Friday, July 29, 2016

Flight Design CTSW, N487CT: Incident occurred September 12, 2016 in hreveport, Louisiana

http://registry.faa.gov/N487CT

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Baton Rouge FSDO-03

AIRCRAFT ON LANDING, STRUCK THE PROPELLER, SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA.  

Date: 12-SEP-16
Time: 16:22:00Z
Regis#: N487CT
Aircraft Make: FLIGHT DESIGN
Aircraft Model: CTSW
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Minor
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: SHREVEPORT
State: Louisiana

Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, N94JR: Accident occurred July 28, 2016 near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (KECP), Panama City, Bay County, Florida

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

Additional Participating Entity:


Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama
 
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/N94JR


Location: Panama City, FL
Accident Number: ERA16LA276
Date & Time: 07/28/2016, 1907 CDT
Registration: N94JR
Aircraft: PIPER PA28R
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On July 28, 2016, at 1907 central daylight time, a Piper PA 28R-200, N94JR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Panama City, Florida. The flight instructor was not injured, and the pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Enterprise Municipal Airport (EDN), Enterprise, Alabama, about 1830, and was destined for Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), Panama City, Florida.

During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the flight instructor stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct a training session for the pilot receiving instruction, who was pursuing an instrument rating. While preparing for landing at ECP, at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the pilot reduced engine power to slow the airplane during the descent. He subsequently attempted to add power and level off; however, the engine was unresponsive and then lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed the engine failure checklist, but was unsuccessful in his attempts to restart the engine. He contacted the air traffic control tower and advised that they were unable to glide to the airport, and performed a forced landing in a wooded area about 3 miles north of ECP.

Examination of the accident scene by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest upright on the floor of a pine forest. The engine and forward section of the airplane were displaced upward and aft, and the propeller blades were undamaged. The right wing exhibited leading edge damage, had separated from the fuselage at the root, and was displaced up and aft. The right fuel tank was breached and was devoid of fuel. The left wing sustained leading edge damage and remained attached, and was nearly full of fuel. The empennage remained attached and was undamaged. The landing gear was found extended.

The airplane was examined again at a salvage facility by an FAA inspector. The inspector used water-detection-paste on a 10-gallon fuel sample drained from the left fuel tank and the fuel was absent of water. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand at the propeller, and exhibited thumb compression on all four cylinders. Spark was detected at the spark plug leads from the left magneto (which had an impulse coupling) on cylinder Nos. 1, 3 and 4, as the propeller was rotated by hand. Spark could not be detected using this method at the lead for cylinder No. 2, or from any leads from the right magneto, possibly due to insufficient propeller rpm when rotated by hand. The fuel lines leading to the fuel flow gauges, the fuel servo and the fuel distribution manifold were wet with fuel when opened, but did not contain a measurable amount of fuel. The gascolator contained a small amount of fuel and was unobstructed. The fuel pump was connected to an external power source, and produced suction and pressure at the inlet and outlet, respectively.

The four-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle-gear airplane was manufactured in 1969 and powered by a Lycoming IO-360, 200-hp engine. Review of maintenance records by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on April 11, 2016, at which time the engine had accrued a total of 4,008 hours, with 106 hours since overhaul. The airplane flew about 21 hours since that inspection.

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 25, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Instrument Airplane; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/26/2013
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 22, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/15/2011
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N94JR
Model/Series: PA28R 200
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1969
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28R-35380
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/11/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 21 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5306 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-C1C
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 200 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KECP, 69 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1853 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 156°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 200°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ENTERPRISE, AL (EDN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Panama City, FL (ECP)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1830 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES INTL (ECP)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 68 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 16
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 10000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  30.395833, -85.812500 (est)


NTSB Identification: ERA16LA276
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in Panama City, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28R-200, registration: N94JR
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 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 28, 2016, at 1907 central daylight time, a Piper PA 28R-200, N94JR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Panama City, Florida. The flight instructor was not injured, and the pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Enterprise Municipal Airport (EDN), Enterprise, Alabama, about 1830, and was destined for Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), Panama City, Florida.

