Thursday, December 07, 2017

Fuel Starvation: Beech B36TC Bonanza, N679EA, fatal accident occurred December 06, 2017 near Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS), Chesterfield, St. Louis County, Missouri

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St. Louis, Missouri
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors Inc; Mobile, Alabama

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/N679EA


Location: Chesterfield, MO
Accident Number: CEN18FA049
Date & Time: 12/06/2017, 1454 CST
Registration: N679EA
Aircraft: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 6, 2017, at 1454 central standard time (CST), a Raytheon Aircraft Company B36TC airplane, N679EA, was destroyed when it impacted a gas station pump canopy and parking lot while on visual approach to Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), Chesterfield, Missouri. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to Wings West, LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, and was being operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the flight was operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight departed the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona, at 0926 CST and was destined for SUS.

The morning before the accident flight, the airplane was "topped off" with 72 gallons of fuel and the oxygen system was serviced by fixed base operator line personnel. The amount of fuel onboard before the fueling could not be determined. Line personnel reported that, after servicing the airplane, the fuel level was about 1-1 1/2 inches below the fuel "flappers" in each wing fuel tank. Personnel spoke to the pilot before his departure and observed a portion of his preflight inspection, but they did not notice if the pilot visually checked the wing fuel tank levels.

According to air traffic control (ATC) radar data and communications, the pilot contacted the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center about 1220 to obtain an IFR clearance. The pilot was then cleared from 17,500 ft mean sea level (msl) to flight level (FL) 230, and at 1234, the airplane leveled off at FL 230. At 1244, the pilot requested and was approved for a descent from FL 230 to FL 210 to control engine temperatures.

At 1422, the pilot asked ATC for a pilot's discretion descent to 8,000 ft. From 1438 to 1450, the pilot was cleared for several step descents from 9,000 ft to 3,000 ft as the airplane neared SUS.

At 1450, the pilot was cleared for a left traffic visual approach to runway 26L. Radar data showed the airplane in a constant left turn for about 3 minutes from the downwind leg to the final leg of the traffic pattern. At 1454:00, about 260 ft above ground level near the end of the left turn onto final, the pilot reported to ATC that he had an issue and was losing power. The controller immediately cleared the pilot to land on runway 26L, and at 1454:09, the pilot responded that he may not be able to make it to the airport. Radar data showed the airplane turned right toward a nearby road. The airplane subsequently impacted a gas station pump canopy about 1 mile from the end of runway 26L. No further communications were received from the pilot.

Several witnesses near the accident site observed the airplane at a low altitude with the wings rocking back and forth, and they heard no engine noise. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the top of the gas station pump canopy and the gas station parking lot, and a post-impact fire ensued. Witnesses attempted to suppress the fire with available fire extinguishers; however, their attempts to suppress the fire were unsuccessful due to reported intense heat and smoke.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/30/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time: (Estimated) 4620 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

The pilot's logbook was not located during the investigation. On his most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman medical examination application, dated August 30, 2016, the pilot reported 4,620 total hours of flight experience and 50 hours in the previous 6 months.

According to the pilot's family, he had completed this flight route, DVT to SUS, in the accident airplane several times since purchasing the airplane in February 2017.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY
Registration: N679EA
Model/Series: B36TC
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: EA-679
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/03/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3850 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 722.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: TCM
ELT: C91  installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520-UB
Registered Owner: WINGS WEST LLC
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane was registered to Wings West, LLC, on February 7, 2017.

According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), the fuel system of the airplane consisted of two interconnected bladder-type fuel cells located in each wing leading edge. Each wing contained a total of 54 gallons with a usable supply of 51 gallons. Each wing had a flush-type filler cap covering an anti-siphon valve. The fuel tank was full when the fuel level reached the spring-loaded door of the anti-siphon valve. In addition, each wing tank was equipped with a fuel quantity sight gauge. Fuel quantity was measured by float-operated fuel level sensors located in each wing tank, which transmit electrical signals to the cockpit fuel quantity gauges, and indicate usable fuel remaining in each tank. The fuel selector valve handle was located forward and to the left of the pilot's seat; the POH stated that takeoffs and landings must be made using the tank that is nearest full.

The POH stated that it was the pilot's responsibility to ascertain that the fuel quantity indicators are functioning and maintaining a reasonable degree of accuracy and to be certain of ample fuel for a flight.

