Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Zenair STOL CH 701, N3846T: Accident occurred April 11, 2017 in Red Lion, Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania

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

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

NTSB Identification: ERA17CA152
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Windsor Twp, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/17/2017
Aircraft: LAZEAR JOHN T ZENAIR STOL CH 701, registration: N3846T
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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 of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he attempted to take off on a grass portion of his property that extended about 1,000 ft before reaching power lines. During takeoff on an approximate 130° heading, he noticed the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the power lines. He pulled up “hard” to clear the power lines but stalled the airplane. The left wing dipped down, and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing separated from the fuselage, and the empennage was crushed behind the wings. Both main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the nose landing gear folded back under the engine compartment. 

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that he thought the wind was swirling and that the airplane may have encountered some wind shear. The recorded wind at an airport located about 13 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 320° at 4 knots. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's improper pretakeoff planning, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a short-field takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he attempted to takeoff on a grass portion of his property, that extended about 1,000 ft prior to reaching powerlines. During takeoff on an approximate 130° heading, he noticed the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the powerlines. He pulled up "hard" to clear the powerlines but stalled the airplane. The left wing dipped down and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing separated from the fuselage and the empennage was crushed behind the wings. Both main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the nose gear folded back under the engine compartment. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He added that he thought the wind was swirling and may have encountered some windshear. The recorded wind at an airport located about 13 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 320° at 4 knots.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
  
http://registry.faa.gov/N3846T 

NTSB Identification: ERA17CA152
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Windsor Twp, PA
Aircraft: LAZEAR JOHN T ZENAIR STOL CH 701, registration: N3846T
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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 of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he attempted to takeoff on a grass portion of his property, that extended about 1,000 ft prior to reaching powerlines. During takeoff on an approximate 130° heading, he noticed the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the powerlines. He pulled up "hard" to clear the powerlines but stalled the airplane. The left wing dipped down and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing separated from the fuselage and the empennage was crushed behind the wings. Both main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the nose gear folded back under the engine compartment. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He added that he thought the wind was swirling and may have encountered some windshear. The recorded wind at an airport located about 13 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 320° at 4 knots.



A small plane experienced a rough landing in York County on Tuesday, according to a release from the Federal Aviation Administration.

A Zenair STOL CH 701 force landed in a Windsor Township field about 12:15 p.m., the FAA said. The condition of the pilot was not immediately available Tuesday afternoon.

The plane could be seen damaged in a field in the area of the 300 block of White Oak Road  on Tuesday.

The FAA is investigating.

This is the second time in less than a month that a small aircraft has made an emergency landing in a York County field .

Last month, a Cessna C162 aircraft landed  about 6:30 p.m. March 23 in a  field  in the area of Sticks Road and Mummert Road in Codorus Township.

It had taken off from Lancaster Airport and was headed to the Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster, Maryland, when it experienced an engine-related problem.

Original article can be found here: 
http://www.yorkdispatch.com



YORK COUNTY, Pa. —

The pilot of a Zenair STOL CH 701 force landed in a Windsor Township, York County field earlier today.

It happened at White Oak Road and Frysville Road.

Police say John Stone force landed his plane upon take-off in a field near his home.

Authorities say the pilot, John Stone, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was released from the hospital and is doing OK.

Story and video:  http://www.wgal.com

1 comment:

  1. Ref the headline. Looks more like an accident than an incident

    ReplyDelete