Sunday, September 17, 2017

Van's RV-8, N232TB: Accident occurred September 16, 2017 at Nehalem Bay State Airport (3S7), Manzanita, Tillamook County, Oregon

Additional participating entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon

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/N232TB


Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane's collision with two elks during landing.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Ability to respond/compensate (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Wildlife encounter (non-bird) (Defining event)
Loss of control on ground
Landing gear collapse



Location: Manzanita, OR
Accident Number: GAA17CA541
Date & Time: 09/16/2017, 1710 PDT
Registration: N232TB
Aircraft: RUDBERG TODD W VANS ACFT RV8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot, reported that he landed on the runway and noticed an elk running toward the nose of the airplane. He applied full throttle and climbed to avoid impact, but the propeller struck the elk.

The pilot shut off the engine and the airplane descended to the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, a second elk collided with the airplane's left wing. The airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then veered to the right and came to rest on the right wing.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The Airport Facility Directory for the accident airport, states that there is wildlife in the vicinity of the runway.

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



Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/17/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/19/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1800 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1800 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Manufacturer: RUDBERG TODD W
Registration: N232TB
Model/Series: VANS ACFT RV8 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental; Aerobatic
Serial Number: 81315
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/24/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1355.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO390
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 210 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 




Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAST, 22 ft msl
Observation Time: 1201 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 28 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 4°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 11°C
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Mist
Departure Point: EVERETT, WA (PAE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Manzanita, OR (3S7)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: NEHALEM BAY STATE (3S7)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 30 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2350 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.698056, -123.929722 (est) Additional participating entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon

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/N232TB


Location: Manzanita, OR
Accident Number: GAA17CA541
Date & Time: 09/16/2017, 1710 PDT
Registration: N232TB
Aircraft: RUDBERG TODD W VANS ACFT RV8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot, reported that he landed on the runway and noticed an elk running toward the nose of the airplane. He applied full throttle and climbed to avoid impact, but the propeller struck the elk.

The pilot shut off the engine and the airplane descended to the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, a second elk collided with the airplane's left wing. The airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then veered to the right and came to rest on the right wing.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The Airport Facility Directory for the accident airport, states that there is wildlife in the vicinity of the runway.

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

Pilot Information


Certificate: Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/17/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/19/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1800 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1800 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Manufacturer: RUDBERG TODD W
Registration: N232TB
Model/Series: VANS ACFT RV8 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental; Aerobatic
Serial Number: 81315
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/24/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1355.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO390
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 210 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAST, 22 ft msl
Observation Time: 1201 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 28 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 4°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 11°C
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Mist
Departure Point: EVERETT, WA (PAE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Manzanita, OR (3S7)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: NEHALEM BAY STATE (3S7)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 30 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2350 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.698056, -123.929722 (est)

A bumpy landing on the airstrip at Nehalem Bay State Park led to two casualties: a pair of elk.

“It was a real surprise to see them, I was not sure what might have spooked them but I knew we were going to hit the cow,” said Todd Rudberg. “At first I didn’t even see the bull, but it was all happening very fast.”

Rudberg was piloting a 2003 Vans RV8, single engine, fixed wing plane. An aircraft he decided to build in 2003 as an homage to his father, who first introduced him to flying. He wanted to take the plane out for the day from Washington and decided to invite a friend, Valerie Villacin along for a day in the air to Manzanita and back.

According to Rudberg they had already touched the aircraft’s wheels down to the runway and were going pretty fast when, for reasons still unknown, a pair of Roosevelt Elk ran in front of the plane as it was still going at approximately 50 miles per hour.

“Once I saw her and knew we were going to hit I pinned it and pulled nose-up,” said Rudberg. “The prop struck her first and she hit the rear landing gear, at that point I saw the bull hit my left wing, which spun me into a ground-loop.”

The two elk were killed upon impact, however both pilot and passenger made it through the ordeal unscathed.

“Of course my immediate concern was for my passenger,” Rudberg said. “But once we both figured out we were okay my thoughts went to the plane.”

