Thursday, November 16, 2017

Electrical System Malfunction/Failure: Cessna 172RG Cutlass, N6102R; accident occurred November 15, 2017 at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Miami-Dade County, Florida





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

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida 
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/N6102R



Location: Opa Locka, FL
Accident Number: ANC18LA009
Date & Time: 11/15/2017, 2007 EST
Registration: N6102R
Aircraft: CESSNA 172RG
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Electrical system malf/failure
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On November 15, 2017, about 2007 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG retractable gear airplane, N6102R, sustained substantial damage during landing at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Miami, Florida. The airplane was registered to South Florida Aviation Group, LLC and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot and safety pilot were not injured. Dark night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the night flight was to practice instrument approaches for an upcoming Certified Flight Instructor Instrument check ride. Just prior to intercepting the glideslope for the ILS 9L approach into KOPF she moved the landing gear selector to the down position, verified that the landing gear position indicator light was illuminated green, set the flaps to 20 degrees, and completed the before landing checklist. About 500 feet above ground level (AGL), the GPS blinked, and all electrical power and radio communications were lost. The safety pilot set the transponder to squawk 7600. About 150 feet AGL the lights on the airplane's instrument panel blinked and remained illuminated. The pilot then selected flaps to 30 degrees and configured the airplane for landing, while the safety pilot attempted to contact the ATC tower. The pilot stated that she then moved the landing light switch to the on position, and immediately lost all electrical power. After receiving a green light gun signal from the tower, the pilot continued the approach and visually verified that the main landing gear was extended. Upon touchdown the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane departed the runway and sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that no electrical or landing gear warning lights were illuminated for the duration of the flight.

The safety pilot reported that they were inbound on the ILS 9L approach into KOPF. About 1 to 2 miles before the final approach fix they selected gear down and completed the before landing checklist. The GPS then began blinking on and off; however, she still had power to the airplane's radios. She set the transponder to squawk 7600 and attempted to contact the tower on the number two radio but was unable to establish communications. Shortly thereafter the GPS came back on, and she once again unsuccessfully attempted to contact the tower. She said the pilot then moved the landing light switch to the on position, and all electrical power was lost. She felt the airplane touch on the landing gear, and then the airplane began to sink and drift to the right. She stated that the landing gear was down, and it had been verified with the illumination of the landing gear position indicator light.

According to the pilot operating handbook (POH) the landing gear extension, retraction, and main gear down lock release operation is accomplished by hydraulic actuators powered by an electrically-driven hydraulic power pack. A normal operating pressure of 1000 PSI to 1500 PSI is automatically maintained in the landing gear system. The nose gear and main gear incorporate positive mechanical down locks. Two position indicator lights are provided to show landing gear position. The landing gear system is also equipped with a nose gear safety (squat) switch, an emergency extension hand pump, and a gear-up warning system.

A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane's battery had been depleted. Further examination revealed no anomalies with the landing gear system or its actuators. However, when the landing gear position indicator light was pressed or the gear was in transit, the landing gear unsafe horn did not produce an audible warning. The engine, while still mounted on the airplane, was operated under the direction of the NTSB IIC. The engine started normally without hesitation or stumbling in the observed rpm. While the aircraft was at idle rpm the ammeter indicated a slight discharge. However, the low voltage warning light did not illuminate. The engine rpm was then increased to about 1700 and the ammeter indicated a charge. An electrical load was then place on the system by turning on the landing light, strobe lights and rotating beacon, and the ammeter continued to indicate a charge. An examination of the low voltage warning light revealed that one of the wire's conductors that transit the instrument panel was completely severed but no evidence of burning or arcing was present.

The closest weather reporting facility was Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Miami, Florida. At 1953, an METAR from KOPF was reporting, in part: wind from 020 °at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 75 °F; dew point 70° F; altimeter, 29.93 inches of mercury.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 36, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/19/2017
Flight Time:   774 hours (Total, all aircraft), 29 hours (Total, this make and model), 465 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 174 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Other Flight Crew Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 33, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/21/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/17/2017
Flight Time:  860 hours (Total, all aircraft), 6.8 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N6102R
Model/Series: 172RG
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172RG0084
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/20/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7304.8 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360F1A6
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 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: KOPF
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 20°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: 
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Opa Locka, FL (OPF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Opa Locka, FL (OPF)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time:  EST
Type of Airspace:  Class D

Airport Information

Airport: MIAMI-OPA LOCKA EXECUTIVE (OPF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 8 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09L
IFR Approach: ILS
Runway Length/Width: 8002 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Precautionary Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 25.907500, -80.278333 (est)

Location: Opa Locka, FL
Accident Number: ANC18LA009
Date & Time: 11/15/2017, 2007 EST
Registration: N6102R
Aircraft: CESSNA 172RG
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

On November 15, 2017, about 2007 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG retractable landing gear airplane, N6102R, sustained substantial damage during landing at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Miami, Florida. The airplane was registered to South Florida Aviation Group, LLC and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot and safety pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice instrument approaches for an upcoming certified flight instructor instrument (CFII) check ride. Just prior to intercepting the glideslope for the ILS 9L approach into KOPF she moved the landing gear selector to the down position, verified that the gear down and locked light was illuminated, set the flaps to 20 degrees, and completed the before landing checklist. About 500 feet above ground level (AGL), the GPS blinked, and radio communications were lost. The safety pilot set the transponder to squawk 7600, and switched to the number two radio, but was unable to reestablish radio communications with air traffic control (ATC). About 150 feet AGL, the lights on the instrument panel blinked. The pilot then selected flaps to 30 degrees and configured the airplane for landing, while the safety pilot, once again, attempted to reestablish communications with the ATC tower. The pilot sated that she then moved the landing light switch to the on position, and immediately lost all electrical power. After receiving a green light gun signal from the tower, she continued the approach and visually verified that the main landing gear was extended. Upon touchdown the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane departed the runway sustaining substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that no electrical or landing gear warning lights were illuminated for the duration of the flight.

The closest weather reporting facility was Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Miami, Florida. At 1953, an METAR from KOPF was reporting, in part: wind from 020 °at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 75 °F; dew point 70° F; altimeter, 29.93 inches of mercury.

A detailed wreckage examination is pending. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N6102R
Model/Series: 172RG NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No 
Operator: SOUTH FLORIDA AVIATION GROUP LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOPF
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 21°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, 20°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Opa Locka, FL (OPF)
Destination: Opa Locka, FL (OPF)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion:  None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 25.907500, -80.278333 (est)

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