Saturday, August 13, 2016

Cripple Creek, Wythe County, Virginia: Man has copter land in yard

Donald Anderson Sr. routinely sees deer and other wildlife visiting the hayfield behind his Cripple Creek farmhouse, but it’s not very often he finds that a helicopter has decided to visit that same patch of grass.

Anderson, who is hard of hearing, said he didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary Aug. 3 when a large Bell 412 helicopter landed an estimated 50 yards behind his home. He lives in a secluded area in the Cripple Creek community, so he was surprised to find a stranger knocking on his front door.

“I didn’t hear anything,” Anderson said. “I was in the house watching the news. I didn’t hear anyone come up the drive, but there was a knock on the door and there was a man standing on the edge of the porch. He said he had to land his helicopter in the back of my house, that he didn’t hurt anything, it just wasn’t safe to fly and he had to land.”

Virginia State Police Trooper Brandon Frye said the police didn’t catch wind of the incident until the following day when a concerned resident from the area called to report suspicious activity.

Frye said the two men who occupied the helicopter were with the U.S. military. He said the pair was travelling in a leased helicopter used to track weather patterns across the country from New Mexico. Frye explained that they had just taken off from Mountain Empire Airport in nearby Smyth County when a warning light came on and they were forced to land.

Smyth-Wythe Airport Commission Chairman Curtis Pennington, who also owns Hangar 7 at the airport, said the stranded pilots had initially intended to bring the helicopter to his hangar for repair, but were unable to make the short trip to the next county.

Pennington explained that the pilots landed the helicopter as a precaution when the fire warning light came on in the cockpit.

“Anything with a jet engine has censors all over it,” Pennington said. “If the temperature goes up those censors tell you you’ve got a fire.”

Pennington said the warning light was believed to have come on as a result of an exhaust leak near a temperature probe.

“When the light goes on that tells you you’ve got a fire, you land,” he said.

Without being able to get the helicopter to the hangar for repair, Anderson said his visitors were forced to leave the rotorcraft behind while he took them into town to find lodging and transportation.

It would be four days between the time of their arrival and the time of their departure late Sunday evening. It took that long for an aircraft mechanic from Roanoke to make it out to the sequestered farmland to repair the out-of-commission helicopter.

“It was a pretty high-priced machine, so they didn’t want to leave it there long,” Anderson said.

This is not Wythe County’s first unexpected landing from a military helicopter, however.

In September 2009, a pilot with the Virginia Army National Guard was forced to make what the military calls a “hard landing” in an alfalfa patch on Huffard Farm between Wytheville and Rural Retreat.

During that incident the pilot was tasked with searching out marijuana plants that may have been in the area when the emergency landing was made. Unlike the more recent incident, that helicopter sustained heavy damage, but the pilot was uninjured.

Source:  http://www.swvatoday.com

Champion 7ECA Citabria, N9541S: Fatal accident occurred August 13, 2016 at Birchwood Airport (PABV), Chugiak, Alaska

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

NTSB Identification: ANC16FA057
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Chugiak, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/06/2017
Aircraft: CHAMPION 7ECA, registration: N9541S
Injuries: 1 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.

According to multiple witnesses at the airport, they observed the airplane perform several touch-and-go landings throughout the late morning and early afternoon on the day of the accident. They added that the pilot then landed and taxied to a local fuel vendor's facility and refueled. The pilot then departed. Two witnesses who were near the departure runway reported that, after the airplane departed, they heard the engine making a "pop pop" sound and that it then appeared to lose power. Another witness near the runway reported hearing the engine "sputtering" and added that the airplane appeared to stall. All the witnesses reported that they observed the airplane turn right steeply, that its right wing and nose dropped abruptly, and that it then descended in a steep, nose-down attitude, consistent with an aerodynamic stall. A postimpact fire immediately ensued, which destroyed the airplane.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The witnesses reported hearing noises consistent with an engine misfiring and it was likely losing power; however, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the postaccident examination. After the loss of engine power, the pilot attempted a steep turn at low altitude, during which he failed to maintain proper airspeed and exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep low-altitude turn following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.


