Philip Anthony Schaffer
Philip had a passion for flight which included building his own plane over the course of 20 plus years. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling with his family.
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota
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/N428AP
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Accident Number: CEN18FA003
Date & Time: 10/04/2017, 1108 CDT
Registration: N428AP
Aircraft: SCHAFFER Fisher Horizon 2
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On October 4, 2017, at 1108 central daylight time, an amateur-built Horizon 2 airplane, N428AP, collided with terrain in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postimpact fire. The airplane was registered to the pilot who was operating it under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual flight rules conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and a flight plan had not been filed for the local personal flight, which departed from Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Eden Prairie, Minnesota, about 1103 .
The pilot was conducting the first flight in his Horizon 2 airplane since building it. According to the FCM tower controller, after the airplane lifted off from runway 28R, the pilot aborted the takeoff for unknown reasons. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the end of the runway and then took off again.
One witness at the airport reported that the airplane was "unstable" during the takeoff. Another witness reported that it appeared as if the airplane "became airborne too soon as the airplane settled back on the runway" before lifting off again. Witnesses also described the airplane struggling to gain altitude, pitching up and down, and banking during the takeoff. One witness stated that he could see the top of the wings, as if the airplane was straight up and down, before it turned to the southeast. Several witnesses reported hearing "good" engine sounds. Other witnesses, who saw the airplane just before the impact, reported that it was in a steep nose-down, left descending spiral. Two witnesses reported seeing the airplane spiral one and a half to three times before it descended below the trees, followed by a plume of black smoke.
The Minneapolis St. Paul Metropolitan Airport Commission provided flight track data for the accident flight. The data indicated that the airplane departed from runway 28R and made a wide, climbing right turn to the northeast. During the climb, the airplane leveled off for about 10 seconds about 925 ft above ground level (agl). The climb then continued to 1,050 agl, at which point the airplane entered a descent and was then lost on radar.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating, which was issued on October 12, 1988. The pilot's logbook contained entries from May 31, 1987, through August 27, 2016. Between 1999 and 2005 , the pilot recorded 10.2 hours of flight experience. There were no entries between 2005 and August 6, 2017. The pilot recorded 4.8 hours of flight experience with a flight instructor in a Jabiru airplane between August 6 and August 27, 2017, at which time, the pilot completed a flight review . According to the logbook, the pilot's total flight experience was 312.1 hours. The pilot did not log any flight time in a Horizon 2 airplane, and the logbook did not contain a tailwheel endorsement. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate was issued on March 7, 2012.
The flight instructor, who had flown with the pilot in August (about 2 months before the accident), stated that they had discussed whether to have an experienced pilot conduct the first flight in the pilot's airplane after it was built. The flight instructor stated that the pilot replied that he had built the airplane, so he was going to conduct the first flight.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The Horizon 2 is a two-place, high-wing, tailwheel-equipped airplane with a tandem seating arrangement. The airplane structure was made of primarily wood and had a fabric skin. The airplane was powered by a 100-horsepower, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, Subaru EA81 engine. The engine logbook indicated that the engine was rebuilt in March 2015. The only other entry in the logbook was dated May 5, 2017, which indicated that an oil cooler had been installed. There were no engine times listed in the logbook.
The pilot maintained a build log for the airplane, which indicated that he had purchased the plans and started building the airplane in 1991. The last entry in the log was dated June 16, 2015, which documented adjustments to the carburetor and throttle control cable.
On June 7, 2017, the pilot ground looped the airplane, which resulted in landing gear damage, while performing high-speed taxi tests.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The initial impact point was in a parking lot and left scrape marks on the asphalt. The wreckage path from the initial impact point to the main wreckage was on a magnetic heading of 30°. . A gouge mark was found in the asphalt about 20 ft farther along the path, and it contained numerous pieces of splintered wood. The right wing was found wrapped around a pole about 210 ft from the initial impact. Further along the wreckage path were the fuel tanks, the engine, portions of t he cockpit/fuselage, the empennage, and the propeller hub. The wreckage from the right wing to the end of the wreckage path was mostly destroyed by fire. Pieces of the splintered composite propeller blade, plexiglass, and wood were scattered along the entire wreckage path.
The fuselage and cockpit area were destroyed by fire. The main landing gear assembly was separated from the fuselage. The bottom of the right wing was destroyed from the wing root to the aileron attachment point. The fabric on the top of the wing was scorched and melted in the wing root area. The flap was separated into two pieces. The inboard section of the flap was separated from the wing, and the outboard section remained attached. The aileron remained intact and attached to the wing. The control cables were pulled out from the wing and remained attached to the cockpit control column.
The left wing was destroyed by fire. The left aileron was separated from the wing. The aileron control cable was found near the burned wing, and it remained attached to the cockpit control column.
The fuel tanks were separated from the wings and burned. The fuel tank caps were not in place; however, melted material was visible around the base of the filler neck. Material was visible inside the left fuel tank, and it appeared to be portions of the melted fuel cap. The position of the cockpit fuel selector could not be determined due to impact and fire damage.
The empennage frame was heat damaged but remained intact. A portion of scorched fabric remained attached to the right elevator. The rudder cables remained attached to the bottom of the rudder and tailwheel. Cable continuity from the cockpit area to the forward and aft seat right rudder pedals was established. The forward and aft seat left rudder pedals were not found. However, the left cable was intact, and it contained the turnbuckles and rudder pedal attachment hardware.
