58 Baron, N15MD, Cobra Kai Inc: Accident occurred August 26, 2016 - and- Incident occurred April 08, 2016 in Wichita County, Texas

COBRA KAI INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N15MD

NTSB Identification: CEN16CA359
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 26, 2016 in Wichita Falls, TX
Aircraft: BEECH 58, registration: N15MD

NTSB investigators will use data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator, and will not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

AIRCRAFT DIVERTED AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT, KICKAPOO, OK

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Oklahoma City FSDO-15

Date:  08-APR-16
Time:  15:30:00Z
Regis#:  N15MD
Aircraft Make:  BEECH
Aircraft Model:  58
Event Type:  Incident
Highest Injury:  None
Damage:  Minor
Activity:  Instruction
Flight Phase:  UNKNOWN (UNK)
City:  KICKAPOO
State:  Oklahoma



WICHITA FALLS, TX (KAUZ) -  A small aircraft had trouble on take off Friday morning at Kickapoo Downtown Airport (KCWC) in Wichita Falls. 

DPS officials told our crew on the scene that an elevator on the aircraft got stuck which would not allow the plane to lift off the ground. 

The pilot aborted the takeoff but it was going too fast and ended up sliding off the end of the runway. 

At this time it does not appear that anyone was injured. 

Source:  http://www.newschannel10.com





A twin engine aircraft ran off the runway this morning at Kickapoo Downtown Airport (KCWC) in Wichita Falls.

Wichita County Constable Mark Brewer tells NewsTalk 1290 that the pilot was forced to abort his takeoff and the plane ran off the end of the runway.

The incident happened at around 10 AM. The plane suffered significant damage but no one was injured in the incident.

The exact reason for the aborted take off is not known at this time.

Source:   http://newstalk1290.com






Emergency crews have blocked off an area of road south of Kickapoo Downtown Airport (KCWC) where a small plane was involved in an accident Friday morning.

The incident was reported about 9:15 a.m. when a twin-engine plane apparently slid off the south end of the runway and came to rest in an access road. It appears part of the landing gear collapsed.

 No injuries were reported.

The runway was temporarily closed and a part of the roadway will be blocked until federal investigators can arrive at the scene.

The plane is a 1974 Beech owned by Cobra Kai, Inc, registered to the flight school’s Lawton location.

Source:   http://www.timesrecordnews.com

Titan T-51 Mustang, N5103: Accident occurred July 23, 2016 (and) Incident occurred April 18, 2016 - General William J. Fox Airfield (KWJF), Lancaster, Los Angeles County, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA149
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 23, 2016 in Lancaster, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/06/2017
Aircraft: SWARTZ GENE TITAN T 51 MUSTANG, registration: N5103
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The private pilot reported that, while flying the experimental, amateur-built airplane in the airport traffic pattern, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He quickly attempted an engine restart, but was unsuccessful and decided to land on a nearby road. The airplane landed hard and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently veered to the right and impacted a sign.
        
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a loose magnet in the flywheel struck the attachment bracket for the primary and secondary ignition, which disrupted the timing of the ignition system and rendered it inoperative; the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A total loss of engine power due to the separation of a flywheel magnet, which impacted the attachment bracket for the primary and secondary ignition and disrupted the timing of the ignition system, rendering it inoperative. 

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Van Nuys, California

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Van Nuys, California

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/N5103

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA149 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 23, 2016 in Lancaster, CA
Aircraft: SWARTZ GENE TITAN T 51 MUSTANG, registration: N5103
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

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 July 23, 2016, about 1113 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Swartz Gene, Titan T-51 Mustang, N5103, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a reported loss of engine power while on downwind at the General William J Fox Airfield (WJF) Lancaster, California. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed WJF about 1040.

According to the pilot, the airplane was about 1,000 ft above ground level, initiating the base turn to final, when the engine lost power. He quickly attempted an engine restart but was unsuccessful and decided to land on a nearby road. He selected full flaps over the road and landed hard. Subsequently during the landing roll, the airplane's right main landing gear collapsed, causing the airplane to veer to the right and strike a highway traffic sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.

Postaccident examination of the airplane's engine, under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed that while accessing the engine, a loose portion of a bolt was observed at the bottom of the cowling. It was determined that the loose bolt portion came from the timing pickup bracket that secures the primary and secondary electronic ignition pickups to the engine.

The magnetic flywheel, a part of the ignition system, consisted of four magnets. One magnet became loose and backed out and then struck the secondary timing pickup. Markings were consistent with the impact. The impact force on the secondary timing pickup caused one of the two bolts on the support bracket to separate and break off. Subsequently, the bracket moved about 2 inches, to the right and aft, which effected the primary and secondary ignition system's timing and rendered them inoperative.

