Friday, July 22, 2016

Steen Skybolt 300, N511GS, Bearfeat Aerobatics: Fatal accident occurred July 21, 2016 near Enid Woodring Regional Airport (KWDG), Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma

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

NTSB Identification: CEN16FA278
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Fairmont, OK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/31/2017
Aircraft: HARRIS-RUNYAN Skybolt 300, registration: N511GS
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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.

The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed on a local flight with the intention of performing aerobatic maneuvers. According to a witness near the accident site, the airplane was performing aerobatic maneuvers. He stated that the airplane flew over at a high altitude and performed a barrel roll. The airplane continued south and then pitched up to climb straight up. The nose of the airplane came down through the horizon and the airplane started "tumbling". He stated that 1/3 of the way through the tumble the airplane rolled over on its back and entered an inverted flat spin.

Damage to the airplane and witness marks on the ground were consistent with the airplane impacting the ground in an inverted, nose low attitude. No anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed. The witness did not see the final seconds of the flight and it is unknown if or when the pilot may have initiated a recovery from the intentional maneuver. It is likely that the pilot waited too long to recover from the aerobatic maneuver.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's delay in recovering from an aerobatic maneuver resulting in collision with terrain.

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
United States Air Force

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N511GS

NTSB Identification: CEN16FA278 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Fairmont, OK
Aircraft: HARRIS-RUNYAN Skybolt 300, registration: N511GS
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 21, 2016, about 1840 central daylight time, a Harris-Runyan Skybolt 300 experimental amateur-built airplane, N511GS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain northeast of Fairmont, Oklahoma. The commercial-rated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Enid Woodring Regional Airport (WDG), Enid, Oklahoma, at 1834.

The pilot-rated passenger was a 1st Lieutenant T-38 instructor pilot in the US Air Force and was stationed at Vance Air Force Base (AFB). According to his wife, the flight was arranged on the day prior to the accident when a spot on the flight became available. The pilot-rated passenger expected the flight to depart between 1800 and 1815 and last no more than 15 minutes, characterizing the flight to his wife as a "quick loop." His wife stated that there was "no expectation that he would be flying."

The pilot was a demonstration pilot for Bearfeat Aerobatics. He was scheduled to perform his acrobatic airshow at the 2016 Vance AFB Open House. According to the US Air Force, the pilot had given acrobatic rides to several other airmen on the day of the accident.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, on the day of the accident the pilot of the accident airplane contacted WDG local control at 1832 and requested clearance to taxi to runway 17. The pilot stated that he was going "to the east to do some air work for 10 to 15 minutes." At 1834, the pilot received clearance to takeoff on runway 17 and at 1835, the pilot acknowledged a frequency change. No other communications were recorded between the pilot and WDG controllers.

According to the US Air Force, the pilot was provided flight following by Vance AFB Approach at 1837 and was in radar contact. Neither primary nor secondary radar information was provided for the accident airplane and the exact route of flight could not be established.

A witness located ½ mile north of the accident location reported seeing the accident airplane flying earlier in the day. He also observed the accident airplane flying for 20 to 30 seconds prior to the accident. He stated that the airplane flew over his house at a high altitude and performed a barrel roll. The airplane continued south and then pitched up to climb straight up. "The nose of the airplane came down through the horizon and the airplane started tumbling," similar to what he had seen other aerobatic airplanes do. He stated that 1/3 of the way through the tumble the airplane rolled over on its back and entered an inverted flat spin. The airplane went behind the trees and he did not see the collision.

The witness stated that he heard the airplane's engine running until the sound of the airplane hitting the ground.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Pilot

The pilot, age 55, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He also held a repairman – experimental aircraft builder certificate. His most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued on September 21, 2015. The certificate contained the limitations "must wear corrective lenses." He reported 3,591 hours total time; 39 hours were logged in the previous 6 months.

The pilot held a Statement of Acrobatic Competency (SAC) card (FAA Form 8710-7), issued by the FAA on September 26, 2015, for the Skybolt S/D. The card was valid until December 31, 2016. The card contained the maneuver limitations "solo aerobatics, formation aerobatics", and the altitude limitation of Level 1, unrestricted. According to FAA Notice 8900.356, Level 1 designates the minimum altitude above ground level authorized to start and complete aerobatic maneuvers as unrestricted. While not required for the accident flight, the SAC was required for the airshow the pilot was performing in later in the week.