The elevator control push-pull tube was connected at the elevator control surface and at the cockpit control. The center section of the push-pull tube was melted, and only portions of the tube were found. The elevator trim cable remained attached at the elevator control surface.
The engine was burned, and its right side was impact-damaged. The right valve cover was impact-damaged and was separated from the engine. Two of the valve lifters on the right side were separated from the engine. The left valve cover was in place, and the valves and springs were intact. The oil pan was removed from the engine, and the inside of the engine was intact and contained oil. The propeller was separated from the engine. The ring gear was smashed rearward against the engine case.
One of the propeller's composite blades remained mostly intact and attached to the hub. The butt end of the other two blades remained attached to the hub. The propeller spinner was separated from the hub. The spinner was flattened and exhibited a small amount of torsional bending.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, Minneapolis, Minnesota, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The pilot's death was attributed to "multiple blunt force injuries due to an airplane crash."
The FAA's Bioaeronautical Research Sciences Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. The testing was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 77, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/07/2012
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/27/2016
Flight Time: 312.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0.1 hours (Total, this make and model), 205.9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: SCHAFFER
Registration: N428AP
Model/Series: Fisher Horizon 2
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 001
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1050 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Subaru
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: EA81
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100
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: FCM, 906 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 225 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1605 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 328°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.37 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Eden Prairie, MN (FCM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Eden Prairie, MN (FCM)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1103 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Flying Cloud (FCM)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 906 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 28R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3898 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
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: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 44.855833, -93.483889 (est)
Eden Prairie Fire Department Chief George Esbensen shakes hands with Chad Willard of Huber Funeral Homes & Cremation Services on December 12th. An employee of Huber Funeral Homes & Cremation Services has been honored for his efforts in responding to an Oct. 4 fatal plane crash in Eden Prairie.
Chad Willard of Huber Funeral Homes was presented with the Eden Prairie Fire Department's Award of Recognition during the Dec. 12 Eden Prairie City Council meeting.
"Mr. Willard's role in this emergency scene was invaluable," said Eden Prairie Fire Chief George Esbensen.
Philip Schaffer's, Fisher Horizon 2, an amateur-built experimental aircraft, crashed around 11:08 a.m on the south side of Resurrection Life Church, 16394 Glory Lane, minutes after Schaffer had departed from Flying Cloud Airport.
Schaffer, a 77-year-old Richfield resident was killed.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the fatal crash, the first Eden Prairie has had since 2009.
Chad Willard of Huber Funeral Homes & Cremation Services was presented with the Eden Prairie Fire Department's Award of Recognition on December 12th. Pictured, from left, are Fire Chief George Esbensen, Chad Willard and Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens. Esbensen said on the day of the incident, Willard was working at the funeral home, which is next door to the church, and heard the commotion.
Willard was first on the scene and assessed the situation. He notified authorities, used a fire extinguisher from the funeral home to try reducing the fire and secured the scene until police and fire crews arrived.
After being presented with the award, Willard said he was accepting it on behalf of all first responders.
"On behalf of all your professional work, thank you," he said.
Story and photos ➤ http://www.swnewsmedia.com
Philip Anthony Schaffer
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota
Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.gov/N428AP
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Accident Number: CEN18FA003
Date & Time: 10/04/2017, 1105 CDT
Registration: N428AP
Aircraft: SCHAFFER Fisher Horizon 2
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On October 4, 2017, at 1108 central daylight time, N428AP, an amateur built Schaffer Fisher Horizon 2 airplane, collided with terrain in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The private rated pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual flight rules conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local flight departed from the Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Eden Prairie, Minnesota, about 1103.
According to the FCM control tower controller, the pilot had departed on runway 28R. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane takeoff and just prior to the impact. Witnesses on the airport that saw the takeoff, reported the airplane was "unstable" during the takeoff. They described the airplane pitching up and down, and banking as it climbed out. One witness stated he was able to see the top of the wings as if the airplane was straight up and down before it made a turn to the southeast. Other witnesses who saw the airplane just before the impact reported the airplane was a in a steep nose down, left descending spiral. The witnesses reported seeing the airplane complete between 1 ½ and 3 spirals before it descended below the trees. Several witnesses reported hearing the airplane engine sound. The FCM controller also reported the pilot had aborted a previous takeoff attempt, just prior to the accident flight. The reason for the aborted takeoff is unknown.
The initial impact point was in the parking lot on the south side of the Resurrection Life Church located on Glory Lane, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The wreckage debris path from the first impact to the main wreckage was on a magnetic heading of 30°. The initial ground impact consisted of scrape marks on the asphalt. About 20 feet further along the path was a gouge mark in the pavement which contained numerous pieces of splintered wood. The right wing was located wrapped around a light pole about 210' from the initial impact. Further along the wreckage path were the burned fuel tanks, the engine, what remained of the cockpit/fuselage, the empennage, and lastly the propeller hub. The wreckage from the right wing to the end of the wreckage path was mostly destroyed by fire. Pieces of the splintered composite propeller blade, plexiglass, and wood were scattered along the entire wreckage path.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: SCHAFFER
Registration: N428AP
Model/Series: Fisher Horizon 2
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: FCM, 906 ft msl
Observation Time: 1605 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 225 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots, 260°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2400 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.37 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Eden Prairie, MN (FCM)
Destination: Eden Prairie, MN (FCM)
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: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 44.855833, -93.483889 (est)
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