Sunday, August 28, 2016

American Airlines, Boeing 737-800, N931AN: Incident occurred September 16, 2016 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), Phoenix, Arizona

AMERICAN AIRLINES INC:   http://registry.faa.gov/N931AN







PHOENIX (AP) -  Authorities say an American Airlines jetliner bound for Phoenix made an emergency landing without incident at its destination after a tire blew out on takeoff from Portland, Oregon.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the Boeing 737-800's pilot declared an emergency Friday morning en route to Sky Harbor International Airport.

APhoenix Fire Department spokesman said fire trucks followed the plane as it rolled to a stop and converged on it when it pulled off a runway.

There were no injuries.

Fire Capt. Rob McDade said firefighters who inspected the plane's landing gear confirmed the blown tire but found nothing else wrong.

The plane was then towed to a gate for the passengers to get off.

McDade says the flight was carrying 157 crew members and passengers.

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

Cessna 182D Skylane, N9936T: Fatal accident occurred August 28, 2016 near Rock Creek Airport (RC0), Clinton, Missoula County, Montana

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

NTSB Identification: WPR16FA170
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 28, 2016 in Clinton, MT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/09/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N9936T
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The private pilot was conducting a local flight in the airplane, which he was planning to purchase. A witness saw the airplane initially overfly the runway from east to west, then turn back to the east and onto a right downwind for landing to the west on runway 25; the witness, who was a pilot, reported that the wind was directly down the runway about 8 knots. When the airplane was on a short final approach about 15 ft above the runway, it suddenly turned 90° to the right, in what the witness estimated was a bank angle of about 30° to 40°. The airplane continued at a low altitude toward the north perimeter of the airport where it impacted a stand of trees, then proceeded through the trees before coming to rest upright on the south shoulder of an interstate highway. Shortly thereafter, a postcrash fire erupted and consumed the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the sudden right turn while on short final approach could not be determined during the investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The sudden right turn on approach to landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.


Mark Melotz

Darrell Ward


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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors, Inc.; Mobile, Alabama

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N9936T




NTSB Identification: WPR16FA170
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 28, 2016 in Clinton, MT
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N9936T
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 28, 2016, about 1445 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182D, N9936T, impacted terrain following a loss of control while attempting to land at the Rock Creek Airport (RC0), Clinton, Montana. The private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The local flight was being operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal, and a flight plan was not filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed about 1400 from Missoula International Airport (MSO), Missoula, Montana, with RC0 as its destination.

According to a friend of the pilot who is also a pilot and witnessed the accident, the airplane initially overflew the airport from east to west, then turned back to the east on an extended right downwind for runway 25. The witness stated that when the airplane was on final approach it was stable, and the wind was out of the west, "...right down runway 25 at about 8 knots." The witness further stated that when the airplane was about 15 ft above the runway and preparing to land, it suddenly turned 90° to the right, at what he estimated to be about a 30° to 40° bank angle. The airplane subsequently collided with a stand of trees that bordered the runway on the north and then impacted the ground before coming to rest upright on the shoulder of an interstate highway (I-90). Shortly thereafter, a fire erupted, which consumed the forward two-thirds of the airplane.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine and multiengine land airplane ratings. The pilot's personal flight logbook was not recovered during the investigation. According to data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on December 12, 2014, with the restriction, "must have available glasses for near vision." On the application for this medical certificate, the pilot listed a total flight time of 632 hours.

The witness/friend reported that for several months, the pilot had been attempting to purchase the airplane and had been flying it. He estimated that the pilot had accumulated 5 to 8 hours of flight time in the airplane.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The Cessna 182D was a four-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number 18253036. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors O-470-L1 engine, serial number 66983-6-L, and a McCauley 2A36C29-A, two-bladed, adjustable pitch propeller.

