Monday, February 06, 2017

Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP, N21HD: Accident occurred February 06, 2017 near Potomac Airfield (KVKX), Friendly, Prince George's County, Maryland

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Dulles, Virginia
Lycoming
Piper
NTSB; Washington, DC

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/N21HD

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Location: Friendly, MD
Accident Number: ERA17LA100
Date & Time: 02/06/2017, 1100 EST
Registration: N21HD
Aircraft: PIPER PA32R
Aircraft Damage: Unknown
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On February 6, 2017, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N21HD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing during the initial climb after takeoff from Potomac Airfield (VKX), Friendly, Maryland. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personal flight, destined for Newport State Airport (UUU), Newport, Rhode Island, was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

After completing a preflight inspection of the airplane, the pilot taxied to the self-serve fuel pumps and topped-off the fuel tanks. A few minutes later, he sampled the fuel tanks and reported the fuel was blue and free of contaminates. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,000 ft above ground level, the pilot reported the engine suddenly lost power and "went quiet." He attempted to restart the engine to no avail and subsequently performed a forced landing.

On-scene examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the engine was partially separated from the airplane. The right wing was partially separated and the left wing was substantially damaged.

The six-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle-gear airplane, serial number 3246091, was manufactured in 1997. It was powered by a Lycoming, IO-540, 300-horsepower engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 11, 2017. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 1,155 total hours of operation. The engine had also accumulated 1,155 total hours of operation; of which, 480 hours were since its last major overhaul. The airplane had flown about 20 hours since the annual inspection.

Postaccident examination revealed the timing of the left magneto was 14.6° ahead of 20° top dead center and the right magneto was 17° ahead of 20° top dead center. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand. Camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity was confirmed to the rear accessory section of the engine. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders with the exception of the No. 6 cylinder, which was impact damaged.

The engine-driven fuel pump was removed from the engine. Approximately 1 ounce of 100-low-lead aviation gasoline was recovered from the engine-driven fuel pump. The fuel was clear, blue, and absent of water when tested with water finding paste. When the engine driven fuel pump was actuated by hand, suction and compression were confirmed at the inlet and outlet port. The engine driven fuel pump was then disassembled and its diaphragm was intact with no obstructions noted. The fuel selector was in the right main fuel tank position and continuity was established from the right main fuel tank to the fuel selector. The throttle, mixture, and propeller levers were difficult to move, consistent with impact forces.

The airplane was equipped with a Bendix KMD 150 which was sent to the NTSB Recorder's Laboratory in Washington, DC for examination. The device recorded five data points during the flight, containing coordinates, ground speed, heading, and GPS altitude. A complete copy of the NTSB's Recorder's Laboratory factual report is included in the public docket of this report.

The recorded weather at an airport located about 7 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1058, included wind 220 at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 13° C, and dew point minus 1° C. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/03/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/26/2016
Flight Time:  862 hours (Total, all aircraft), 403 hours (Total, this make and model), 787 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 43 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N21HD
Model/Series: PA32R 301
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1997
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3246091
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/11/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1155 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-540 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KADW, 282 ft msl
Observation Time: 1658 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 43°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -1°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, 220°
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Friendly, MD (VKX)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: NEWPORT, RI (UUU)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1035 EST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: POTOMAC AIRFIELD (VKX)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 117 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2665 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Unknown
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious

Latitude, Longitude: 38.730000, -76.970000




NTSB Identification: ERA17LA100
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, February 06, 2017 in Friendly, MD
Aircraft: PIPER PA32R, registration: N21HD
Injuries: 1 Serious.

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 February 6, 2017, about 1145 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N21HD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing during the initial climb after takeoff t from Potomac Airfield (VKX), Friendly, Maryland. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personal flight, destined for Newport State Airport (UUU), Newport, Rhode Island, was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

After completing a preflight inspection of the airplane, the pilot and taxied to the self-serve fuel pumps, and topped-off the fuel tanks. A few minutes later, he sumped the fuel tanks and reported the fuel was blue and free of contaminates. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,000 feet above ground level, the pilot reported the engine suddenly lost power and "went quiet." He attempted to restart the engine to no avail and subsequently performed a forced landing.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. According to the inspector, the engine was partially separated from the airplane. The right wing was partially separated and the left wing was substantially damaged.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.



A small plane crashed in Prince George's County, Maryland, on Monday and the man piloting it used his cellphone to help rescuers find him. 

Gerald Kempen, 64, had just taken off from Potomac Airfield in Fort Washington, Maryland. The weather was perfect for flying, with good visibility.

But shortly after takeoff, something went wrong.

A witness said he heard the engine apparently cut out.

Kempen's plane, a Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP, crashed into a wooded area near the 11700 block of Gallahan Road. The plane lopped off the tops of small trees and then crashed into a large tree.

Kempen used his cellphone to call his wife, she told News4 by phone. He sounded dazed and unsure of what had happened, she said.

He called 911, and rescuers stayed on the phone with him until they found him -- walking through the woods.

"He was trying to give us the best location he could," Prince George's County fire department battalion chief Steve Kling said. "The problem was, he was flying I think probably by instruments. He couldn't really give us much on landmarks. He gave us, I believe it was a house in the distance and a barn and some power lines."

Kempen was flown to a hospital for evaluation. His wife said he was disoriented and having memory issues, but was OK. 

The pilot's wife had planned to travel with him from their home in Rhode Island to Maryland and back, to visit their children and grandchildren, but she decided to stay home with a sick grandchild there. 

Kempen had his plane for five years and flew since he was a teenager, his wife said. 

Prince George's County Fire & EMS spokesman Mark Brady said the small plane did not pose a fire or hazardous materials risk. 

State and federal authorities are investigating.

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


FT. WASHINGTON, MD (WUSA9) - A small plane crashed near the Potomac Airfield in Ft. Washington Monday morning, Prince George's County Fire and EMS said.

"You could hear it just shut off and then it turned kind of funny actually," one neighbor told WUSA9.

According to the 911 operator, the plane crashed in the area of Old Fort Road and Indian Head Highway.

Crews located the pilot, who was walking.

"He contacted 911 and gave us the information we needed like some landmarks that would help us identify where he was," Prince George's County Fire Battalion Chief Steve Kling said.

He was taken to the hospital as a precaution, according to officials. 

"He was calm, very alert and matter of fact. He told us what happened and that he just wanted to get out of here," Kling said.

The pilot has a head and chest injury, but is expected to recover. The 64-year-old is from Rhode Island and is vacationing in the area.

His wife said he’s been flying planes since he was a teenager and that saved his life because he knew exactly what to do once the plane lost power.

Story and video:  http://www.wusa9.com


FORT WASHINGTON, Md. (ABC7) —   A plane had a hard landing and the pilot was taken to an area hospital as a precaution Monday afternoon in Fort Washington, Maryland, according to Prince George's County Fire officials.

SKYTRAK7 was on the scene of the plane incident.

Mark Brady with P.G. Fire reports the pilot in the plane is up and walking. The pilot, identified as 63-year-old Gerry Kempen, was wounded while walking, and located by fire officials in a wooded area and taken to a Trauma Center.

Kempen flew to the Maryland area several days ago and parked his plane at Potomac Airfield. Officials say it appeared Kempen lost power in his plane shortly after he took off.

Fire officials say the incident occurred at Indian Head Highway and Old Fort Road.

According to the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) database, the tail number of the plane is N21HD. It's described as a Piper PA-32R-301 and is a single-engine fixed wing plane. The registered owner is Gerald Kempen. 


Story and photo gallery: http://wjla.com

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