Photo of damage brush and ground scar
Airplane’s Propeller
Main Wreckage
Engine
Propeller Blade
Propeller (all blades visible)
Airspeed Indicator
Turn Indicator
Tachometer
Altimeter
Attitude Directional Indicator scoring
Vacuum Pump Case
Wreckage Diagram
Map of Accident Referencing the Airport
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
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/N8338S
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Accident Number: CEN18FA009
Date & Time: 10/12/2017, 2015 MDT
Registration: N8338S
Aircraft: CESSNA 182H
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
On October 12, 2017, about 2015 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182H airplane, N8338S, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Aero Newton Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico, at an undetermined time.
Radar data captured the airplane flying over Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, along Highway I-25 toward Las Cruces. Once near the airport, the airplane maneuvered north of LRU and descended to about 200 ft above ground level (agl), turned left toward the airport, and climbed to about 500 ft agl. The airplane then overflew LRU before turning north. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a descending right turn over unpopulated terrain and radar contact was lost.
The wreckage was discovered on a small mesa by first responders who were dispatched following reports of a fire.
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial; Flight Engineer
Age: 77, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Multi-engine Sea; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/20/2017
Occupational Pilot:Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 32700 hours (Total, all aircraft)
Student Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/12/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Personal logbooks were not located for either pilot, and recency of flight experience could not be determined.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N8338S
Model/Series: 182H H
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:1965
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18256438
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/08/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2348 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2507.15 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-R
Registered Owner: AERO NEWTON INC
Rated Power: 230 hp
Operator: AERO NEWTON INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
The airplane's maintenance logbook recorded a 100-hour inspection completed on August 8, 2017, at a total airframe time of 2,507.15 hrs and 886.91 hrs since engine overhaul.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLRU, 4456 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2015 MST
Direction from Accident Site: 181°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 170°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Las Cruces, NM (LRU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Las Cruces, NM (LRU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: MDT
Type of Airspace:
A review of lunar astronomical information revealed that the moon did not rise until after midnight on the night of the accident.
Airport Information
Airport: LAS CRUCES INTL (LRU)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 4456 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: Unknown
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Unknown
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.336944, -106.916389
The airplane impacted unpopulated, desert terrain about 3 miles from the airport at an elevation of about 4,425 ft mean sea level (msl).
The wreckage path was about 275 ft long and was oriented on a 215° magnetic heading. Portions of the left wingtip and damaged desert brush were found in the area leading up to the initial impact point. A shallow divot showed signatures consistent with the airplane skidding several feet along the desert floor after impact. The main wreckage was found about 225 ft from the initial impact point; the wreckage comprised the fuselage, wings, and empennage. A post-impact fire consumed most of the fuselage and inboard sections of the wings.
Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the elevator, elevator trim, and rudder. The left aileron drive cable was continuous to the left aileron. The carry-through cable was continuous from the left aileron to the right aileron. The right aileron drive cable was broken near the right forward door post and exhibited features of overload separation. Most of the fuel system was consumed by the postimpact fire; the fuel strainer screen was intact and no contamination was observed. The cockpit instrumentation was largely impact and fire damaged. The airspeed indicator displayed 180 mph (about 158 knots), the tachometer displayed about 2,300 rpm, and the altimeter read 8,075 ft with 30.07 inches displayed in the Kollsman window. Impact and fire damage precluded functional testing of the altimeter.
The engine remained partially attached to the fuselage via the control cables. The top spark plugs were removed and appeared worn out-normal (when compared to the Champion Aviation Check-a-Plug Chart). The valve covers were removed and no damage was observed to the valve springs and rocker arms. The lower forward portion of the crankcase sustained impact damage that prevented manually rotating the engine crankshaft to verify continuity and compression. The three-bladed Hartzell propeller was found separated from the engine. The crushed spinner was removed from the hub. The blades were identified as A, B, and C for documentation purposes. Blade A was bent aft near the hub and displayed leading edge damage and diagonal chordwise scoring on the cambered side of the blade. Blade B was twisted and exhibited S-bending, and leading edge gouges with chordwise scratches. Blade C was also twisted and exhibited S-bending and chordwise scratches.
The vacuum pump and attitude indicator were removed and examined. Examination of the dry vane carbon components revealed impact damage along with rotational scoring around the circumference of both the carbon components and the vacuum pump case. The gyro of the attitude indicator was also examined. The attitude indicator case had crushed into the gyro and was removed. Rotational scoring was observed on the interior of the gyro casing.
Medical And Pathological Information
The Office of the Medical Investigator, Albuquerque, New Mexico, conducted autopsies on both pilots. The cause of death for both pilots was blunt force trauma.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on specimens from both pilots with negative results for all tested-for substances.
NTSB Identification: CEN18FA009
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Las Cruces, NM
Aircraft: CESSNA 182H, registration: N8338S
Injuries: 2 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 October 12, 2017, about 2015 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182H airplane, N8338S, impacted terrain near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The flight instructor and student rated pilot were both fatally injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Aero Newton Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight.
Initial reports from local agencies indicated that the night instructional flight was returning to land at the Las Cruces International Airport, (KLRU) Las Cruces, New Mexico, when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances. A post-impact fire ensued.
The initial impact point consisted of damage to low bushes and outer portions of the left wingtip. The wreckage path followed a general 217° heading. The airplane continued along the wreckage path, coming to rest about 275 ft from the damaged bushes. A post impact fire consumed a majority of the cockpit and fuselage. All major airplane components were located at the accident site. The airplane wreckage was documented on site, and then removed to a secure facility for further examination.
A preliminary review of radar data captured the airplane flying from the Truth or Consequences Airport (KTCS), Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and along Highway I-25 towards Las Cruces. The airplane maneuvered northeast of the KLRU airport, made several turns before it descended towards the terrain.
David Glenn Hancock, 67
Morris Douglas Newton Jr.
May 20, 1940 - October 12, 2017
Morris Douglas "Doug" Newton Jr. passed away on October 12, 2017 in Las Cruces, NM. He died while piloting an airplane, which was his lifelong and much loved profession. He was 77 years old.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Elsie Newton; his daughters, Beth Corona and Sue Hoppe; his son, Robert Newton. He is also survived by two sisters, Susan Meloan and Mabel Printup; one brother, Charles Newton. In addition, he had 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Doug was born on May 20, 1940 in Augusta, GA to Morris Sr. .and Sue Newton. He attended Richmond Academy in Augusta. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BS in Bio Chemistry. After graduation, he joined the Coast Guard where he was stationed in Corpus Christi and Alaska. After leaving active duty in the Coast Guard, he joined the Navy Reserves.
Doug became an Eastern Airlines pilot, where he was first based in New York. While working for Eastern Airlines, Doug met and fell in love with Elsie Linda MacMullen and soon married. They lived in New York and Connecticut, then moved to Virginia Beach, VA in 1981.
Doug retired as a Captain with Naval Reserve squadron VR56 at NAS Norfolk in 1983. He continued his aviation career with Eastern Airlines until the company shut down in 1991. After two small business ventures, he returned to flying as both a charter pilot and flight instructor/operations manager in Las Cruces, NM where he has spent the last 16 years.
In September 2015, Doug received recognition by the Federal Aviation Administration with the Wright Brother's "Master Pilot" Award given to pilots who had flown for more than 50 years. Doug will be remembered as not only an avid aviation enthusiast, but a skilled story teller, and a friend and confidante to many who knew him. Over the years, he was a dedicated leader in the local and aviation community.
Services will be held Friday Oct 20, 2017 at 11 AM at Baca's Funeral Chapel, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces, NM . Doug's ashes will be disbursed in Fripp Island, South Carolina at a future date. Military honors will be accorded by a United States Navy Honor Guard.
David Hancock died in a plane crash while he was on a training flight just outside of the Las Cruces airport.
LAS CRUCES - A plane crash in the desert northwest of Las Cruces on Thursday claimed the lives of two men, including a well-known pilot and aviation enthusiast who for years was a steadfast figure at the Las Cruces International Airport.
Morris Doug Newton, 77, of Las Cruces and David Glenn Hancock, 67, of El Paso died in the crash, which is under investigation by authorities. The two were the only occupants of the fixed wing, single-engine Cessna plane.
Authorities responded to the crash about 8:30 p.m, roughly four miles northeast of the city's airport in a "remote, mountainous area," according to the New Mexico State Police.
Officials said they don't yet know the cause of the crash.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford says a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft.
Federal authorities were expected to arrive Friday to investigate the cause of the crash, according to the state police.
A state police spokesman said he didn't know why the two were flying Thursday evening.
'Mayor of the airport'
Newton, a long-time pilot, was a member of the city's Airport Advisory Board, a panel that gave input to city officials about operations at the city-owned airport west of Las Cruces.
Over the years, Newton has held a variety of roles in connection to local aviation, including as the manager of an aviation-services business and as a flight instructor. But what remained constant was his passion for planes and for flight, according to friends and colleagues. He flew nearly every day.