Perhaps by a stroke of luck, Rudberg decided to insure the aircraft this year for this type of event and according to him the damage looks pretty extensive. Citing visible wreckage to the aircraft, Rudberg figures the engine would need a complete overhaul and the airframe is likely totaled. However, Rudberg mentioned he had not heard back from his insurance company yet about the damages.

Rudberg, who got his pilot’s license in 2001, has put more than 2,000 hours in the air. Building the airplane with his father, they both started the custom project in 2003. After his father passed away in 2006 it became a passion of Rudberg’s to finish the plane.

“I had just re-done a great deal of it this last winter,” said Rudberg. “I had just worked 100 percent of the bugs out of it and got the plane up and running perfectly, I’m not thrilled with what’s happened but we both walked away from it.”

Rudberg said he’s not going to allow this incident dissuade him from getting back into the air but he admitted it may be some time before he finds out what he’s going to fly.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily closed the airstrip at Nehalem Bay State Park while the incident is under investigation. Numerous law enforcement and state agencies took part in the response including the Oregon State Police, Manzanita Police Department, Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue as well as Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation from Nehalem Bay State Park. It is reported that a large quantity of elk meat was salvaged from the incident by the responding Fish and Wildlife State Troopers.


https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com



On September 16, 2017 OSP responded to a report of a small aircraft collision on the Nehalem Bay State Park airstrip.

Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 5:14pm, a crash involving an aircraft occurred on the airstrip at Nehalem Bay State Park.

The involved pilot was identified as Todd William Rudberg, age 49, from Shoreline, Washington. 

There was one additional passenger in the plane identified as Valerie Anne Villacin, age 43, from Seattle, Washington.

The aircraft was a 2003 Vans Aircraft Model RV8, single engine, fixed wing plane belonging to Mr. Rudberg. 

The crash occurred when Mr. Rudberg attempted to land the plane. He had fully touched down on the airstrip and was slowing down when an elk ran in front of the plane. He attempted to speed up and relaunch the plane in order to fly over the elk without hitting it. The propeller and right side landing gear struck the elk and killed it. Another elk ran in front of the plane and was struck by the left wing. The second elk was also killed. The plane spun around and came to a stop on the airstrip. 

The plane was totaled as a result of the crash and none of the occupants were injured. 

The FAA has temporarily closed the Nehalem Bay State Park Airstrip and will be conducting an investigation of the incident.

Troopers from the Oregon State Police,  Tillamook Worksite responded and investigated the incident.

Assisting the Oregon State Police were Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue, the Manzanita Department of Public Safety, and employees of Nehalem Bay State Park. 

A large quantity of elk meat was salvaged by the responding Fish and Wildlife troopers.

Story and photo gallery  ➤ http://www.northcoastcitizen.com






Two people in a small airplane emerged from a freak accident Saturday evening unscathed -- after two elk ran into their plane just as it was landing on an Oregon Coast airstrip.

Pilot Todd Rudberg, 49, had just touched down at the Nehalem Bay State Park airstrip on the southern edge of Manzanita at 5:14 p.m. Saturday.

That's when an elk suddenly ran in front of the plane, Oregon State Police said. Rudberg tried to speed up and relaunch the plane in an attempt to fly over it, but the plane’s landing gear and propeller ended up striking the elk. The elk was killed.

An instant later, a second elk ran in front of the plane and was struck by the left wing, police said. That second elk also died.

The plane spun to a stop on the airstrip. It was totaled, police said.

But Rudberg and passenger Valerie Villacin were uninjured, according to police. Rudberg is from Shoreline, Wash. Villacin, 43, is from Seattle. Rudberg owns the plane, which is a 2003 Vans Aircraft Model RV8, single engine, fixed wing model.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, and has closed the airstrip.

According to a 26-year study of animal strikes by U.S. aircraft, birds accounted for 95 percent of animal strikes. Land mammals -- including dogs, cats, horses and skunks -- accounted for 1.6 percent. More than 1,100 deer were struck by aircraft during the study period, from 1990-2015.

Eleven elk were struck, causing $7.6 million in damage, the study found.

Fish and Wildlife troopers were able to salvage a large quantity of elk meat from Saturday's crash, police said. The meat was donated to charity.

Story, photo gallery and comments ➤ http://www.oregonlive.com

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