Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Cessna 150G, owned by the pilot, operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, N3875J: Fatal accident occurred September 20, 2017 in Rhine, Telfair County, Georgia

 
Kyle Barron


The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.


Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Continental Motors Inc; Lucedale, Mississippi
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

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/N3875J


Location: Rhine, GA
Accident Number: ERA17FA330
Date & Time: 09/20/2017, 0601 EDT
Registration: N3875J
Aircraft: CESSNA 150G
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 20, 2017, at 0601 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3875J, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Rhine, Georgia. The student pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was owned by the pilot who was operating it as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Dark night marginal visual flight rules (MVFR) conditions prevailed in the area and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which was destined for Turner County Airport (75J), Ashburn, Georgia.

On the morning of the accident, the student pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, planned to pick up his flight instructor in Ashburn before flying to St. Simon's, Georgia, where he was scheduled to take his private pilot practical test the following day. The instructor had checked the weather that morning and saw that that there was fog reported in some areas, so he called the student, who did not answer his phone. The instructor then received a text from the student that stated, "I'll see you in a few." The instructor responded, "ok;" this was his last communication he had with the student pilot.

A witness stated that he had just stepped out of his home when he heard an airplane with the engine "full throttle." It was dark outside and the sun was not up. He said that he never saw the airplane, but it sounded like the airplane took off, made a turn, then crashed. The witness then drove 3/4 mile to the airstrip, where the student pilot also had a business. When he arrived, he observed "light" fog over the airstrip. The witness then spoke with the student pilot's employees and told them that he thought the airplane had crashed.

The student pilot's cousin and uncle, who were also both pilots, initiated an air search and located the airplane via the airplane's ELT about 0710.

The airplane was equipped with a hand-held Garmin GPSMAP 396. The device recorded the date, time, latitude, longitude, GPS altitude, and an averaged groundspeed and track. An NTSB airplane performance specialist conducted an airplane performance study based on the data retrieved from the device.

According to the study, the airplane departed about 05:59:47 and entered a climbing right turn, reaching an altitude of 407 ft at 06:00:40. The airplane then descended to 256 ft while continuing the right turn, reaching its maximum airspeed of 95 knots (kts). The airplane then climbed in a tightening right turn to a maximum altitude of 666 ft at which point the lowest airspeed, 32 kts, was recorded at 06:01:11; the bank angle at that time was 30° right wing down. The airplane then quickly lost altitude and rolled right, losing about 440 ft in 13 seconds. By 06:01:24, the airplane had descended to 226 ft before the last data point was recorded at 06:01:33 at an altitude of 279 ft.

An airspeed of 32 kts at a calculated bank angle of 30° right wing down is below the manufacturer's minimum stall speed for all configurations and bank angles.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The student pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on April 13, 2017. A review of his logbook revealed that he had accrued a total of 236 flight hours, all of which were in the accident airplane. The student pilot had logged 8.3 hours of night time experience; however, none of those flights included taking off or landing at his private airstrip at night.

The student pilot's instructor stated that he knew "for a fact" that the student pilot had departed at least "30-40" times from his private airstrip at night. He had advised the pilot not to do so on several occasions because it was not safe. The strip was in poor condition and not properly lighted. The instructor also learned after the accident that the student pilot had given airplane rides to several family members and friends. He described the student pilot as a "good pilot" but "very head strong." He had "no fear – saw no danger."

The instructor said that the student pilot always checked the weather before a flight but that he "didn't know weather" like a more experienced pilot would.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The Cessna 150G is a two-seat, high-wing airplane equipped with a Continental O-200A engine.

A review of the airframe maintenance logbook revealed that the most recent annual inspection was performed on March 2, 2017, at a total tachometer time of 5,534.8 hours. The most recent 100-hour inspection was performed on July 11, 2017, at a total tachometer time of 5,588.83 hours.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

A review of weather observations from Fitzgerald Airport, (FZG), Fitzgerald, Georgia, about 13 miles southwest of the accident site, revealed that MVFR conditions prevailed at the time of the accident with visibility restricted by mist.

At 0555, the weather at FZG included calm wind, 4 miles visibility, mist, clear skies below 12,000 ft, temperature 22°C, dew point 22°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.

At 0615, FZG reported calm wind, 3 miles visibility, mist, clear skies, temperature 22°C, dew point 22°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.

GOES-13 infrared images taken at 0615 depicted clear skies over the accident site with a mid-level band of clouds near 14,000 ft to the northeast and east. The image could not discriminate between any low mist or fog and the surface temperatures at the time of the image.