"I used to refer to him as the mayor of the airport," said airport Manager Lisa Murphy. "He knew everyone; he knew everything that was going on. He really cared about the airport."
Newton had a close-call in May 2010, when a single-engine plane he was piloting crashed near the Las Cruces airport. He sustained injuries to his head but made a recovery, according to Sun-News archives.
Newton had multiple types of flight certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to that organization's website. He was a member of the Las Cruces Experimental Aircraft Association, a group that focused on designing, building and restoring aircraft. The organization held monthly breakfasts, where Newton became known for his omelet-making skills.
A lifelong passion
Murphy said Newton was a true flight enthusiast. He'd make a point of taking time out of his schedule to show aircraft to school children visiting the airport for field trips.
"He'd been a pilot his whole life," she said. "He was a really good pilot. He was kind of a natural at it. Everything he did was aviation-related."
According to a state website, Newton was president of Aero Hangars Inc., which formed earlier this year. He was also president of a second corporation, Aero Newton Inc., created in 2013.
Prior to that, Newton was manager of Adventure Aviation, an airplane fueling station and café at the Las Cruces airport. That business dissolved, but Newton maintained involvement at the airport.
Las Crucen Chris Franzoy, a student of Newton's, said he began flying with him in 2013. Franzoy has had a flight license since the early '90s but wanted to obtain further certifications. Franzoy said Newton was "definitely one of the best instructors I've ever had."
"His passion was in flying," Franzoy said. "It showed. He was a very good pilot and very good teacher. I know that whatever happened in that plane crash — I'm sure Doug did everything he could to prevent it. We're sure going to miss him."
'Big void'
Aero Newton was a flying club, in which members shared the costs of keeping and maintaining airplanes, Franzoy said.
Franzoy said Newton "did his due diligence every week making sure the aircraft were up to par and safe for flying."
"This was just a very unfortunate incident," he said.
Murphy agreed Newton's death will leave a "big void" in the local aviation community.
"He'll definitely be missed," she said.
Newton is survived by his wife, Elsie, who lives in Las Cruces.
Fourth in three years
Thursday's crash marks the fourth fatal plane crash in the vicinity of Las Cruces International Airport in the past three years.
In August 2014, a Cessna 421C crashed just after takeoff. Killed were the pilot, 29-year-old Freddy Martinez of El Paso, Fredrick Green, 59, a Las Cruces man being transported for cancer treatment; flight paramedic Tauren Summers, 27, of El Paso; and flight nurse Monica Chavez, 35, of Las Cruces. The crash was later attributed to a fueling error.
In November 2014, Tyler Francis, 29, the pilot and only occupant of a home-built Ross Vans Aircraft RV-3, was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash near the airport. Francis owned Francis Aviation.
In August 2015, David Tokoph, 64, died from injuries sustained in a plane crash at the Las Cruces airport. Tokoph lived in El Paso and held an international flight speed record.
David Glenn Hancock was very close to finishing the steps to get his pilot's license. His family said he had to do a 30-minute night flight with his instructor. They had just taken off from the Las Cruces Airport when they crashed.
His son, David Glenn Hancock Jr., says family was the focus of his father's life, between coaching every Little League team they joined and treating his family to UTEP football season tickets for years.
Hancock was married to his wife, Myrna Hancock, for more than 45 years. Together, they had two sons and three grandchildren. Hancock Jr. said family was the focus of his dad’s life. He coached every team and little league team Hancock Jr. and his brother ever played on, and all of his vacations were wrapped around his kids, wife and grandkids.
"He grew up very, very poor. He worked hard. Put himself through college and became an educator. He taught advanced-placement economics at Coronado High School for about 10 years,” Hancock Jr. said. “A lot of his students went on to tier one-one universities, Ivy League Schools. Some of them are in political office. Some of them are engineers at the Ferrari factory. Very high-profile students, so he added a lot of value to the El Paso community."
Hancock's family said he was an incredible athlete, even at 67 years old. He ran marathons, kept his hair long and fought for social justice.
“He was a great athlete. He was 67 years old and he still competed running half-marathons and marathons all around the country. He was always very athletic, very fit, very conscious of that. That’s something he’d want to be said about him,” Hancock Jr. said. “He was a family man, but he was a social anarchist at heart. He was always kind of a revolutionary and a liberal, and always stood up for human rights. He always carried the 1960s with him. He always wore his hair long and was always looking for social justice.”
Hancock Jr. explained that his father was piloting the plane while his instructor rode along.
