Sunday, February 19, 2017

Vans RV-9A, N321RC: Accident occurred February 19, 2017 at Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18), Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

FAA Flight Standards District Office: Portland, Maine

http://registry.faa.gov/N321RC

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA145
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 19, 2017 in Alton, NH
Aircraft: HITCHEN ROBIN J RV 9, registration: N321RC

NTSB investigators will use data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator, and will not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
Aircraft on departure from frozen lake field, flipped over.

Date: 19-FEB-17
Time: 18:14:00Z
Regis#: N321RC
Aircraft Make: VANS
Aircraft Model: RV9A
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
City: ALTON
State: NEW HAMPSHIRE



ALTON, N.H. —   Alton Bay was a hot bed of activity for first responders Sunday. A truck fell through the ice, a plane flipped over, and a dog had to be rescued from the icy water.

The bed of the red pickup truck was sticking out of the ice near Sandy Point in Alton.

"The initial report is that people were still in the truck when it was in the water so responded up here," Fish and Game Lt. Mike Eastman said.

No one was injured. Everyone in the truck was able to get out on their before Fish and Game personnel arrived.

But while officers were at the scene, a small plane crashed during takeoff on the ice runway less than a mile away.

"We heard people going 'oh wow, oh wow!' so we looked over and there was a plane just sort of toppling over and it was standing on its nose for a second. Then it just fell right over. It looked like a tin can," said Beth Myer, whose daughter ran to help.

More than a hundred people were in the area celebrating the winter carnival.

"There's a lot of people that went out to help though," said Joshua Hanson, a witness. "There was like 40. They were just running."

"It was the type of plane where the cockpit actually slides back," Eastman said. "There's no door or anything on the outside so the pilot and the passenger were trapped inside the plane at that point."

The good Samaritans helped lift the plane off the ice.

"We couldn't get the hatch back so the pilot said just break the window. I used my baton to the break the window out and we were able to get the pilot and the passenger out," Eastman said.

Neither person was injured. Once they were out safely, the plane was flipped back over and eventually towed away by a snow machine.

Minutes after things started to calm down, a dog became trapped in icy water underneath a dock. The dog appeared to be a stray and was rescued safely after several tense minutes.

Fish and Game officials said it appears the plane hit a snowbank along the runway, causing it to flip. Nobody was injured today but they're urging people to use extreme caution on the ice, especially after the mild weekend. Recently, three people died when their snowmobiles went through the ice in Alton and Moultonborough on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Story and video:  http://www.wmur.com

Korean Air eyes new heights with parts production: Nation’s largest airline is also adding Boeing’s Dreamliner to its fleet



BUSAN - In this industrial port city on the country’s southern coast, Korean Air’s sprawling parts production facility hums with machinery producing all manner of airplane pieces.

Inside a room at the Busan Tech Center, about a 15-minute drive from Gimhae International Airport, a nozzle sprays black composite material on a large cone-shaped piece of metal that would eventually become the afterbody, or rear end, of a Boeing 787-9.

“We have to keep this room extra clean because even a tiny particle added to the composite material could cause product defects and force us to scrap the part in the end,” said Ryu Hwa-soo, general manager at the center’s commercial aerospace plant. The room was open for just a couple of minutes to give visiting reporters a peek before it was quickly closed.

Along with the afterbody, Korean Air produces four other parts at the facility: the raked wingtip, which reduces air resistance on the wing; the stringer, which serves as the “bone” for the fuselage; flap support fairing underneath the wing; and the after wheel well bulkhead at the fuselage’s center. All are used in the Boeing 787-9, also known as the Dreamliner.

Korean Air has been supplying parts for Boeing’s 787 series since 2006. While the airline is known for being the country’s largest passenger and cargo carrier, its business of producing parts and certain aircraft like helicopters dates back over 40 years with the establishment of the Busan Tech Center in 1976. Until about five years ago, the center had operated in secret because it developed military planes such as fighter jets.

Over 2,700 employees work in 66 buildings spread across 175 acres of land at the facility. The largest source of profit is parts production for commercial planes like the Dreamliner.