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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania

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/N9541S 

NTSB Identification: ANC16FA057
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Chugiak, AK
Aircraft: CHAMPION 7ECA, registration: N9541S
Injuries: 1 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.

On August 13, 2016, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a Champion 7ECA (Citabria) airplane, N9541S, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power just after takeoff from Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to the pilot and a co-owner and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the intended local flight.

According to multiple witnesses at Birchwood Airport, they observed the airplane perform several touch-and-go landings throughout the late morning and early afternoon on the day of the accident. They said that, just after 1300, the pilot made a full-stop landing and then taxied to a local fuel vendor's facility. 

During a postaccident interview, one of the witnesses stated that the accident airplane had been for sale and that the accident pilot had met him and a friend at Birchwood Airport about 1315 to show the potential buyer the airplane. The potential buyer reported that he "walked around the airplane" and noticed no mechanical problems and that the pilot told him that there were no mechanical problems with the airframe and engine. The pilot asked the potential buyer if he would like to go for a ride in the airplane, and the potential buyer declined and said he would only go for a ride if he offered to purchase the airplane. The pilot then started the airplane and departed from runway 2R, which was 2,200 ft long and 50 ft wide. The potential buyer said he watched the airplane as it departed and that, as it neared the departure end of the runway, it turned "steeply to the right about 90 degrees," followed by a nose-and-right-wing-low descent. The airplane subsequently descended behind a stand of trees and hangars and out of view. 

Two other witnesses, who were located near the departure end of runway 2R, reported that, after the airplane departed, they heard the engine making a "pop pop" sound and that it then appeared to lose power. Another witness reported hearing the engine "sputtering" and stated that the airplane appeared to stall. All the witnesses reported that they saw the airplane turn steeply to the right, the airplane's right wing and nose drop abruptly, and the airplane continue to descend nose down behind several hangars and impact terrain. A postimpact fire ensued, and the airplane was destroyed. 

A witness who was flying a helicopter about 1/2 mile east of Birchwood Airport before the accident reported hearing a male voice on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) stating that he was taking off from runway 2R and would make a right turnout. The helicopter pilot reported that he saw the accident airplane and that it appeared "lower than what I would expect." The airplane began an early right crosswind turn near the airport. The helicopter pilot noticed that the bank of the right turn appeared steep considering the low altitude of the airplane. The helicopter pilot reported that, about 90° into the right turn, he heard a male voice transmit on the CTAF, "oh [expletive]." Immediately after the radio transmission, the airplane "appeared to stall and enter a very nose down attitude." The helicopter pilot saw the airplane descend until it disappeared below the tree line. 

PERSONNEL INFORMATION 

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 1, 2015, and contained no limitations. On the medical certificate application, the pilot reported a total time of 206 hours, with 0 hours in the last 6 months.

A review of the pilot's personal logbook revealed that he had a total of 194.2 flight hours, all of which were in single-engine airplanes. 

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION 

The two-seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane was equipped with a 115-horsepower Lycoming O-235-C2C engine. The engine was equipped with a two-bladed McCauley metal propeller.

According to the airplane's maintenance logbook, the engine was installed on June 14, 1974. The last annual inspection of the airframe and engine was performed on April 2, 2016, at which time the engine total time was 1,313.02 hours, including 383.8 hours since its last major overhaul, and the airframe total time was 1,913.8 flight hours, including 383.8 hours since the last major overhaul. 

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION 

The official weather observation station located at the Birchwood Airport was not reporting full METAR data at the time of the accident. The closest official weather observation station was located at the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska, about 9 miles north of the accident site. At 1336, a METAR reported, in part, wind 090° at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few clouds at 8,000 ft; temperature 64°F; dew point 48°F; altimeter setting 29.56 inches of mercury. 

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The accident site was about 1,725 ft northeast of the departure end of runway 2R on the north side of a "t" intersection of Birchwood Spur Road and Stoltze Drive (A terrain image of the accident site location in relation to the departure runway is available in the public docket for this accident). The accident site was bordered on the north side by a wooded area and was about 260 ft east of airport hangars. The initial impact point was on about a 351° heading, and the airplane was resting upright on sloping terrain (about 45°), with the left wing closest to Birchwood Spur Road, and the right wing closest to the bottom of the sloping terrain at the "t" intersection. No wreckage path was present at the accident site. Ground scarring was limited to the planform area of the airplane. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure facility for examination.