According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to conduct a training session for the pilot receiving instruction, who was pursuing an instrument rating. While preparing for landing at ECP, at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the pilot reduced engine power to slow the airplane during the descent. He subsequently attempted to add power and level off; however, the engine was unresponsive and then lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed the engine failure checklist, but was unsuccessful in his attempts to restart the engine. He contacted the air traffic control tower and advised that they were unable to glide to the airport, and performed a forced landing in a wooded area about 3 miles north of ECP.

Examination of the accident scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest upright on the floor of a pine forest. The engine and forward section of the airplane was displaced upward and aft, the propeller blades were undamaged. The right wing exhibited leading edge damage, had separated from the fuselage at the root, and was displaced up and aft. The right fuel tank was breached and devoid of fuel. The left wing sustained leading edge damage remained attached, and was nearly full of fuel. The empennage remained attached and was undamaged. The landing gear was found extended.

The airplane was examined at a salvage facility by an FAA inspector. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand at the propeller, and exhibited thumb compression on all four cylinders. Spark was detected at the spark plug leads from the left magneto on cylinder Nos. 1, 3 and 4, as the propeller was rotated by hand. Spark could not be detected using this method at the lead for cylinder No. 2, or from any leads from the right magneto. The fuel lines leading to the fuel flow gauges, the fuel servo and the fuel distribution manifold were wet with fuel when opened, but did not contain a measurable amount of fuel. The gascolator contained a small amount of fuel and was unobstructed. The fuel pump was connected to an external power source, and produced suction and pressure at the inlet and outlet, respectively.

Maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on April 11 2016, at which time the engine had accrued a total of 4,008 hours, with 106 hours since overhaul. The airplane flew about 21 hours since that inspection.

The engine was retained for further examination.























AIRCRAFT:   1969 Piper PA 28R-200 Arrow N94JR, s/n: 28R-35380

ENGINE:       Lycoming IO-360-C1C, s/n: l-6659-51A

PROPELLER: Hartzell HC-C24YR-1BF, s/n: CH39732B

APPROXIMATE TOTAL HOURS (estimated TT & TSMO from logbooks)

CURRENT TACH:  5327.09; Hobbs 1727

ENGINE:  Log indicates overhaul 04/21/2010 and installed 06/15/2010 at Tach 5200 with 3901.2 ETT and 0.0 TSMOH.  Log records Annual Inspection 04/11/2016 at Tach 5306.64, TSMOH 106.64

PROP:  Log indicates prop overhaul 07/26/2006.  Log records Annual Inspection on 04/11/2016 at PTSOH 243.64

AIRFRAME:  Log records Annual Inspection 04/11/2016 at Tach 5306.64, TTAF 5306.64

OTHER EQUIPMENT:  Narco MK 12D Audio panel, KX155 NAV COMM, Northstar M1 LORAN, King ADF

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  On 07/28/16, aircraft lost power on approach to Panama City Airport which resulted in pilot performing off field landing in a pine tree farm.

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES:  The impact resulted in major damage to the aircraft.  The right wing was broken off.  The left wing was cut off to remove from forest and has a crushed leading edge.  The prop is damaged.  The engine is bent upward at a 45 degree angle and broken from the bottom mountings.  The fuselage is twisted.  The tail surfaces have damage.

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT: Aircraft was disassembled and transported to Florida Air Recovery, Jacksonville, FL.

REMARKS: Logbooks are with field adjuster Riner of SIAI. Prior written permission required from insurance company to perform onsite inspection of wreckage.


Read more here:   http://www.avclaims.com/N94JR.htm



BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two men escaped injury after the plane they were in crashed north of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Thursday afternoon.

It happened just after 6 p.m.

Investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office tell us two pilots were in a Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow doing flight training after when the plane developed engine trouble.

Investigators say the lead pilot knew they weren’t going to make it to Beaches International Airport, so he looked for “the smallest trees” and decided to put the plane down there.

They wound up off Tram Road south of Highway 20 about two to three miles north of runway 16 at Beaches International Airport.

Both men escaped the crash with only minor injuries.

The plane, registered out of North Port, Florida, is a four seat single-engine fixed wing aircraft manufactured in 1969.