The airplane was equipped with a cabin door on the right side of the fuselage, utility doors located on the aft right side of the cabin, and two openable cabin windows located aft of the two forward seats.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: SUS, 463 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1454 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 80°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:  None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 280°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Phoenix, AZ (DVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: St. Louis, MO (SUS)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0826 MST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 463 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7485 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 38.400000, -90.370000 

The airplane came to rest upright on a 330° heading on the edge of the parking lot surface and the grass ditch between the gas station and adjacent roadway. A post-impact fire consumed the fuselage and inboard sections of both wings. The left wing sustained impact damage and was partially separated near the wing root. The right main landing gear tire and strut were separated and came to rest in the intersection of two roads about 190 ft from the airplane. The forward cabin door, located on the right side and partially attached to the airplane, came to rest against a light pole. The light pole location relative to the door, restricted the door from fully opening after the accident. The door was found in a partially opened position.

The left wing was fragmented and displayed thermal damage. The left aileron was separated, and the flap was bent and thermally damaged. The left fuel tank was destroyed. The right wing remained partially attached to the fuselage and displayed thermal damage near the wing root. The aileron and flap remained attached to the wing. The right wing was bent downward, the fuel caps were intact and seated in place, and no fuel was noted in the fuel tank. During recovery of the accident airplane, residual fuel was observed to be leaking near the inboard wing root. The empennage remained attached to the airframe and thermal damage was noted near the aft cabin bulkhead. The rudder and elevator remained attached to their respective stabilizers.

The cockpit, instrument panel, and aft cabin were destroyed by fire. The throttle lever was found in the aft position, and the mixture and propeller control levers were found in the full forward position. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The landing gear was found in the extended position, and the wing flaps were in the retracted position. The fuel selector valve was found in the left fuel tank position and the valve moved freely when rotated by hand.

The engine remained attached to the engine mount and firewall and was bent down relative to the airframe. The engine fuel lines were found secured. Residual fuel was noted in the fuel manifold valve. The three-blade propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was straight with minor damage, one blade tip was bent aft, and one blade was twisted and curled.

On February 14-15, 2018, the engine was visually examined and placed in a test cell at the manufacturer's facility under the supervision of an NTSB investigator. Visual examination showed minor thermal damage to the accessory section and residue from fire extinguishing efforts. The induction and exhaust systems exhibited minor impact damage. The turbocharger remained attached to the engine and the turbocharger turbine wheel was seized. The turbocharger was removed and replaced with a slave turbocharger for the engine functional test.

Disassembly of the turbocharger showed impact damage to the housing that prevented the turbine wheel from rotating.

During the engine test run, the engine started without hesitation or stumbling. During the 35-minute test, the engine accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption at all power settings and throttle changes with no anomalies noted.

Although the examination was limited due to thermal and impact damage, no pre-impact anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine. 

Flight Recorders

The airplane was equipped with a J.P. Instruments (JPI) EDM-730/830 engine data monitor which was a panel mounted liquid crystal display unit that the operator can monitor and record up to 24 engine parameters. The unit contained non-volatile memory for data storage of the parameters recorded and calculated. The JPI unit was recovered from the accident airplane and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Division, Washington, DC, for examination and data extraction. Data for the accident flight and several previous flights showed evidence of corruption, and the data could not be validated.

Medical And Pathological Information

The St. Louis County, Office of the Medical Examiner, St. Louis, Missouri, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The autopsy listed thermal injury and inhalation of carbon monoxide smoke as the cause of death.

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of the pilot. Testing revealed 18% carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, 3.646 (ug/mL) cyanide in the blood, and unspecified levels of propranolol in the blood and urine.

The elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin and cyanide are the products of combustion and were consistent with the reported cause of death and autopsy findings.

The pilot had previously reported the use of propranolol on his airman medical certificate application. Propranolol is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart disease, and/or certain types of tremors. It is also used to prevent angina (chest pain) and migraine headaches. It does not cause impairment.

After the accident, the pilot was located laying in the forward/cockpit seats of the airplane. 

Additional Information

The radar and winds aloft data were used to estimate the average airspeed of the airplane during the cruise portion of the flight. Based on the data, the airplane's average cruise airspeed was about 150 knots throughout the flight. The total duration of the accident flight was 5 hours 26 minutes, and the total distance travelled was 1103 nautical miles. Due to a lack of data from the engine monitor, the power settings or leaning procedures used during any portion of the flight could not be determined. Estimated fuel consumption calculations ranged from about 66 gallons to 98 gallons.