The airplane exhibited about a 45°-nose-down crushing of its firewall with the vertical stabilizer displaced left about 10°. The airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. The responding firefighting personnel reported that foam was used to extinguish the fire. All of the major airplane components were found at the accident site. 

The fuselage was twisted, and the empennage was displaced forward and to the left near the left wing. Various tube attachment points were separated due to impact forces. The majority of the airplane's fabric was melted by the postimpact fire except for several feet on the left wing's outboard section.

All the windscreens were missing. The cockpit and instrument gauges were consumed by the postimpact fire, and no readings/positions could be determined. The cockpit structure was crushed from downward impact forces. Flight control continuity was established from the control surfaces to the cockpit.

The propeller was separated from the crankshaft flange at the mechanical attachment point on the hub. All the propeller bolts were in place within the propeller hub. Neither of the propeller exhibited S-shaped bending and/or chordwise gouging/scratching. 

The engine's top spark plugs were removed, and the engine was rotated by hand. During the rotation, air was drawn in and expelled through each top spark plug hole. Engine and valve train continuity was confirmed. Borescope inspection of the cylinders revealed no mechanical anomalies. 

No liquid was found in the fuel system due to impact damage and the postimpact fire. The fuel selector was in the "on" position, and the selector manifold and selector valve did not contain debris upon disassembly. The carburetor heat was found in the "off" position. The throttle was found in the "full forward" position. 

The carburetor was found displaced from the engine, and the throttle/mixture controls were attached to their respective control arms of the carburetor. The fuel inlet screen did not contain debris. The carburetor fuel hose was consumed by the postimpact fire. The carburetor was opened, and the fuel bowl had no visible contaminants. The float assembly hinge remained secure at the mounting and was not damaged. The float pontoon and float arm were consumed by postimpact fire. 

During the engine examination, no evidence of anomalies, contamination, or malfunctions were found in any of the engine accessories, including the magnetos, ignition harness, induction system, spark plugs, oil pump, oil cooler, and oil filter. The cylinders, pistons, valve train, crankshaft, and other internal components showed no evidence of anomalies or malfunctions. 

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION 

The Alaska State Medical Examiner, Anchorage, Alaska, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The autopsy report attributed the pilot's cause of death to multiple blunt force injuries with a contributing cause of thermal injuries. 

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot's specimens. The results were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs. 

TESTS AND RESEARCH

Fuel Testing 


The pilot purchased 10.45 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel at 1316. A fuel sample from the fuel facility was tested by the owner with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge present, and no fuel contamination was found. There were no reports of fuel contamination or operating anomalies from pilots of other airplanes that were fueled before or after the accident from the fuel pump at the airport.

NTSB Identification: ANC16FA057
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Chugiak, AK
Aircraft: CHAMPION 7ECA, registration: N9541S
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On August 13, 2016 about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Champion 7ECA (Citabria) airplane, N9541S, was destroyed following a loss of engine power and subsequent loss of control just after takeoff from the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The sole occupant, the private pilot, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Birchwood Airport, about 1330.

According to various witnesses at the Birchwood Airport, they observed the accident airplane perform a series of touch-and-go landings throughout late morning and early afternoon on the day of the accident. They said that just after 1300, the airplane did a full stop landing, and it taxied to a local fuel vendor's facility. 

During an on-scene interview with the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 13, a witness to the accident explained that the accident airplane had been for sale and the accident pilot met him at the Birchwood Airport to show him the airplane. The potential buyer/witness reported that he and a friend met the pilot about 1315 to look at the airplane. The potential buyer looked the airplane over and noticed no mechanical problems with the airplane, and reported that the pilot said there with no mechanical problems with the airframe and engine. The pilot asked the potential buyer if he would like to go for a ride in the airplane, and the potential buyer declined citing he would only go for a ride if he made an offer for purchasing the airplane. After the pilot and potential buyer parted ways, the pilot started the airplane and departed from runway 2R. The potential buyer said he watched the airplane as it departed, and as it neared the departure end of runway 2R, it turned steeply to the right (90 degrees), followed by a nose and right wing low descent. The airplane subsequently descended behind a large stand of trees and hangars, and out of view.