The flight originated in Enterprise, Alabama.

No names of anyone involved have been released. The FAA is leading the investigation into the crash.

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

PZL-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, N9726N: Accident occurred May 14, 2017 in Talkeetna and incident occurred July 28, 2016 in Iliamna, Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage

http://registry.faa.gov/N9726N

http://registry.faa.gov/N9726N

Aircraft on landing, ground looped 

Date: 14-MAY-17
Time: 01:26:00Z
Regis#: N9726N
Aircraft Make: WSK PZL
Aircraft Model: WILGA 80
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: FERRY
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: TALKEETNA
State: ALASKA

Aircraft lost power and made a forced landing.

Date: 28-JUL-16
Time: 17:53:00Z
Regis#: N9726N
Aircraft Make: PZL OKECIE
Aircraft Model: PZL104
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Minor
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: ILIAMNA
State: Alaska

Cessna 172E Skyhawk, N3677S: Accident occurred July 28, 2016 at Rexburg–Madison County Airport (KRXE), Idaho

Aviation Accident Final 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/N3677S

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA403
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in Rexburg, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/05/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 172, registration: N3677S
Injuries: 1 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.

The student pilot reported that while practicing short-field landings on runway 17, a 4,200 foot asphalt runway, he overshot his intended landing area. He reported that about 65 knots indicated air speed and 25 feet above ground level (AGL), he executed a go-around by applying mixture rich, full throttle, carburetor heat cold, but the electric flaps were left fully extended. He reported that he pulled back on the yoke, but he could not get the airplane to climb, and the airplane descended to the right side of the runway, and touched down in the safety area to the right of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer and the rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

Photographs of the accident airplane provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the airplane inverted with the flaps extended. 

The airplane manufacturer pilot operating handbook prescribed Balked Landing procedure states:

1. Throttle – Full Open

2. Carburetor Heat – Cold

3. Wing Flaps - 20 Degrees (Immediately)

4. Climb Speed – 55 Knots

5. Wing Flaps 10 Degrees (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (after reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS)

The meteorological aerodrome report at accident airport about the time of the accident indicated: The temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind was out of 170 degrees true at 7 knots and varying between 140 degrees and 200 degrees true. The altimeter setting was 30.10. The field elevation at the airport was 4,858 feet and the density altitude was 7,850 feet.

According to the FAA Pamphlet 8740-2 pertaining to Density Altitude:

Whether due to high altitude, high temperature, or both, reduced air density (reported in terms of density altitude) adversely affects aerodynamic performance and decreases the engine's horsepower output. Takeoff distance, power available (in normally aspirated engines), and climb rate are all adversely affected. Landing distance is affected as well; although the indicated airspeed (IAS) remains the same, the true airspeed (TAS) increases. From the pilot's point of view, therefore, an increase in density altitude results in the following:

• Increased takeoff distance.

• Reduced rate of climb.

• Increased TAS (but same IAS) on approach and landing.

According to the aforementioned FAA Pamphlet, the Koch Chart (chart in docket) depicting the relationship between airport temperature (90 degrees) and airport pressure altitude (4,693 feet), the climb rate decreases by 64 percent. The pilot initiated the balked landing procedure at 25 feet AGL.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain and nose over.

The student pilot reported that while practicing short-field landings on runway 17, a 4,200 foot asphalt runway, he overshot his intended landing area. He reported that about 65 knots indicated air speed and 25 feet above ground level (AGL), he executed a go-around by applying mixture rich, full throttle, carburetor heat cold, but the electric flaps were left fully extended. He reported that he pulled back on the yoke, but he could not get the airplane to climb, and the airplane descended to the right side of the runway, and touched down in the safety area to the right of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer and the rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

Photographs of the accident airplane provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the airplane inverted with the flaps extended. 

The airplane manufacturer pilot operating handbook prescribed Balked Landing procedure states:

1. Throttle – Full Open

2. Carburetor Heat – Cold

3. Wing Flaps - 20 Degrees (Immediately)

4. Climb Speed – 55 Knots

5. Wing Flaps 10 Degrees (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (after reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS)

The meteorological aerodrome report at accident airport about the time of the accident indicated: The temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind was out of 170 degrees true at 7 knots and varying between 140 degrees and 200 degrees true. The altimeter setting was 30.10. The field elevation at the airport was 4,858 feet and the density altitude was 7,850 feet.