Pilot-rated Passenger

The pilot-rated passenger was a pilot and a 1st Lieutenant in the US Air Force, and had been flying since February of 2014. According to Air Force personnel, he had logged no less than 460 hours and was serving as a T-38 instructor pilot at Vance AFB. A review of FAA records showed that he held a civilian student pilot certificate.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

According to FAA records, the 1993 experimental amateur-built bi-plane, a Harris-Runyan Skybolt 300 (serial number HR30091001) was manufactured by the pilot/owner. It was registered with the FAA on a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental-amateur built category. A Lycoming IO 540-K1G5D engine rated at 300 horsepower at 2,700 rpm powered the airplane. The engine was equipped with a 2-blade, Hartzell propeller.

The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, and was maintained in accordance with an annual condition inspection. A review of the maintenance records indicated that a condition inspection was completed, by the pilot, on April 3, 2016, at an airframe total time of 2,183.2 hours. The airplane had flown about 23.7 hours between the last inspection and the accident and had a total airframe time of 2,206.9 hours.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The closest official weather observation station was WDG, located 14 nautical miles (nm) west of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 1,167 ft msl. The routine aviation weather report (METAR) for WDG, issued at 1850, reported wind 170° at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky condition few clouds at 8,000 ft, temperature 38° Celsius (C), dew point temperature 18° C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury.

Calculations of relevant meteorological data revealed that the density altitude was 4,217 ft.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The accident site was located in a dormant wheat field. The accident site was at an elevation of 1,140 ft msl. The main wreckage came to rest inverted and included the left and right wing assemblies, the empennage, the fuselage, and the engine and propeller assembly. The wreckage came to rest oriented on a heading of 295°.

The upper right wing was crushed, torn, and broken and partially separated from the upper fuselage. The right aileron strut between the upper and lower right aileron was bent at mid span and remained attached to the upper and lower right aileron. The right aileron control tubing was continuous from the lower right aileron inboard to the cabin area. The lower right wing remained partially attached to the fuselage.

Both the upper and lower left wings were crushed, twisted, and broken and remained partially attached to the fuselage. The left aileron strut between the upper and lower left aileron was bent at mid span and remained attached to the upper and lower left aileron. Left aileron control tubing was continuous from the lower left aileron inboard to the cabin area.

The upper forward fuselage was crushed down and aft into the cabin area. The fuel tank was crushed down and was compromised. The floor of the fuselage was crushed and broken. The entire fuselage was bent, twisted, crushed, and broken. The occupiable space, for the front and aft seats, was reduced. The cockpit instruments were impact damaged and did not convey reliable readings.

The upper portion of the rudder and the vertical stabilizer was crushed down and to the left. The elevator control tubing was continuous from the forward cabin aft to the elevator control. The rudder cables were continuous from the forward cabin aft to the rudder control surface. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent and twisted.

The engine and propeller assembly remained attached to the fuselage. For identification purposes, the two propeller blades were arbitrarily marked as "A" and "B." Propeller blade "A" was bent aft 90° and embedded in the ground beneath the airplane. The blade exhibited faint leading edge scoring and scratches on the face of the propeller blade. Propeller blade "B" did not exhibit any visible damage.

The top portion of the engine, including the upper portion of the cylinders and the pushrod guides, was impact damaged. The fuel manifold and fuel injector lines were impact damaged. The upper bank of spark plugs were removed and signatures were consistent with normal operation when compared to a Champion Spark Plug chart.

The scope of the examination was limited by fragmentation due to impact damage; however, no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Board of Mediocolegal Investigations – Office of the Chief Medical Examiner – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on July 22, 2016. The autopsy concluded that the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries and the report listed the specific injuries.

The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological tests on specimens that were collected during the autopsy. Results were negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. Cyanide tests were not performed. Azacyclonol and fexofenadine were detected in the urine; however, they were not detected in the cavity blood.