According to the POH, Section 3 Emergency Procedures, Emergency Exits, the openable windows on the left and right side of the cabin may be used for emergency egress in addition to the cabin door and utility doors. An emergency exit instructions placard was located on each emergency exit latch cover.

Location: Chesterfield, MO
Accident Number: CEN18FA049
Date & Time: 12/06/2017, 1454 CST
Registration: N679EA
Aircraft: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: 
Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 6, 2017, at 1454 central standard time, a Raytheon Aircraft Company B36TC airplane, N679EA, impacted a gas station pump canopy and parking lot following a reported loss of engine power while on visual approach to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), Chesterfield, Missouri. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed by post-impact fire. The airplane was registered to Wings West, LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the flight was conducted on an instrument rules flight plan. The flight departed the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona, at 0926, and was destined for SUS.

According to preliminary radar and communication information, the airplane was on left traffic visual approach to SUS. During the visual approach, the pilot reported an engine issue and losing power, and the local controller immediately cleared the pilot to land on runway 26L. The pilot responded that he may not be able to make it to the airport. No further communications were received from the pilot.

Several witnesses near the accident location observed the airplane at a low altitude with no engine noise. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted a gas station pump canopy, the gas station parking lot, and a post-impact fire ensued. Witnesses attempted to suppress the fire with available fire extinguishers. The witness attempts to suppress the fire were unsuccessful due to the intense heat and smoke.

The airplane came to rest upright on the parking lot surface and grass ditch between the parking lot and adjacent roadway. Post-impact fire consumed the forward and center fuselage, and inboard sections of both wings. The left wing sustained impact damage and was partially separated near the wing root. The right main landing gear tire and strut were separated and came to rest in the intersection of two roadways about 190 feet from the airplane.

At 1454, the SUS automated surface observation system, located about 1.6 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind from 280 degrees at 13 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 6,500 feet, temperature 9 degrees C, dew point -4 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of Mercury. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY
Registration: N679EA
Model/Series: B36TC
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: SUS, 463 ft msl
Observation Time: 1454 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / -4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6500 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots, 280°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Phoenix, AZ (DVT)
Destination: Chesterfield, MO

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 38.400000, -90.370000

Jim Smith



CHESTERFIELD, Mo.   Investigators are on the scene this midday of a single engine plane crash that killed a St. Louis business leader. The crash happened when the plane went down in a Chesterfield BP gas station parking lot at Long Road and Chesterfield Airport Road.

The wreckage of the plane is still at the scene.

Federal investigators including the NTSB have been combing over the plan for much of the morning.

The pilot who was killed is identified as Jim Smith, alocal developer who played a major role in restoring the Chase Park Plaza in the late 1990`s. He radioed the tower that he was having power problems shortly before the crash.

This all unfolded a little before 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Investigators say Smith was coming from Phoenix and was trying to land at the Spirit of S. Louis airport very close to where the crash happened. Witnesses say the plane clipped the canopy over the gas pumps and went straight down.

People tried to get Smith out but they couldn`t because of the fire in the plane.

Smith was the only person on board.

There was a small explosion when the plane crashed then the plane caught fire. Witnesses say they did not hear the plane`s engine as it dropped.

Investigators have been taking pictures of the wreckage this morning and studying the scene including the plane`s engine.

NTSB investigator Aaron Sauer says preliminary information shows smith did report some kind of engine trouble and that will certainly be part of the investigation. Authorities plan to move the plane later today to a secure facility in Tennessee for insurance purposes.

Investigators could be in our area for a couple of days but it could take six to nine months before an official cause for the crash is determined.

Story and video:  http://fox2now.com

Jim Smith

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (KMOX) – Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have begun looking for the cause of Wednesday’s plane crash that killed pilot Jim Smith.

The NTSB’s Aaron Sauer, who is leading the probe, says it could take six to nine months to determine the cause.

Thursday morning, Sauer and other investigators examined the wreckage, which still sat against a light pole on the edge of the BP gas station at Long and Chesterfield Airport roads. The cockpit was completely charred, however, the engine compartment was mostly intact.

Sauer says the condition of the engine, and pictures taken by bystanders, will help investigators.

“Even though the aircraft did sustain quite a bit of fire damage, we did get a lot of first-hand photograph imagery come in, as far as where the fire was contained to, where did it spread to.”

After the initial examination on site, the wreckage will be moved to a facility in Tennessee where it can be examined in a controlled environment.