According to the FAA Pamphlet 8740-2 pertaining to Density Altitude:

Whether due to high altitude, high temperature, or both, reduced air density (reported in terms of density altitude) adversely affects aerodynamic performance and decreases the engine's horsepower output. Takeoff distance, power available (in normally aspirated engines), and climb rate are all adversely affected. Landing distance is affected as well; although the indicated airspeed (IAS) remains the same, the true airspeed (TAS) increases. From the pilot's point of view, therefore, an increase in density altitude results in the following:

• Increased takeoff distance.

• Reduced rate of climb.

• Increased TAS (but same IAS) on approach and landing.


According to the aforementioned FAA Pamphlet, the Koch Chart (chart in docket) depicting the relationship between airport temperature (90 degrees) and airport pressure altitude (4,693 feet), the climb rate decreases by 64 percent. The pilot initiated the balked landing procedure at 25 feet AGL.




NTSB Identification: GAA16CA403
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in Rexburg, ID
Aircraft: CESSNA 172, registration: N3677S
Injuries: 1 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.

The student pilot reported that while practicing short-field landings on runway 17, a 4,200 foot asphalt runway, he overshot his intended landing area. He reported that about 65 knots indicated air speed and 25 feet above ground level (AGL), he executed a go-around by applying mixture rich, full throttle, carburetor heat cold, but the electric flaps were left fully extended. He reported that he pulled back on the yoke, but he could not get the airplane to climb, and the airplane descended to the right side of the runway, and touched down in the safety area to the right of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer and the rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

Photographs of the accident airplane provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the airplane inverted with the flaps extended. 

The airplane manufacturer pilot operating handbook prescribed Balked Landing procedure states:

1. Throttle – Full Open

2. Carburetor Heat – Cold

3. Wing Flaps - 20 Degrees (Immediately)

4. Climb Speed – 55 Knots

5. Wing Flaps 10 Degrees (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (after reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS)

The meteorological aerodrome report at accident airport about the time of the accident indicated: The temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind was out of 170 degrees true at 7 knots and varying between 140 degrees and 200 degrees true. The altimeter setting was 30.10. The field elevation at the airport was 4,858 feet and the density altitude was 7,850 feet.

According to the FAA Pamphlet 8740-2 pertaining to Density Altitude:

Whether due to high altitude, high temperature, or both, reduced air density (reported in terms of density altitude) adversely affects aerodynamic performance and decreases the engine's horsepower output. Takeoff distance, power available (in normally aspirated engines), and climb rate are all adversely affected. Landing distance is affected as well; although the indicated airspeed (IAS) remains the same, the true airspeed (TAS) increases. From the pilot's point of view, therefore, an increase in density altitude results in the following:

• Increased takeoff distance.

• Reduced rate of climb.

• Increased TAS (but same IAS) on approach and landing.

According to the aforementioned FAA Pamphlet, the Koch Chart (chart in docket) depicting the relationship between airport temperature (90 degrees) and airport pressure altitude (4,693 feet), the climb rate decreases by 64 percent. The pilot initiated the balked landing procedure at 25 feet AGL.















AIRCRAFT:   1964 Cessna 172, N3677S

ENGINE - M&M, Continental O-300-D,    S/N: 25499-R

PROPELLER – M&M, McCauley 1C172EM7653    S/N:  McCauley 1C160/DTM

APPROXIMATE TOTAL HOURS (estimated TT & TSMO from logbooks or other information):

ENGINE:   Total Time: 3,155

SMOH: 1,135

PROPELLER:    Unknown        

AIRFRAME:    Total Time: 4,588                  

OTHER EQUIPMENT:      Narco CP126 Audio Panel, King KX-170B NavCom, King KX-175B NavCom, and Narco AT50A Transponder

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  Aircraft lost directional control on landing, veered off the runway, and flipped over.