According to the CAMI Toxicology Drug Information, Azacyclonol is a metabolite of Fexofenadine. Fexofenadine, commercially referred to as Allegra, is a nonsedating antihistamine used for the treatment of hay fever and the common cold. The pilot reported using Allegra D and Flonase on his medical certificate application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

According to FAA Advisory Circular 91-45C an aerobatic maneuver is "an intentional maneuver in which the aircraft is in sustained inverted flight or is rolled from upright to inverted or from inverted to upright position." Aerobatic maneuvers include rolls, snap rolls, loops, immelmanns, cuban eights, spins, and hammerhead turns.

NTSB Identification: CEN16FA278
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Fairmont, OK
Aircraft: RUNYAN S / HARRIS R SKYBOLT 300, registration: N511GS
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 July 21, 2016, about 1840 central daylight time, a Runyan/Harris Skybolt 300 experimental amateur-built airplane, N511GS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain northeast of Fairmont, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Enid Woodrig Regional Airport (WDG), Enid, Oklahoma, about 1830.

According to the passenger's wife, the flight was a "last minute flight," and she was supposed to meet the airplane at Vance Airforce Base, (END), Enid, Oklahoma, about 15 minutes after their scheduled departure time.

A witness located ½ mile north of the accident location reported seeing the airplane flying earlier in the day. The witness observed the accident airplane flying for 20 to 30 seconds prior to the accident. He stated that the airplane flew over their house at a high altitude and performed a barrel roll. The airplane continued south and then pitched to climb straight up. The nose of the airplane came down through the horizon and the airplane started "tumbling" similar to what he had seen other aerobatic airplanes do. He stated that 1/3 of the way through the tumble the airplane rolled over on its back and entered an inverted flat spin. The airplane went behind the trees and he did not see the collision.

The witness stated that he heard the engine of the airplane running the entire time – all through the maneuvers - until the sound of the airplane hitting the ground.

The wreckage of the airplane came to rest inverted in a dormant wheat field. Both bi-wing assemblies, the fuselage, and empennage were bent, crushed, and twisted.


Air Force 1st Lt. Dale Bryan Shillington

Randy Harris 




ENID, Okla. — Two men killed flying a biplane crash Thursday evening have been identified by Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Randell "Randy" Lee Harris, 55, was piloting a 1993 Runyan S/Harris R Skybolt 300 with Air Force 1st Lt. Dale Bryan Shillington, 25, riding along when he lost control of the aircraft, around 6:40 p.m., an OHP report states. 

Both died of massive injuries before emergency personnel reached the scene of the accident near Fairmont at 150th and Rupe, said Trooper Carter Mathews.

Harris was in Enid in advance of Vance Air Force Base's 75th anniversary open house and air show, in which he had been scheduled to perform, on Saturday.

Vance Air Force Base said in a statement Friday morning that Saturday’s open house and air show will proceed as scheduled. The USAF Thunderbirds will perform at 2:30 p.m.

A moment of silence will be observed during opening remarks during the open house to honor the deceased, according to the release.

Base officials said they will not issue any statement about the crash or the plane's occupants until 24 hours following the incident due to Department of Defense protocol and until next of kin has been notified. The deaths of both men were confirmed by OHP.

Mathews reported Harris was flying south when the he attempted an aerobatic maneuver.

“For unknown reason, pilot of aircraft one lost control of the aircraft and was unable to regain control,” Mathews' report states. “Aircraft one collided with the ground in an open, private field.”

Mathews said Harris and Shillington were using restraints and were pinned for one hour before being extricated by the Covington Volunteer Fire Department. Conditions were clear and dry, according to the report. The wind speed at the time of the crash was recorded at Breckinridge, site of the nearest Mesonet weather recording station, at 16.8 miles per hour, according to a Mesonet operator.

The cause of collision is under investigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was on scene Thursday evening. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and will launch an investigation.

Other responders included Fairmont Volunteer Fire Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Garfield County Emergency Manager Mike Hongisberg, Life EMS and Vance Air Force Base police, Mathews said.

'I was on that plane three hours ago'


Tulsa-based Bearfeat Aerobatics, a company Harris created, was providing civilian flights a mere three hours before the crash.

Scott Northcutt, of Enid, flew with Harris from about 4 to 4:30 p.m.