According to partial copies of maintenance records, as of the most recent annual inspection, which was completed on June 22, 2016, the total time on the engine since major overhaul was 934.8 hours, with a tachometer reading of 2,135.0 hours. The previous annual inspection was completed on June 15, 2005, at a tachometer reading of 2,133.0 hours; the engine had accumulated 2 hours in the 11-year span between the two inspections.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1453, MSO, located about 23 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported wind calm, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 23°C, dew point -1°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of mercury.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the accident site indicated that the airplane struck tress that were located about 650 ft. west-northwest of the approach end of runway 25 and about 270 ft. north of the runway centerline. The airplane came to rest upright on the south shoulder of I-90 on a magnetic heading of about 145°. The airplane was destroyed by thermal and impact damage.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, attended by representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Aviation, and Continental Motors, Inc., revealed the following:

The majority of the fuselage was consumed by the postcrash fire. The right wing leading edge was crushed aft in a curve pattern, which was most pronounced about mid-span. The left wing leading edge was crushed aft, with slightly more crushing at the wing tip area. The empennage aft of the baggage compartment was not burned and remained intact.

Flight control cable continuity was established for all flight controls from the cockpit to the control surface attach points. There was a separation of the aileron balance cable, which appeared to be a result of a tension overload. The flap handle was found in a flap extended position; however, as it was not in a detent, exact flap position could not be determined. The trimmable horizontal stabilizer screw jack was measured at 7.1 inches, which equates to the normal takeoff position.

The engine remained partially attached to the airframe and exhibited thermal and impact damage. The induction and exhaust systems were impact damaged, and the oil sump was crushed upward. The airframe firewall was wrapped around the rear of the engine.

The exhaust system was crushed upward, and the muffler was partially crushed and pushed into the oil sump. The induction system balance tube was crushed into the crankcase.

Both magnetos were partially separated from their mounting flanges and exhibited thermal and impact damage. Each rotated freely when rotated by hand but did not produce spark, and water was observed leaking from both. Examination of both magnetos by a magneto repair station revealed that the left magneto did not function due to thermal damage. The right magneto functioned properly producing spark at all terminals.

The spark plugs exhibited light and dark colored combustion deposits, and the electrodes were worn out when compared to the Champion Check-a-Plug chart. The ignition harness exhibited thermal damage.

The carburetor remained attached to the induction system and was thermally damaged. The mixture control arm and shaft were bent. The throttle control arm moved with resistance; however, debris from the post impact fire was observed around the throttle plate. The fuel screen was removed and found to be free of debris. When the fuel bowl was removed, thermal damage to all of the interior components was observed.

The fuel strainer sustained thermal and impact damage, which compromised the component. Some light debris was noted on the fuel strainer screen. The glass bowl was intact.

The oil pump was disassembled. The pump housing contained oil and exhibited normal operating signatures and evidence of light particle passage. The oil cooler remained attached to the engine and exhibited thermal and impact damage.

The exterior of the cylinders exhibited thermal damage. When the combustion chambers were examined with a lighted borescope, no anomalies were noted. The crankshaft was rotated by hand using the propeller. Continuity through the valve train to the accessory section was confirmed, and there was thumb compression on all six cylinders.

The starter was separated from the starter adaptor. The generator remained attached to the engine and exhibited thermal and impact damage.

The vacuum pump was removed and disassembled with no anomalies noted.

With the propeller governor removed, the drive gear turned freely by hand; no oil was being discharged. The control arm moved freely by hand from stop to stop.

The two-bladed propeller remained attached to the crankshaft propeller flange. One blade was relatively undamaged. The other blade was loose in the hub, bent slightly forward at mid blade, and exhibited leading edge polishing and chord-wise scratches.

The examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Montana State Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries.


The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted forensic toxicology examinations on specimens from the pilot. No carbon monoxide was detected in blood; no ethanol was detected in urine, and testing was not performed for cyanide. The drug salicylate, a metabolite of aspirin, was detected in urine.

NTSB Identification: WPR16FA170
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 28, 2016 in Clinton, MT
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N9936T
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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

On August 28, 2016, about 1445 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182D, N9936T, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and impact with terrain while attempting to land at the Rock Creek Airport (RC0), Clinton, Montana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The local flight was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which had departed about 45 minutes prior to the accident from the Missoula International Airport (MSO), Missoula, Montana, with RC0 as its destination.