The broken bolt was replaced and the attachment bracket was secured back into it's support. The engine started and ran on the primary ignition system with no anomalies noted. However, on the secondary ignition system, the engine could not be started due to the damage sustained to the secondary system.

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA149
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 23, 2016 in Lancaster, CA
Aircraft: SWARTZ GENE TITAN T 51 MUSTANG, registration: N5103
Injuries: 2 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 July 23, 2016, about 1313 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Swartz Titan T-51 Mustang, N5103, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a reported loss of engine power while on downwind at the General William J Fox Airfield (WJF) Lancaster, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight departed WJF about 1228

According to the pilot, the airplane was about 1000 feet, above ground level, when the engine failed. He quickly attempted an engine restart but was unsuccessful and decided to land on a nearby road. During the landing roll, the airplane's right gear collapsed, causing the airplane to veer and strike a highway traffic sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.

The airplane was recovered to a secure storage facility for further examination.

Aircraft on landing rollout, nosed over.

Date:  18-APR-16
Time:  00:22:00Z
Regis#:  N5103
Aircraft Make:  TITAN
Aircraft Model:  T51
Event Type:  Incident
Highest Injury:  None
Damage:  Minor
Flight Phase:  LANDING (LDG)
City:  LANCASTER
State:  California

Van's RV-12, N276VA, registered to Yoxford Air LLC and operated by Chesapeake Sport Pilot: Fatal accident occurred April 19, 2016 near Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Analysis 

The airline transport pilot of the light sport airplane was approaching the airport for landing in gusty front quartering crosswind conditions. Witnesses observed the airplane on final approach between 50 and 75 ft above ground level. The airplane's nose pitched up, followed by a roll to the right. The airplane then entered a nose-down attitude and descended to ground contact, impacting level terrain about 750 ft from the runway and slightly left of the extended runway centerline. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Before the accident flight, the pilot had about 2.4 hours of experience in the accident airplane make and model but had been signed off to fly the airplane by an instructor. Witness observations of the final moments of flight are consistent with an aerodynamic stall. It is likely that the pilot failed to compensate for the gusty crosswind and turbulent conditions during the approach for landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, aerodynamic stall, and subsequent loss of control. 

Probable Cause and Findings

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

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during approach for landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. 

Findings

Aircraft
Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Gusts - Effect on operation (Cause)
Gusts - Awareness of condition

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern final
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Uncontrolled descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Richard W. Hess

After graduating in 1975 from the Naval Academy, Richard Hess was commissioned an officer and entered the naval flight program at Pensacola, Fla. Graduating at the top of his class and earning his wings in 1977.  Mr. Hess was assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., where he flew Grumman A-6 attack planes. Career assignments included tours in squadrons VA-128 Intruders, VA-95 Green Lizards and Va-165 Boomers, and command tours as executive officer and commanding officer of VA-52 Knightriders.

Bob Knowles, who was Mr. Hess' commanding officer at Whidbey Island in the late 1970s and early 1980s with VA-165, was also his navigator and bombardier. "Rick followed the rules, was very steady and never did anything stupid with the airplane, and he had some of the toughest flying in the squadron," said Mr. Knowles of Albuquerque, who retired in 1993 from the Navy with the rank of captain.  "The A-6 is built for the bombardier and not the pilot," said Mr. Knowles. "I wanted to fly with him, and that's why I chose him — and I could have chosen anyone. We were given really tough challenges, and we were able to pull them off. "He was a hell of a pilot, and if he was still alive, I'd still want to fly with him," he said. 


In 1986, Mr. Hess began a tour of duty at the Pentagon, where he was an aide to Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, and subsequently secretaries James H. Webb and William L. Ball.  Mr. Hess later flew in combat in Somalia and Iraq and was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise at the time of his retirement in 1996.

Janet Metz, 56
  Janet loved the zest and passion of taking on new challenges.


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

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baltimore, Maryland 
Vans Aircraft; California, Maryland

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 


http://registry.faa.gov/N276VA 


Lawrence A. McCarter, Investigator In Charge (IIC), National Transportation Safety Board.


Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board 


Location: Stevensville, MD
Accident Number: ERA16FA165
Date & Time: 04/19/2016, 1244 EDT
Registration: N276VA
Aircraft: VANS RV12
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 19, 2016, about 1244 eastern daylight time, a Vans RV-12, N276VA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during final approach for landing at Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Yoxford Air, LLC, and operated by Chesapeake Sport Pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from Easton/Newnam Field Airport (ESN), Easton, Maryland.