According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, civil twilight in Rhine, Georgia, began at 0656 and sunrise was at 0720. The moon phase was "new" at 0130.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The student pilot co-owned the private airstrip from which he departed. According to family, the grass runway was about 4,200 ft long, oriented southwest/northeast, and partially lighted with solar lights placed every 200 ft. The pilot was known to taxi to the end of the runway and depart to the south. After departure, he always made a 360° turn over the airport and confirmed that the airplane was performing normally before departing for his destination.

WRECKAGE EXAMINATION

The airplane came to rest in wooded terrain adjacent to the private airstrip. The initial impact point was an approximate 80-ft-tall pine tree. The airplane came to rest about 70 ft from the initial impact point. Several tree branches were strewn along the wreckage path. Several of these tree limbs were fractured and exhibited 45° angular cuts. These cuts were flat and exhibited black paint transfer marks consistent with propeller contact. There was no postimpact fire.

The main wreckage came to rest upright with the tail section bent over the top of the airplane. Both wings sustained extensive leading edge impact damage. The center section of wing was partially separated from the airframe. The engine and propeller remained attached to the airplane. A small section of the outboard wing, along with the tip, separated and was found adjacent to the right wing. The left wing tip separated and was found several feet away from the main wreckage. The tip portion of the vertical stabilizer was also damaged.

Flight control cable continuity was established for all flight controls to the cockpit, and the wing flaps were fully retracted. The main right wing aileron cable was found separated. The fractured ends were frayed consistent with overload stress. The elevator trim tab was found 5° tab down (nose up).

The right and left wing fuel caps were secure, but the right wing fuel tank was breached. Fuel was noted draining from both wings during recovery of the airplane. A fuel receipt found in the airplane revealed that the pilot had purchased 20 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel the day before the accident. The fuel selector was in the "on" position. The gascolator remained attached to the firewall. The bowl contained some fuel and the screen was absent of debris. The carburetor was removed from the engine and the bowl was absent of fuel.

The vacuum pump was secure to the engine. It was removed and rotated freely by hand.

The attitude indicator was not impact damaged. The face of the instrument was black with a black background. The unit was disassembled and no damage was noted to the internal components. The rotor drum was removed from its housing. No rotational scoring was noted on the interior of the drum.

The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls were all full forward.

The engine remained attached to the airframe. The two-bladed propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was bent aft and exhibited distortion at the blade tip. The other blade was bent aft.

The engine caught on the starter gears when it was rotated by hand at the propeller. The starter was installed with several spacers and there was contact between the crankshaft gears and the starter gears. The crankshaft gear teeth were also slightly worn, as were the starter gear teeth. A family member reported that the pilot was having issues starting the engine before the accident. The rocker covers and top spark plugs were removed. The engine was rotated, and compression and valve train continuity were established for each cylinder. Spark was also produced to each ignition lead. No mechanical deficiencies were found that would have precluded normal operation of the engine at the time of the accident.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Division of Forensic Sciences, Decatur, Georgia, performed the autopsy on the pilot. The autopsy report indicated that the pilot died as a result of "multiple blunt impact injuries."

The laboratory at FAA Forensic Sciences, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of the pilot. Fluid and tissue specimens from the pilot tested negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and other drugs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

According to the FAA's Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 17, spatial disorientation specifically refers to the lack of orientation with regard to the position, attitude, or movement of the airplane in space. It states:

The body uses three integrated systems that work together to ascertain orientation and movement in space:

• Vestibular system—organs found in the inner ear that sense position by the way we are balanced

• Somatosensory system—nerves in the skin, muscles, and joints that, along with hearing, sense position based on gravity, feeling, and sound

• Visual system—eyes, which sense position based on what is seen.

All this information comes together in the brain and, most of the time, the three streams of information agree, giving a clear idea of where and how the body is moving. Flying can sometimes cause these systems to supply conflicting information to the brain, which can lead to disorientation.

