Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Bellanca 7ACA, N9176L; accident occurred August 18, 2017 near H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport (KCQF), Fairhope, Baldwin County, Alabama

Tony Taloney (pictured above) and Joe B. Bagget were the two pilots involved in the plane crash that took place in Fairhope, Alabama. 


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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama
Continental Motors Inc; Mobile, Alabama

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/N9176L



Location: Fairhope, AL
Accident Number: ERA17LA282
Date & Time: 08/18/2017, 1809 CDT
Registration: N9176L
Aircraft: BELLANCA 7ACA
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The private pilot stated that he had already completed several landings and had just taken off and started a left crosswind turn about 500 ft above ground level when the engine lost total power. He immediately lowered the nose of the airplane, checked the fuel selector position, and applied carburetor heat. The engine restarted, and the pilot began a climb; however, the engine stopped running again, restarted, and then quit a third time. By this time, the pilot-rated passenger had taken control of the airplane and performed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that adequate fuel remained in both fuel tanks, and a test run of the engine showed that it ran through its entire power band without interruption. The examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the weather conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at cruise/glide engine power settings, the airplane was operating at a high power setting; thus, it is unlikely that ice formed in the carburetor during takeoff.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination and a test run of the engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Findings

Not determined
Not determined - Unknown/Not determined (Cause)

Factual Information

On August 18, 2017, at 1809 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ACA airplane, N9176L, made a forced landing to a cotton field after a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport (CQF), Fairhope, Alabama. The airframe was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot rated passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at a private airstrip in Daphne, Alabama, about 1615.

The private pilot stated that he had recently received a tailwheel endorsement in the accident airplane and the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings. He said that even though he had the proper endorsement to fly the airplane alone, he asked the pilot rated passenger to come along with him as a precaution. The private pilot stated that he had already completed several landings and had just taken off and started to turn on a left crosswind turn about 500 ft above the ground (agl) when the engine stopped producing power. He immediately lowered the nose of the airplane, checked the position of the fuel selector, and applied carburetor heat. The engine started, and the pilot began a climb; however, the engine quit running again, then re-started, and quit a third time. By this time, the pilot rated passenger had taken control of the airplane and made the forced landing to the field.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the right-wing strut. Flight control continuity was established from all flight controls to the cockpit. Both wing fuel tanks were intact and about 7 to 8 gallons of fuel were still in the fuel tanks. Fuel was present the firewall mounted fuel strainer and no water was observed. The screen was absent of debris. The engine was placed in a test cell and run. The engine started and ran thru its full power-band without interruption. No mechanical deficiencies were identified that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical was issued on April 19, 2016. The pilot reported a total of 341.7 hours, of which, 3.3 were in the accident airplane.

The pilot rated passenger held an airline transport pilot rating for multiengine land, single-engine land and single engine sea airplane. He was also a certified flight instructor for single and multiengine airplane. In addition, the pilot held numerous type ratings (CE-500, CE-525S, IA-Jet, and LR-60), and was an airframe and powerplant mechanic. His last FAA second-class medical was issued on July 10, 2017. At that time, the pilot reported a total of 9,500 flight hours.

Weather at CQF at 1815 was reported as visibility 10 miles, clear skies and wind out of the west at 5 knots. The temperature was 82° F and the dewpoint was 79° F.

The carburetor icing probability chart from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB): CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention, June 30, 2009, shows that the weather conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at cruise/glide engine power settings at the temperature and dew point reported at the time of the accident. 

History of Flight

Takeoff
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Emergency descent
Loss of engine power (total)
Off-field or emergency landing



Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 48, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/19/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/22/2015
Flight Time:  341.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 275.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/10/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 9500 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BELLANCA
Registration: N9176L
Model/Series: 7ACA NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 35-72
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/19/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 29 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1037.88 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors Inc
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C85-12F
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 85 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: CQF, 91 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1815 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 180°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 26°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Daphne, AL (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fairhope, AL (CQF)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1615 CDT
Type of Airspace: Unknown

Airport Information

Airport: H L SONNY CALLAHAN (CQF)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 91 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 30.523056, -87.903333 (est)

NTSB Identification: ERA17LA282
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 18, 2017 in Fairhope, AL
Aircraft: BELLANCA 7ACA, registration: N9176L
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

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 August 18, 2017, at 1809 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ACA airplane, N9176L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport (CQF), Fairhope, Alabama. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot rated passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at a private airstrip in Daphne, Alabama, about 1615.