During additional on-scene interviews with the NTSB IIC on August 13, witnesses situated closer to the departure end of runway 2R consistently reported that after the airplane departed, they heard the engine "sputtering and popping" and then it appeared to either lose partial or all power. The witnesses reported after the loss of engine power, they saw the airplane turn steeply to the right and then it appeared to stall. The airplane's right wing and nose dropped abruptly, and continued to descend, nose down. The airplane then descended behind several hangars, and impacted terrain. The witness reported that a postimpact fire ensued immediately after impact. 

The airplane's wreckage was subsequently incinerated by a postimpact fire. 

A witness who was flying a helicopter about 1/2 mile east of the Birchwood Airport prior to the accident, reported hearing a male voice on the Birchwood Airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) of 123.00 stating that he was taking off from runway 2R and would make a right turnout. The helicopter pilot reported that he obtained visual contact of the accident airplane and it appeared lower than he expected. The airplane began an early right crosswind turn in close proximity to the airport. The helicopter pilot noticed that the bank of the right turn appeared steep considering the low altitude of the airplane. At about 90 degrees into the right turn, the helicopter pilot reported hearing a male voice transmit on the CTAF frequency, "oh [expletive]." Immediately after the radio transmission, the airplane appeared to stall and enter a nose down attitude. The helicopter pilot observed the descent until the airplane disappeared below the tree line. 

The NTSB IIC and three air safety investigators from the NTSB traveled to the accident scene. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure facility for future examination of the airframe and engine.


The closest official weather observation station is located at the Wasilla Airport, about 9 miles to the north of the accident site. At 1336, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting, and stated in part: Wind 090 degrees (true) at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few clouds at 8,000 feet; temperature 64 degrees F; dew point 48 degrees F; altimeter 29.56 inHg. The official weather observation station located at the Birchwood Airport was not reporting full METAR data at the time of the accident.

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov,  and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.




Champion 7ECA, N9541S: Aircraft on landing, nosed over - Anchorage, Alaska

http://registry.faa.gov/N9541S


IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 9541S        Make/Model: 7ECA      Description: CHAMPION 7ECA
  Date: 10/20/2012     Time: 0126

  Event Type: Incident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Minor

LOCATION
  City: ANCHORAGE   State: AK   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT ON LANDING, NOSED OVER, ANCHORAGE, AK

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0        
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0         
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0      


OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Landing      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: ANCHORAGE, AK  (AL03)                 Entry date: 10/22/2012 

ANCHORAGE – Last updated at 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13

A small, single-engine plane crashed near the Birchwood Airport Saturday afternoon, resulting in one fatality. The pilot has been identified as 43-year-old Christopher Lampshire. He was the only person onboard.

Chugiak Fire and Rescue Chief Clifton Dalton told KTVA the plane crash was reported at 1:32 p.m. on the north side of the airport. Eight units were initially dispatched and found the plane, a Champion Citabria, fully engulfed in flames. Anchorage Assistant Fire Chief Erich Scheunemann said the fire has since been put out.

The Anchorage Police Department also responded, including Chief Chris Tolley. He said witnesses reported seeing the plane taking off just before the crash.

“[The plane] crashed and immediately burst into flames, according to witnesses,” he said in an interview with KTVA. “We have some leads as to who it could be, as well as the registered owner. We don’t know for sure, so we want to confirm all those things.”

Scheunemann said two people were initially reported to be on the plane when it crashed but Tolley said only one death had been confirmed as of Saturday evening.

“We believe it’s just one at this time, but again, these things, you have to check with sources and things like that. What we can tell right now is one and we’re hoping that all it is is one, not that that’s any less traumatic,” Tolley explained.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Mike Hodges later confirmed only one person had died in the crash — the pilot, Lampshire. Hodges also stated witnesses heard two popping noises before the crash. He said it was unclear where Lampshire was headed.

