Saturday, July 09, 2016

Only a few 'warbirds' make Saturday gathering: Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport (KJGG) -Kathryn's Report



JAMES CITY — The Warbirds fly in at Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport wasn't as impressive as it has been in previous years.

Airport manager Charley Rogers said he'd hoped to have more World War II-era military planes than the half dozen who were there by none.

"We had 28 who said they were coming in," Rogers said. "Sometimes you have people who say they are coming in and then something comes up and they don't and sometimes you have people who don't say they'll show up who do."

Rogers said a forecast of late afternoon thunder storms for the area may have convinced some pilots not to make the trip.

Those who did were greeted by about thirty people, mostly families with children, who gathered around to look at the old airplanes.

Among them was a Fairchild J2K-2 painted to resemble one that served at the Coast Guard Air Station in Charleston in 1936. It's a four passenger plane, with a top speed of 124 mile per hour.

Mike Kuhnert, was there with another Fairchild, a PT-19. Originally from Germany, he flies out of Saluda now.

One of the more interesting plans was a Boeing PT-17 bi-plane. It was one of the most used training aircraft in World War II even though almost all combat aircraft were monoplanes at that time.

"Let me tell you about that," said pilot Dan Serio. "It was because this is harder to fly, because it's a tail dragger. They figures if you could fly this, you could fly anything. So, although the combat planes were monoplanes, everyone started off in one of these. The Navy had a version too, which was only slightly different."

Serio said his plane's top speed in about 110 mile per hour.

The Warbirds fly in is an annual event at Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport, a privately owned general aviation field with facilities for small private aircraft and helicopters. When the president visits the area, Marine 1, the presidential helicopter frequently lands at the airport to be available in case of emergency.

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

Evolution Trikes REVO, N9912S: Fatal accident occurred July 09, 2016 at Cushing Field (0C8), Newark, Illinois and accident occurred May 24, 2014 near Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport (KJGG), Williamsburg, Virginia

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

 Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; DuPage, Illinois 

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

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



Aviation Accident Data Summary - 
National Transportation Safety Board:   http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N9912S

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA263 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 09, 2016 in Newark, IL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/01/2017
Aircraft: EVOLUTION TRIKES REVO, registration: N9912S
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

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 student pilot was conducting his fourth solo flight in the weight-shift aircraft and was landing on a private turf runway in light wind conditions. A witness stated that the aircraft initially appeared to track straight down the runway after landing; however, shortly thereafter, it started to oscillate to the left and right. The oscillations increased until the aircraft rolled over and came to rest on its side. An examination of the aircraft did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although the pilot only had a total of 16.75 flight hours and less than 2 hours solo, it could not be determined why he lost control of the aircraft after landing.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 9, 2016, about 0915 central daylight time, an Evolution Trikes Revo, weight-shift aircraft, N9912S, impacted terrain at the Cushing Field Ltd Airport (0C8), Newark, Illinois. The student rated pilot, sole occupant, was fatally injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

A witness who was in an airplane positioned in the traffic pattern observed the accident. The witness stated that the accident aircraft landed on runway 36. Initially, the aircraft appeared to track straight down the runway, when the aircraft started to oscillate left and right. The oscillations then increased until the aircraft rolled over. The pilot was taken to a local hospital and was initially listed in critical condition before he succumbed to his injuries.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the aircraft came to rest on its side. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing and fuselage; the examination of the aircraft did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions.

PILOT INFORMATION

The pilot held a student pilot certificate and was operating under the sport pilot medical rules. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed he had accumulated 16.75 total flight hours, with 1.75 solo, in the accident aircraft. The logbook revealed three solo flights before the accident flight.


AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident aircraft was an Evolution Trikes Revo. The aircraft has a strut-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, two-seats-in-tandem, tricycle landing gear, and a single-engine in the pusher configuration. The aircraft was powered by a reciprocating Rotax four cylinder 912ULS engine and a fixed pitch propeller. A review of the aircraft's maintenance records revealed the last condition inspection was completed on February 8, 2016 with an aircraft total time of 93.5 hours. A review of FAA records revealed the aircraft received its Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Special Light Sport – Weight Shift Control Aircraft category on February 7, 2011. The student pilot purchased the aircraft in March 2016; however, at the time of the accident, the aircraft registration had not been updated in the FAA's database.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 0915, the automated weather observation facility located at the Morris Municipal Airport – James R. Washburn Field (C09), about 10 miles southeast of the accident site recorded; wind calm, 10 mile visibility, broken clouds at 1,900 ft, temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 62 degrees F, and a barometric pressure of 30.02 inches of mercury.