By the end of this year, Korean Air plans to add five Dreamliners to its own fleet. The first plane, to be delivered by Feb. 27, will likely be used on its new route to Barcelona, Spain, when it opens in April, a spokesman said.

“We plan to place the plane on a popular route so that users can experience the plane’s upgraded comfort from the beginning,” the spokesman said. “Detailed features and services to be offered will be released when the plane is officially here on Feb. 27.”

The 787 Dreamliner offers 20 percent more fuel efficiency than its predecessor Boeing 767 by using lighter composite material. Compared to conventional aluminum frames, the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and other composites used shave weight by 20 percent.

The jet also emits less carbon dioxide and offers a better in-flight experience with fewer noise, improved humidity and bigger windows, according to Boeing. The Dreamliner can carry about 30 more passengers than its predecessor.

In the past, Korean Air only manufactured parts using manuals from aircraft manufacturers after they were developed. Since 2004, Korean Air has been working with Boeing on an international co-development project, where the airline started designing parts itself. In 2010, Korean Air entered a similar project with Airbus, boosting its presence in the world’s aero structure design and supplying market.

Now, Korean Air supplies core parts to Boeing’s planes including the 787, 777, 767 series as well as Airbus’ A380, A350 and A340. Brazil’s Embraer also uses Korean Air-assembled parts for its EMB170 and EMB190 planes.

“Shipbuilding used to be a strong business in Korea, and then automaking,” said Choi Ho-kyung, managing vice president at Korean Air. “Now, we believe the future is in the skies. We hope to make this business our future growth engine and will also focus on developing unmanned aerial vehicles.”

Korean Air is currently mass producing unmanned planes for military use. Its first delivery will be in the middle of the year, the company said. 

Source:  http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

Brick Smith: Fatal accident occurred February 19, 2017 near Morrilton Municipal Airport (KBDQ), Conway County, Arkansas



Brick Smith, 49, of Bryant, Arkansas passed away February 19, 2017. He was born September 8, 1967, in McAlester, Oklahoma to the late Johnny Roy and Linda Beard Smith.

Brick was a member of The Church at Rock Creek. He was a Certified Diabetic Educator and licensed registered nurse. Brick loved extreme sports including scuba diving, skydiving, mountain biking, snow skiing, and fitness. He has influenced many people to live life to its' fullest through health, sports, and wellness. He was a kind, persevering person who dedicated his life to others and always took life "by the horns."

Brick is preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Otha and Louise Beard; paternal grandparents, Roy and Gladys Smith. He leaves with cherished memories; his daughter, Saxon Smith of Bryant, Arkansas; brother, Johnny Blaine Smith and husband Shaun of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; uncle, Jim Kiley and cousins Teresa Themis and Charla Kiley all of Rowlett, Texas; fur-babies, Beau and Mack; and many more family members and friends who loved Brick and will miss him always.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, February 27, 2017 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton, Arkansas. Online guest register: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

Read more here: http://m.arkansasonline.com

Authorities have identified the man killed in a skydiving accident in Morrilton over the weekend.

Brick Smith, 49, of Bryant was killed in the accident Sunday. No other injuries were reported.

The Morrilton Police Department said it received a 911 call shortly after 2:30 p.m. Sunday about a skydiving accident on private property southwest of the Morrilton Municipal Airport.

Authorities are working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the accident.

Morrilton Police Chief Sonny Stover said the cause of the accident was unknown as of press time Monday.

An online search indicated at least two companies offer tandem skydiving and skydiving instruction out of the Morrilton airport.

http://thecabin.net

One person died Sunday after a parachuting accident in Conway County, authorities said.

Morrilton police were called at 2:34 p.m. Sunday to a private property just southwest of the Morrilton Municipal Airport for a report of a “parachuting accident,” according to the police department.

Authorities determined the accident was a fatality when they arrived on scene, according to a news release from the department.

Authorities said the victim was a male, but did not identify him Sunday evening.

Source:   http://www.arkansasonline.com

Commission approves Darke County Airport (KVES) manager’s resignation

DARKE COUNTY – Darke County Commissioners will be seeking a new airport manager.