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES:    Propeller, spinner, engine cowl, right wing, left wing, left aileron, windshield, top of fuselage, vertical stabilizer, rudder.
                           
LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT: (KRXE) Rexburg-Madison County Airport, Rexburg, ID
             
REMARKS: “PARTS ONLY”.   Unreleased conveyance on the title with Community Bank dated 02/15/1977 and recorded 06/01/1977 as document number: W023795


Read more here:  http://www.avclaims.com/N3677S.htm

Air Tractor AT-602, N2033N, registered to Rayne Aviation LLC and operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying LLC: Fatal accident occurred July 28, 2016 in David City, Butler County, Nebraska

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

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA291
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in David City, NE
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/14/2017
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT602, registration: N2033N
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 commercial pilot was performing an aerial application flight when the airplane struck the ground in a right wing low, 60° nose-down attitude. Flight track data from an onboard aerial guidance system revealed that the airplane had completed 6 previous aerial applications that morning, and was engaged in a seventh application when the accident occurred. During the last application, the airplane made 4 passes followed by shallow turns to reverse direction. During these turns, the airplane climbed until it reached 90° abeam the direction of application, then descended as it completed the turn on the opposite heading. The accident occurred during the turn between the fourth and fifth passes. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The flap actuator was found extended 3-7/8 inches, correlating to a flap extension of 30°. 

Based on the recorded data, the characteristics of the airplane’s last turn before impact did not vary greatly from that of the other turns performed during the accident flight. It is likely that, during the turn, the pilot allowed the airspeed to decay and the airplane exceeded its critical angle of attack, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall at an altitude which did not allow for recovery. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Ragnar Emrich
~


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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Air Tractor; Olney, Texas
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Quebec, Ontario

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

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

Registered to Rayne Aviation LLC
Operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying LLC
http://registry.faa.gov/N2033N

Ragnar M. Emrich 
November 16, 1978 - July 28, 2016 





NTSB Identification: CEN16LA291 
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in David City, NE
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT602, registration: N2033N
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.

On July 28, 2016, about 1530 central daylight time (CDT), an Air Tractor AT-602, N2033N, impacted A corn field 3 miles northeast of David City, Nebraska. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Rayne Aviation, LLC, and operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying, LLC, both of Dorchester, Nebraska, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU), Columbus, Nebraska, about 1430.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who were on-scene, the airplane had been spraying Headline® Fungicide (pyraclostrobin – a Group 11 fungicide) on a corn field. The accident site was located 200 feet north of County Road 38 and west of County Road O. There was no fire and there were no witnesses to the accident.

The on-scene evidence was consistent with the airplane striking the ground in a right wing slightly low, 60° nose-down attitude. The airplane rebounded about 20 feet from the initial impact point and came to rest upright facing south. Witness marks in the field were consistent with a large sweep of the right wing through the corn crop, consistent with some right wing-down rolling motion at impact. All impact signatures and crop damage were in a northerly direction, and the debris field was small.

The aft cockpit wall immediately behind the pilot's seat was deformed. Elevator and rudder control continuity was confirmed. Aileron controls were found to be continuous except for fractures at both wing roots. All hardware was found to be properly installed. The Hobbs Meter was destroyed. The airplane was equipped with an inflatable restraint system, and it had deployed. The airplane was equipped with an inflatable restraint system and it had deployed. The flap actuator was found extended 3-7/8". According to Air Tractor, this setting correlated to a flap deflection of 28° to 30°. Examination of the engine revealed the fuel control unit (FCU) low pressure fuel filter had dark colored debris on the filter and in the bottom of the filter bowl. The FCU high pressure fuel filter had a chalky gray sediment in the housing. The propeller assembly had fractured off the engine propeller shaft on impact. Two blades remained attached. The other three blades had broken off the hub. One blade was found near the propeller assembly, a second blade was found in front of the fuselage, and the third blades was found several weeks later in a corn field some distance from the main wreckage.

On August 18, 2016, FAA and Pratt & Whitney examined the airplane, engine, propeller, and fuel system at the facilities of Dodson International in Rantoul. Kansas. According to Pratt & Whitney, the engine displayed contact signatures to its internal components, characteristic of the engine making significant power at impact. Engine components displayed no indications of malfunction or pre-impact failure. Examination of the recovered propeller blades and propeller hub bore no indications that the propeller may have been in Beta mode or reverse pitch.