AIRPORT INFORMATION
The Cushing Field Ltd Airport (0C8), is a privately owned airport, open to the public, located 2 miles southwest of Newark, Illinois. Pilots are to use the CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for communications. The airport has a single turf runway 18/36; 2,831 ft by 180 ft. The airport is at an elevation of 640 ft mean sea level.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The wreckage came to rest on its right side, on the grass runway. Substantial damage was noted to the aircrafts fiberglass fuselage/fairing. Several tubing members for the wing were either bent or broken during the collision with the ground. The fabric wing was also torn.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Office of the Coroner, DuPage County, Illinois conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was determined to be "cervical spinal injuries".

The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The specimens were not tested for cyanide. The test was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. The test was positive for Fentanyl in lung and blood.


Fentanyl is an opioid medication. Fentanyl is used as part of anesthesia to help prevent pain after surgery or other medical procedure. A review of medical records revealed that the fentanyl was administered during medical treatment, after the accident.

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA263
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 09, 2016 in Newark, IL
Aircraft: EVOLUTION TRIKES REVO, registration: N9912S
Injuries: 1 Serious.

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 9, 2016, about 1940 central daylight time, an Evolution Trikes Revo, weight-shift aircraft, N9912S, experienced a hard landing at the Cushing Field LTD Airport (0C8), Newark, Illinois. The student rated pilot, sole occupant, was seriously injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

An initial report from the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that student rated pilot had little flight experience, but was endorsed for solo flight. The aircraft landed hard and flipped over, coming to rest upside down. 


The aircraft was retained for further examination.


A pilot is injured after an airplane crash Saturday morning near Newark. 

LaSalle County and Newark agencies responded at 9:41 a.m. to Cushing Field airport in the 4000 block of Route 71, where a Revo light sport aircraft had overturned on the runway while landing, according to a news release from the LaSalle County Sheriff's Office.

The pilot, a 62-year-old man from Warrenville, was flown to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, the release stated. The Associated Press reported that he was critically injured.

The crash is under investigation by the sheriff's office and the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the news release.

Original article can be found here:  http://www.theherald-news.com

A  Warrenville man was critically injured when the motorized glider he was piloting crashed at an airport west of Newark, Ill., in LaSalle County, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Crews from the Newark Fire Protection District were called at 9:41 a.m. to Cushing Field, 4076 Illinois Route 71 in unincorporated LaSalle County near Sheridan, said David Earl Thompson, a spokesman for the district.

They found an ultralight airplane had crashed on the runway at Cushing Field, and the 63-year-old man piloting the glider was trapped and critically injured, Thompson said. Crews began extrication and called for a LifeStar medical helicopter, Thompson said.

The man was trapped inside the glider, and required "heavy extrication" before crews could get him out and provide emergency treatment, Thompson said.

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

SHERIDAN, Ill. (WLS) -- The pilot of a small aircraft was injured when his plane flipped over while trying to land Saturday morning, according to the LaSalle County Sheriff's Office.

The open cockpit plane came down hard on the landing, causing it to flip at Cushing Field Limited Airport in Sheridan Ill. at approximately 9:45 a.m.

The pilot was airlifted to a hospital in unknown condition.

NTSB Identification: ERA14CA262 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 24, 2014 in Williamsburg, VA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/30/2014
Aircraft: EVOLUTION TRIKES REVO, registration: N9912S
Injuries: 2 Minor.

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

The pilot stated that he was flying the weight-shift control aircraft over a river while the passenger took photos. As he slowed and descended the aircraft near a bird's nest in order for the passenger to capture a photo, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot applied full engine power to recover, but the aircraft continued to sink before impacting the river, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and passenger subsequently egressed and swam to the shore. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the aircraft or engine that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water.







JAMES CITY - Two Williamsburg men were rescued from the James River Saturday night after the ultralight aircraft they were flying stalled and crashed near a neighborhood off Greensprings Road.

Around 8:30 p.m., Virginia State Police were notified that a two-seat hanglider powered by an engine had gone down in the water, according to a statement from state police. Sgt. Michelle Anaya said the crash occurred near Mott Lane and Manion Drive in Drummonds Field.

John Williams, 62, was flying the REVO aircraft with 49-year-old Andrew Jackson in the passenger seat. Police said the pilot slowed below the minimum safe speed, causing the aircraft to stall and crash into the James River.

Bob Ryalls, James City Assistant Fire Chief, said the aircraft came down about 100 yards offshore at the end of Mott Lane. He said the Revo landed in about 5-6 feet of water.

"When units arrived, bystanders had picked up one of the riders on the aircraft and brought them in to shore," he said.

Ryalls said bystanders brought the second man to the shore before the fire department boat arrived on scene.

Jackson was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said. Williams refused treatment.

The aircraft was recovered from the water by the James City Fire and Rescue dive team, then towed to Williams home.

According to the statement, investigation is pending a consultation with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office.