On Monday, Feb. 13, commissioners approved a letter of resignation submitted last Friday from long-time facility manager Dave Spillers. Spillers’ last day will be March 31.

“He had talked about retiring in 2017, but we didn’t know what date,” John Cook, county business administrator said. Spillers had worked as the airport manager for 23 years, Cook said. Prior to the county purchasing the airport, the facility was owned by the Spillers family.

Former Governor James Rhoades mandated each county have an airport, and the Spillers’ facility was the natural choice, commissioners explained.

Spillers said Monday afternoon he was “just gonna sit back and retire. I’ve got other things to do. No problems, just thought it was time.”

What’s next as far as filling the manager’s position will be discussed during the airport advisory meeting, set for 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at the airport.

“We’ll be talking to the advisory board,” explained Commissioner Mike Rhoades, “and get their suggestions on” how to proceed.

At the Feb. 27 meeting, Rhoades said, a job description for the manager’s position most likely will be discussed. It is still unclear whether commissioners will advertise for someone to replace Spillers or if the advisory board will have other suggestions.

One option would be to appoint an interim manager until a replacement is approved, Rhoades said. “The advisory board suggests what they would like to see,” he said

What is clear, commissioners say is the airport is in the process of growing in order to attract new business opportunities to the county. The new manager will be asked to assist with the commission’s plan for growth, Rhoades said.

Plans are continuing with the expansion of the runway in order for larger planes filled with fuel to have room for take-off, Rhoades said, as well as other improvements around the facility.

As part of the contract with Spillers, a house trailer he had resided in, which is located on airport property, must be moved by March 31. Spillers said it would be moved to his new home he’s building on Chase Road.

Source:  https://www.earlybirdpaper.com

Aseman Airlines Plans Fleet Renovation, Expansion



Iranian aviation company Aseman Airlines has entered into an agreement with Rolls Royce to purchase up to 100 aircraft engines, according to a statement from the country’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. 

Aseman is set to purchase 100 Tay-650 “Fokker” engines from Rolls Royce and enter into agreements with the UK manufacturer concerning the provision of spare parts, London-based media outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

Rolls Royce Tay engines, of which there are four derivatives (the 611, 620, 650, and 6510), are used in Gulfstream, Fokker-100 and some Boeing 727 aircraft.

It marks a major shift for Iranian airliners that have suffered under years of sanctions when companies struggled to get new aircraft or spare parts making travel by air dangerous.

A nuclear deal with world powers, including the US, has seen western companies flock to oil-rich Iran.

Aseman is also in talks with German aviator TUI over the lease of three Boeing 738 aircraft for a period of three years and has already entered into an agreement with Lufthansa concerning the maintenance of aircraft in its existing fleet. 

Last week, it was reported that the Iranian airline is set to lease seven A320neo from an undisclosed Irish firm following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization and the Irish Aviation Authority in Tehran the week before.

According to a CAO statement issued after the signing ceremony, the agreement will see the IAA help extend technical expertise and assistance in the areas of flight operations management, airworthiness and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul to Iranian counterparts.  

Once ratified, it will also simplify the means by which Iranian carriers can lease aircraft from Irish lessors by improving Iran’s air safety oversight procedures, Switzerland-based airline intelligence provider Ch-aviation reported. 

Following the dropping of sanctions on Iran in September 2016, the US Treasury granted Airbus and Boeing licenses to deliver planes to Tehran. It is expected that nine planes will be delivered before the end of the current Iranian year on March 20.

Iran has also entered into agreements with Lufthansa over the supply of aircraft to the country’s carriers. In total, plans to purchase over 200 aircraft are said to be in place and are set to cost billions of dollars.

However, Tehran is wary, as the White House’s approach to the nuclear deal could change after Donald Trump’s rise to office. 

But in signs that Tehran is pushing on with purchases to help modernize its outdated air travel infrastructure on Friday, Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development also stated on its website that it had entered into the final stages of negotiations with French companies Thales Group concerning the purchase of radar equipment worth $11 million and airport developments.