NTSB spokesman Clint Johnson said the wreckage was moved to a facility in Wasilla for further examination. He said investigators are not ruling anything out in terms of cause, but are looking into a possible “engine anomaly” based on the popping noises heard by witnesses.

Johnson also said the plane is a Champion, but the engine is made by Lycoming. A representative from that manufacturer is flying up from the Lower 48 to help with the investigation.

Lampshire’s family has been notified of his death.

No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

This is the second fatal plane crash at the Birchwood Airport this year. In April, another plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing four people onboard. The plane hit a young bald eagle, according to NTSB officials.


Source:   http://www.ktva.com



A Saturday afternoon air crash killed one person as a American Champion 7ECA Citabria, fully engulfed in flames upon impact near the intersection of the Birchwood Spur Road and Stoltze Road.

“The victim in today’s plane crash was not immediately identifiable,” Anita Shell, Anchorage Police Department spokesperson said via email to The Star Saturday night. “The body was taken to the medical examiner’s office. They will use dental records to confirm identification.”

Shell said police believe they know the victim’s identity, but will not release the name until they are 100 percent sure. She believes final identification will be made on Monday.

Initial reports of a second victim proved false.

“At this point, we don't have any indications of a second victim. Only one was found in the wreckage,” Shell said, adding that the victim’s age is older than 18.

The Facebook page Chugiak Neighborhood Watch posted around 2 p.m. with a photo and a video by a witness to the fire upon impact. The crash was reported at 1:32 p.m., according to Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Chief Clifton Dalton who said eight units were initially sent to the crash site on the northern side of the Birchwood Airport.

Mike Skupniewitz, a Chugiak resident, posted a photo of the fire and a video of the area where the plane crashed, labeled his post with the following, “Plane crash & burn. Birchwood engine quit on takeoff. Tried to turn back.”

APD Chief Chris Tolley was on site shortly after the crash report. He told KTVA television that, “(The plane) crashed and immediately burst into flames, according to witnesses.”

National Transportation Safety Board officials were still conducting their investigation in to the air crash as of Saturday night. Mike Hodges, an NTSB spokesperson, said the plane crashed shortly after taking off from runway 2 right. He said witnesses report hearing two popping noises before the crash.

Due to the air crash site’s close proximity to the road, the Birchwood Spur Road was closed for several hours denying direct access to the Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park facility and the northern side of the airport. APD sent out a Nixle alert to notify drivers of the closure.

Airport hangar and land owner Lee Wareham opened the gate near his hangar at APD request allowing APD to use a pilot car to escort commuters past the Birchwood Hangar Association’s 24 condo-style hangars to and from the southern and northern sides of the airport while investigation of the crash continued.

The Champion Citabria is a single-engine, two-seat aircraft manufactured by the Champion Aircraft Corporation in Osceola, Wis. Its fuselage and tail surfaces are made of welded metal tubing. Its outer shape of the fuselage is created with a combination of wooden formers and longerons – the longitudinal structural component of an aircraft's fuselage often referred to as the stringer – that are covered with fabric.


Source:  http://www.alaskastar.com




ANCHORAGE (KTUU) A plane crash Saturday right outside of the Birchwood Airport kills one according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

“Witnesses report hearing two loud pops prior to impact,” said Mike Hodges NTSB Aviation Accident investigator. “There was one occupant on board who sustained fatal injuries.”

Scotty Smith was at his family's hangar at the Birchwood airport just before the plane took off. Smith a photojournalist at Channel 2 just happened to be in the area on his day off.

“I actually heard the plane taking off, and the engine was sounding pretty rough it was sputtering,” says Smith. “Then all of sudden there was a pop, and the plane went silent.”

Immediately Smith says he saw a pillar of smoke and ran over to the plane.

“It took me about thirty seconds to get over to it, and it was already completely engulfed in flames," said Smith

When Smith got to the plane he says three other people were already calling 911, and grabbing a fire extinguisher.

“I wish I could have done more, and I know everyone out there feels the same,” said Smith.