The flight departed W29 about 1210 and proceeded to ESN, about 16 nautical miles southeast, where the pilot performed a full-stop landing and subsequent takeoff. The flight then departed the ESN traffic pattern and returned to W29 at an altitude about 1,500 ft.

Witnesses at W29 reported that they heard no transmissions from the pilot to the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) as the airplane approached the airport. Flight track data showed the airplane enter the traffic pattern on a left downwind leg for runway 29 and remain at an altitude about 1,000 ft mean sea level then initiate a left descending turn to the base leg.

Multiple witnesses located near the airport observed the airplane on final approach and reported that it seemed unusually low about 50 to 75 ft. Several witnesses described the right wing drop before the airplane pitched nose-down and descended to the ground. Another witness reported that the airplane's flight path "seemed normal," then "suddenly, its nose pitched up briefly" followed by a bank to the right, then a nose-dive into the ground."
The airplane impacted terrain and cartwheeled about 75 ft before coming to rest upright about 750 ft short of runway 29 and slightly left of the extended runway centerline. A postimpact fire consumed the fuselage before it was extinguished by emergency responders about 10 minutes after the accident. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/24/2008
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5136 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2.8 hours (Total, this make and model) 

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, age 63, held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land. He also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single engine. The pilot was issued an FAA first-class medical certificate in April 2008, which expired for all classes in April 2010. At the time of the accident, he did not possess an FAA medical certificate, nor was he required to for the accident flight in the light sport airplane. On the application for his last medical certificate, the pilot reported 5,136 total hours of flight experience. According to a review of the flight school's electronic records and correspondence with the owner of the school, the pilot completed two flights with a flight instructor in March and April 2016, totaling 2.4 hours of flight instruction and 3 hours of ground instruction. The pilot received an instructor signoff to fly the accident airplane on April 7, 2016. No pilot logbooks or additional flight records were recovered.

The flight instructor who provided the instruction and the signoff stated that the pilot had called several weeks earlier to receive a checkout in the RV-12 and stated that he did not have any experience in light sport aircraft. During the instruction flights, they performed various maneuvers, including steep turns, stalls, normal and soft field takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds. He stated that the pilot seemed "very comfortable" with the airplane and flew very well.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: VANS
Registration: N276VA
Model/Series: RV12
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 12056
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/16/2016, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:  1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 314.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912
Registered Owner: Yoxford Air LLC
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: Yoxford Air LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Does Business As: Chesapeake Sport Pilot
Operator Designator Code: 

According to FAA records and the airframe manufacturer, the two-seat, low-wing, fixed landing gear airplane was manufactured by Van's Aircraft, Inc., and received its special airworthiness certificate for light sport on June 23, 2015. The airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on March 16, 2016. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 298.6 total hours of operation. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 912-ULS-2 engine. The pilot's operating handbook stated that stall speed with the flaps extended at maximum gross weight was 41 knots; with the flaps retracted, the stall speed was 45 knots. The maximum direct crosswind was 11 knots.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: ESN, 75 ft msl
Observation Time: 1645 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 130°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 25000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 6°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots/ 16 knots, 320°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: EASTON, MD (ESN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Stevensville, MD (W29)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1225 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

At 1248, the weather recorded at W29 included 10 miles visibility, temperature 26°C, dew point 6°C, and altimeter 29.99 inches of mercury (inHg).

At 1245, the reported weather at ESN included wind from 320° at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 25,000 ft, temperature 26°C, dew point 6°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inHg.

The closest upper air sounding site was from Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG), Maryland, located about 32 miles north-northeast of the accident site on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The 0800 sounding indicated a morning surface-based inversion to about 800 ft. Winds were from the northwest at 10 knots and increasing in speed to over 20 knots immediately above the inversion. The strong shear resulted in a potential low-level wind shear conditions and turbulence. 

Airport Information

Airport: BAY BRIDGE (W29)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 14 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 29
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2713 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

W29 was a nontower-controlled airport. The field elevation was 15 feet msl and the airport was equipped with one asphalt runway. Runway 11/29 was 2,713 ft long by 60 ft wide and had nonprecision markings. Runway 29 was equipped with a 2-light precision approach path indicator (PAPI) with a 3.00° glidepath. The airport property was on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 38.975000, -76.322222 

The center fuselage and wings remained intact but were significantly damaged during the accident sequence. The wing spar remained attached to both wings and carried through the fuselage. Both wings remained attached to the U-channel with the spar pins locked in place. Fire consumed the center section of the airplane, where the 20-gallon fuel tank was located just aft of the cockpit seats, and also consumed the aft fuselage and empennage.