The pilot stated that he had recently received a tailwheel endorsement in the accident airplane and the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings. He said that even though he had the proper endorsement to fly the airplane alone, he asked the pilot rated passenger to come along with him as a precaution. The pilot stated that he had already completed several landings and had just taken off and started to turn onto the left crosswind leg of the traffic pattern about 500 ft above the ground (agl) when the engine stopped producing power. He immediately lowered the nose of the airplane, checked the position of the fuel selector, and applied carburetor heat. The engine started and the pilot began a climb; however, the engine quit running again, then re-started, and quit a third time. By this time, the pilot rated passenger had taken control of the airplane and subsequently made a forced landing to a corn field.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no obvious mechanical deficiencies. The fuselage and both wing struts were substantially damaged. The engine was retained for further examination and a test-run.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on April 19, 2016. The pilot reported a total of 341.7 hours, of which, 3.3 hours were in the accident airplane.

The pilot rated passenger held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for multiengine land, single-engine land and single engine sea airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for single-engine land and multiengine land airplane. In addition, the passenger held numerous type ratings (CE-500, CE-525S, IA-Jet, and LR-60), and was an airframe and powerplant mechanic. His last FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on July 10, 2017. At that time, the passenger reported a total of 9,500 flight hours.

Weather conditions reported at CQF at 1815, included visibility 10 miles, clear skies and a west wind at 5 knots. The temperature was 82° F and the dew point was 79° F.




UPDATE: News 5 was able to confirm the names of the occupants involved in the plane crash that took place earlier Friday evening.

Tony Taloney and Joe B. Bagget were the two pilots involved in the plane crash that took place in Fairhope. Tony Taloney is the brother-in-law of News 5 anchor Jessica Taloney.

Jessica told News 5, ” Earlier this evening, my brother-in-law, Tony Taloney, was involved in a plane crash shortly after taking off from the Sonny Callahan Airport in Fairhope.

I’m thankful to be able to tell you he is okay and recovering at a local hospital.


Tony was an instructor in the plane at the time of crash, which was caused by engine failure.  The pilot of the plane, Joe B. Baggett, who was also injured, will be okay.

Tony has a couple broken bones and is a bit bruised up, but his spirit is good and continues to make us all laugh.“ 

UPDATE (8:30 p.m.) — According to Fairhope Police, the aircraft, a twin-seat model single-engine private aircraft, had reportedly been performing “touch and go” maneuvers at the H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport which serves as Fairhope’s Municipal Airport.

The pilot told officers that they aircraft experienced mechanical difficulties. The plane landed in an open field. There is no indication any homes or businesses were in danger.

The occupants, both adult males, were taken to Thomas Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administrations has been notified and will conduct an investigation.

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG) — A small plane has crashed in a field in Baldwin County, injuring two people.

News 5 spotted the yellow and white plane in a field near where County Roads 24 and 13 intersect in Fairhope.

The plane appears to be intact, and the crash did not cause the plane to catch on fire.

Two people were on the plane and have been transported from the scene.

The field where the plane crashed is just a short distance from H.L. Sonny Callahan Airport.

Story and video:  http://wkrg.com




Fairhope, Ala. (WPMI) — Two men are recovering in the hospital after a plane crashed in a field in Fairhope.

Authorities say it appears the men took off from the Fairhope Municipal Airport and were doing training when they experienced a mechanical failure.

Fairhope police were notified of the crash just after 5 p.m. when the single engine, two passenger plane crash landed in a field near County Roads 13 and 24.

According to investigators, the pilot and the passenger were performing "touch and go's" when they experienced mechanical failure.

Police said one man suffered a broken leg and the other had head injuries.

According to police, a State trooper driving by at the time witnessed the crash and took the men to Thomas Hospital.

"It sounds like the pilot did a good job bringing it down. Avoiding structures and other things of that nature," said Sgt. Craig Sawyer with the Fairhope Police Department, "There was no fire. At this point our concerns are preserving the aircraft for our investigation, mitigating any environmental dangers that might come out of the plane being in the field and waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration for guidance."

No foul play is suspected at this time.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating and will release more information once the investigation is over.

Story and video:  http://local15tv.com




A private plane crashed in an open field in Fairhope on Friday after suffering mechanical problems, injuring two men on board the aircraft, police said. 

The single-engine plane was performing touch and go maneuvers at H.L. "Sonny" Callahan Airport in Fairhope and experienced mechanical difficulties when it landed in a field near Baldwin County Road 13 and Baldwin County Road 24 around 5:07 p.m. Friday, according to authorities.

The men, whose names were not released pending the outcome of a Federal Aviation Administration investigation, were taken to Thomas Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

There was no indication that homes or businesses were damaged in the incident, police said.

http://www.al.com

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