NTSB investigators say not much of the plane was left due to the fire, and plan to have preliminary reports out in 5 to 10 days.


Source:   http://www.ktuu.com




One person was killed Saturday when a small plane crashed on takeoff at the Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, about 25 miles northeast of Anchorage, authorities said.

The small plane completely burned "within a matter of minutes," making a rescue impossible for responding members of the Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Chief Clifton Dalton said in a phone interview.


Officials initially said two people were in the two-seat Champion 7ECA plane, but that was not true. The extent of the fire damage made it difficult at first to determine the number of occupants.


The pilot's identity is being withheld until it can be confirmed by dental records, which may not happen until Monday, said Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Anita Shell.


The National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska chief, Clint Johnson, said the plane's tail number would not be released until the pilot could be identified.


The Chugiak fire department responded to the crash around 1:30 p.m., Dalton said.


Firefighters arrived within five minutes of being dispatched, he said. By then, he added, the plane, laden with fuel, was "fully engulfed."


"We were able to get the aircraft put out pretty quick," Dalton said. But, he added: "There wasn't any opportunity to affect any rescue."


Later in the afternoon, the plane's frame was resting in a ditch next to the road that runs past the Birchwood airstrip's northeast end.


Witnesses said they saw the plane take off, then heard "a couple of pops," Johnson said in phone interview, before landing upside-down.


The engine was being removed from the plane and taken to Wasilla; it will be examined next week "with a fine-toothed comb" by a representative of the engine's manufacturer, Lycoming, Johnson said.


"Nothing is off the table for us," Johnson said. "But right now, our emphasis is on that engine."


Source:  http://www.adn.com


ANCHORAGE – Last updated at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13

A small, single-engine plane crashed near the Birchwood Airport Saturday afternoon, resulting in one fatality.


Chugiak Fire and Rescue Chief Clifton Dalton told KTVA the plane crash was reported at 1:32 p.m. on the north side of the airport. Eight units were initially dispatched and found the plane, a Champion Citabria, fully engulfed in flames. Anchorage Assistant Fire Chief Erich Scheunemann said the fire has since been put out.


The Anchorage Police Department also responded, including Chief Chris Tolley. He said witnesses reported seeing the plane taking off just before the crash.


“[The plane] crashed and immediately burst into flames, according to witnesses,” he said in an interview with KTVA. “We have some leads as to who it could be, as well as the registered owner. We don’t know for sure, so we want to confirm all those things.”


Scheunemann said two people were initially reported to be on the plane when it crashed but Tolley said only one death had been confirmed.


“We believe it’s just one at this time, but again, these things, you have to check with sources and things like that. What we can tell right now is one and we’re hoping that all it is is one, not that that’s any less traumatic,” Tolley explained.


National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Mike Hodges later confirmed only one person had died in the crash. Hodges also stated witnesses heard two popping noises before the crash. He said it was unclear where the pilot, who has yet to be identified, was headed.


Tolley said the Federal Aviation Administration and the State Medical Examiner’s Office were notified.


Birchwood Spur Road was closed west of the railroad tracks, according to a Nixle released by APD. The Birchwood Airport is still open and vehicles are allowed to exit, police wrote.


No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash.


This is the second fatal plane crash at the Birchwood Airport this year. In April, another plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing four people onboard. The plane hit a young bald eagle, according to NTSB officials.

Cessna TU206C Turbo Skywagon, registered to the pilot and operated by Gypsy Moth Skydive LLC, N29225: Accident occurred August 13, 2016 near Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Oklahoma

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Textron; Wichita, Kansas
Continental; Mobile, 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/N29225

Location: Skiatook, OK
Accident Number: CEN16LA323
Date & Time: 08/13/2016, 1100 CDT
Registration: N29225
Aircraft: CESSNA TU206C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 7 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Air Drop 

On August 13, 2016, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna TU206B airdrop configured airplane, N29225, registered to the pilot and operated by Gypsy Moth Skydive LLC of Benton, Kansas, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while maneuvering in the vicinity of Skiatook, Oklahoma. All seven occupants, the private pilot and six passengers (parachutists), sustained minor injuries. The local flight was being operated under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91 and the intent was to climb to altitude and dispatch the 6 parachutists. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Skiatook, Oklahoma, about 1030.