The left wing remained attached to the fuselage and carry-through wing spar. The outboard 90 inches remained intact to the wing root, where it was consumed by fire. The wing displayed very little compression and minor buckling on the forward outboard portion. The trailing edge displayed fire damage propagating outboard from the fuselage. The left flaperon remained attached and operated normally.

The right wingtip was deformed from the impact and the wing exhibited numerous compression bends along the entire span. It also exhibited fire damage at the root. The fire propagated outward from the midpoint of the wing aft and outboard of the trailing edge about 50% of its span. The right flaperon was ripped from its mounts and separated from the airplane during the accident sequence; it was found about 30 ft east of the main wreckage.

The aft root portions of the wings were destroyed by the fire. The flaperon handle was secured in the retracted position and the left flaperon displayed a neutral position. The right flaperon separated from the wing during the accident sequence and was found about 20 ft left of and behind the main wreckage. The push-pull tubes from the mixing box aft were broken and severed. The mixing box was not retrievable due to thermal damage.

The rudder was mostly destroyed by fire, but the lower attach point was functional and remained connected to the frame. Both rudder control cables remained attached. The stabilator remained intact and attached to the aft bulkhead. The counterweight and rod remained attached to the stabilator. The vertical stabilizer fractured just above the rear fuselage attach point. The forward attach point and lower and top ribs were consumed in the fire. The fiberglass tip was burned down to flexible cloth and the tail cone was consumed by fire.

Flight control continuity was established from the rudder and stabilator through the fuselage to the left and right tubular guides. Continuity to the rudder pedals could not be established due to impact and fire damage. All the cables were continuous and displayed minimal fire damage.

The engine, along with the mount and firewall, separated from the airframe and came to rest about 18 inches behind the cockpit. It was inverted and thermally damaged.

The crankshaft was turned via the aft accessory section of the engine and compression and suction were observed on all 4 cylinders. The spark plugs were examined; when compared to a Champion Spark Plug "Check-A-Plug" chart, the spark plugs appeared to be "normal" with light coloration signatures. Visual inspection of the valves and inside the cylinders at the exhaust pipes showed that they were clean, lubricated, and exhibited normal combustion signatures with no visible scoring or grooves.

There were two propeller witness marks in the ground leading up to the main wreckage, with one highly distinct gash 20 inches long and 8 inches deep in the ground. One blade separated at the hub. The other blade remained connected to the hub and was damaged by fire. 

Medical And Pathological Information

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, performed an autopsy of the pilot; the cause of death was multiple injuries. In addition, evidence of a scar from a previous stroke was identified, as well as significant heart disease. The pilot had an intact artificial aortic heart valve, severe coronary artery disease with 75% stenosis of the left anterior descending artery and 30% in the right coronary artery. No gross evidence of scarring from a previous heart attack was described. The medical examiner's toxicology testing identified amlodipine in the pilot's urine but not in blood.

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing and identified losartan, rosuvastatin, carvedilol, and salicylate in urine, amlodipine in liver and cavity blood, and rosuvastatin in blood. Losartan, carvedilol, and amlodipine are prescription blood pressure medications. Salicylate is a metabolite of aspirin; rosuvastatin is a prescription cholesterol lowering agent. None of these medications are generally considered impairing.

Records from the pilot's primary care doctor between April 2013 and April 2016 indicated that the pilot had undergone an aortic valve and aortic root replacement in 2012, and that he had longstanding hypertension and high cholesterol. He had also been diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack sometime before 2013. A list of regular medications was not included in the records after 2014.

Additional Information

According to the VANs RV-12 Pilot Operating Handbook. "During gusty wind conditions, fly the landing approach at approximately 5 knots above normal and touch down with the nose slightly lower than for a normal landing. Crosswind approaches can best be accomplished by using the wing down top rudder method touching first on the down wing side main wheel, followed by the other main wheel, and finally lowering the nose wheel all the while keeping the stick into the wind."

The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B), Chapter 8, " Crosswind Approach and Landing," stated in part: The wing-low (sideslip) method compensates for a crosswind from any angle, but more important, it keeps the airplane's ground track and longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline throughout the final approach.

For landing in turbulent conditions, use a power-on approach at an airspeed slightly above the normal approach speed. This provides for more positive control of the airplane when strong horizontal wind gusts, or up and down drafts, are experienced. Like other power-on approaches, a coordinated combination of both pitch and power adjustments is usually required.