On December 1, 2016, the propeller assembly was further re-examined under the auspices of two FAA inspectors at the facilities of Stallings Aircraft Propeller in Wynne, Arkansas. Representatives from Hartzell Propellers and Air Tractor were in attendance. According to Hartzell's report, blade butt, piston, cylinder, and rod impact marks indicated the propeller was operating at a blade angle range of approximately 16° to 19° at impact. The beta ring low pitch for this propeller is 13.9° and the "hydraulic" (aka "running") low pitch is approximately 7.9°. The estimated blade angle at impact was above the low pitch stop and in the normal operating range. The report concluded, "There were no discrepancies noted that would prevent or degrade normal propeller operation prior to impact. All damage was consistent with high impact forces with objects and/or terrain."

A SATLOC (an aerial guidance system that allows aerial applicators to view flight information, such as spray and waypoints, and companies to track the position of their aircraft) was recovered from the wreckage and sent to NTSB's Vehicle Recorder Division for download and readout. According to the GPS Specialist's factual report, the airplane had made six previous aerial applications that morning, and was engaged in a seventh application when the accident occurred. During this last application, the airplane made four passes followed by shallow turns in the opposite direction. During these turns, the altitude increased until the airplane reached 90° abeam the direction of application and descended as it completed the turn on the opposite heading. The last data point was captured at 15:03:57 as the aircraft was turning to complete its fifth pass. The recorded altitude showed the aircraft was at 1,841 feet msl and at a groundspeed of 96 miles per hour. The spray condition was off. The measured diameter of the airplane's last turn, from the impact point to a point abeam the impact point, was measured to be approximately 750 feet. The diameter of the previous turns throughout the entire accident flight ranged from 600 feet in diameter to over 1,000 feet in diameter. Based on the recorded data, the characteristics of the airplane's last turn prior to impacting the field did not greatly vary from other turns the airplane performed during the accident flight. According to the SATLOC manufacturer, up to six seconds of data may be lost in the volatile memory during a high impact.

According to an Arkansas Air Tractor pilot familiar with this accident, agricultural pilots often make turns with flaps extended to give the airplane greater stability. He said, "Most all the Air Tractors need flaps in turns when carrying a load. There are 3 notches of flaps in the AT-602: 15, 30 and 45°. Most Air Tractor pilots use 30° of flaps and keep their speed above 100 knots. There are some pilots who use 45° but let the airspeed get down to 80 to 90 knots in turns. There are other pilots who do wing-over turns. Some pilots pull their stall warning circuit breaker on the panel to keep it from annunciating during the turn. This 'on the edge' kind of flying is just a bad combination that gets worse as the weather warms up and the density altitude climbs."

The pilot's autopsy report attributed death to "massive blunt trauma secondary to a plane crash." His toxicology report revealed no evidence of carbon monoxide, ethanol, or drugs. Cyanide testing was not performed.





NTSB Identification: CEN16LA291
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in David City, NE
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT602, registration: N2033N
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On July 28, 2016, about 1530 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N2033N, impacted a corn field 3 miles northeast of David City, Nebraska. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Rayne Aviation, LLC, and operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying, LLC, both of Dorchester, Nebraska, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who was on-scene, the airplane had been spraying Headline® Fungicide (pyraclostrobin – a Group 11 fungicide). The airplane struck the ground in a wings-level, nose-down attitude in a corn field about 200 feet north of County Road 38 and west of County Road O intersection. There was no fire. The airplane was equipped with an inflatable restraint system and it had deployed. Flight Control continuity was confirmed to extent possible due to wreckage condition. The flap actuator was found in the fully extended position (~30 degrees deflection). According to the pilot's co-worker (and an Air Tractor pilot himself), agricultural pilots often make turns with flaps extended because of greater stability. Asked if the accident pilot reversed course by turning 45 degrees to the right, followed by a 180-degree turn to the left and another 135-degree turn to the left, he replied that the pilot was known to pull up and execute a wing-over maneuver instead.  The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Air Tractor; Olney, Texas
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Quebec, Ontario

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

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

Registered to Rayne Aviation LLC
Operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying LLC

http://registry.faa.gov/N2033N

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA291 
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in David City, NE
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT602, registration: N2033N
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.

On July 28, 2016, about 1530 central daylight time (CDT), an Air Tractor AT-602, N2033N, impacted A corn field 3 miles northeast of David City, Nebraska. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Rayne Aviation, LLC, and operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying, LLC, both of Dorchester, Nebraska, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU), Columbus, Nebraska, about 1430.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who were on-scene, the airplane had been spraying Headline® Fungicide (pyraclostrobin – a Group 11 fungicide) on a corn field. The accident site was located 200 feet north of County Road 38 and west of County Road O. There was no fire and there were no witnesses to the accident.

The on-scene evidence was consistent with the airplane striking the ground in a right wing slightly low, 60° nose-down attitude. The airplane rebounded about 20 feet from the initial impact point and came to rest upright facing south. Witness marks in the field were consistent with a large sweep of the right wing through the corn crop, consistent with some right wing-down rolling motion at impact. All impact signatures and crop damage were in a northerly direction, and the debris field was small.

The aft cockpit wall immediately behind the pilot's seat was deformed. Elevator and rudder control continuity was confirmed. Aileron controls were found to be continuous except for fractures at both wing roots. All hardware was found to be properly installed. The Hobbs Meter was destroyed. The airplane was equipped with an inflatable restraint system, and it had deployed. The airplane was equipped with an inflatable restraint system and it had deployed. The flap actuator was found extended 3-7/8". According to Air Tractor, this setting correlated to a flap deflection of 28° to 30°. Examination of the engine revealed the fuel control unit (FCU) low pressure fuel filter had dark colored debris on the filter and in the bottom of the filter bowl. The FCU high pressure fuel filter had a chalky gray sediment in the housing. The propeller assembly had fractured off the engine propeller shaft on impact. Two blades remained attached. The other three blades had broken off the hub. One blade was found near the propeller assembly, a second blade was found in front of the fuselage, and the third blades was found several weeks later in a corn field some distance from the main wreckage.

On August 18, 2016, FAA and Pratt & Whitney examined the airplane, engine, propeller, and fuel system at the facilities of Dodson International in Rantoul. Kansas. According to Pratt & Whitney, the engine displayed contact signatures to its internal components, characteristic of the engine making significant power at impact. Engine components displayed no indications of malfunction or pre-impact failure. Examination of the recovered propeller blades and propeller hub bore no indications that the propeller may have been in Beta mode or reverse pitch.

On December 1, 2016, the propeller assembly was further re-examined under the auspices of two FAA inspectors at the facilities of Stallings Aircraft Propeller in Wynne, Arkansas. Representatives from Hartzell Propellers and Air Tractor were in attendance. According to Hartzell's report, blade butt, piston, cylinder, and rod impact marks indicated the propeller was operating at a blade angle range of approximately 16° to 19° at impact. The beta ring low pitch for this propeller is 13.9° and the "hydraulic" (aka "running") low pitch is approximately 7.9°. The estimated blade angle at impact was above the low pitch stop and in the normal operating range. The report concluded, "There were no discrepancies noted that would prevent or degrade normal propeller operation prior to impact. All damage was consistent with high impact forces with objects and/or terrain."

A SATLOC (an aerial guidance system that allows aerial applicators to view flight information, such as spray and waypoints, and companies to track the position of their aircraft) was recovered from the wreckage and sent to NTSB's Vehicle Recorder Division for download and readout. According to the GPS Specialist's factual report, the airplane had made six previous aerial applications that morning, and was engaged in a seventh application when the accident occurred. During this last application, the airplane made four passes followed by shallow turns in the opposite direction. During these turns, the altitude increased until the airplane reached 90° abeam the direction of application and descended as it completed the turn on the opposite heading. The last data point was captured at 15:03:57 as the aircraft was turning to complete its fifth pass. The recorded altitude showed the aircraft was at 1,841 feet msl and at a groundspeed of 96 miles per hour. The spray condition was off. The measured diameter of the airplane's last turn, from the impact point to a point abeam the impact point, was measured to be approximately 750 feet. The diameter of the previous turns throughout the entire accident flight ranged from 600 feet in diameter to over 1,000 feet in diameter. Based on the recorded data, the characteristics of the airplane's last turn prior to impacting the field did not greatly vary from other turns the airplane performed during the accident flight. According to the SATLOC manufacturer, up to six seconds of data may be lost in the volatile memory during a high impact.