According to the pilot, he had topped off the fuel tanks the night before. He was planning to sell the airplane and was giving some demo flights. On the morning of the accident, the preflight was normal. He conducted a flight for about 20-minutes and reported that the engine was running strong. After returning to 2F6, the airplane was shut down for 5-10 minutes. He loaded his air drop passengers and performed normal ground checks of the flight controls and engine. After takeoff, the climbout was about 85 knots and 500 feet per minute rate of climb. About 900-1,000 feet AGL, the engine lost complete power. He immediately nosed over, scanned landing options, and put in 10 degrees of flaps. He committed toward a field near a rural house and set the flaps committed towards field in front of a house, nosed further, set the flaps to 30-degrees a few seconds prior to impact with the ground. The airplane slid to a stop and everyone exited through the aft cargo door.

The initial examination of the wreckage was conducted under the supervision of the FAA. The airplane was resting in a grassy field near a house. The nose landing gear was separated from the firewall mounts and the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage. the propeller was bent and the engine was separated from the firewall. The front portion of the fuselage was damaged and the forward section of the empennage was buckled. The airplane's wings were removed and the wreckage transported to a secure facility (Dawson Aviation, Clinton, Arkansas) for further examination. About 5 gallons of fuel was removed from the airplane prior to transport to Dawson.

The wreckage was further examined on August 18, 2013, at Dawson Aviation. The inspection was conducted under the supervision of the FAA. Flight control cable continuity was established from the cockpit to all control surfaces. The fuel selector valve was observed between the right tank and off position. The valve was placed in the right tank position and air was passed from the wing tank outlet to the fuel boost pump. The valve was placed in the off position and no air passed through the valve. The fuel strainer was removed and a small amount of fuel was observed. It was tested with water finding paste and the results were negative for water. There was a significant amount of debris observed in the fuel strainer and the strainer bowl. The debris was similar to caulking along with some rust particles. The aircraft was equipped with Monarch Air fuel caps.

There were no seats in the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft was configured for air drop operations and had a bench seat in the passenger compartment. The passengers restraint system appeared to be homemade with the belts attached at the floor attachment location with aluminum snap hooks. Other than the fuel selector valve, and the debris in the fuel strainer bowl, no other anomalies were found with the airframe.

The propeller remained attached to the engine and no damage was observed to the spinner. One propeller blade was not damaged. The second blade exhibited a bend towards the flat side of the blade, about 5-inches in from the blade tip. The third blade was bent toward the flat side of the blade and was curled under the lower area of the engine cowling. The crankshaft of the engine was rotated by hand. There was continuity and air was expelled from all cylinders with thumb compression. Both magnetos produced sparks on the top spark plugs. A "B-Nut" was observed loose on the right side upper deck pressure line. The engine appeared in a condition to perform a test run and was shipped to Continental Motors, Mobile, Alabama.

On March 22, 2017, the engine was prepared for a test run at Continental Motors, Mobile, Alabama, under the supervision of the NTSB IIC. Initial inspection of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The cylinders were borescoped and all intake and exhaust valves were intact. The piston domes and valve faces exhibited normal combustion signatures. After test cell safety preparations, the engine was placed in the test cell for a run. Since the B-nut to the upper deck pressure was found in a loose condition at the accident site, prior to the initial engine test run, the B-nut was tightened. After the initial test run, the B-nut was loosened and the engine was run a second time with the B-nut loose as it was initially found.

During the initial test run and the second test run, the engine accelerated normally throughout various RPM ranges. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 51, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/01/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/01/2015
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 906 hours (Total, all aircraft), 63 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N29225
Model/Series: TU206C G
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: U206-1177
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 7
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/01/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 
Time Since Last Inspection: 86 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3688 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520-C
Registered Owner: Monty A Lamar
Rated Power: 285 hp
Operator: Gypsy Moth Skydiving LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: TUL, 677 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1053 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2600 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 20 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 10°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Skiatook, OK (2F6)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Skiatook, OK (2F6)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1050 CST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 670 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 6 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 7 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  36.381111, -96.010278 (est)

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA323
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Skiatook, OK
Aircraft: CESSNA TU206C, registration: N29225
Injuries: 7 Minor.