NTSB Identification: ERA16FA165
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in Stevensville, MD
Aircraft: VANS RV12, registration: N276VA
Injuries: 2 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 April 19, 2016 about 1244 eastern daylight time, a Vans RV-12, N276VA, registered to Yoxford Air, LLC. operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during final approach at Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, MD. The Airline Transport pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

At approximately 1210, the pilot and his passenger departed runway 29 at W29 and flew southeast for approximately 25 miles before returning to the airport 30 minutes later. Initial radar data indicated they approached the airport traffic pattern from the south at 1,000 feet and entered the traffic pattern on the left downwind leg for runway 29. After turning from base to final, several witnesses reported that the airplane looked unusually low on final approach. The nose pitched up briefly but the airplane did not did not appear to gain any altitude. The left wing appeared to rise, followed by a sharp turn to the right and steep nose down attitude before disappearing behind trees.

The airplane impacted the ground and cartwheeled for approximately 150 feet before coming to rest upright, approximately 750 feet short of runway 29 and slightly left of the extended runway centerline. A post-accident fire consumed the fuselage before it was extinguished by fire rescue personnel about 10 minutes after the accident.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and pilot records, the pilot held a Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with ratings for Airplane Multiengine Land, Airplane Single Engine Land, and Flight Instructor for Airplane Single Engine Land. His most recent application for a FAA first-class medical certificate was dated April 24, 2008. As of his last known medical exam, the pilot reported that he had accrued approximately 5,136 total hours of flight experience. The pilot was issued a First Class Medical Certificate which expired for all classes on April 30, 2010.

According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured by Van's Aircraft, Inc. in 2015. The airplane's most recent 100 hour inspection was completed on March 16, 2016. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 298.6 total hours of operation. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 912-ULS-2 engine.


The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.

Richard W. Hess, director of operations for a Baltimore paper company who earlier had been an aide to three secretaries of the Navy, was killed April 19 when a plane he was piloting crashed on Kent Island.

The Ellicott City resident was 63.

Mr. Hess was at the controls of a rented white-and-red Van's RV 12 aircraft when the plane crashed into a field near Stevensville. Mr. Hess and a passenger, Janet Metz, 56, also of Ellicott City, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The son of Warren C. Hess, a career Air Force officer, and Catherine A. Spencer, an educator, Richard Warren Hess was born in Tachikawa, Japan, and raised in New Jersey, Illinois and Germany, where he graduated from Frankfurt American High School.

After graduating in 1975 from the Naval Academy, he was commissioned an officer and entered the naval flight program at Pensacola, Fla. Graduating at the top of his class and earning his wings in 1977, Mr. Hess was assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., where he flew Grumman A-6 attack planes.

Career assignments included tours in squadrons VA-128 Intruders, VA-95 Green Lizards and Va-165 Boomers, and command tours as executive officer and commanding officer of VA-52 Knightriders.

Bob Knowles, who was Mr. Hess' commanding officer at Whidbey Island in the late 1970s and early 1980s with VA-165, was also his navigator and bombardier.

"Rick followed the rules, was very steady and never did anything stupid with the airplane, and he had some of the toughest flying in the squadron," said Mr. Knowles of Albuquerque, who retired in 1993 from the Navy with the rank of captain.

"The A-6 is built for the bombardier and not the pilot," said Mr. Knowles. "I wanted to fly with him, and that's why I chose him — and I could have chosen anyone. We were given really tough challenges, and we were able to pull them off.

"He was a hell of a pilot, and if he was still alive, I'd still want to fly with him," he said.

He described Mr. Hess as "outgoing" and "one of the most fun guys in the squadron. He was like a little brother to me."

In 1986, Mr. Hess began a tour of duty at the Pentagon, where he was an aide to Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, and subsequently secretaries James H. Webb and William L. Ball.

Mr. Hess later flew in combat in Somalia and Iraq and was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise at the time of his retirement in 1996.

He had earned a master's degree in 1990 in business from George Washington University, and after leaving the Navy, went to work in 1996 for International Paper Co. in Lock Haven, Pa.

"The biggest thing with Rick was that he was a great family man," said Dennis Castronguay who worked with Mr. Hess at International Paper Co. and later was plant manager.

"He was just a great guy, and we worked together for four years," said Mr. Castronguay who retired from Verso Paper Corp. in Bucksport, Maine, and lives in Orland, Maine.