Additional talks, said the ministry, were also ongoing with Dutch airport consultancy firm NACO over the modernization and development of Tehran’s airport.  

Iran Aseman Airlines’ fleet consists of three A320-200s, one A340-300, four ATR72-200s, two ATR72-500s, three B727-200s, one B727-200(F), two B737-400s and 19 Fokker 100s.

Source:  https://financialtribune.com

Taylor J.T.1 Monoplane, N62888: Fatal accident occurred February 19, 2017 in Springfield, Clark County, Ohio

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

 Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

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/N62888

Location: Springfield, OH
Accident Number: CEN17FA108
Date & Time: 02/19/2017, 1603 EST
Registration: N62888
Aircraft: MACLEOD HOMEBUILT
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On February 19, 2017, about 1600 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built airplane, N62888, was destroyed when it impacted terrain about 470 ft south of a private grass airstrip in Springfield, Ohio. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned and was being operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the grass airstrip at an unknown time.

Multiple witnesses saw the airplane flying low about treetop height heading east. Two witnesses stated that the airplane's nose pitched up, and then the airplane descended to the ground. One witness stated that the airplane "began to sway and lost control." Another witnesses reported that the airplane made a "spiral turn" as it descended. According to a third witness, he heard "a loud motor revving," looked up, and saw the airplane in a nose dive; he heard the engine until just before the airplane impacted the ground.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 24, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: None
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/13/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  271 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model)

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating that was issued on September 20, 2015. The pilot also held an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. His Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued August 13, 2015, with no limitations.

The pilot's logbook indicated that he had 281 hours of flight experience as of November 15, 2016, which was the date of the last entry in the logbook. According to the logbook, the pilot's flight time was mostly accrued in Cessna 150, 172, and 182 airplanes with his most recent 10 hours accrued in a Piper Archer. No flight time had been logged in the accident airplane.

According to the airplane owner, who was the pilot's uncle, the pilot had flown the accident airplane about 10 to 15 hours. The pilot began flying the airplane while he was completing his private pilot license. Initially, his training in the home-built started with the pilot flying about 5 ft above the ground down the runway in ground effect and then landing. The owner estimated the pilot completed these "pop ups" about 50 times. Once the pilot received his private pilot license, the owner explained the pilot would fly in the local area around the grass strip for 15 to 20 minutes. During these flights, the pilot's uncle and father would fly alongside in their "motor gliders." The owner was not sure when the pilot last flew the airplane before the accident. The owner stated he had shared his knowledge of the airplane's flight characteristics (i.e., critical airspeeds, glide ratio, fast approach procedures, short-wing roll limitations, etc.) with the pilot, and the owner believed the pilot flew the airplane "very well." 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MACLEOD
Registration: N62888
Model/Series: HOMEBUILT NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: JORGI-1
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/14/2016, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: A-65-9
Registered Owner: SPIER RONALD B
Rated Power: 65 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The airplane's experimental airworthiness certificate was issued on October 4, 1976. The airplane was a single-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear design. It was powered by a Continental Motors A-65-9 reciprocating engine and equipped with a McCauley fixed-pitch, two-bladed propeller. The airplane did not have an electrical system; the pilot had to hand prop the airplane to start the engine.

No maintenance logbooks were available for review during the investigation. The owner stated that he had completed a condition inspection on the airplane on September 14, 2016.

On the day of the accident, the pilot called the owner to discuss anomalies that he was experiencing after starting the engine. There was no oil pressure indication, and the engine was running rough. The owner stepped the pilot through how to fix the oil pressure indicator and clean the carburetor. The owner stated both issues were remedied before the pilot flew the airplane. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGH, 1051 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2056 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 234°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Springfield, OH
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Springfield, OH
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  EST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

The closest official weather observation station was located at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport (SGH), 8 miles southeast of the accident site. At 1556, the automated weather observing system at SGH reported wind from 260º at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, temperature 14ºC, dew point 8ºC, and an altimeter setting of 30.09 inches of mercury. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 39.915556, -83.704444 (est) 

The wreckage was in a plowed field on the south side of the private airstrip. The airplane sustained aft crushing of the nose and forward fuselage section and impact damage to the leading edge of the right wing from the wingtip to the main gear strut. The damage appeared to be consistent with a nose-low and right wing-low attitude at ground impact.