According to an Arkansas Air Tractor pilot familiar with this accident, agricultural pilots often make turns with flaps extended to give the airplane greater stability. He said, "Most all the Air Tractors need flaps in turns when carrying a load. There are 3 notches of flaps in the AT-602: 15, 30 and 45°. Most Air Tractor pilots use 30° of flaps and keep their speed above 100 knots. There are some pilots who use 45° but let the airspeed get down to 80 to 90 knots in turns. There are other pilots who do wing-over turns. Some pilots pull their stall warning circuit breaker on the panel to keep it from annunciating during the turn. This 'on the edge' kind of flying is just a bad combination that gets worse as the weather warms up and the density altitude climbs."

The pilot's autopsy report attributed death to "massive blunt trauma secondary to a plane crash." His toxicology report revealed no evidence of carbon monoxide, ethanol, or drugs. Cyanide testing was not performed.

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA291
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, July 28, 2016 in David City, NE
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT602, registration: N2033N
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On July 28, 2016, about 1530 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N2033N, impacted a corn field 3 miles northeast of David City, Nebraska. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Rayne Aviation, LLC, and operated by Emrich Aerial Spraying, LLC, both of Dorchester, Nebraska, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who was on-scene, the airplane had been spraying Headline® Fungicide (pyraclostrobin – a Group 11 fungicide). The airplane struck the ground in a wings-level, nose-down attitude in a corn field about 200 feet north of County Road 38 and west of County Road O intersection. There was no fire. The airplane was equipped with an inflatable restraint system and it had deployed. Flight Control continuity was confirmed to extent possible due to wreckage condition. The flap actuator was found in the fully extended position (~30 degrees deflection). According to the pilot's co-worker (and an Air Tractor pilot himself), agricultural pilots often make turns with flaps extended because of greater stability. Asked if the accident pilot reversed course by turning 45 degrees to the right, followed by a 180-degree turn to the left and another 135-degree turn to the left, he replied that the pilot was known to pull up and execute a wing-over maneuver instead. 



Ragnar Emrich
~



DAVID CITY -- A 37-year-old Dorchester man died Thursday afternoon in the crash of a spray plane 3 miles northeast of David City.

Ragnar Emrich was pronounced dead at the scene at 4 p.m., said Julie Reiter, the Butler County attorney.

Emrich was piloting the Emrich Aerial Spraying plane when it crashed in a cornfield about 70 yards north of County Road 38 and west of the County Road O intersection. A line of trees bordered the east-west road south of the crash site.

The crash was reported by a person who was in the area at about 3:20 p.m.

David City Fire and Rescue personnel made their way to the crash site with an ambulance, but soon moved the vehicle back to the road.

The site was restricted because of the presence of chemicals still in the plane.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office and the Butler County Attorney’s Office were investigating the crash.

Representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were making their way to the scene.







DAVID CITY — A 37-year-old Dorchester man was killed Thursday when the crop duster he was flying crashed in rural Butler County.

Ragnar Emrich was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was reported around 3:20 p.m. when the plane was spotted in a cornfield about 3 miles northeast of David City, near the intersection of county roads O and 38.

According to online information, Emrich operated his own business, Emrich Aerial Spraying based in Dorchester.

Butler County Attorney Julie Reiter said County Road 38 was closed between roads N and O while officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board made their way to the site.

The Butler County Sheriff's and Attorney's offices are also part of the investigation. David City Fire and Rescue responded to the crash, which was reported by a person in the area.

Access to the area was restricted following the initial response because of the presence of agricultural chemicals still inside the plane.

Source:  http://columbustelegram.com