"When Rick came to Lock Haven, it was his first job out of the military. [He] came to us in a senior role and immediately made an impact on the company," Mr. Castronguay said. "He was a good leader, always had a smile and was great at problem solving. From the start, he was always looking at ways to improve things."

In 2000, Mr. Hess went to work for a paper company in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland, and later at XPEDX, a Hanover, Pa., paper company. He joined Leonard Paper Co. in 2007 as director of operations and continued working for the company until retiring in 2015.

"Rick was well respected, and he helped my family grow the business and improve the efficiency of the company," said Dan Leonard Jr., who is the Leonard Paper Co.'s general manager and worked closely with Mr. Hess. "When I told people here what had happened to Rick, there were plenty of tears."

Mr. Leonard said that because of Mr. Hess' military background, it would by easy to assume he would bring that background to his work as director of operations.

"You'd think he'd be tough — and he could be at times when needed — but he always took the gentle approach first. He was very compassionate and understanding," said Mr. Leonard, a resident of Ellicott City. "He was a very special person and very personal. He got to know all the employees on a personal level, and this brought the company together."

"Rick brought a huge degree of operational and logistical expertise to the company at a time when we were growing and needed some help," said Paul Baumann, sales manager. "He was an asset for all the time he was here.

"He could ... find a way to build consensus, no matter if it took him a year or more. He believed in compromise and the organization and moving forward together," said Mr. Baumann, who lives in Annapolis.

Mr. Hess earned flight instructor rating in 2006 and enjoyed training aspiring midshipmen aviators at Tipton Airfield near Fort Meade, family members said.

In addition to recreational flying, he enjoyed playing golf, tennis, fishing and spending time at a family cabin in Oakland in Western Maryland. He was also a Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fan.

Mr. Hess was a member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Resurrection, 3175 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City, where a Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 a.m. today.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, the former Susan Jeanne Zaruba; a son, Jonathan Richard Hess of Catonsville; three daughters, Meghan Elizabeth Hess of Baltimore, Susan Rebecca Gallagher of Ellicott City and Kristen Hess Reese of Alexandria, Va.; a sister, Linda Nostran of Mount Laurel, N.J.; and two grandchildren.

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

As the investigation continues into Tuesday's plane crash in Stevensville, friends of the pilot and passenger who were killed in the crash say the Ellicott City residents were known for their adventurous outlook on life.

According to Maryland State Police, pilot Richard Hess, 63, and his passenger Janet Metz, 56, died after their rental plane – a white and red Van's RV-12 aircraft – crashed near the Bay Bridge Airport around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Representatives of Chesapeake Sport Pilot flight school nearby said the plane took off from their premises, and that Hess was a flight instructor at the school.

Priscilla Holdt said she worked with Hess for several years at Chesapeake Proflight flight school at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, where he was a flight instructor in the Initial Flight Screening program for the Naval Academy.

"The IFS program was very intensive," Holdt said. "We had a short amount of time to get a large amount of students trained and [Hess] ran through this program for the Naval Academy, preparing students for the program in Pensacola, Fla. He was a very huge part of that because of his knowledge. He was very instrumental in helping us with that."

Holdt said Hess later left Chesapeake Proflight, saying "he was just kind of burnt out."

According to his Chesapeake Proflight biography on the Spoke website, Hess was a graduate of the Naval Academy and George Washington University and received his pilot's license in 1974. During his 20 years in the Navy, Hess flew carrier-based jets.

"Richard had the ability to see what it took [to become a pilot] and pass something along," Holdt said. "He really had a way with students because of his knowledge and his humor that made them want to learn. He just wanted to take time off and enjoy flying."

Although unsure if Metz was taking flight lessons, Jeff Brodeur, who knew Metz from high school, said that type of spontaneity wouldn't surprise him or her other classmates at all.

"Janet loved the zest and passion of taking on new challenges," said Brodeur, a fellow Nova High School graduate in Davie, Fla. "Does it surprise any of us that she was doing something that she loved or wanted to have a good time when she passed? Nope."

Brodeur said he stayed in touch with Metz after she moved in Ellicott City in December.

"Janet was always involved in our reunions, always involved in getting stuff done," he said. "Janet touched so many people wherever she went. There were always people who stayed in touch with her who remember that girl."

"Investigators are continuing to examine the aircraft," National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said. "I believe that they were able to document the scene and they're still in the process of collecting information."

Holloway said Wednesday that the investigation could take two or three days, and another five to 10 days before the NTSB releases its initial report. Holloway also said it could be 12 to 18 months before the NTSB can determine what caused the crash.

Investigators are also reviewing air traffic control communications, if available, and looking at weather and radar data.

