Monday, May 22, 2017

Fairchild 24R-40, N25329: Accident occurred May 21, 2017 near Maples Field Airport (VG57), Catlett, Fauquier County, Virginia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Herndon, Virginia

Aviation Accident Final 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/N25329

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA295
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, May 21, 2017 in Catlett, VA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/14/2017
Aircraft: FAIRCHILD 24R, registration: N25329
Injuries: 2 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 in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the approach to land on a grass airstrip, he avoided power lines and buildings that were located at the approach end of what he perceived to be the runway. Before the landing flare, he realized that what he perceived as the runway was a wheat field. The airplane’s main landing gear became entangled with the wheat stocks, and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the engine mounts, the rudder, the vertical stabilizer, and the wing strut.

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

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

The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in the airplane impacting wheat stalks and a subsequent nose-over.

The pilot in the tail-wheel equipped airplane reported that he accomplished an approach to land on a grass airstrip. During the approach he avoided powerline wires and buildings that were located at the approach end of what he perceived to be the runway. Prior to the landing flare he realized that what he perceived as the runway was a wheat field. The airplane's main landing gear became entangled with the wheat stocks and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the engine mounts, the rudder, the vertical stabilizer and the wing strut.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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The Virginia State Police are investigating a plane crash that happened yesterday afternoon at Maples Field Airport in Catlett.

Police say there were two people in the plane when it crashed. 

The pilot, William A. Hargreaves, 45, of Lovettsville, was not injured. 

The passenger, Donald J. Rhynalds, 85, of Bealeton, was flown to INOVA Fairfax Hospital.

At 1:12 p.m. on May 21, the Virginia State Police received a report of a plane crash at Maples Field Airport in 1700 block of Sowego Road in Catlett. 

The aircraft involved was a 1940 Fairchild R40-404, fixed-wing, single-engine, two seater aircraft.  It was trying to land on the turf runway, when it ran off the left side and went into tall uncut grass and overturned, police say.

The state police and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash to determine its cause, officials say.

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

An 85-year-old man was injured Sunday in a light plane crash at Maples Field Airport in Fauquier County. Donald J. Rhynalds, of Bealeton, was flown to INOVA Fairfax Hospital. 

The pilot, William A. Hargreaves, 45, of Lovettsville, was not hurt.

Virginia State Police say the accident happened at 1:12 p.m. Sunday at Maples Field, located in 1700 block of Sowego Road in the eastern part of Fauquier County. Maples Field consists of a turf runway. The aircraft involved was plane was a 1940 Fairchild R40-404, fixed-wing, single-engine, two seater aircraft.

The aircraft was attempting to land at the airport when it ran off the left side of the grassy runway and went into tall uncut grass and overturned.

The Virginia State Police and FAA are investigating the incident to determine the cause.

Original article can be found here:   https://fairfaxnews.com

CORRECTION: Bristow Beat would like to apologize for mistakenly reporting that Donald Rhynalds had passed away. We have spoken to Charles Maple of Maple Field, and learned that Rhynalds is alive and well and recovering at home. 

An 85-year-old Bealeton was injured while flying as a passenger in a small plane that crashed in Fauquier County while attempting its landing.

Virginia State Police were notified of a plane crash that occurred at Maples Field Airport located in 1700 block of Sowego Road in Catlett, Sunday at 1:12 p.m. Maples Field consists of a turf runway.

“The aircraft involved was plane was a 1940 Fairchild R40-404, fixed-wing, single-engine, two seater aircraft,” said Virginia State Police Public Information Officer, Sgt. F.L. Tyler. “The aircraft was attempting to land at the airport when it ran off the left side of the grassy runway and went into tall uncut grass and overturned.”

Two occupants were in the aircraft at the time of the crash, the pilot is identified as William A. Hargreaves, age 45 of Lovettsville, Virginia and passenger as Donald J. Rhynalds, age 85 of Bealeton, Virginia.

The pilot was not injured the passenger was flown to INOVA Fairfax Hospital.

The Virginia State Police along with and FAA are investigating the incident to determine the causative factors that led to the crash.

Original article can be found here:   http://bristowbeat.com

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