According to a witness who observed the accident, who is also a certified commercial pilot, upon the airplane's arrival it overflew the airport from east to west, then turned back to the east on an extended right downwind. The witness stated that when the airplane was on final approach it was stable, with the wind being out of the west, "...right down runway 25 at about 8 knots." The witness further stated that when the airplane was about 40 feet above the runway and preparing to land, it suddenly veered 90 degrees to the right, in what he estimated to be about a 30-degree bank angle. The airplane subsequently collided with a stand of trees that bordered the runway on the north, then impacted the ground before coming to rest upright on the shoulder of an Interstate highway. Shortly thereafter, a fire erupted, which consumed the forward two-thirds of the airplane.


The airplane was recovered to a secured location for further examination.






ROCK CREEK -  Fans, family and friends continue to mourn the loss of "Ice Road Trucker" Darrell Ward, trying to understand why a life so full was cut short in a plane crash at Rock Creek.

o cause has been determined for a single engine plane crash that killed two people on Sunday, including a popular reality TV star. Crews spent the day cleaning up the wreckage and transporting it to Bozeman where it will be examined further.

The crash happened around 3 p.m. Sunday when a single engine plane piloted by 56-year-old Mark Melotz from Arlee, and 52-year-old Darrell Ward from Deer Lodge crashed while trying to land at a small air strip just east of Rock Creek on I-90.

Ward had starred in the popular History Channel reality show, "Ice Road Truckers" since 2012. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office says Melotz picked Ward up in Missoula before the incident, but it unknown why they attempted to land at this air strip.

Officials from the NTSB were on scene Monday morning trying to determine what caused the crash.

"We have had the recovery team come out," said lead investigator Thomas Little. "They've picked the airplane up and are taking it back to Bozeman, back to a salvage company and we will be laying the aircraft out and we'll start an extensive examination tomorrow with the airplane laid out, which is much more extensive than we can do in the field."

Little says this investigation could take months to complete, as representatives from the companies who manufactured the plane and its engine will also comb through the wreckage and file a report to Little, who will then write up a final report on the findings. 

"We're in the preliminary stages of this whole thing and it takes awhile," Little said. "We don't get in a rush, we're very methodical in how we do this."

Little says the plane was purchased by Melotz as recently as a week before this crash. 

Darrell Ward rose to stardom over the past several seasons of "Ice Road Truckers", a fan favorite for his direct, and often confrontational style. Tagged as "The Montana Legend", Ward's personal slogan was "any road, any load!"

He was appearing in the tenth season of the show this summer, being invited back for another season just days ago.

Ward was not only well known in the trucking industry, but here in Western Montana. He frequently took jobs hauling heavy equipment to help wildland firefighters, such as the Copper King Fire earlier this month. 

He was also known for giving back, recently organizing a food drive for Louisiana flood victims and planning an appearance in Nova Scotia for Special Olympics. 

But in the hundreds of posts online today, he's being remembered most as a father, grandfather and friend. 







MISSOULA, Mont. - A witness reports hearing a plane that crashed outside Missoula Sunday, killing two men.

One of them was a Deer Lodge man known for his role on the History channel's "Ice Road Truckers." Darrell Ward was 52 years old.

Mark Melotz, 56, of Arlee, was also killed when their Cessna plane went down along Interstate 90 east of Missoula. Officials say they were trying to land on a small airfield at Rock Creek.

A federal investigator is in Missoula, retracing what happened after Malotz stopped at the Missoula airport, picked up Ward and then headed east to Rock Creek.

The Rock Creek airport is a strip of land cluttered with weeds and clumps of grass. It's not used very much.

Dan Ekstrom won't forget what he saw Sunday.

"Looked to me like he was doing what they call touch and go's on the airport, he wasn't landing every time or maybe he was never landing, I didn't pay that much attention to him, but I could hear the engine really roar when he’d take back off after touching down," Ekstrom said.

The sheriff's department says Malotz bought the Cessna just last week from a man in Ronan. It is one of just two accidents that Ekstrom can remember.

For now, fans, friends and family remember the men lost along the side of I-90.

Ward was reportedly in talks to make a new documentary about finding plane wrecks.