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



STEVENSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) –Authorities have identified two people killed in a plane crash in Queen Anne’s County on Tuesday.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a two-seater plane to crash as it was approaching the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Airport.

The first emergency call came in just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Within minutes, first responders knew it was a dire situation as the plane burst into flames.

“This was not on fire in the air. It exploded into flames once it made contact with the ground,” said Corporal Davaughn Parker, Maryland State Trooper.

NTSB investigators say the plane–a Van’s RV-12 wit tail number N278VA– was trying to land in a small field near the Ellendale Manor community, in Stevensville when it crashed, killing Richard Hess, 63, and Janet Metz, 56, both of Ellicott City.

Those closest to the wreck tell WJZ they did their best to save the victims, but it was too late.

The plane was with the Chesapeake Sport Pilot school, where Fred Lango is an instructor. He says Hess also worked there.

“We send our sincerest thought and prayers to the friends and family of those involved in this tragedy,” a Chesapeake Sport Pilot spokesperson said on Tuesday. “Chesapeake Sport Pilot is a close knit community of individuals who share a passion for aviation, and I know we will all grieve this loss for some time. We offer our help and support to all those affected.”

The NTSB is continuing to investigate the crash, but couldn’t provide any additional details on Wednesday.

Those who knew Hess and Metz are in disbelief.

“I was shocked.  It’s a quiet neighborhood, you see these folks day in day out working around the house,” said Saville Scheler, who lives across the street from the Hess family.

He and others in the neighborhood are heartbroken by the news of Richard’s passing.

Close friends and neighbors tell WJZ Richard and his family were people of strong faith and well respected in their church community.

WJZ also met with Metz’s fiance.

He was too emotionally distraught to go on camera but said “we have lost a very special person,” in a Facebook post.

The NTSB will be out on the scene the next few days, trying to figure out the exact cause of the crash.

NTSB says it will have a preliminary report in three to ten days. A full report and cause of the crash may take a year.


Story and video:  http://baltimore.cbslocal.com


Two people killed when a small plane crashed Tuesday afternoon near the Bay Bridge Airport in Stevensville were identified by police on Wednesday.

Police identified the pilot as Richard Hess, 63, and the passenger as friend Janet Metz, 56, both of Ellicott City.

At about 12:45 p.m., the Maryland State Police Centreville Barrack received a call with a report of a plane crash near the Bay Bridge. Troopers, firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene.

A state police spokesman said the plane, a rental, was a white and red Van's RV-12 aircraft. Witnesses told police the plane burst into flames when it hit the ground.

The two occupants of the plane were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials had not yet identified them Tuesday evening.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, police said.

"It is too early to determine what caused the accident," said Keith Holloway, a spokesman for the NTSB. "We're still in the investigating stage."

Holloway said the investigation could take two or three days, and an another five to 10 days before the NTSB releases its initial report. Holloway also said it could be 12 to 18 months before the NTSB can determine what caused the crash.

Airport officials couldn't be reached for comment.

The incident was the second crash involving an aircraft in the area in approximately 48 hours. Early Saturday afternoon, a helicopter being used to inspect Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. power lines crashed near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The crash occurred off Aviation Boulevard, between BWI's MARC train station and Old Stoney Run Road. A BGE employee and two contractors on board were taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie for minor injuries.

The helicopter was completely destroyed, and the crash is under investigation by the NTSB and state police. 

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



Maryland State Police have identified the two Ellicott City residents killed in the plane crash near Bay Bridge Airport Tuesday.

Pilot Richard Hess, 63, and friend Janet Metz, 56 died in the crash shortly over 1 p.m. The small aircraft, tied to a flight school and rented from a Delaware firm, crashed in an open field in Stevensville before bursting into flames.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are still working to determine the cause of the crash.


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






STEVENSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) — Investigators remain on the scene of a deadly small plane crash, just feet away from the runway of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Airport.

NTSB investigators are on-scene. They say the plane was trying to land in a small field when it crashed, killing two people on board. Several witnesses say they tried saving the people from the burning plane. Emergency calls shed light on the frantic moments.

In the middle of a Queen Anne’s County field–totaled–Sky Eye Chopper 13 captured what’s left of a small, two-seater plane after it crashed near the Bay Bridge Airport.

The first emergency call came in just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Within minutes, first responders knew it was a dire situation. The plane caught fire.

“This was not on fire in the fire. It exploded into flames once it made contact with the ground,” said Corporal Davaughn Parker, Maryland State Trooper.

Dennis Profit saw the smoke.