Incident occurred July 09, 2016 at Bradley International Airport (KBDL), Windsor Locks, Hartford County, Connecticut -Kathryn's Report

WINDSOR LOCKS, CONN. — An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing at a Connecticut airport because of a mechanical issue.

Flight 1692 from Charlotte, North Carolina, landed at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks early Saturday morning. 

An American Airlines spokeswoman says no injuries were reported. 

The plane had to be towed to the gate.

The plane was already scheduled to land at Bradley when the issue occurred.

The spokeswoman says officials will declare an emergency out of "an abundance of caution" and to allow a plane to land more quickly.

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

Accident prone pilot survived two dozen crashes -Kathryn's Report

By Bartee Haile
Texas History Columnist

At funeral services in Mission on Jul. 8, 1956, friends and family of “Slats” Rodgers paid their last respects to the accident prone pioneer aviator while marveling at the fact he died in bed of natural causes.

Texas’ first licensed pilot was born Floyd H. Rodgers in rural Georgia in 1889. His thin-as-a-rail appearance inspired someone to call him “Slats,” a nickname that stuck for the rest of life.

“Slats” was still in knee pants, when his parents brought him to the Lone Star State settling in the Johnson County community of Keene. He got a bare-bones education in the Cleburne schools before leaving home to work on an uncle’s farm near Waco.

At 18 he found entry-level employment with the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad. Displaying a mechanical aptitude as well as a good work ethic, he steadily advanced over the next eight years and wound up a locomotive engineer on the Cleburne-to-Dallas run.

By this time, “Slats” had even loftier ambitions that had nothing to do with trains. A childhood love of kites had blossomed into a fascination with flying on the heels of the Wright Brothers’ amazing feat at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

With the assistance of an older, more knowledgeable engineer, he began building his own aircraft in a blacksmith shop in Cleburne. Forced to vacate the premises by shortsighted city fathers, who outlawed the undertaking as a “public nuisance,” he loaded up the Oregon spruce, French turnbuckles, two-stroke engine and the rest of the materials and moved everything to Keene.

It was there in his adopted hometown that “Slats” turned his implausible dream into rickety reality. But he was in no hurry to fly it because he did not know how. “I had never seen anybody fly a ship,” he explained decades later in his autobiography. “I never had even seen one except mine.”

For the better part of a year, “Slats” contented himself with taxiing around a pasture. Then one day in 1912, a deep ditch left with him no choice but to lift off at the last second. After a maiden flight of 200 feet, the airplane slammed into the ground tearing off the wheels and right wing in what the man at the controls would claim was the first of his 29 crack-ups.

“Slats” pieced his pride-and-joy back together only to discover that the reattached wing drooped badly. He dubbed the ugly duckling “Old Soggy No. 1” and coaxed it into the sky another 50 times before putting the plane out to pasture like some derelict automobile.

In the early days of World War I, the Army was desperately short of pilots and instructors. That was how a string-bean Texan, who had never taken a lesson in his life, spent much of 1916 teaching wide-eyed cadets everything he knew about flying.

Following President Wilson’s war “to make the world safe for democracy,” “Slats” bought an Army surplus Jenny for next to nothing. He joined the fun-loving club of barnstorming daredevils, who made their living by selling five minutes in sky to anybody with the price of a ticket and by putting on death-defying air shows.

In the early 1920’s, “Slats” traded in his Jenny for a five-passenger biplane. During his days on the railroad, he had supplemented his income by carrying bootleg whiskey in the cab of his locomotive. His spacious new aircraft enabled him to ferry cases of illegal booze out of Mexico to ready buyers in Texas.

Several sources allege that the so-called “Love Field Lunatics,” of which “Slats” was a prominent member, was actually a cover for a smuggling operation. Whether that is true or not, there is no question that the public could not get enough of the stunt pilots’ risky aerobatics.

A cornerstone of the “Slats” Rodgers’ legend is that around 1926 he was issued the first pilot’s license in the State of Texas. But he had a heap of trouble holding on to it due to his aerial antics.

“I guess the government had my license more than I did,” “Slats” told a newspaperman in 1950. “They’d always get to feeling sorry for me, though, and give it back in two or three months.”

One of the stunts that resulted in the suspension of his pilot’s permit involved flying between two Dallas skyscrapers to win a wager. On another occasion, he dropped a lookalike dummy from his plane to give spectators down below the false but exciting impression that he was falling to his death.

The end of Prohibition and the barnstorming era compelled “Slats” to seek legitimate employment. Always creative, he invented crop-dusting by cutting a couple of holes in the floorboard of his craft. When failing eyesight made that practice too dangerous even for him, he tried his hand at ranching and opened steakhouses in Bandera and McAllen before his death at age 67.

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