Officials aren't sure which man was piloting the craft. It may take up to a year to get answers.​

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

“Ice Road Truckers” star Darrell Ward was one of two people killed in Sunday’s plane crash near the Rock Creek exit on Interstate 90.

The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Ward, 52, from Deer Lodge, and the pilot, Mark Melotz, 56, of Arlee.

 “It is with great sadness to report we have lost our Montana Legend at the young age of 52,” said a release posted Monday morning on Ward’s Facebook page.

“Darrell Ward had just left The Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas where he enjoyed meeting numerous fans and friends and was heading to Missoula to begin filming a pilot for his new documentary style show involving the recovery of plane wrecks when he and his co-pilot crashed and lost their lives,” it said.

The Cessna 182-D  crashed on the edge of interstate as it appeared to be attempting to land at the Rock Creek Airport south of Clinton.

Missoula County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Captain Bill Burt said witnesses said the plane appeared to be attempting to land at the south end of the runway.

“Something went drastically wrong,’’ he said. “The plane was trying to climb and appeared to have stalled.’’

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident.

The news release on Ward’s Facebook page said he’d just gotten the news that “Ice Road Truckers” would continue for an 11th season, to begin filming in the winter of 2017.

“When Darrell wasn’t hitting the Ice Roads he would be back in Montana doing what Darrel loved best as a log hauler and occasionally helped local authorities fight forest fires,” it said.



Press Release: It’s with great sadness to report we have lost our Montana Legend at the young age of 52.

Darrell Ward had just left The Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas where he enjoyed meeting numerous fans and friends and was heading to Missoula to begin filming a pilot for his new documentary style show involving the recovery of plane wrecks when he and his co-pilot crashed and lost their lives. An investigation is ongoing and more information will be made available at a later time as the National Transportation Safety Board will be handling they investigation.

They things Darrell loved most were his family including his kids and grand-kids & trucking.

Darrell Ward rose to fame with his role on the extremely popular History Channel’s reality show, Ice Road Truckers. Darrell just finished filming Season X earlier this year for the show and had just learned that he had a green light this past weekend for an additional season on the show originally slated to begin filming in the winter of 2017. When Darrell wasn’t hitting the Ice Roads he would be back in Montana doing what Darrel loved best as a log hauler and occasionally helped local authorities fight forest fires.

Trucking has always been a large part of Darrell’s life; from running the harvest rigs with his grandparents and family, to driving trucks from Montana to Alaska and all roads in between. In his free time, you could usually find Darrell giving back to the community any chance he got, he had promoted the most recent food drive to help victims in the Louisiana Floods and was scheduled to appear as the grand marshal for the Truck Convoy for Special Olympics in Nova Scotia.

In his free time, Darrell enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, dirt bike riding and all things outdoors. A self-proclaimed “ADRENALINE JUNKIE”, Darrell was up for any adventure.

His motto, “ANY ROAD, ANY LOAD” fits his personality perfectly.

While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief. His manager and best friend M. Bob Stanton and long time friend Chuck Campbell are expected to make a lengthier statement shortly.

Bruce for Bob/Chuck


https://www.facebook.com






Two people were killed on Sunday afternoon when a small plane crashed near Rock Creek, just off Interstate 90, east of Missoula.

Undersheriff Jason Johnson with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office told KGVO News that the fatal crash occurred at about 3:00 p.m.

“Deputies responded this afternoon at about 3 p.m. along with Missoula Rural Fire and the Montana Highway Patrol to a small single engine plane, believed to be a Cessna, that crashed near the Rock Creek exit of Interstate 90,” Johnson said. “Unfortunately, the two occupants of the plane did not survive the crash.  The identity of the occupants will not be released until proper notification to family has been completed.”

Johnson said the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified, and is en route to the scene.

“In incidents like this,” Johnson continued, “the crash investigation will be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. The sheriff’s office will conduct coroner duties related to this incident, but all other information will need to be obtained from the NTSB investigators.

Johnson said due to the crash, traffic in the area was delayed.

“The incident required at least one lane of eastbound traffic to be closed while first responders worked the scene,” he said.

The crash started a small grass fire that was headed towards the nearby treeline, but the first responders were able to extinguish it quickly.