“The whole back of it, the whole center was completely engulfed,” he said.

Still shaken up, Profit says he ran through the field and tried saving the two people on board–but it was too late.

“I grabbed my fire extinguisher and ran out and tried to put the flames out, but they were already dead when I got there,” he said.

State police say the plane was a Van’s RV-12 aircraft.

“We send our sincerest thought and prayers to the friends and family of those involved in this tragedy,” a Chesapeake Sport Pilot spokesperson said. “Chesapeake Sport Pilot is a close knit community of individuals who share a passion for aviation, and I know we will all grieve this loss for some time. We offer our help and support to all those affected.”

The plane was with the Chesapeake Sport Pilot school, where Fred Lango is an instructor. He says the man who died in the crash also worked there.

“I know it wasn’t a revenue flight, it wasn’t a training flight,” said Lango.

Like investigators, Lango is left trying to put together the pieces.

“You have to wonder why. That’s the first thing that runs through my mind is why something like that happened,” he said.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released. The NTSB will be out on the scene the next few days, trying to figure out the exact cause of the crash.

NTSB says it will have a preliminary report in three to ten days. A full report and cause of the crash may take a year.

Story and video:  http://baltimore.cbslocal.com



STEVENSVILLE, Md. —A plane crash in Queen Anne's County left two people dead Tuesday.

The plane crashed around 12:45 p.m. in a field just short of the runway at Bay Bridge Airport, which is just beyond the east side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at U.S. Route 50 and Maryland Route 8.

Maryland State Police said the single-engine plane went down in a field just across the highway from the airport. State police identified the aircraft as a Van's Aircraft RV-12, which, according to the company's website, is a two-seater that can be built from a kit or by a factory.

Police said the plane was not on fire in the air, but burst into flames after hitting the ground.

"It wasn't seconds later that fire trucks came in here, and you could tell, they put foam on it and had it out pretty quickly. And then the sheets came out and that's when the gentleman told me there were some deceased people there," said Mike McCollough, a retired firefighter who witnessed the crash.

State police said a man and a woman died in the crash. The victims were identified as Richard Hess, 63, and his friend Janet Metz, 56, both of Ellicott City. Hess was the pilot and Metz was the passenger. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating a cause of the crash.

A flight school that said its aircraft was involved in the crash released a statement about the crash, saying, "An aircraft associated with Chesapeake Sport Pilot was in an accident that resulted in fatalities. We send our sincerest thought and prayers to the friends and family of those involved in this tragedy.

"At this time, details of the accident are still emerging and we will cooperate fully with the NTSB so they can have a thorough investigation, which will hopefully help prevent this type of horrible accident in the future. Chesapeake Sport Pilot is a close-knit community of individuals who share a passion for aviation and I know we will all grieve this loss for some time. We offer our help and support to all those affected."

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






STEVENSVILLE, Md. -- Maryland State Police say two people were killed when their small plane crashed on the state's Eastern Shore.

Police spokesman Cpl DaVaughn Parker said authorities received a call about 12:44 p.m. Tuesday about a plane crash on Kent Island. He says the aircraft burst into flames when it hit the ground near the Bay Bridge Airport not far from Stevensville. He said the plane is a Van's Aircraft RV-12, which, according to the company's website, is a two-seater that can be built from a kit or in a factory.

"I tried to help but plane was fully engulfed," one witness told CBS Baltimore's WJZ reporter Rick Ritter. "I saw two people inside and started screaming for them, but no one was moving. I wish I could've done more."

Parker said the two who died at the scene weren't immediately identified, according to the station.

The Bay Bridge Airport serves mostly general aviation, not scheduled passenger airlines. The aircraft was rented out of Wilmington, Delaware from Yoxford Rental Company, CBS Baltimore reported.

Parker said the NTSB and FAA will investigate the crash.

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















WASHINGTON — Two people died in a small plane crash near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Queen Anne’s County Tuesday afternoon.

A man and woman died as a result of the single-engine plane crash that happened at Route 8 and eastbound Route 50 on Kent Island at about 12:45 p.m., said Maryland State Police spokesman Cpl. DaVaughn Parker.

Police have not released the names of the deceased nor who was piloting the plane when it crashed.

It is not yet clear if the plane was landing or taking off from the nearby Bay Bridge Airport at the time of the crash, Parker said.

The red and white Van’s Aircraft RV-12, which had been rented from Delaware, exploded into flames when it made contact with the ground, Parker added.

Police have not released information about any additional injuries or damage caused by the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.

The Bay Bridge Airport serves mostly general aviation, not scheduled passenger airlines.