Sauer says despite earlier reports that Smith was flying in from Albuquerque, New Mexico, he actually took off from Deer Valley Airport in north Phoenix, Arizona.

He was on final approach to Spirit of St. Louis Airport when he reported engine trouble. In his last transmission, Smith told the tower he wasn’t sure if he was going to make it to the runway.

Sauer says Smith was an experienced pilot, who as of last year, had over 3,400 hours in the air. He says despite losing his own life, Smith saved lives by crashing the plane where he did.

“As far as being able to put the aircraft down like he did, a tremendous job on his part.”

The plane he was flying, a Beechcraft Bonanza, is a popular model, according to Sauer. The one that crashed was built in 2001, which he says, is “fairly new” in general aviation circles.

Smith was a developer who is credited for leading the redevelopment of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in the 1990s.

Story and video:  http://stlouis.cbslocal.com


CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (KMOV.com) -- Family and friends say a man who helped revitalize the Chase Park Plaza in the Central West End died Wednesday when his plane crashed near Spirit of St. Louis Airport.

Jim Smith was flying a Beechcraft Bonanza B36 plane. The aircraft clipped the canopy of a BP station near the intersection of Long Road and Chesterfield Airport Road, before crashing in the parking lot just before 3:00 p.m., police said. The FAA said he was on the plane.

An airport official said Smith told air traffic control he was losing power and wasn't going to make it to the airport.

The plane was flying into Spirit of St. Louis Airport from Albuquerque, the FAA said.

Download the KMOV News app for breaking news notifications

After the plane crash, several people who work nearby grabbed fire extinguishers to try and save Smith.

"We couldn't get the flames out. It was out of control and someone was trying to hit the windshield with a hammer and it was bouncing right off," one man said. "There was nothing we could do."

The rescue effort is not unnoticed by Smith's friends and family.

"Anybody that steps forward in a time of need, especially when they're putting themselves at risk, they're heroes," said Richard Fredman, a friend of Smith.

Fredman said Smith was a father, grandfather and loved to fly.

Smith was an instrumental figure in the rebirth of Chase Park Plaza. Mayor Lyda Krewson tweeted:

"RIP Jim Smith - one of the finest guys I have ever worked with. Saved the shuttered Chase Park Plaza- positive impact for entire CWE and CVC Commish- so so sad."

Story, video and photo gallery:  http://www.kmov.com


Jim Smith


CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Spirit of St. Louis Airport Police and local firefighters responded to a nearby gas station Wednesday afternoon following a report of a plane crash. 

The plane, a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza, was preparing to land at the airport just before 3 p.m. when it crashed at the BP gas station in the 100 block of Long Road Crossing Drive. The aircraft was flying from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Chesterfield, an airport spokesperson said.

An employee at the gas station reported the plane crashed in the business parking lot. An eyewitness said the plane was fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was extinguished and firefighters spread a grey tarp over the front portion of the aircraft. The pilot perished in the crash.

No one else was on board, according to the FAA.The radio transmission between the pilot and the tower indicated his plane was losing power.

Here’s part of that transmission:

Pilot: “Tower, ah, Spirit 6-7-9-echo-alpha has an issue. I’m losing my power”
Tower: “Okay, who called up losing power?”
Pilot: “6-7-9-echo-alpha”
Tower: “Roger. Runway 2-6-left you are clear to land”
Pilot: “I’m not sure I’m going to make it.”

Witnesses said they did not hear the engine of the plane as it started to drop, striking the metal canopy over the gas pumps and crashing into the ground. There was a small explosion and then flames appeared.  Some witnesses tried to rescue the pilot, but the flames were too much.

“They were trying to get him out with fire extinguishers, trying to put out the flames out and then they tried to beat the front of a window with sledge hammer,” said eyewitness Joe Dragovich.

“I saw a guy with an ax just trying to break that window and it just went up in flames,” said Heather Sateia.

The crash was just feet from a tanker that was delivering fuel to the gas station.

“It could have hit cars. It could have killed people,” said Christos Stevens. “The gas truck is there filling up the gas station.”

Some witnesses believe it took too long for firefighters to respond. The Monarch Fire Protection District has a fire house near the scene of the crash, but the department reported that engine house was already out on a call when the call came in for the plane crash.

Monarch Fire Capt. Roger Herin said the department received a call for the plane crash at 2:55 p.m. and the first crew arrived at 3:01 p.m.

The plane was registered to a company in Las Vegas. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson offered condolences for the family of Jim Smith late Wednesday evening. Krewson said Smith was responsible for the redevelopment of the Chase Park Plaza.

Air traffic controllers temporarily closed Spirt of St. Louis Airport. The airport was reopened by 3:25 p.m.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the crash and will investigate.


Story, video and photo gallery:  http://fox2now.com




























A single-engine plane barely missed a fuel tanker before crashing into the parking lot of a gas station Wednesday afternoon, claiming the life of the pilot.

The plane damaged a vehicle and a gas pump when it crashed about 3 p.m., but no one else was injured.

Police did not identify the pilot, but late Wednesday St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson identified him on Twitter as Jim Smith.

Smith helped lead the $100 million renovation of the Chase Park Plaza hotel in the Central West End in the late 1990s. He also managed the reopened hotel for years.

Before the crash, the pilot had been cleared to land at nearby Spirit of St. Louis Airport, but then reported the plane was losing power, according to John Bales, director of the airport.

The pilot told Bales, “I don’t know if I’m going to make it.”

Chesterfield Police Capt. Ed Nestor said a police officer who happened to be nearby heard the plane clip the canopy over the pumps at the BP Gas Station at 110 Long Road. She looked up to see the plane crash and explode into flames.

“Several witnesses were out,” Nestor said. “Everybody went over and tried to do what they could, but there really wasn’t much that they could do.”

He said witnesses reported they did not hear any engine noise before the crash. The crash site was just feet from where the fuel tanker was parked.

Fire Marshal Roger Herin said there was one person on board the aircraft when it crashed. That person was pronounced dead on the scene.

“The plane was totally involved in fire when we arrived on the scene,” Herin said. “We extinguished the flames pretty quickly.”

The plane was based here, Nestor said. An online flight tracking site indicated the plane, a Beechcraft Bonanza, was en route to Spirit from Albuquerque, N.M. The Federal Aviation Administration listed Wings West LLC of Las Vegas as the owner.

Chesterfield police secured the scene for investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Ron Mansfield, a Chesterfield resident, drove past the scene about the 30 seconds after the crash, he said.

Mansfield said he saw thick black smoke rising from behind some buildings in an area he knows well.

“As soon as I turned the corner I saw a big fire in the McDonald’s parking lot,” he said. “When I got closer I saw that it was a plane on fire.”

Mansfield thought he saw a man trying to break the plane window open. He said the man had to retreat as the flames grew.

“By the time I pulled up and got out to help it was too late, the fire was enormous,” he said.

Mansfield said he thought the gas station canopy and a light post the plane struck as it crashed stopped it from hitting anything else.

The plane missed an 18-wheel fuel tanker by less than 100 feet, he said.

“People standing in the parking lot were only a few feet from fuel pumps, a tanker and a burning building,” he said. “It could’ve been a lot worse. Unfortunately it was just way too late for the pilot.”

Story, video and photo gallery: http://www.stltoday.com




CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - A pilot was killed Wednesday afternoon in a small plane crash in Chesterfield.

The plane crashed near Chesterfield Airport Road and Long Road. Images from 5 On Your Side's chopper show the small plane crashed near a BP gas station and McDonald's.

According to Flight Aware, the plane was on its way to Spirit of St. Louis Airport from New Mexico. It was scheduled to depart from New Mexico at 8:28 a.m., but took off at 10:21 a.m.

The plane — a Beechcraft Bonanza B36 — crashed just a few yards from a tanker transporting gasoline, and burst into flames. A person was pumping gas at the time of the crash, but only suffered minor injuries from falling debris. No one else was hurt.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson tweeted that the pilot is Jim Smith who she credits with saving the Chase Park Plaza.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate the crash. The plane will remain on the scene for the investigation.

Chesterfield Airport Road was closed but has since been reopened.

Story, video and photo gallery: http://www.ksdk.com

3 comments:

  1. Horrific accident pictures. My condolences to the pilot and his family. It's a miracle that the fuel tanker didn't explode and kill many more people. The only positive to this story was the hero bystanders that tried to save the pilot while risking their own lives. R.I.P. fellow aviator.

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  2. He picked up IFR with Albuquerque Center when just northeast of Albuquerque, but it looks like his point of departure was Deer Valley Airport just northwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor.

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  3. Turbo Bonanza cruising at 21000 feet for 3 hours. Classic engine shock during descent, high speed descent (260+kts). RIP

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