The two visited, talking about Harris’ travels and airshows he’d participated in during his 20-plus years of experience with the Skybolt 300.

Northcutt said he’s flown in many performance and aerobatic airplanes before.

“I thought he was very thorough,” Northcutt said. “He was very thorough as far as giving me a pre-brief training, different cover and safety items. We went up, and there was no concern at all. We had a great time and did all the maneuvers he knew.”

Northcutt said Harris asked him what else he wanted to do as they flew over Enid.

“I said, ‘whatever else there is,’” Northcutt said. “He said, ‘I think we did them all.’ He was super nice and very professional.”

Northcutt said the flight was great and filled with lots of “Gs” — acceleration forces known as G-force. The two completed barrel rolls, spins and other maneuvers.

“There wasn’t a time I felt uncomfortable, and it was a great flight,” Northcutt said. “My wife and I were watching things unfold last night online and we were trying to figure out which plane it was.”

He said he saw the crash photo published online by the Enid News & Eagle around 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We saw that photo, and it kind of takes the breath out of you,” Northcutt said. “Before I saw that picture, someone had posted (on another social media site) it (the plane that crashed) was a static display plane for Saturday. I thought if it was there for static display then it wasn’t Randy’s because he was in the show. That was before we saw the picture, and it kind of gave us a breath of fresh air.”

But as soon as they saw the photo and put the pieces together, it brought a crushing reality down on the couple.

“He gave us a pamphlet for his business, and I emailed them (before the crash),” Northcutt said. “Then after I found out it looked like it was Randy, I saw a 918 number calling me, and it was them to tell me.”

Northcutt said Harris was a general manager of an aviation service company in Tulsa located near Tulsa International Airport.

“It was them calling,” he said. “They saw my email, called me back and told me. It’s a tough thing, and he’d been doing it for 20 years. The 1st lieutenant, pilot or non-pilot, he’s one of our military. It’s a tough thing all around. It makes you look back and think, man, I was on that plane three hours ago. I don’t know what happened, but I know I flew with him and he was a great guy.”

The incident is a tough way to start a weekend air show, Northcutt said.

“It’s tough for him (Harris) and his family and the military gentleman’s family,” he said. “He’s got family here — military family — at the base. What do you say? Words can’t do it. It’s just a tough thing.”

Harris, of Owasso, had been performing since 1995 and had performed at more than 200 venues. He, and his wife were living in Tulsa with their two cats, according to the company website.

Ray Gill, of Enid, spoke with Harris and Shillington before they took off from Woodring Regional Airport Thursday evening.

Gill said Harris started flying in airshows the same time he did. The former American Airlines employee kept in touch with Gill and frequently talked planes.

“He built that airplane, and he was super heavily qualified to do what he does, and he’s very well respected in the industry, in airshows,” Gill said. “He had a ground-level waiver, which is the highest rating an airshow pilot can have.”

Before Harris and Shillington taxied, Gill said he spoke to Harris about a mutual friend or theirs who had recently died of cancer.

“We were just talking about that, life and death,” Gill said.

Source:  http://www.enidnews.com







OKLAHOMA CITY —An air show will continue this weekend at Vance Air Force Base following the death of two people in a plane crash near Enid.

The pilot was identified as Randall Harris, 55, and his passenger was identified as Dale Shillington, 25, an Air Force first lieutenant.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, Harris was attempting an aerobatic maneuver when he lost control of the plane.

Harris and Shillington were both involved in preparations for the airshow at the base on Saturday.

Shillington was a standout airman, according to base commander Col. Paul M. Johnson, who said he was personally introduced to Shillington on Tuesday.

Johnson arrived at the base a month ago.

“He had consistently received accolades in every level he was at, Shillington said.

Harris, of Owasso, was an airshow performer with Bearfeat Aerobatics. He had a long history of flying.

“This is a huge loss for our base, a huge loss for the air force and our forces," Shillington said.

The airshow will continue as planned as a tribute to the lives lost.

“I know this airman had a passion for aviation. I feel strongly this individual (Harris) had a passion for aviation also,” Shillington said. “We felt it would be best to honor that passion by continuing with the airshow.”

The open house and airshow begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

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