During flight in visual meteorological conditions (VMC), the eyes are the major orientation source and usually prevail over false sensations from other sensory systems. When these visual cues are removed, as they are in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), false sensations can cause a pilot to quickly become disoriented. The vestibular system in the inner ear allows the pilot to sense movement and determine orientation in the surrounding environment. In both the left and right inner ear, three semicircular canals are positioned at approximate right angles to each other. Each canal is filled with fluid and has a section full of fine hairs. Acceleration of the inner ear in any direction causes the tiny hairs to deflect, which in turn stimulates nerve impulses, sending messages to the brain. The vestibular nerve transmits the impulses from the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals to the brain to interpret motion. The somatosensory system sends signals from the skin, joints, and muscles to the brain that are interpreted in relation to the Earth's gravitational pull. These signals determine posture. Inputs from each movement update the body's position to the brain on a constant basis. "Seat of the pants" flying is largely dependent upon these signals. Used in conjunction with visual and vestibular clues, these sensations can be fairly reliable. However, the body cannot distinguish between acceleration forces due to gravity and those resulting from maneuvering the aircraft, which can lead to sensory illusions and false impressions of an aircraft's orientation and movement. Under normal flight conditions, when there is a visual reference to the horizon and ground, the sensory system in the inner ear helps to identify the pitch, roll, and yaw movements of the aircraft. When visual contact with the horizon is lost, the vestibular system becomes unreliable. Without visual references outside the aircraft, there are many situations in which combinations of normal motions and forces create convincing illusions that are difficult to overcome. Prevention is usually the best remedy for spatial disorientation. Unless a pilot has many hours of training in instrument flight, flight should be avoided in reduced visibility or at night when the horizon is not visible. A pilot can reduce susceptibility to disorienting illusions through training and awareness and learning to rely totally on flight instruments. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  236 hours (Total, all aircraft), 236 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N3875J
Model/Series: 150G UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15065175
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/11/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1499 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5588.83 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: C91  installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-200 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: FZG, 364 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0635 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 195°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  3 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: 
Departure Point: Rhine, GA
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ashburn, GA (75J)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0610 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 31.520000, -83.800000 (est)

NTSB Identification: ERA17FA330
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Rhine, GA
Aircraft: CESSNA 150G, registration: N3875J
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

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 either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On September 20, 2017, about 0605 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3875J, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Rhine, Georgia. The student pilot, who was also the registered owner of the airplane was fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Turner County Airport (75J), Ashburn, Georgia.

The student pilot was scheduled to take his private pilot checkride the following day in St. Simon's Island, Georgia. On the morning of the accident, he planned to pick up his flight instructor in Ashburn before flying to St. Simon's. Witnesses, who were employed by the pilot and worked at his business adjacent to the airstrip, reported that they heard the airplane depart his private grass airstrip to the southeast about 0600. They said the airplane made a left 360° turn before they turned their attention away. Another witness heard the airplane depart followed shortly after by the sound of a crash. The student pilot's cousin and uncle, who were both certificated pilots, initiated an air and ground search and located the airplane via the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) about 0710.

The student pilot co-owned the private airstrip from which he departed. According to a family member, the private grass runway was about 4,200 ft long, oriented southwest/northeast, and partially lit with solar lights placed every 200 ft. The student pilot was known to taxi to the end of the runway and depart to the southwest. After departure, he always made a 360° left turn over the runway for safety purposes before turning on course for his destination.

The airplane came to rest in wooded terrain just north of the private airstrip. The initial impact point was an approximately 80 ft tall pine tree. As the airplane descended, it continued to impact trees until it came to rest about 70 ft from where it first contacted the trees. Several tree branches were strewn along the wreckage path. Several of these tree limbs were fractured and exhibited 45° angular cuts. These cuts were flat and exhibited black paint transfer marks.

The main wreckage came to rest upright with the tail section bent over the top of the airplane. All major components of the airplane were accounted for on-scene. Both wings sustained extensive leading-edge impact damage. The center section of wing had partially separated from the airframe. A small section of the right outboard wing, along with the tip, separated from the wing and was found adjacent to the right wing. The left-wing tip separated and was found several feet from the main wreckage.

Flight control cable continuity was established for all flight controls to the cockpit. The right-wing aileron cable was found separated. The fractured ends were frayed consistent with overload stresses. The flaps were fully retracted. The elevator trim tab was positioned 5° tab down (nose up).

The right and left-wing fuel caps were secure, but the right-wing fuel tank was breached. Fuel was noted draining from the airplane when it was recovered. A fuel receipt found in the airplane revealed the pilot had purchased 20 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline from a local airport the day before the accident. The fuel selector was in the "on" position. The gascolator remained attached to the firewall. The gascolator bowl contained some fuel and the screen was absent of debris. The carburetor was removed from the engine and the bowl was empty of fuel.

The four-cylinder engine remained attached to the airframe and the two-bladed propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was bent aft and exhibited distortion at the blade tip. The other blade was bent aft.