It is not known where the aircraft was coming from, or its intended destination, or whether it was attempting to land on a small airstrip in the area.

Source:   http://newstalkkgvo.com




A small plane crashed Sunday afternoon near the Rock Creek exit of Interstate 90, killing two people, according to the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.

The crash at about 3 p.m. Sunday closed at least one lane of eastbound traffic.

The identity of those on board will not be released until their families have been notified, said Missoula County Undersheriff Jason Johnson.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved," he said.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, while the sheriff's office will conduct coroner duties, he said.

Source:   http://missoulian.com




EAST OF MISSOULA -   Missoula County Sheriff's officials declared two people dead at the scene of a single engine plane crash that occurred about 3 p.m. east of Clinton  on I-90 near mile marker 126. 

The plane struck the ground east of Rock Creek and south of the eastbound lanes of I-90. The east bound lanes are open to single vehicle traffic. 

The cause of the wreck remains under investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be handling the investigation.

Source:  http://www.kxlh.com

Cessna 182L Skylane, N42474, Pipe Dream Aviation LLC: Fatal accident occurred July 20, 2014 in Sedona, Arizona

Pipe Dream Aviation LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N42474

Flight Standards District Office: FAA Scottsdale FSDO-07

NTSB Identification: WPR14FA303
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 20, 2014 in Sedona, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/25/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 182L, registration: N42474
Injuries: 4 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. A witness reported observing the airplane flying into a canyon from above the tree line near the top of the canyon. Another witness, who did not see the airplane, reported hearing the airplane’s engine accelerate, become quiet, and accelerate again, which was followed shortly thereafter by an explosion. The airplane impacted terrain at the bottom of a canyon and was destroyed. A postcrash examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies what would have precluded normal operation. 


It is likely the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack while entering the canyon, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which there was insufficient altitude to recover. In addition, the calculated density altitude of 9,675 ft would have adversely affected the airplane’s performance.

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

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack while maneuvering through a canyon in high-density altitude conditions at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.



Jonathan McGeary (pilot)


Sabrina Giebelen

Johanna Naber 

Levi Wallace





HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 20, 2014, about 1530 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182L, N42474, collided with the terrain in Fay Canyon near Sedona, Arizona. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact and postcrash fire. The airplane was registered to Pipe Dream Aviation LLC and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight departed Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona about 1430 with a destination of the Sedona Airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona.

Multiple witnesses located in Fay Canyon at the time of the accident stated that the airplane flew in from the top of the canyon. One of the witnesses didn't see the airplane but heard the engine accelerate then get quiet and accelerate again. An explosion was heard shortly after. The other witness saw the airplane above the tree line at the end of the canyon before losing sight of it in the trees.

A 9-1-1 call recorded a statement from a witness that was hiking on the summit of Bear Mountain, adjacent to Fay Canyon. He stated that an airplane was flying in the area and shortly after saw smoke rising from a nearby canyon near where he last saw the airplane.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

A review of FAA airman records revealed that the 22-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with a airplane single engine land rating. His third-class medical certificate was issued in November 19, 2010, with no limitations. According to the pilot's last medical application, the pilot reported a total flight experience of 10 total hours and 10 hours in the last six months. According to family members, the pilot had about 170 hours of total flight time, and about 40 in the accident airplane at the time of the accident. The pilot's flight logbook was not found during the investigation.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The 4-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle-gear airplane, serial number (S/N) 18259032, was manufactured in 1968. It was powered by a Continental O-470 modified to a P. Ponk O-470-50, STC conversion engine, serial number 191847-8-R/2735. The airplane was also equipped with a McCauley adjustable blade propeller; model number 2A34C66-NP.

Review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks revealed that the most recent annual inspection was completed on February 7, 2014, at an airframe total time of 3,029.8 hours and an engine time since major overhaul of 126.1 hours. The most recent airframe logbook entry, dated March 21, 2014, at an airframe total time of 3,030.3 hours, stated that the fuel vent/feed line couplings in the left and right hand wing roots were replaced.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

A review of recorded data from Earnest A. Love Field Airport (KPRC), Prescott, Arizona, automated weather observation station 36 miles southwest of the accident site, revealed at 1453 conditions were wind 190 degrees at 7 knots, with gusts to 19 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 31° Celsius, dew point 2° Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.18 inches of mercury.

A review of recorded data from KSEZ, automated weather observation station about 6 miles southeast from the accident site, revealed at 1515 conditions were wind 250 degrees at 8 gusting to 14 knots, variable from 220 to 300 degrees, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 32° Celsius, dew point 2° Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.16 inches of mercury.

Using the reported weather conditions and the elevation of the canyon rim near Bear Mountain (6,400 feet), the calculated density altitude was about 9,675 feet.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the accident site by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the airplane impacted trees and terrain near the bottom of a steep rugged canyon. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a tree about 18-inches in diameter that was uprooted. The debris path was about 100 feet in length and about 40 feet wide and on a 90 degree magnetic heading from the FIPC to the engine. Postimpact fire was found throughout the debris path and through surrounding terrain. About 20 acres of land was burned. The largest airframe structural members were wing spar sections that measured about three to four feet in length. Flight control cable continuity was confirmed through cable separations that exhibited tension overload. The separations were located near the mid-cabin area. The rudder control cables were continuous from the cabin controls to the rudder horn attachment points. Remnants of the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were found near the main wreckage. The elevator trim actuator extension was measured to be about 1-1/4 inches which equated to about the neutral position. The flap actuator jack screw was found in the retracted position. All flight control surfaces were thermally damaged and were accounted for at the accident site. The fuel selector valve assembly was found in the "Both" position. The engine was found inverted with impact and thermal damage. The mounting structure was partially attached to the engine. The firewall was crushed and remained partially attached to the engine. The propeller assembly separated from the crankshaft propeller flange. The blades remained attached to the hub and had thermal discoloration. One blade had about 6 inches of missing material from the tip and leading edge damage near the separation of the tip. The other blade had s-type bending throughout its span and trailing edge damage.

Examination of the recovered engine was conducted on July 24, 2014 at the facilities of Air Transport in Phoenix, Arizona, by the NTSB IIC, FAA, Textron Aviation, and Continental Motors Inc. The examination revealed no evidence of any pre-collision mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. For further information see the Engine Examination Summary in the public docket for this accident.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office conducted an autopsy on the pilot on July 22, 2014. According to the report the medical examiner determined that the cause of death was "a result of multiple blunt force trauma," and contributing to his death was "thermal injury."

The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot. According to CAMI's report, no drugs of abuse were detected.

Delta B717 flights start at Ellis Airport (KOAJ) in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina



ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Albert J. Ellis Airport in Onslow County once again has a mainline airline flying in and out of the airport.

Delta Airlines landed its inaugural B717 flight on Sunday afternoon.

According to Airport Director Chris White, Delta will be the first mainline airline to serve Ellis Airport since the 1980s when US Air and Piedmont Airlines operated flights in and out of Onslow County.

White says the fuel efficient B717 entering the OAJ market is a result of increasing demand and is made possible in part by the capabilities of the new passenger terminal, which opened last August.

Delta will initially operate the 717 aircraft as one of their 4 daily flights, 5 days per week and if demand continues to increase, additional flights may be upgraded.

Source:  http://www.witn.com

Black Hawk helicopters dispatched to assist crews fighting Box Canyon Fire



DRAPER, Utah — The Utah National Guard has been activated to assist in battling a wildfire in Summit County, officials confirmed Sunday.

Utah Guard’s 97th Aviation Troop Command and 2nd Battalion 211th Aviation responded to the Box Canyon  Fire with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, according to a press release from the Utah National Guard. Two pilots and a crew chief will join firefighters about 12 miles east of Oakley in the Smith and Morehouse Creek area today and Monday.

As of Saturday, the fire had consumed about 3,947 acres. Over the last few days, “unstable weather systems brought heavy winds into the area, increasing the fire’s activity,” according to a press release from U.S. Forest Service.

Pilots of the helicopters will use a 600-gallon Bambi bucket to make repeated drops of water on the flames, according to the Utah National Guard.