“They had just taken off, so they were only a few miles north of the airport. He was finishing up his final training to get his pilot’s license. They had to do a 30-minute flight at night just to check instruments. The Sheriff said they put a distress call to a National Guard helicopter. So they were communicating a Mayday call to the helicopter,” he explained.
Hancock is survived by his wife, Myrna Hancock, his sons, David Glenn Hancock Jr. and Christopher Hancock, his daughters-in-law, Karen Hancock and Andrea Hancock, and his three grandkids, David Glenn Hancock the III, Joshua Hancock and Allison Hancock. He is originally from North Texas, being born in Dublin, Texas and graduating from Stephenville High School.
http://kfoxtv.com
Las Cruces, NM - ABC-7's New Mexico Mobile Newsroom has learned two men were killed in a plane crash north of the Las Cruces International Airport.
Investigators identified the men killed as 67-year-old David Glenn Hancock of El Paso and 77-year-old Morris Douglas Newton of Las Cruces.
NMSP spokesman Carl Christiansen said the two victims were the only occupants of the single-engine plane.
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are at the scene.
Las Cruces Police said Thursday night the Cessna 182H Skylane crashed over rough terrain.
State police, Border Patrol, and the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office initially responded to the scene.
Rescue crews had to use all-terrain vehicles to reach the crash site in a canyon.
The site was spotted by an Air National Guard helicopter crew.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford told the Associated Press a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft.
Story and video ➤ http://www.kvia.com
The plane crash was reported near Las Cruces Thursday around 8:30 p.m., New Mexico State Police said.
The small plane crashed about four miles northeast of the Las Cruces airport, according to Carl Christiansen, with NMSP.
The single-engine Cessna caught fire upon impact, police said.
They said David Glenn Hancock, 67, of El Paso, and Morris Douglas Newton, 77, of Las Cruces, were found dead at the scene.
Authorities don't know what caused the crash.
The National Traffic Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified.
Officers at the scene used ATVs to get there because of the terrain, Christiansen said.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://kfoxtv.com
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: CEN10LA282
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, May 30, 2010 in Las Cruces, NM
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/21/2010
Aircraft: Cessna 172, registration: N2723U
Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The engine lost partial power shortly after takeoff. During the forced landing, the airplane went through a chain link fence before coming to rest against a sand berm and mesquite tree. There were other documented reports of partial power failures involving this airplane. The engine was partially disassembled and examined. The number 5 cylinder exhaust valve was found to be stuck open. A clear, unidentified liquid was found in the fuel line. A significant amount of water was drained from the fuel system, mostly from the left tank. It was reported that the airplane had sat outside during the winter in several rain storms. Maintenance personnel reported a considerable amount of water was drained from the right fuel tank during the most recent annual inspection.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of water contamination in the fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing the accident was an inoperative number 5 cylinder exhaust valve.
On May 30, 2010, approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2723U, registered to and operated by Adventure Leasing, was substantially damaged when it struck a chain link fence and impacted terrain following a partial loss of power shortly after taking off from Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was seriously injured and two passengers were uninjured. The local flight had just originated.
According to the pilot’s accident report, the pre-flight inspection, engine run-up, and takeoff were normal. At 450 feet altitude, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted to land in an area that had recently been used as a staging area for runway construction. The airplane touched down and went through a chain link fence before coming to rest against a sand berm and mesquite tree.
FAA inspectors examined the airplane on June 1, 2010, and the airplane was moved to a local hangar and secured. Throttle and the mixture controls were both full forward, and the flaps and flap handle were in the up position. There was very little water or contamination in fuel samples taken. This was the flight of the airplane since its annual inspection.
FAA inspectors received other reports of other partial power failures involving N2723U. Some of these failures were attributed to water in the fuel and others were unexplained. A review of the airplane’s maintenance records and pertinent Airworthiness Directives revealed anomalies with the airplane carburetor. The carburetor was retained by FAA .
On June 28, 2010, the engine was partially disassembled and examined. The top spark plugs showed signs of a rich mixture setting, and the pilot confirmed that he had moved the mixture to rich while troubleshooting the engine power loss. The number 5 cylinder exhaust valve was found to be stuck open. A clear, unidentified liquid was found in the fuel line. A significant amount of water was drained from the fuel system, mostly from the left tank. It was reported that the airplane had sat outside during the winter in several rain storms. Maintenance personnel reported a considerable amount of water was drained from the right fuel tank during the most recent annual inspection.
No comments:
Post a Comment