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

On August 13, 2016, about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna TU206B airdrop configured airplane, N29225, registered to the pilot and operated by Gypsy Moth Skydive LLC of Benton, Kansas, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while maneuvering in the vicinity of Skiatook, Oklahoma. All seven occupants, the private pilot and six passengers (parachutists), sustained minor injuries. The local flight was being operated under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91 and the intent was to climb to altitude and dispatch the 6 parachutists. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Skiatook, Oklahoma, about 1030. 

According to the FAA, the airplane had departed 2F6 and was climbing through about 1,000 feet AGL when the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward an open grassy field and avoided several rural buildings just prior to landing. The airplane landed hard in the field, resulting in structural buckling to the fuselage and empennage, and separation of the nose gear assembly. All of the occupants exited the airplane and several were treated at a local hospital. 

The accident site was located about 1 mile from 2F6. The airplane wreckage and engine will be examined on August 18, 2016, at a local secure facility.







SKIATOOK, Okla. (AP) -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says four people suffered non-life threatening injuries when a small airplane carrying skydivers made a forced landing in a field near Skiatook.

OHP Trooper Dwight Durant said the plane had seven people on board when it made a hard landing shortly after 11 a.m. in a field north of Highway 20 in Osage County and that none of the injuries appear serious.

Durant said the pilot told troopers that the plane lost engine power at about 1,000 feet after taking off from the Skiatook airport. Images show the aircraft with the tail crumpled sitting in a grassy field near a barn.

The plane is registered to a company out of Wichita, Kansas.

Source:  http://www.kjrh.com















AIRCRAFT: 1968 Cessna TU-206 N29225 SN# U206-1177

ENGINE:       Continental TSIO-520C2B  SN# 178450-R

PROPELLER: McCauley D3A32C90N 

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

ENGINE:          3687.9 TT   848.9 SMOH (factory rebuilt 12/3/1994)     

PROPELLER:        TT unknown  -  340.7 SMOH on 9/25/2007 by Santa Monica Propeller     

AIRFRAME:     3,687.9 TTAF                      

OTHER EQUIPMENT:  KMA-20, KNS80, KY197, KX170B, AT-150  

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  On 8/13/2016 during skydiving operations engine lost power at approximately 900 feet with a hard forced landing that caused extensive damage to the aircraft.    

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES:     Propeller bent, engine separated from firewall, nose gear sheared, cowling buckled, aft fuselage buckled and twisted, main gear stressed, damage to various flight controls including but not limited to rudder, elevators, ailerons, flaps.  Aircraft dismantled for transport to storage.               

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:   Dawson Aircraft – Clinton, AR   

Read more here:   http://www.avclaims.com/N29225.htm  

Cessna 150M, N7649U: Incident occurred August 13, 2016 at Smith Point County Park, Shirley, Suffolk County, New York

http://registry.faa.gov/N7649U

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Farmingdale FSDO-11

Date: 13-AUG-16
Time: 15:27:00Z
Regis#: N7649U
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 150
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Unknown
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: SHIRLEY
State: New York

AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED ON THE BEACH, NEAR SHIRLEY, NEW YORK





SHIRLEY, N.Y. (AP) — A small plane has made an emergency landing on a Long Island beach as beachgoers watched it glide down smoothly onto soft sand.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac says the two-seater's reported an engine problem before touching down around 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Smith Point County Park.

No injuries were reported.

Witness Frank Esposito tells Newsday the aircraft "came down nice and level," with its engine off, a few hundred yards from beachgoers. Onlooker Brie Claire Drost tells the newspaper the plane circled over the water and a parking lot before the pilot "did a great job landing."

FAA records show the single-engine Cessna 150 is registered to Adrien Bazelais of New York. A possible phone number for him was not accepting messages Saturday, and email messages weren't immediately returned.

Source:  http://www.sfgate.com