Ledgefork campground, Smith and Morehouse boat ramp, and Mud Lake Flats are now closed, as well as Smith and Morehouse trail and Erickson Basin, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Other area campgrounds remain open, though air quality at Smith and Morehouse campground may be affected by smoke.

The fire was human caused and is 20 percent contained.

Source:   http://fox13now.com

Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N8998Y, registered to and operated by the pilot: Accident occurred August 27, 2016 in Salcha, Alaska

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;   Fairbanks, Alaska 

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/N8998Y

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Location: Salcha, AK
Accident Number: ANC16LA060
Date & Time: 08/27/2016, 1048 AKD
Registration: N8998Y
Aircraft: PIPER PA 18-150
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: VFR encounter with IMC
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 27, 2016, about 1048 Alaska daylight time (AKD), a float-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8998Y, sustained substantial damage after impacting mountainous terrain about 9 miles southwest of Salcha, Alaska. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Chena Marina Airport (AK28), Fairbanks, Alaska about 1015 AKD en route to Birch Lake.

According to the pilot's flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was for the pilot to attend a business meeting.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 27, the pilot's flight instructor stated that the night before the accident, the accident airplane was experiencing anomalies with the aircraft communications radio. The radio was to be repaired the night before the flight.

On the day of the accident, the instructor departed about 10 minutes ahead of the accident pilot in the same direction. Due to low cloud ceilings, the flight instructor returned to Chena Marina. When he landed and turned on his cell phone, he received a voicemail from the accident pilot stating that he had crashed, there was a post-crash fire, and he needed help. The timestamp on the voicemail was 1052. The pilot was rescued by a US Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter about 1350 and transported for treatment.

A review of archived Federal Aviation Administration air traffic radar and audio recordings depicted the flight instructor's airplane departing AK28 about 1009 and the accident airplane departing about 1015. Immediately after departure, air traffic control queried the accident pilot as to his heading, which he responded with "southeast." Air traffic control queried again for the actual heading, and once more the accident pilot replied "southeast." At 1016, air traffic control asked for his altitude, which he advised was 1,400 ft. At 1030, the pilot made an unauthorized entry into the western edge of the airspace controlled by Eielson Air Force Base. At 1034, the radar data depicts the airplane on a ground track of 123 degrees magnetic and at 1041 the airplane is depicted on a ground track of 117 degrees magnetic. The last radar return attributed to the accident airplane was at 1048 near the location of the accident site.

All radio communications from the accident pilot contain static noise consistent with radio interference.

The pilot stated on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report that he departed AK28 about 1015 destined for Birch Lake. While en route, he entered IMC and elected to continue straight ahead and began a descent. While descending, he saw trees through the fog and attempted to climb just prior to impacting the trees. Following the impact, a post-crash fire ensued.

The closest weather reporting facility is Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 16 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1043, a METAR from the Eielson Air Force Base was reporting in part: Wind from 360° at 4 knots; sky condition, overcast at 200 ft; visibility, 3/4 statute miles; temperature, 54° F; dewpoint, 54° F; altimeter, 30.23 inches of mercury.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 69, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
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: 06/10/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 450 hours (Total, all aircraft), 450 hours (Total, this make and model), 350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N8998Y
Model/Series: PA 18-150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18-7509132
Landing Gear Type: Float;
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/11/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 6 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1950 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAEI, 547 ft msl
Observation Time: 1843 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 315°
Lowest Cloud Condition:  / 200 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 12°C
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility:  1.75 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 360°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Mist
Departure Point: FAIRBANKS, AK (AK28)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Salcha, AK
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1015 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class E; Military Operation Area

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  64.511111, -146.682222

FAIRBANKS, Alaska Search teams rescued a Fairbanks pilot who crashed his plane near Harding Lake Saturday morning. 

Alaska State Troopers say that William Larry, 69, was the only person on board his Piper Super Cub aircraft when it went down about seven 7 northeast of Harding Lake. 

The search and rescue effort included two Alaska Wildlife Trooper aircraft and the US Army’s 52nd Aviation Regiment. 

Just before 2pm, Larry was found and taken to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital by a Blackhawk helicopter, Troopers say, for injuries he sustained during the crash.