The pilot held a student pilot certificate. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on April 13, 2017. A review of his logbook revealed that he began flight training on April 4, 2017. As of September 19, 2017, he had logged a total of 236 flight hours, all of which, were in the accident airplane. The student pilot logged 8.3 hours of night time; however, none of those flights included taking off or landing at his private airstrip at night.

At 0635, the weather conditions reported at Fitzgerald Airport (FZG), Fitzgerald, Georgia, which was located about 16 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, included wind calm, visibility 3 miles, mist, clear skies, temperature 22°, dew point 22°, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury.




A plane crashed in Telfair County, killing 44-year-old John Kyle Barron, according to Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson. 

Gabrielle Dawkins sat down with Barron's family as they shared their lasting memories.

“The last thing he told me was good night, and I love you,” said Kole Barron. “He was a good man.”

Kole Barron's father was killed in a plane crash early Wednesday morning about a quarter of a mile away from highway 117.

“They said he was unresponsive, and I just fell to the ground in tears; it was horrible,” says Barron.

Telfair County Sheriff, Chris Steverson, believes the plane crashed between 6:15 and 6:30 Wednesday morning, moments after take-off.

“The plane was destroyed completely,” says Steverson.

His family says that he took lessons three to four times a week for about nine months.

Brandi Williams, Barron's sister, says she is going to miss her older brother.

“I didn't really want people to watch the news and see a plane crash," Williams said. "I want them to know that there was a man behind the crash."

People in the community say Barron would help anyone in need.

“He's a legend. There's nobody that loved harder or work harder than he did. Kyle would do anything for anybody. If you couldn't buy it to make it happen, he would build it.” Barron said.

“He's a go-getter and he'll make things happen especially for people he loved.”

As for Barron, the memories that he will cherish is his father’s go getter attitude.

"You can do anything,” says Barron. “You just have to do it.”

He leaves behind a wife, two daughters and a 16-year-old son.

Barron's body is going to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.


Story and video:  http://www.13wmaz.com




RHINE, Ga. -- A man died Wednesday morning in a small plane crash in Telfair County.

Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson said that the Cessna 150 crashed between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. in a wooded area off of Highway 117.

He said that the only person on board, John Kyle Barron, died in the crash and that the plane was completely destroyed.

He said Barron, who was a student pilot, was headed to meet his flight instructor and crashed on his own property.

Steverson said Barron, a well-known local business owner, leaves behind a wife and children.

"It's just a tremendous loss for our entire community," he said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating.


http://wgxa.tv

TELFAIR COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man was killed after his plane crashed on a private runway off Highway 117 in Telfair County Wednesday morning.

44-year-old John Kyle Barron took off in his plane around 6:15 a.m. and crashed moments after going airborne, according to Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson. Barron died on impact. Steverson said there was heavy fog at the time of takeoff, which might have contributed to the crash.

Steverson says Barron was a student-pilot who was working on getting his pilot’s license. He had his own private plane and runway. There were no other passengers or injuries.

The crash is under investigation.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.41nbc.com




UPDATE: The pilot killed in a crash Wednesday morning in Telfair County has been identified.

He is John Kyle Barron, 44, a student pilot. He was killed shortly after takeoff, according to Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson.

Telfair County coroner Jarvis Barnes said Barron is from Rhine and died on impact, sometime before 7:30 a.m. She said he flew his single-engine plane from a small private airstrip in the China Hill section of the county.

She said the GBI and the National Transportation Safety Board are both investigating the crash.

The Telfair County Sheriff says they're investigating a small-plane crash near Milan.

Sheriff Chris Steverson says it happened off Highway 117, near Sharon Baptist Church.

He said the accident involved a small private plane.

Story and video ➤ http://www.13wmaz.com




Representatives from the FAA and NTSB are on their way to Telfair County after a local pilot was killed in a crash after takeoff early Wednesday.

Just after 6:15 a.m., the Cessna 150 went down into the woods off River Road near Rhine, Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson said.

“Witnesses say the plane took off and several seconds later they saw it go down,” Steverson said.

John Kyle Barron, 44, had taken off from a private airstrip, Steverson said.

Barron, whose family has a 20-year mobile home services business in Rhine, was pronounced dead at the scene.

News of the crash spread quickly on social media, prompting calls for prayer for Barron’s family and friends.

In addition to federal aviation and transportation investigators, the GBI has been called in to investigate the fatal crash, Steverson said.

The crash happened in the woods off Ga. 117, southeast of Rhine.

Barron leaves behind a wife, a son and two young daughters.

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

1 comment: