Kathryn's Report: Aviat A-1B, N335SB, registered to and operated by Park County Sheriff's Office: Accident occurred August 27, 2017 at Yellowstone Regional Airport (KCOD), Cody, Park County, Wyoming

Monday, August 28, 2017

Aviat A-1B, N335SB, registered to and operated by Park County Sheriff's Office: Accident occurred August 27, 2017 at Yellowstone Regional Airport (KCOD), Cody, Park County, Wyoming

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Casper, Wyoming

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/N335SB

National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Factual Report

Location: Cody, WY
Accident Number: GAA17CA512
Date & Time: 08/27/2017, 1700 MST
Registration: N335SB
Aircraft: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A 1
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Public Aircraft

Analysis

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on the asphalt surface of runway 4 with full flaps and about 40 knots airspeed. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, a wind gust struck the airplane's left side, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right-wing strut collided with the 7,000-ft runway distance marker.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the wing spar.

The METAR at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9 knots. No wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident.

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

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.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Other weather encounter
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on the asphalt surface of runway 4 with full flaps and about 40 knots airspeed.

During the landing roll, a wind gust struck the left side of the airplane, and the airplane ground-looped to the left, and the right-wing strut collided with the 7,000ft runway distance marker.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the wing spar.

The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9kts. No wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident.

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

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 83, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/31/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/19/2017
Flight Time: 14777 hours (Total, all aircraft), 610 hours (Total, this make and model), 22 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC
Registration: N335SB
Model/Series: A 1 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2000
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2090
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 610 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360
Registered Owner: PARK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: PARK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCOD, 5092 ft msl
Observation Time: 2256 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 124°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 6°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots, 20°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Cody, WY (COD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Cody, WY (COD)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1530 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: YELLOWSTONE RGNL (COD)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5102 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 04
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8268 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.520278, -109.023889 (est) Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Casper, Wyoming

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/N335SB

On its return from a Search and Rescue mission to save a man suffering from a heart attack on the North Fork, a Park County Sheriff’s Office SAR aircraft skidded off the runway while landing Sunday afternoon. No injuries resulted from the crash.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lance Mathess said the pilot of the aircraft was Bill Holder. There was no one else in the aircraft, as the heart attack victim was transported to Billings by helicopter.

Yellowstone Regional Airport manager Bob Hooper said the plane suffered damage to its left wing and strut, and that an airport sign will have to be replaced.

The pilot did indicate he experienced wind shear [while landing],” Hooper said.

According to Cody Police Department call logs, the crash was called into police at 5:29 p.m. Sunday afternoon after the SAR aircraft skidded off of runway No. 4.

Hooper said that including himself, four aircraft rescue and firefighting – or ARFF – trained personnel responded to the crash. Hooper drove to the site of the wreck from his home, while the airport’s Jeff Higgs and John Cordes were on-scene at the time of the crash. The Cody Fire Department also responded to the incident, Hooper said.

Hooper said there is a joint investigation of the incident being conducted by the Cody Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Cody Police Department is investigating the incident because the crash occurred on city property.

The Cody Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Mathess said the open nature of the investigation is probably why Cody Police have not responded to comment requests.

Preliminary results of FAA investigations are typically released within days of an incident’s occurrence, but were not available as of press time.

Hooper said an airport sign that costs $1,522 was damaged. The cost of the sign does not include installation or labor costs, Hooper said.

Mathess said damage estimates to the SAR aircraft were not yet available.

Although there was some minor fuel leaking after the aircraft crashed, Hooper said ARFF responders controlled the scene quickly and there was no fire.

http://www.codyenterprise.com

CODY, Wyo. – An 83-year-old man recently avoided injury when his plane crashed at Yellowstone Regional Airport following a search and rescue mission.

Cody police officers said Thursday they responded to a call of a small plane down about 5:30 p.m. Sunday during a landing on runway 4.

The pilot, William (Bill) Holder, had been conducting a Park County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue mission up Mormon Creek, according to police. He was the only occupant. No injuries were reported on the ground.

The plane was damaged severely and sustained minor fuel leakage, police said. Cody firefighters responded as a precaution, though no blaze ignited.

The runway at the airport reopened after the crash cleanup and preliminary investigation.

This case is still under investigation.

http://www.ktvq.com