Flight control continuity was confirmed for all flight control surfaces up to the cockpit. The ailerons and elevator were actuated using the control stick. The rudder pedals inside the cockpit were crushed by impact forces and could not be moved. The rudder cables were intact from the cockpit to the rudder attach point.

The shoulder harness assembly was found wrapped around the rudder cables in the tail section of the fuselage behind the forward bulkhead. There was wear on the shoulder harness consistent with the cables rubbing on it. The shoulder harness was not accessible to the pilot from the cockpit. Additionally, first responders reported that the lap belt was not buckled around the pilot when they arrived on scene.

The engine was rotated by hand, and thumb compression was observed on all four cylinders. The propeller hub had dirt embedded on the spinner attachment bolts. One of the propeller blades was bent rearward about 20º; the blades displayed no rotational scoring or scratching.

Both the left and right fuel tanks were breached during impact, and there was no visible fuel in either tank. The smell of auto gasoline was present at the accident site. Fuel was observed in the clear plastic tube that was the airplane's fuel quantity indicator and in the gascolator. The fuel filter in the gascolator appeared clear of debris. The fuel shutoff valve, a silver pull-handle on the instrument panel, was in the retracted (ON) position. The throttle plate was found in the full open position with no obstructions. During a subsequent examination, an FAA inspector removed and opened the carburetor. The carburetor float was intact; the gasket was intact; and the carburetor appeared to operate normally with full travel.

The left magneto switch was found in the "ON" position, and the right magneto switch was found in the "OFF" position. According to the owner, standard procedure for the airplane was to use the left magneto to start the engine and to use both magnetos when flying. 

Medical And Pathological Information

The Montgomery County Coroner's Office, Dayton, Ohio, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death for the pilot was attributed to "multiple blunt force injuries."

The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. The toxicology results were negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs.

NTSB Identification: CEN17FA108
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 19, 2017 in Springfield, OH
Aircraft: MACLEOD HOMEBUILT, registration: N62888
Injuries: 1 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 February 19, 2017 about 1600 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Macleod Homebuilt, N62888, was destroyed when it impacted terrain approximately 470 feet south of a private grass airstrip in Springfield, Ohio. The airplane was based at the private airstrip. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was privately registered and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed.



Jordan Spier



UPDATE at 3:28 p.m. (Feb. 20):

The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate what caused the plane to crash that killed Jordan Spier, 24, of Wilmington.

Family members said Jordan Spier was the nephew of the plane’s owner, Dr. Ronald Spier, a Springfield surgeon.

A view from Sky 7 showed the plane still down in a field near Interstate 70 in Clark County Monday with investigators remaining on the scene.

Investigators plan to look into the pilot, maintenance records for the plane and weather as part of their investigation.

UPDATE at 11:25 p.m.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the pilot killed as 24-year-old Jordan A. Spier of Wilmington.

Witnesses reported seeing the plane, a Macleod homebuilt fixed wing single-engine experimental plane crash near a private airstrip at a residence in the 300 block of Titus Avenue. The pilot was the only occupant of the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the patrol’s Springfield Post.

The FAA will be investigating the cause of the crash.

OSP Sgt. Richard Dixon said Spier had a valid license. The plane was registered to Dr. Ronald Spier, a Springfield surgeon, but the patrol did not release how the pilot and aircraft owner were related.

Harmony Twp. Fire and EMS, Pleasant Twp. Fire and EMS, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Clark County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene.

UPDATE at 7 p.m.

A 25-year-old man was killed in a small plane crash this afternoon, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.


The aircraft was registered to a Springfield surgeon, but he was not the pilot. The patrol’s Springfield Pos
t is investigating the crash, but has not released the pilot’s identity, nor the pilot’s relationship to the registered owner.

News Center 7’s Caroline Reinwald spoke to the doctor’s neighbors, Brian and Debbie Miller, who said their neighbor has two hangars and an airstrip on his property.

UPDATE at 5:18 p.m.

The small plane that crashed in a field near I-70 in Harmony Twp. and resulted in a fatality this afternoon is registered to a Springfield resident, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Information connected to the plane’s tail number is registered with the FAA. The registration information indicates the plane was homemade in the 1970s and was considered an experimental aircraft.

UPDATE at 4:58 p.m.

At least one person was killed in a small plane crash in Clark County this afternoon, according to an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper on the scene.

UPDATE at  4:45 p.m.

We’re working to confirm that a small plane crash in Clark County has resulted in at least one fatality.

Emergency crews and the Ohio Highway Patrol Springfield Post are on scene, which is in a field not far from I-70 in Harmony Twp.

Emergency dispatch centers are unable to confirm the number or severity of injuries that are being reported from the scene.

According to emergency scanner traffic, CareFlight was called for one person who had suffered a head injury. A short time later, emergency scanner traffic indicated an official at the scene reported to dispatchers the incident has resulted in a fatality. The medical helicopter was then canceled.

EARLIER

The Ohio Highway Patrol Springfield Post is responding to the report of a small plane crash near South Charleston.

The crash was reported in a field near the 600 block of Fletcher Pike.

Early reports indicated emergency crews were responding to an area west of I-70.

Story and video:  http://www.whio.com




HARMONY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) – A pilot died after crashing into a Clark County field Sunday afternoon.

24-year-old Jordan A. Spier, of Wilmington, was pronounced dead at the scene.

It happened around 4 p.m. about a mile north of I-70 at mile marker 61.

Investigators say it took off from a nearby private airstrip on Titus Road.

FAA records indicate it was a fixed wing single-engine plane that went down. It’s listed as an experimental, amateur built aircraft.

It’s registered to a Ronald B. Spier of Springfield.

According to Sgt. Richard Dixon with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, no one witnessed the crash, however, drivers on I-70 saw the mangled plane in the field and called 911.

“We received some calls from motorists on 70 that saw the plane in the field and one person on Titus Road that saw the plane appeared to dive to the left and disappear behind the trees and never actually saw the plane crash,” Sgt. Dixon said.

It appears when the plane hit the ground it was going at a slow speed, according to officials.

“There wasn’t any debris thrown anywhere it was all contained right there.Tthe plane hit the ground and pretty much stuck. Didn’t spin, twist, roll,” Sgt. Dixon said.

The FAA and the NTSB are expected to investigate the cause of the crash Monday morning.

Story and video: http://wdtn.com





Springfield — The Ohio State Patrol confirms a 25-year old pilot of a single-engine experimental aircraft appeared to have died instantly when his plane crashed in a Clark County field just after 4PM Sunday afternoon.

Investigators say people driving along Interstate 70 West saw the wreckage in the field, then called 911 for help.

Sgt. Richard Dixon with the Ohio State Highway Patrol says the pilot was not from Clark County, but the airplane was locally owned and registered and had taken off from a nearby private airstrip.

"A witness said he had taken off and landed several times, but they didn't see the particular incident where he crashed" Dixon said.

He says no one else was on board the older-model aircraft when it happened.

He adds weather conditions were clear, and there were no apparent signs of any distress calls.

OSP plan to secure the scene around the crash site throughout the night.

NTSB and FAA teams will arrive Monday morning to begin their investigation to determine a cause.

The victim, who's name hasn't been released, has been taken the Clark County Coroner's office for an autopsy according to investigators.




HARMONY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) – A 25-year-old pilot died after crashing into a Clark County field Sunday afternoon.

It happened around 4 p.m. about a mile north of I-70 at mile marker 61.

FAA records indicate it was a fixed wing single-engine plane that went down. It’s listed as an experimental, amateur built aircraft.

The aircraft is registered to a Ronald B. Spier of Springfield. 2 NEWS is working to confirm whether the man it’s registered to is the victim.

Officials say no one witnessed the crash, however, drivers on I-70 saw the mangled plane in the field and called 911.

Some passersby jumped the fence to see if they could help the victim who died on impact, according to officials.

The plane took off from a nearby flying field, which is a small landing field for aircraft, with short runways and more limited servicing facilities than an airport.

The FAA and the NTSB are expected to investigate the cause of the crash Monday morning.

Story and video:  http://wdtn.com

Cessna 180H Skywagon, N123GT: Accident occurred February 19, 2017 near Butter Valley Golf Port Airport (7N8), Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA154
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 19, 2017 in Bally, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/10/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 180, registration: N123GT
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered to the left. He corrected with right rudder and left aileron, and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right, the left main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane impacted two trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing.

The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of local weather at the airfield about the time of the accident showed the wind was 300° at 10 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 34.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions.

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during takeoff the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered to the left. He corrected with right rudder and left aileron, and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right, the left main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane impacted two trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and left wing.

The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of local weather on the airfield about the time of the accident showed, the wind was 300° at 10 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 34.

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Factual Report / National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N123GT

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA154
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 19, 2017 in Bally, PA
Aircraft: CESSNA 180, registration: N123GT
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during takeoff the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered to the left. He corrected with right rudder and left aileron, and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right, the left main landing gear sheared off, and the airplane impacted two trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and left wing.

The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of local weather on the airfield about the time of the accident showed, the wind was 300° at 10 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 34.


































AIRCRAFT:   1966 Cessna 180H N123GT

APPROXIMATE TOTAL HOURS: Total time Airframe 6675.15  Engine Total Time: 2895, 877SMOH

ENGINE: Continental 0-470R SN211643-72A  877 SMOH by Mattituck        

PROPELLER: McCauley 2A34C66 unknown date of last overhaul     

AIRFRAME:     6675.15 hrs

OTHER EQUIPMENT: Narco MK12D w/gs, Narco MK12D w/gs, Narco CP136 audio panel, Narco ADF841, Narco DME 890, Narco Loran, Flint Aux fuel tanks in wings      
DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  Loss of directional control on takeoff due to winds

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES:    Propeller strike, left main gear broken off, tail section split from fuselage, destruction of left wing and left horizontal stab and elevator,
minor damage to lower cowl and cowl flaps

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:  Anglin Aircraft Recovery, Clayton, DE    

Read more here:   http://www.avclaims.com/N123GT.htm  



Upper Hanover Township, PA --   A small airplane crashed Sunday afternoon after taking off from an airport in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, damaging the aircraft but leaving its four passengers uninjured, officials said.

The crash occurred about 2:45 p.m. near Butter Valley Golf Port Airport along Gehman Road just east of Bally, said Rick Breitenfeldt, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman.

Airport owner John Gehman said that it was likely the result of a small gust of wind that caught the plane at just the right moment.

Gehman said the plane went down in Upper Hanover Township, just over the Berks line.

He said damage to the plane was extensive but passengers were unharmed.

State police at Skippack referred all inquiries to the FAA.

Breitenfeldt said in a statement that FAA would investigate the accident.

According to online FAA records, the plane was a 1966 Cessna 180 fixed wing single-engine aircraft owned by Jeffrey Schultz of Emmaus, Lehigh County.

Source:  http://www.readingeagle.com




UPPER HANOVER TWP., Pa. - A small plane crashed and split in half at a golf course and airport in Montgomery County, next to the Berks County border.

The crash happened Sunday afternoon at the Butter Valley Golf Port in Upper Hanover Township.

The impact caused the plane to split in half.

Amazingly, no one was injured, according to emergency communications officials.

At this point, there's no word on what may have caused the crash. It's also unclear how many people were in the plane.

The area of the wrecked plane was taped off along a fairway.

Not long after the crash, golfing continued at the course. A 69 News freelance photojournalist captured an image of a golfer hitting a ball next to the wrecked plane.

On its website, Butter Valley Golf Port describes itself as "one of the most unique places in Pennsylvania. In a beautiful, rural setting about 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia, there's a fun-to-play, regulation golf course and quaint, little airport... together."

Source:   http://www.wfmz.com