Monday, January 30, 2017

Smyth Sidewinder TD, N60JV: Fatal accident occurred August 20, 2022 and Accident occurred January 28, 2017

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.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Keliher, Zoƫ

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 


Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Accident Number: WPR22FA311
Date and Time: August 20, 2022, 13:31 Local 
Registration: N60JV
Aircraft: Smyth Sidewinder TD Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 20, 2022, about 1331 central daylight time, a Smyth Sidewinder TD, N60JV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wichita Falls, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane’s previous owner stated that he sold the airplane to the pilot on the morning of the accident. The pilot’s friend dropped him off in Wichita Falls around 0900 and he was planning to fly the airplane to his home airport in Arkansas. That morning the previous owner and pilot reviewed the maintenance logbooks, airplane characteristics, checklist, operational features of the Garmin 560 GPS, and examined the airframe and engine. After a thorough review, the pilot purchased the airplane. Thereafter, they started the engine and completed a run-up. The previous owner offered to stay in the airplane so the pilot could perform practice takeoffs-and-landings. The pilot declined and the previous owner exited the airplane.

The previous owner and numerous other people at the airport witnessed the airplane depart runway 13. They observed the airplane align with the runway centerline and begin to accelerate. The pilot appeared to be making a 3-point takeoff with all the landing gear remaining on the runway surface. The airplane then became airborne at a slow speed and began a left turn, climbing to about 50-75 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane assumed a nose-high attitude and the left turn tightened. The airplane impacted terrain adjacent to the runway and erupted into flames.

The accident site was located in a fallow cotton-field adjacent to the runway. In character, the debris field was located on flat terrain with loose dirt and dry vegetation distributed over a 200 ft distance on a median magnetic bearing of about 95° (see Figure 1 below). The main wreckage, consisting of the engine and the fuselage, came to rest inverted. The majority of the airframe was consumed by fire with the exception of the empennage and outboard right-wing. 

The engine remained attached to the airframe by the engine mounts. The engine had been displaced left from the normal position due to the absorption of impact energy. Visual examination of the engine revealed that the engine sustained postimpact fire damage with no evidence of preimpact catastrophic mechanical malfunction.

Investigators completely disassembled the engine. The cylinder’s combustion chambers remained mechanically undamaged, and there was no evidence of foreign object ingestion or detonation. The valves were intact and undamaged. There was no evidence of valve to piston face contact observed (see Figure 2 below). The gas path and combustion signatures observed at the spark plugs, combustion chambers and exhaust system components displayed coloration consistent with a postcrash fire. The left and right magnetos were thermally consumed, and timing could not be ascertained. The carburetor was secured at the mounting pad. The throttle/mixture controls were found securely attached at their respective control arms. The metal float pontoons exhibited moderate hydrodynamic crushing, consistent with there being fuel in the bowl at the time of impact.

Complete control continuity could not be verified due to the extent of the thermal damage to the cockpit. The forward rudder-control-cables were attached to their respective turnbuckles that were melted at the rudder pedal bar. The cables were continuous, through the pulleys, and attached at the aft control horn. 






Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Smyth Sidewinder
Registration: N60JV
Model/Series: TD 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSPS, 1030 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:52 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C /20°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 160°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wichita Falls, TX
Destination: Waldron, AR (M27)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 33.948219,-98.615421 (est)

August 20, 2022: Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances after departure. 

Date: 20-AUG-22
Time: 18:20:00Z
Regis#: N60JV
Aircraft Make: EXPERIMENTAL
Aircraft Model: SIDE WINDER TD
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: WICHITA FALLS
State: TEXAS

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290. 


WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Texas DPS identified Wednesday the victim of a small plane crash that happened at the Wichita Valley Airport on Saturday.

Tom Cox of Waldron, Arkansas was identified as the victim.

Cox reportedly drove from Arkansas to purchase the plane and it crashed on takeoff. He was pinned in the plane after it went off on the runway, flipped and caught fire, according to the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office.