Two United pilots are 'arrested at Glasgow Airport for being too drunk to fly to New Jersey' - as it's revealed both are military veterans

  • Brady Grebenc, 35, and Carlos Licona, 45, were arrested Saturday at 9am
  • The pair had been scheduled to fly from Glasgow, Scotland, to Newark, New Jersey
  • But they were taken in by police after 'concerns were raised'
  • They are currently in police custody on suspicion of trying to fly drunk
  • Both claim to be military vets and instructors with decades of experience
  • Licona was awarded in 2013 by the FAA for being a 'positive example'
  • Grebenc is a captain and was in the 43rd Flying Training Squadron
  • New crew eventually took the 141 passengers to New Jersey ten hours later

These are the two United pilots who were arrested at Glasgow airport on suspicion of being too drunk to fly their transatlantic passenger jet from Scotland to the US.


Concerns about Carlos Roberto Licona and Brady Grebenc, were reportedly raised on Saturday, before the 9am UA162 flight from Glasgow to Newark, New Jersey.


Grebenc, 35, and Licona, 45, both claim to be military veterans who have worked as flight instructors, and Licona was awarded in 2013 by the FFA for 'setting a positive example' to other pilots.



The flight, carrying 141 passengers, eventually took off on Saturday evening with a new crew on board.

The men are being held at Goven police station and are expected to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday.

According to his LinkedIn page, Licona has spent the last 28 years working in Military Intelligence, working for the United States Air National Guard.

At the same time, the account says, he worked as a pilot, check airman and simulator instructor for Colgan Air from September 2003-January 2014. He has been working at United since then.

In 2013, Licona was awarded with inclusion on the FAA Airmen Certification Database, according to Aviation Business Gazette

The award recognizes 'certified pilots who have met or exceeded the high educational, licensing and medical standards established by the FAA,' the site said.

Grebenc is a native of Fort Worth, Colorado, living in Columbus, Mississippi. 

His LinkedIn page says that he is an 'Instructor Pilot with 8+ years of service, United States Air Force and United States Air Force Reserve. 

'Five years international fixed wing flying experience. Four years experience instructing primary flying skills in the Joint Primary Pilot Training Environment.'

In total, he says, he has logged '3,200+ hours of Accident and Incident-free flying in high-performance fixed-wing aircraft.'

He has been working at United since April 2015. Prior to that he had been a US Air Force T-6 instructor pilot for around five-and-a-half years, four-and-a-half of that as a reservist.

Before that, he was a KC-135 Instructor Pilot in the US Air Force for three years and eight months. 

One of this Facebook photographs shows him wearing the patch of the 43rd Flying Training Squadron. A Columbus Air Force Base photograph lists his rank as captain.

Another photo on his page shows the patch of the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, which has been deployed in combat in the War on Terror.  

A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Police Scotland can confirm that two men aged 35 and 45 have been arrested and are presently detained in police custody in connection with alleged offences under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, Section 93.'

The section of the Act relates to carrying out pilot function or activity while exceeding the prescribed limit of alcohol.

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport added: 'We are aware of the police incident yesterday involving two pilots.'

The incident follows the appearance in court last month of two Canadian pilots charged with being drunk as they prepared to fly a passenger jet from Scotland to Toronto.

Jean-Francois Perreault, 39, and Imran Zafar Syed, 37, were arrested on Monday July 18 before they were due to take off on the Air Transat flight from Glasgow Airport.

The men were remanded in custody when they first appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court, also charged under section 93 of the same Act.

At a second hearing at the same court they were granted bail on condition they surrender their passports.

Section 93 of the Railway and Transport Safety Act states: 'A person commits an offence if he performs an aviation function at a time when the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit, or he carries out an activity which is ancillary to an aviation function at a time when the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.'

For pilots, the limit of alcohol in the case of breath is nine micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters, according to the Act.

A United Airlines spokesperson refused to comment on the case, instead referring to a statement that reads: 'The two pilots have been removed from service and their flying duties.

'We are co-operating with the authorities and will conduct our own investigation as well. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority.' 

The Air Force has been contacted for comment. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk