Friday, October 13, 2017

de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, N323WG, registered to and operated by Durashok LLC: Accident occurred October 12, 2017 at Polk County Airport - Cornelius Moore Field (4A4), Cedartown, Georgia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

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/N323WG

Analysis 

According to the pilot in the experimental, tailwheel-equipped airplane, when the tailwheel touched down during the landing roll, the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and continued about 100 ft down sloping terrain where it came to rest upright.

The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot used a fire extinguisher from the airplane to spray the area of the smoke. However, the airplane continued smoking.

The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire.

The pilot reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The METAR nearest to the accident airport reported the same.

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)

Environmental issues
Sloped/uneven terrain - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Loss of control on ground

Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Fire/smoke (non-impact)



Location: Cedartown, GA
Accident Number: GAA18CA011
Date & Time: 10/12/2017, 1330 EDT
Registration: N323WG
Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC 1
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot in the experimental, tailwheel-equipped airplane, when the tailwheel touched down during the landing roll, the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left.

The airplane exited the left side of the runway and continued about 100ft down sloping terrain where it came to rest upright.

The pilot and passenger exited the airplane, and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot, using a fire extinguisher from the airplane, sprayed the area of the smoke. However, the airplane continued smoking.

The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire

The pilot reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The METAR nearest the accident airport, reported the same.

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: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/14/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 157 hours (Total, all aircraft), 45 hours (Total, this make and model), 23 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: DEHAVILLAND
Registration: N323WG
Model/Series: DHC 1 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1951
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental; Aerobatic
Serial Number:  C1-0395
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/27/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:  
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 11518.7 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: Jipsy-Major
Registered Owner: DURASHOK LLC
Rated Power: 145 hp
Operator: DURASHOK LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPUJ, 1290 ft msl
Observation Time: 1755 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 122°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 20°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Cookeville, TN (SRB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Cedartown, GA (4A4)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1050 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: POLK COUNTY AIRPORT- CORNELIUS (4A4)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 973 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 10
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4006 ft / 76 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.018611, -85.146389 (est) Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

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/N323WG



National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Factual Report 

Location: Cedartown, GA
Accident Number: GAA18CA011
Date & Time: 10/12/2017, 1330 EDT
Registration: N323WG
Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC 1
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot in the experimental, tailwheel-equipped airplane, when the tailwheel touched down during the landing roll, the right wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the left.

The airplane exited the left side of the runway and continued about 100ft down sloping terrain where it came to rest upright.

The pilot and passenger exited the airplane, and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The pilot, using a fire extinguisher from the airplane, sprayed the area of the smoke. However, the airplane continued smoking.

The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire

The pilot reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident. The METAR nearest the accident airport, reported the same.

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: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/14/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 157 hours (Total, all aircraft), 45 hours (Total, this make and model), 23 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: DEHAVILLAND
Registration: N323WG
Model/Series: DHC 1 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1951
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental; Aerobatic
Serial Number:  C1-0395
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/27/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:  
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 11518.7 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: Jipsy-Major
Registered Owner: DURASHOK LLC
Rated Power: 145 hp
Operator: DURASHOK LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPUJ, 1290 ft msl
Observation Time: 1755 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 122°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 20°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Cookeville, TN (SRB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Cedartown, GA (4A4)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1050 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: POLK COUNTY AIRPORT- CORNELIUS (4A4)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 973 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 10
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4006 ft / 76 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.018611, -85.146389 (est)


A Tennessee pilot and a passenger was unharmed after his small plane went off the side of the runway and onto a grassy slope at Cornelius Moore Field in Polk County today.

According to airport manager Sam Branch, pilot Kourosh Shokoui of Cookeville, Tenn., was coming into land in Polk County today when his de Havilland DHC-1 was caught up by a condition known as a "ground loop" and went off the side of the runway and down an embankment and caught fire shortly after it came to a stop.

Shokoui and a passenger made it out of the plane without any injuries, Branch said. He was still waiting on FAA representatives to take a report on Thursday afternoon.

Cedartown Fire and Rescue and the Polk County Fire Department both responded to the incident and were able to extinguish the fire.

The plane is expected to be a total loss. There were no further incidents involved in the crash today.

He said the airport's runway was closed for 45 minutes while crews worked to extinguish the flames.

The DHC-1, commonly referred to as a "Chipmunk," is a two-seater, single-engine plane built by a Canadian firm.

It was caught up in a condition known as a "ground loop," which Branch explained was when one wing is picked up by the lift of air, while another is pushed down and dips, causing the plane to rapidly turn.

Original article  ➤ http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com

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