An officer on the scene told News Channel 6 crews a grass fire was subsequently contained near the airport.

There was only one occupant in the plane, according to DPS.



Fatal accident occurred August 20, 2022 at Wichita Valley Airport (F14), Wichita County, Texas




WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - A small plane crashed at Wichita Valley Airport on Saturday.

One person was confirmed dead by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which will lead the investigation until the FAA’s arrival.

A single-engine aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, Sgt. Dan Buesing of DPS said, catching fire after the crash. An officer on the scene told News Channel 6 crews a grass fire was subsequently contained near the airport.

There was only one occupant in the plane, according to DPS.

Officials are working to identify the victim and plane tail number.





WICHITA COUNTY, Texas (KFDX/KJTL) — Multiple Wichita County agencies are responding to the Wichita Valley Airport for a plane that crashed.

According to our reporter from the scene, a plane crashed shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 20. Wichita County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Wichita West Fire Department are among those responding to the scene.

A large plume of smoke could be seen coming from the area of the crash, and fire crews were extinguishing a small grass fire.

A witness told us that she saw the plane crash and land upside down.


 
January 28, 2017




Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
 

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Benhoff, Kathryn

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska

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


Location: McCook, Nebraska
Accident Number: GAA17CA127
Date and Time: January 28, 2017, 16:45 Local 
Registration: N60JV
Aircraft: VAUGHAN GERALD R SIDE WINDER TD 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane struck a runway sign on the left side of the runway and exited the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 8 minutes after the accident, the wind was 320 ° true at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots, and peak wind was 300 ° true at 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Sign/marker - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 
Age: 59,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 18, 2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 14, 2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5152.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 4800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot-rated passenger Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 58,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 29, 2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: VAUGHAN GERALD R 
Registration: N60JV
Model/Series: SIDE WINDER TD NO SERIES 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility; Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: V1004
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 10, 2016 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 397.6 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 150 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMCK, 2530 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 22:53 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 280°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8000 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 19 knots / 25 knots 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  / None
Wind Direction: 320° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: CLAREMORE, OK (GCM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: McCook, NE (MCK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 13:10 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: MC COOK BEN NELSON RGNL MCK 
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 2582 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 30
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6450 ft / 100 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.205833,-100.589721(est)



NTSB Identification: GAA17CA127
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, January 28, 2017 in McCook, NE
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/04/2017
Aircraft: VAUGHAN GERALD R SIDE WINDER TD, registration: N60JV
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

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

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane struck a runway sign on the left side of the runway and exited the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 8 minutes after the accident, the wind was 320° true at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots, and peak wind was 300° true at 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska 

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA127
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, January 28, 2017 in McCook, NE
Aircraft: VAUGHAN GERALD R SIDE WINDER TD, registration: N60JV
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

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

The pilot reported that during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, the airplane veered to the left. He further reported that he applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane struck a runway sign on the left side of the runway and exited the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that about 8 minutes after the accident the wind was 320° true at 19 knots, wind gust 25 knots, peak wind was 300° true at 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30.

McCOOK, Neb. -- A single engine airplane had a mishap while landing at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport Saturday afternoon.

Airport officials said the small aircraft came in with "wind issues" and pushed off to the left of the runway shortly after touching down, making contact with a taxiing sign and two runway lights. No one was injured as a result.

A replacement sign was priced out at $1,200 early Monday and, according to information city staff received from the pilot, damage to the aircraft was fairly extensive.

McCook Fire and Rescue, police officers and airport management responded to the scene after receiving a report at just past 5 p.m. of a single engine plane crash.

"The plane, piloted by a Montana male, crashed into the grass off the south end of the runway.

There were no injuries and no fire or disruption to the airport.

There was minor damage to a sign and runway lights as a result of the crash," said Chief of Police Isaac Brown.

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