Sunday, March 05, 2017

Ryan Navion A, N4827K: Fatal accident occurred August 24, 2014 in Coldfoot, Alaska

Fairbanks pilot convicted of lying to investigators after fatal 2014 crash is sentenced to a year in prison

A Fairbanks pilot convicted of lying to federal investigators after a fatal Brooks Range crash in 2014 was sentenced Wednesday to spend a year in prison.

Jurors decided last fall in federal court that Forest Kirst was guilty of obstructing the crash investigations performed by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board after the crash.

In August 2014, three Canadian tourists boarded Kirst’s Ryan Navion four-seater for a flightseeing tour out of Bettles.

The plane began flying too low, and "after circling over a moose in a pond, the airplane lacked the power and altitude to clear Atigun Pass,” according to federal prosecutors.

The plane crashed below the Dalton Highway and above a trans-Alaska pipeline maintenance road. All four people on board were seriously injured. Passenger Darrell Spencer, 66, died just over a month after the crash from the injuries he sustained.

Federal prosecutors said that Kirst lied to investigators by misleading them about the altitude he was flying at prior to the crash and that he told several different versions about what happened just beforehand. The charges were filed in 2017, and a jury convicted him in November 2019 on two counts of obstructing the crash investigation but found him not guilty on a federal charge of flying without a valid airman’s certificate.

Kirst spoke during Wednesday’s hearing to deny that he lied to investigators and instead blamed the crash on a propeller he said was improperly installed and came apart during flight. Federal investigations did not show that the propeller came off during flight, but found that it had come off during the crash.

In 2016, Kirst filed a civil personal injury and wrongful death lawsuit, along with the two surviving passengers and Spencer’s wife, against the company that sold him the propeller. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and the group was ordered to pay $98,000 in attorney fees to the company.

Federal judge Ralph Beistline sentenced Kirst to spend a year and a day in prison, followed by three years of probation. Kirst will also pay a $5,000 fine.

Beistline said the sentence was needed to send a message to the aviation community and passengers about Alaska’s commitment to safety.


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

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

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

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Fairbanks, Alaska 
Continental Motors Incorporated; Mobile, Alabama 
Arctic Aviation Incorporated; Fairbanks, Alaska 
Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Vancouver
Transport Canada; Ottawa

Hartzell Propeller Inc.; Piqua, Ohio

http://registry.faa.gov/N4827K

NTSB Identification: ANC14FA068
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Sunday, August 24, 2014 in Coldfoot, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/08/2017
Aircraft: RYAN NAVION A, registration: N4827K
Injuries: 4 Serious.

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.

The commercial pilot was conducting a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 commercial air tour flight with three passengers onboard when the airplane impacted rising terrain below the entrance of a high mountain pass. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and his three passengers were seriously injured. Thirty-five days later, one of the passengers died as a result of his injuries. The pilot initially reported to first responders that he had encountered a severe downdraft while approaching the high mountain pass, which caused the airplane to lose altitude. Review of reported weather conditions at the time of the accident in the area of the pass indicated that the wind speed was 4 to 7 knots, and no indications of sudden downdrafts were discovered.

When interviewed by investigators about 2 weeks after the accident, the pilot stated that the right front seat passenger was not wearing his shoulder harness and had slumped onto the flight controls and become unresponsive after taking a motion sickness drug. The pilot further stated that the two rear seat passengers (who had also taken the drug) were also unresponsive when this occurred. However, none of the three passengers recalled this, and the front seat passenger was found with his seatbelt and shoulder harness on when first responders arrived on scene.

In a written statement dated about 2 months after his interview, the pilot stated that a propeller blade had separated in flight, as one propeller blade was missing and not recovered from the accident site. The passengers did not recall that this had occurred, and postaccident examination of the propeller hub, propeller blade pilot tubes, propeller blade clamps, and the remaining propeller blade indicated that the missing propeller blade had separated during the impact sequence. Evidence that the missing propeller blade separated on impact included the existence of power signatures on the remaining propeller blade and the presence of a large amount of grease in the hub, which was not thrown out in a centrifugal pattern from the missing propeller blade side of the hub as it would have been if the blade had separated in flight. Further findings indicating that the missing propeller blade separated on impact were a broken clamp bolt head found lying inside the clamp bolt cup of the clamp from the missing propeller blade, impact damage on that same clamp, and a shiny-crescent shaped contact mark on the hub butt in the aft quadrant where the trailing edge of the missing propeller blade would have been located; the crescent-shaped contact mark, which was indicative of aluminum transfer from the missing blade to the hub butt, is typically seen when propeller blades separate during impact. Additionally, metallurgical testing showed that the impact-damaged clamp from the missing propeller blade as well as both of the propeller blade tubes had failed due to overload, and no evidence of fatigue cracking was found.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Several discrepancies were noted with the engine, including the presence of metallic particulates within the oil filter, contamination of the fuel inlet screen with a rubber-like material, and damage to the oil pump consistent with hard particle passage; however, none of these discrepancies would have prevented the engine from producing power.

Witness statements, passenger statements, photographs taken during the flight by one of the passengers, and GPS data recovered from a GPS receiver onboard the airplane indicated that, after takeoff, the pilot did not climb to a safe cruising altitude to cross through the mountain pass but instead remained at low altitude. After circling a town, he proceeded up a valley that led to the high mountain pass, flying below the tops of the surrounding mountains in close proximity to terrain and obstructions about 500 feet above ground level. This low altitude flying resulted in the airplane reaching the area of the pass, being boxed in by the surrounding terrain, and not having enough energy or performance to climb up and cross over the pass as the terrain at that point was rising faster than the airplane could climb.

Examination of weight and balance information indicated that the pilot had taken off with the airplane loaded over maximum gross weight and that the airplane was near its maximum gross weight when the accident occurred. The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane near its maximum gross weight likely contributed to the accident because it reduced the margin of power available for climb.

Review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that, from 2007 to 2012, the pilot had a history of accidents, incidents, reexaminations, and checkride failures. Despite the pilot’s history and concerns voiced by numerous FAA personnel during the certification process, the FAA issued a certificate to the pilot in 2012 to conduct commercial air transportation pursuant to 14 CFR Part 135.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s improper inflight planning and improper decision to deliberately operate the airplane at low altitude in close proximity to obstructions and rising terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s improper preflight planning and the Federal Aviation Administration’s inappropriate decision to issue a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 certificate to the operator despite the pilot’s history of accidents, incidents, reexaminations, and checkride failures.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 24, 2014, about 1305 Alaska daylight time, a Ryan Navion A, N4827K, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering in mountainous terrain, approximately 56 nautical miles north-northeast of Coldfoot, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Kirst Aviation, as an on-demand sightseeing flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were seriously injured during the accident. The right-front seat passenger died 35 days after the accident as a result of his injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA), Fairbanks, Alaska about 1003.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, earlier that day the pilot filed a VFR flight plan indicating that he intended to depart from PAFA, stop at Bettles Airport (PABT), Bettles, Alaska; Deadhorse Airport (PASC), Deadhorse, Alaska; and Barter Island LRRS Airport (PABA), Barter Island, Alaska, before returning to PAFA. He indicated that the airplane had approximately 7 hours and 20 minutes of fuel on-board.

The accident occurred during the flight between PABT and PASC in Atigun Pass, which is a high mountain pass that crosses the Brooks Range at an altitude of 4,739 feet above mean sea level (msl), at the head of the Dietrich River, where the Dalton Highway and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, cross the Continental Divide. Review of the Fairbanks Sectional Chart and the World Aeronautical Chart for the area around Atigun Pass that was published by the FAA effective at the time of the accident revealed that it contained a warning that stated: "RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN" and advised to "USE CAUTION DURING PERIODS OF LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY."

Pilot Interview

On September 9, 2014, NTSB investigators conducted an interview with the pilot. During the interview, the pilot stated that he had received a call about 2 weeks prior to the accident flight from the male passenger inquiring about flightseeing and observing polar bears at Barter Island. Originally, the flight was to be for two passengers who were from a group that was traveling on a cruise ship, but was later changed to three passengers.

He recalled departing PAFA about 1000 for PABT and recalled that the 1.5-hour flight to PABT was uneventful. The male passenger was seated in the airplane's right front seat, and the two female passengers were seated in the airplane's two rear seats. The pilot stated that the male passenger weighed 262 pounds and had positioned his seat to its rearmost position.

During the flight, one woman became queasy but not sick. Motion sickness pills were offered by the male passenger but were declined since they induce sleep. They stopped in PABT for a bathroom break and a brief walk around. The pilot reported he did not purchase fuel at PABT.

The flight from PABT to Atigun Pass took about 20 minutes. During this segment of the trip, the pilot reported that the three passengers seemed much more subdued. The pilot stated that, to facilitate moving around the cabin for taking pictures, the available four-point harnesses were not being used by the passengers.

He advised that he was climbing through 5,500 to 5,700 feet with a target altitude of 6,000 feet around Chandalar Shelf, when the male passenger slumped into the yoke and blocked the throttle and landing gear controls as they encountered rising terrain and a downdraft. The inflight cruise speed of 130 knots then increased to 160 knots, near the airplane's placarded never exceed speed (Vne). The pilot yelled at the unresponsive passenger and attempted to push him away from the engine controls and off the yoke. The pilot advised that he was pinned by the unresponsive passenger and that the back seat passengers were unresponsive during the entire time that the male passenger was unresponsive.

The pilot lowered the wing flaps half way and opened the canopy 6-inches to facilitate a post-crash exit. Postimpact, the pilot was able to shut off the fuel, master switch, and magnetos, remove his seatbelt, open the canopy, and exit the airplane. The three passengers were unresponsive after the crash and remained in the airplane.

When Alyeska Pipeline personnel arrived, they informed the pilot that the three passengers were in the airplane and that the airplane was not stable and could slide down the embankment. One of the female passengers was airlifted from the accident site to Fairbanks by helicopter. The pilot and two remaining passengers were transported to Galbraith Lake for subsequent medical air transport.

When asked, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Pilot's NTSB Form 6120.1

Approximately 2 months after the interview, on November 7, 2014, the pilot submitted a signed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1). On the form, the pilot stated the following: "Part 135 flight with three passengers. Standard pre-flight before take-off, including proper weight and balance calculation-about 70 gallons for flight. Flight from Fairbanks to Bettles was uneventful. Stopped and took a break at Bettles and then proceeded to Prudhoe Bay via Atigun Pass. While operating at approximately 5,600', encountered abrupt and unexpected aircraft instability. Took steps to correct but actions were ineffective. Made decision to protect passengers and myself in light of conditions. Aircraft hit the ground nose up and came to rest on side of hill. Made my way out of aircraft and was rescued. Have strong feelings about what happened but am awaiting the results of ongoing investigation, will reconsider providing further info after receiving results."

He checked the box indicating a mechanical failure and stated that there was a "propeller bolt failure causing blade to become unindexed and blade separation in flight."

Passenger Interviews

According to the right front seat passenger, who was interviewed by FAA inspectors on August 27, 2014, after stopping in PABT, they proceeded up the valley. The air was smooth, under a "clear blue sky." Everyone had their shoulder harnesses on. Enroute to PASC, the pilot provided wildlife photo opportunities before the accident occurred. He could not remember the impact or the details leading up to it.

According to one of the rear seat passengers, who was interviewed by a Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigator on September 12, 2014, they departed PABT and flew about 1 hour. They followed a pipeline with everyone taking photographs. A moose was observed at a lake, and photographs were taken while they circled the moose. After circling the moose, all three passengers took motion sickness pills (Gravol) that were given to them by the front right seat passenger. They proceeded into a mountain valley approximately 20 minutes later, and she remembered entering the mountain valley halfway between the tops of the mountains and the ground. Just prior to the accident, the passenger felt the airplane bank slightly and then drop as if "into an air pocket." She described it as "when it drops and you feel your tummy rise up." The rear seat passenger did not remember hearing anything unusual, observing or hearing the pilot struggling, or hearing anything that would have indicated any concern by the pilot regarding the front seat passenger. Immediately prior to the accident, she remembered that the pilot was flying a relatively straight course. Her next memory was waking up after the accident.

According to the other rear seat passenger, who was interviewed by FAA inspectors on September 8, 2014, after stopping at PABT, they followed the pipeline. She started feeling queasy and took a motion sickness pill. About 10 minutes later, they "hit an air pocket," and she felt her body being pressed into the seat in a "downward pull." She did not recall hearing any different or unusual sounds and was not aware that anything was wrong before the impact.

Witness Statements

According to several witnesses, just prior to the accident, they observed the airplane flying slowly in a northerly direction in the vicinity of Atigun Pass. The airplane was flying at low altitude, following the contours of the surrounding terrain, "like he was looking for game." As the airplane passed over a work truck at an estimated altitude between 500 and 800 feet above ground level (agl), the engine sounded like it was "running strong." Moments later, the airplane impacted sloping terrain at an elevation of approximately 4,600 feet on the east side of the Dalton Highway. It then slid about 35 feet across the loose rock of the slope and came to rest.

When witnesses and first responders reached the airplane, all the occupants were in the airplane and conscious. The pilot instructed the first responders on how to unlatch the canopy and open it. Their first attempts to get the pilot out of the airplane were unsuccessful as the pilot discovered that his leg "wasn't working right." They lifted the pilot out and found a place for him to sit as they went back to the airplane to get the passengers out. As the pilot sat on the rocks the pilot stated, "What happened? What the hell happened?" He also made a comment about his business stating something similar to, "Well, I guess I'm out of business" or "Well there goes my business." He later was heard to say, "I don't know what happened – I guess I was too low, I don't know."

Later, the pilot advised a first responder that he was flying at an altitude about 1,000 feet over the top of the pass, when a strong downdraft caused the airplane to lose altitude. The pilot elaborated that he had tried to compensate by adding power and lowering the flaps to half. First responders also noted that the front seat passenger had his shoulder harness and seatbelt on when they reached the airplane, and they had to remove the harness and seat belt in order to extricate him from the airplane.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and instrument airplane, as well as a mechanic certificate with ratings for airframe and powerplant, and an inspection authorization. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on April 3, 2014. On the NTSB Form 6120.1 completed by the pilot, he reported that he had accrued 4,759 total hours of flight experience, 657 of which were in the accident airplane make and model.

Review of FAA and NTSB aircraft accident records revealed that the pilot had been involved in two previous accidents. On December 26, 2007, the pilot was involved in an accident (NTSB Case No. ANC08LA030) while providing flight instruction to a student pilot in a Piper PA-22 during civil twilight. While on approach to an unlighted, snow-covered gravel runway, the pilot instructed the student pilot to go-around when he realized that the airplane was not lined up with the runway. He said that his verbal command to immediately apply full engine power and initiate a go-around was followed, but the engine did not respond. According to the pilot, he then took control of the airplane, confirmed that the throttle was at maximum, and then landed the airplane in the deep snow. As the main and nose wheels touched down in the deep snow off the left side of the runway, the airplane decelerated rapidly, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. An FAA airworthiness inspector reported that his postaccident inspection of the airplane disclosed a number of maintenance deficiencies, but found none that would have accounted for the loss of engine power. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during an attempted go-around, resulting in a forced landing and a collision with snow-covered terrain. The NTSB also determined that a factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

On November 14, 2008, the pilot was involved in another accident (NTSB Case No. ANC09LA011A) while providing instruction to a student pilot in a Cessna 152 in day visual meteorological conditions. The Cessna 152 was on the right downwind leg for landing behind a Cessna 182R that was on final approach. The Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) specialist asked the Cessna 152 pilots if they had the landing traffic in sight, and the pilot said that they did. Review of radar data and radio communications from the ATCT revealed that the Cessna 152 joined the final approach course slightly behind and above the Cessna 182R. As the two airplanes continued toward the runway, the ATCT specialist issued instructions to the Cessna 152 to make a right 360-degree turn. According to the pilot, at about the same time the nose of the Cessna 182R appeared under his Cessna 152 and he applied full power and began a left climbing turn while advising ATCT of his actions. The left wingtip of the Cessna 152 collided with the top right side of the Cessna 182R's rudder. The pilot of the Cessna 182R reportedly never saw the other airplane. Both airplanes landed without further incident. The NTSB determined that probable cause of the accident was the failure of the instructor in the Cessna 152 [the pilot] to maintain separation from another landing airplane and his failure to follow the tower controller's instructions.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident aircraft was a single-engine, four-seat, low-wing airplane of conventional metal construction. It was powered by a 225 horsepower, Continental E-225-4 engine, driving a two-blade Hartzell, variable pitch, constant speed propeller.

According to maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1949. Its most recent annual inspection was completed by the pilot on June 14, 2014. The records indicated that, at the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 4,027.4 total hours of operation, and the engine had accrued 334.1 hours since major overhaul. The records showed that the pilot had been conducting the majority of the maintenance on the airplane, engine, and propeller since June 2011.

Review of maintenance records further indicated that the propeller was overhauled on May 31, 2011, by a certified repair station and installed on the airplane by the pilot on June 6, 2011, approximately 3 years prior to the accident. According to the records, since the June 2011 installation, the propeller had been removed and remounted three times by the pilot to inspect and/or replace the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm, as required by Hartzell Alert Service Bulletin No. HC-ASB-61-338. The most recent removal and reinstallation of the propeller was on February 1, 2013.

Weight and Balance Information

On the NTSB Form 6120.1 completed by the pilot, he reported that he completed a "standard pre-flight before take-off, including proper weight and balance calculation-about 70 gallons for flight." When the pilot was interviewed on September 9, 2014, he stated that he calculated the weight of fuel, bags, and people to be "about 40 pounds below gross weight" before he departed PAFA.

Review of published fuel flow data for the Continental E-225-4 engine indicated that, at 65% power, fuel flow would have been about 76 pounds (lbs) of fuel per hour, which equated to a minimum fuel load of approximately 100 gallons (not including fuel for taxi, takeoff, and climb) in order to have 7 hours and 20 minutes fuel onboard on departure from PAFA as listed on the pilot's flight plan. Weight calculations were performed using estimated weights of 160 lbs for the pilot, 230 lbs for the right front seat passenger, 180 lbs for one of the rear seat passengers, 150 lbs for the other rear seat passenger, 30 lbs of baggage, and 100 gallons of fuel on departure from PAFA. The calculations indicated that the airplane was approximately 187 pounds above maximum gross weight on takeoff from PAFA, approximately 37 pounds over maximum gross weight on landing at PABT, and approximately at maximum gross weight of 3,150 pounds 30 minutes into the accident flight after departure from PABT.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1253, the reported weather at PABT, located 85 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, included wind 030 degrees at 9 knots, temperature 17 degrees C, dew point 5 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury.

At 1344, the reported weather at Chandalar Shelf Airport (5CD), Chandalar Camp, Alaska, located approximately 4 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, included wind west-northwest at 1 knot, temperature 7 degrees C, dew point 4 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury.

Review of FAA aviation weather camera images at 5CD indicated that visual meteorological conditions prevailed around the time of the accident with a scattered to broken layer of clouds at approximately 8,000 feet.

Review of data from a Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) site, located approximately 0.2 nautical miles from the accident site at an elevation of 4,800 feet, indicated that, at 1300, the wind was from 059 degrees. Peak wind was approximately 9 knots. Average wind was approximately 4 knots.

First responders also reported that, at the time of the accident, visibility in the area of Antigun Pass was in excess of 10 miles with scattered clouds at approximately 12,000 feet and wind out of the northeast at 4 to 7 knots.

FLIGHT RECORDERS

The airplane was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, nor was it required to be by federal regulations. Two still photo cameras and one video camera that belonged to the passengers and a Garmin GPSMAP 196 handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that belonged to the pilot were onboard the airplane.

Passenger Photographs

Photographs taken during the flight were recovered by the FAA from one of the still photo cameras. Examination of these photographs indicated that, during the accident flight, the airplane was flown in close proximity to the ground and obstructions (including a highway bridge and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline) and at altitudes below the tops of the surrounding mountains.

Pilot's GPSMAP 196

The global navigation satellite system, known as the GPS, provides geolocation and time information to GPS receivers where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more of the satellites in the network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. Review of FAA documents titled "Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS) Performance Analysis Report #87" and the "Civil Report Card on GPS Performance August 2014" indicated that the GPS was functioning normally on the day of the accident.

Data from the pilot's handheld GPS receiver was downloaded in the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. The device contained data for 10 flights with the accident flight being the last flight recorded on the device. Review of the data for the 9 previous flights indicated that the device departed from and arrived at known, geographically surveyed airports on each flight. The data for the accident flight indicated that the device departed from PABT, and the last recorded position corresponded with the GPS-surveyed location of the accident site. Review of the data indicated that the device was recording positions within its specified tolerance of 49 feet, and there were no indications that the device was indicating or recording positions that were inaccurate or inconsistent with surveyed points such as runways and taxiways.

According to the data for the accident flight, the airplane departed from PABT about 1201:15 and made one circle around the town of Evansville immediately after takeoff while climbing to a calculated altitude of 500 feet agl. The airplane's track then generally followed the Koyukuk River to the northeast, while maintaining about 500 feet agl. About 1248, the airplane made four circles at the point where the Koyukuk joined the Dietrich River. While circling, the calculated altitude reached a low of 139 feet agl. The track then continued north along the Dietrich River and climbed back to a calculated altitude of about 500 feet agl. About 1302, the airplane passed 5CD heading north towards Atigun Pass following the Dalton Highway.

During the final 10 minutes of the flight, the airplane was climbing. However, the airplane's height above the surveyed terrain began to decrease as the ground elevation rose faster than the airplane was climbing. In the final 2.5 minutes of the flight, ground speed decayed from 105 knots to 41 knots, and, during the final minute of the flight, calculated height above ground level decreased from 682 feet to 36 feet. The last recorded data point, at 1304:52, indicated the airplane was at 4,564 feet GPS altitude (a calculated altitude of about 36 feet agl) in a shallow climb with a ground speed of 41 knots.

Passenger Video Camera

Two video files were recovered from a video camera belonging to one of the passengers. Examination of the files revealed that the camera's lens was obscured rendering the images from the files unusable. However, the audio portion of each file was extracted, and the two audio tracks were joined to form a single 29 minute 59 second (29:59) track. Insufficient information was available for a time correlation to be created for either of the two video files so elapsed video time was used for event identification purposes. The recording started at some unknown time after the airplane came to rest as first responders were heard assisting the occupants of the airplane at the accident site. From the onset of the recording until approximately 20:40, a female passenger located near the camera's microphone was heard speaking in an unknown language. Her voice made it difficult to hear the conversations between the first responders and the airplane's occupants in the background of the recording. However, as the recording progressed, the first responders were heard moving from passenger to passenger to assist in their extrication.

Around 22:00, the first responders had begun to focus on extricating the right front seat passenger. Later, around 22:37, a first responder was heard in the background of the recording making a statement to an unknown party that "everybody's conscious."

Around 23:03, a first responder was heard saying to an unknown party, "the pilot's (like) * * belly, belly landed on a rock. * * *the pilot said that uh, he felt the first draft, downdraft, at (which/that) time (it's a) * * " The rest of the comment became inaudible as a conversation began to take place between a first responder and a passenger in closer proximity to the camera's microphone.

At 23:46, a first responder stated in reference to the right front seat passenger, "he's got his seatbelt and * * other shoulder harness," and another responder was heard saying, "oh your seatbelts on right here? K' hold on lemme get ya." The first responders continued giving instructions on how the front right seat passenger should move his body as they worked on extricating him from the airplane wreckage. The recording ended at 29:59 as the first responders were still attempting to extricate the right front seat passenger.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Wreckage Examination

The airplane came to rest near mile marker 244.5 of the Dalton Highway, about 100 feet below the highway on a rocky 45 to 50-degree slope, between the highway and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The airplane sustained substantial impact, crush, and compression damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The firewall was also damaged, and the engine was canted approximately 10 degrees down from its normal mounted position. The landing gear was in the up (retracted) position. The wing flaps switch was in the full down position, and the wing flaps were partially extended. The magneto switch was in the "BOTH" position. The throttle control was in the idle position and bent upward, and the propeller pitch control was in the high rpm position. The mixture was full rich, and the carburetor heat control was off.

Engine Examination

Examination of the engine revealed that both of the magnetos remained attached to their respective installation points and were undamaged. The right magneto was missing one of its magneto housing screws, and the housing was loose. Functional testing of both magnetos revealed that they were capable of producing spark when their input shafts were rotated.

The ignition harness remained attached to the magnetos and to each of the spark plugs and was undamaged. The twelve spark plugs remained installed in their respective cylinders and were undamaged. All of the spark plugs were removed and visually inspected. The bottom No.1, No.3, and No.5 spark plug electrodes were oil coated, which was consistent with the engine position at rest. All of the spark plugs displayed normal operating signatures when compared to Champion Aviation Service Manual AV6-R. The No.5 bottom, No.2 top, and No.4 top and bottom spark plugs were in a normal worn out condition when compared to Champion Aviation Service Manual AV6-R.

The fuel pump remained attached to its respective installation point and was undamaged. The fuel pump was removed, and its drive shaft remained intact and could be rotated by hand. The carburetor remained attached to the engine and to the airbox and displayed damage consistent with impact to the mixture control components. Examination of the fuel inlet screen revealed that it was contaminated with a significant amount of material consistent with rubber, and a significant amount of particulates were found in several of the carburetor chambers. Fuel was also present within several of the chambers of the carburetor.

The induction system remained attached to the engine and to the carburetor. The carburetor airbox sustained damage consistent with impact damage. The exhaust system also remained attached to the engine and to the airframe and sustained damage consistent with impact damage in the form of bending.

The oil cooler remained attached to its respective installation point and was undamaged. The oil sump also remained attached to the engine and was undamaged. There were no anomalies noted with the oil sump. The oil pick-up tube and screen remained installed to its respective installation point and was undamaged. The screen was clear of contaminates.

The oil pump remained installed in its respective installation point and was capable of normal rotation. The oil pump was disassembled, and it was discovered that the oil pump housing displayed scoring consistent with hard particle passage. The oil pump gears also displayed small chips in several of the gear apexes consistent with hard particle passage. The oil filter was removed, and the filter housing was cut open for examination of the filter element. The filter element was found to contain several large flakes and small metallic particulates within the oil filter pleats. The oil filter pleats were then placed into solvent, and the solvent was poured through a paper filter where additional metallic particulates were discovered in the filter.

All six cylinders remained attached to the engine. There was no spot putty noted on any of the cylinder hold down nuts, and the bases of the push rod tubes were covered with large amounts of room temperature vulcanizing sealant.

The crankshaft was rotated, and it was noted that all cylinders had good thumb compression and suction. The cylinders were removed from the engine and visually inspected. The external and internal components of the cylinders displayed normal operating signatures, and their respective pistons displayed normal operating and combustion signatures. The piston rings were also intact and free in their grooves, and the valves remained installed in their respective cylinders and were undamaged. The intake and exhaust valve heads displayed normal operating and combustion signatures. During crankshaft rotation, the valves operated normally. All of the rocker arms also displayed normal operating signatures and operated normally during crankshaft rotation.

The crankcase remained intact, and there were no signs of impact damage. The engine was disassembled, and the internal portions of the crankcase were examined. During the examination, a small crack was discovered on both halves of the crankcase forward of the No.5 main bearing at the nose seal area. There was also wear noted on the No.2, No.3, and No.4 main bearing bosses consistent with the crankshaft contacting the crankcase.

The No.1, No.2, No.3, and No.4 main bearings remained installed within their respective bearing saddles, and there were no signs of bearing shift. The bearings displayed normal wear and lubrication signatures. The No. 5 main bearing also remained installed within its respective bearing saddle; there were no signs of bearing shift; and the bearing displayed normal lubrication signatures. However, this bearing displayed damage concentrated to the rear portion of the bearing, where several large, flat portions of the bearing had peeled away from the bearing. Several portions of this bearing and case material were also found in the crankcase.

The crankshaft remained intact, and there were no signs of damage. The crankshaft gear was secure, and the bolts were safety wired. The crankshaft spline shaft displayed normal operating signatures. The crankshaft main bearing journals displayed normal operating and lubrication signatures. All of the connecting rods were capable of rotating freely around their respective connecting rod journals. The counterweights also remained installed in their respective locations and were undamaged, and both of the counterweights were capable of normal movement around the counterweight hangers.

All six connecting rods remained intact and were undamaged. The connecting rod bolts and nuts were secure. The connecting rods rotated around the crankshaft connecting rod journals freely.

The camshaft remained intact and was undamaged. The camshaft gear was secure, and the bolts were safety wired. The camshaft lobes and journals displayed normal operating signatures. All of the lifters were also intact and displayed normal operating signatures.

All of the accessory gears were secure and displayed normal operating signatures. It was noted that both of the magneto drive supports were secured with regular nuts instead of castellated nuts and cotter keys as specified in the E-225 Parts Catalog.

The starter, the alternator, the hydraulic pump, and the vacuum pump remained attached to their respective installation points and were undamaged.

The propeller actuator remained attached to its respective installation point, and the oil lines remained secured. The propeller governor remained attached to its respective installation point and was undamaged.

Propeller Examination

The propeller remained attached to the engine. The engine to propeller mounting was intact; however, the mounting nut was not torqued down and was removed with little effort. One propeller blade was missing and was not recovered. The other propeller blade was bent aft about 90-degrees at mid-span and was wedged into the engine cowling. The last 6 inches of the bent propeller's blade tip had separated, and the separated section was recovered at the accident site. The bent propeller blade exhibited rotational scoring, gouging, and scrapes. The propeller blade clamp of the bent propeller blade was intact; however, one of the propeller blade clamp bolts was loose.

There were large amounts of grease in the hub butt of the missing propeller blade, but there was no indication of the grease being thrown out of the hub butt in a centrifugal pattern. Two of the four bolts of the propeller blade clamp of the missing blade were broken, and the flange of one of the clamp halves was fractured. The bolt head of one of the broken propeller clamp bolts was lying inside the clamp bolt cup of the propeller clamp.

The low and high pitch stops, the piston, and the hydraulic bladder diaphragm were all intact and unremarkable. The cylinder was also intact; however, the guide for the arm was fractured. The propeller hub unit was impact damaged. Both propeller blade pilot tubes were impact damaged and fractured. Both the mounting flange and cylinder attachment were intact and unremarkable. A shiny crescent shaped contact mark indicative of aluminum transfer was visible on the hub butt of the missing blade, in the aft quadrant where the trailing edge of the blade would have been.

Propeller Governor Examination

The propeller governor was still attached to its T-drive assembly. Both the drive shaft of the T-drive and the governor drive gear could be freely rotated by hand, and there was no metal debris in the governor gasket screen. The control lever of the governor, which controls rpm setting, rotated freely by hand; the flyweights could rotate freely about their pivot point; and the metering spool would slide freely within the operating range of the spool. The propeller governor pump gears and shaft did not show any abnormal wear, nor did the wear surfaces of the governor base and body where it came into contact with the gears. There was no metal debris found in the pump cavity, and examination of the relief valve did not reveal any evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation of the propeller governor.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

On September 28, 2014, 35 days after the accident, the right front seat passenger died. According to the Office of the Chief Coroner, Province of New Brunswick, Canada, the passenger's cause of death was a pulmonary artery embolism as a result of the injuries he sustained during the accident.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

American Testing Services, Ltd., examined the missing propeller blade's cracked clamp half and the two fractured propeller blade pilot tubes at the request of Hartzell Propeller. The metallurgical examinations found no evidence of fatigue cracking and determined that the crack in the clamp half and the fractures of the pilot tubes were the result of overload.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Kirst Aviation, FAA designator code K70A, was owned by the pilot and based at PAFA. The pilot provided flight instruction, aircraft rental, on-demand charters, and other specialized services.

On December 27, 2009, the pilot submitted an application for a single-pilot 14 CFR Part 135 Air Taxi certificate to the FAA. On August 29, 2012, the FAA issued an Air Carrier Certificate to the pilot.

FAA records on the pilot, including Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem (PTRS) records that were released by the FAA in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by an attorney representing the pilot and documents provided by the FAA to the NTSB regarding the certification of Kirst Aviation, were reviewed; these records included the following information:

• On February 7, 2008, as a result of the pilot's December 26, 2007, accident, the FAA sent a letter of reexamination to the pilot to evaluate if he was qualified to hold a flight instructor certificate. The reexamination consisted of the pilot's knowledge of the Piper PA-22's systems and his judgement in selecting safe landing areas before attempting to land. On February 27, 2008, an oral reexamination of the pilot was conducted, and the results were satisfactory.

• On November 16, 2009, as a result of the pilot's November 14, 2008, accident, the FAA proposed a 120-day suspension of the pilot's certificates. The final duration of the suspension was 60 days.

• On April 24, 2011, the pilot was acting as pilot-in-command on an instructional flight when the landing gear on the accident airplane failed to fully extend. During landing roll, the propeller contacted the runway, and the airplane then veered off the runway and struck a snow bank. As a result of this incident, on June 23, 2011, the pilot was reexamined by an FAA inspector for his commercial pilot single engine privileges. During the reexamination, the pilot received both an oral and flight evaluation, and special emphasis was given in the areas of emergency landing procedures, hydraulic failure emergencies, engine out procedures, approach to stall, and aeronautical decision-making. The results of the reexamination were satisfactory.

• A memorandum dated December 6, 2011, sent from the Certification Manager of the Fairbanks FSDO to the Alaska Region Division Manager (AAL-200), recommended termination of the certification process for Kirst Aviation. The memorandum stated, "[the pilot] has demonstrated poor judgment, a lack of knowledge, and failure to comply with the Federal Aviation regulations on multiple occasions and his record demonstrates an inability to conduct safe operations under Part 135."

• A second memorandum dated December 20, 2011, sent from a Technical Operations Specialist (AAL-232) to the Alaska Region Division Manager (AAL-200), supported the recommendation made in the December 6, 2011, memorandum "to deny the certification request submitted by [the pilot] for Kirst Aviation." The memorandum cited 14 CFR Part 119.39(b)(1), which states that "an application for a certificate may be denied if the administrator finds the applicant is not properly or adequately equipped or is not able to conduct safe operations." The memorandum stated, "it is clear, based on [the pilot's] history of accidents and lack of ability to comply with Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions, that he has not exemplified the characteristics of someone who could adequately conduct safe operations as is required by the above listed regulation."

• On July 17, 2012, during a 14 CFR Part 135.293(a) checkride in the accident airplane, the pilot failed to perform steep turns within commercial pilot test standards. After the failure, the pilot elected to continue the checkride. During the next maneuver, which was an approach to landing stall, the "GEAR UNSAFE" light remained on when the landing gear was selected to the down position. The checkride was then discontinued, and the pilot landed the airplane without incident.

• PTRS entries indicated that, during a 14 CFR 135.293 checkride, the accident airplane began to leak engine oil. There were PTRS entries regarding this checkride dated August 10, 2012, and August 24, 2012, and the exact date of the checkride could not be determined from the available records. When the oil leak occurred, the pilot turned towards PAFA and started a descent. The FAA inspector administering the checkride advised the pilot to maintain altitude until within gliding distance of the airport in case the engine seized, and the pilot complied.

The landing at PAFA was uneventful. During post flight inspection, the oil filler cap was found hanging from its chain. The pilot stated that he was not sure how the cap came off. The FAA inspector put the cap back on, checked it for tightness, and determined that the cap could not have come loose if it was securely put on.

• A PTRS entry dated August 10, 2012, stated that a recheck was done, and the pilot completed all of the required elements from the checking module within minimum standards. The entry also stated that the pilot was "reevaluated on emergency engine out procedures (not descending too soon during an engine issue)" with satisfactory completion. The PTRS entry did not specify the date of the recheck.

• A PTRS entry dated August 29, 2012, stated that an FAA inspector "administered a continuation of a 14 CFR 135.293(a) checkride after the first attempt was unsatisfactory followed by an illuminated gear unsafe light." The PTRS entry did not specify the date of the checkride. During this checkride, the pilot was asked to demonstrate a normal landing and had to "add a significant power increase on final to make the runway." When asked to demonstrate a short field landing, the pilot again had to "add significant power to make the runway." When asked to demonstrate a simulated engine failure to a landing, it became evident to the FAA inspector that the airplane would not make the runway, and he instructed the pilot to go around. The checkride was discontinued with the emergency landing being unsatisfactory. During the postflight debriefing, the pilot stated that he could have made the runway area.

At the request of the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the FAA's Office of Accident Investigation (AVP-100) reviewed certain documents deemed privileged by the FAA and made inquiries within the FAA in an effort to provide NTSB with additional information regarding the issuance of the commercial air carrier certificate for the operator. A letter dated June 17, 2016, from the Manager of AVP-100 to the NTSB investigator-in-charge stated, in part:

"As you are aware from the documents that were provided to you as part of your request submitted to my office, several FAA employees raised concerns about the approval of the operator's application for an air carrier certificate that was granted two years prior to the accident. My review and inquiries have revealed that FAA personnel debated internally regarding these concerns. Some of the deliberations were mentioned in the draft documents and emails that were provided to you. Those records – which should not be construed as final agency decisions – mostly indicate that FAA inspectors were seeking legal and managerial advice regarding the disposition of the operator's Part 119 application for a Part 135 commercial air carrier certificate.

Aside from the contents of these documents, my review indicates that the majority of the deliberations regarding these concerns occurred verbally – either in person or over the telephone – and I found no additional records that documented these discussions. Also, I found that these deliberations occurred sporadically over an 8-month period – from December 2011 through August 2012 – and involved several FAA inspectors, managers, attorneys and other staff who held positions in the Office of Flight Standards (AFS) and the Office of Chief Counsel (AGC) located at FAA Headquarters in Washington, DC, the Alaska Regional Office in Anchorage, and the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in Fairbanks.

Ultimately, in late August 2012, the aircraft operator completed the Part 119 process and was issued a certificate by the Fairbanks FSDO to conduct commercial air transportation pursuant to Part 135. Implicit in the decision to grant this authorization is the Agency's judgment that the operator met the minimum requirements of Part 119.

In the specific case of the referenced aircraft operator, the FAA evaluated the strength and weaknesses of the documented evidence presented by the applicant for the certification, as well as the documented evidence from those AFS individuals that were concerned about the certification. As a result of these evaluations, the Agency determined that an adequate basis to summarily deny the applicant the opportunity to obtain a Part 135 certificate did not exist.

According to staff in FAA's Office of Chief Counsel, applicants for an air carrier certificate are not denied solely on the basis of a single violation or a previous accident. The Agency has a legal obligation to utilize its authority for certification that is based on substantiated facts, not individual inspector opinions and innuendo. The FAA strives to ensure its actions of granting and denying certificates are not arbitrary and capricious."

David Smith spent four decades as the chief pilot of Maine Instrument Flight and even in retirement still flies several times per week



AUGUSTA — David Smith has more than 26,000 hours of flight time in his 40 years as a pilot. But he says that’s not nearly enough.

Smith, 66, retired Dec. 31 as the chief pilot at Maine Instrument Flight at the Augusta State Airport. He spent the past four decades overseeing the company’s charter pilot operation, instructing pilots and serving as one of the chief charter pilots. He’s still a part-time employee and on-call pilot who flies a couple of times a week.

“I love flying, and it’s something you just can’t give up,” said Smith during an afternoon tour of the Augusta airport off Western Avenue. “It’s just like walking to me.”

He got his start almost by accident in 1970 while a student at the University of Maine at Augusta. He said he used to come to the airport with his roommate to hang out and relax and listen to the pilots and watch the planes.

Maine Instrument Flight’s founder, William L. Perry, used to conduct business in public view and would often receive suggestions from people, Smith said.

“One day I had the nerve to suggest something about advertising, I think, and the next week, I got my first paycheck,” he recalled.

During the next 40 years, Smith worked with experienced flight instructors and students hoping to become commercial pilots for either commuter or major airlines. He said the demographics of his students hasn’t changed much in the last four decades.

“The students are definitely a little older than they used to be,” he said. “But we have people from all different walks of life, and there’s no real pattern that I can detect.”





It doesn’t necessarily take advanced understanding of computers or mathematics to be a successful pilot, Smith said. He said he’s not good at math, but he excels at spatial awareness, which has helped him throughout his career.

“What other people do with math and formulas, I can just picture, which I think is how most other pilots are too,” he said. “We always know where we are in three dimensions.”

One thing about the industry that has changed, Smith said, is that the operation has had to become more cost-conscious in the last several years. When he first started, Smith said he could fly into just about any airport, borrow a car, go get lunch and bring it back with a full tank of gas before flying out.

“That doesn’t happen much anymore, and even the smaller airports, including this one in Augusta, charge fees to land,” he said. “There are still airports out there where you can fly in and get a comfortable, homey atmosphere, but you’ll have to do your research.

Smith is designated by the Federal Aviation Administration to do check rides, which are essentially flight tests given to pilots every six months to make sure the pilots are keeping up with their skills and knowledge. He said despite the advancement in technology and how computerized flying has become, there are still aspects about flying that are difficult to teach.

“Don’t crash,” he said. “But the hardest part to teach is to land the airplane. The pilot has to do that, and it’s just not that easy.”

FAA regulations and regulatory requirements placed on pilots and the aviation industry have become too oppressive, Smith said, and last summer he decided he just couldn’t deal with it anymore and didn’t have to.

“You don’t forget how to fly, but you still need to stay sharp and do continuing training,” he said. “The pilots came to me to develop more skills and experience, but they already knew how to fly, which made teaching them easier.”

Pilots in popular culture, especially in movies and on TV, are depicted as being larger-than-life figures with people following them through the airport or staring as they walk with flight attendants on either side. Smith said that was always overblown and joked that he never had women throwing themselves at him just because he was a pilot.

“But a pilot in uniform does have a presence,” he said. “It’s inspiring to everyone, but you have to work at it.”

Throughout his career, Smith has been to places all over the world and has fond memories of airports big and small, planes with one engine or two, a single propeller or a turbo prop. His favorite airport is the one in Islesboro, where the owner of the airport’s Beechcraft King Air C90 plane has a home.

“It has a very, very short runway, so I love going in and out of there,” he said. “It’s quite the challenge.”

He also enjoys going to the airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and also mentioned Logan International Airport in Boston as a favorite.

Being a pilot hasn’t changed his experience when flying on a plane he isn’t in control of. He said he knows what’s going on all the time, so when he hears people on the plane talking and saying something, he has to tell himself not to interject.

“Though on occasion, I have helped people on planes who’ve gotten a little worked up,” he said. “I’ve helped calm people down.”

He has never had any dangerous situations during his career, but he admitted to having some flat tires and damaging part of the wings of an amphibious “flying boat” when flying to places “out in the boonies” because of the dense forests and trees and narrow landing areas. But he said there’s never been any major problems.

Maine Instrument Flight, one of the oldest flight schools in the country, celebrated its 70th anniversary and opened a new, state-of-the-art hangar last year. The partnership with UMA continues to meet the demand for trained pilots through a program where students can earn a bachelor of science degree in aviation.

UMA aviation students work with a world-class flight simulator on campus, and they also spend several hours completing real-world flight training. And if they are spending a lot of time at the Augusta State Airport, there’s a good chance they’ll see Smith when he’s not traveling with his wife as part of his retirement.

“It truly is a love,” he said with a wide grin as he climbed out of the captain’s seat of the King Air C90. “I just love to fly.”

Source:  http://www.centralmaine.com

Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, N8826C: Fatal accident occurred July 27, 2014 in Venice, Sarasota County, Florida

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

NTSB Identification: ERA14LA362
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Venice, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/01/2017
Aircraft: PIPER PA28, registration: N8826C
Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The private pilot was conducting a short flight from one airport to another airport to obtain fuel for the airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane had been kept in a hangar and had not been flown in the preceding 3 1/2 months. The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and noted the fuel quantity but he did not sump the fuel tanks. He subsequently performed an engine run-up and departed without incident. He climbed the airplane to about 1,000 ft and, after some maneuvering, eventually flew over the water and paralleled a shoreline toward another airport. The pilot reported that the engine then began to run roughly and that he heard a “missing, knocking, hitting sound” but that neither he nor the pilot-rated passenger noted a decrease in engine rpm. Although the pilot rotated the ignition switch through the various positions and changed fuel tanks, the engine lost power and the propeller began wind-milling.

The pilot declared an emergency and angled the descending airplane toward the shoreline. He was concerned that, if he landed in deeper water, the fixed-landing-gear airplane would flip over. The pilot saw a group of people along the beach and attempted to navigate around them. He then aimed for a spot where he thought there were no people, and the airplane touched down in the water near the shoreline and then came to rest on the sand near the water’s edge. The pilot exited the airplane and learned that he had struck two people in the water. 

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, which included a successful engine test run using fuel from the airplane’s fuel system, did not reveal any evidence of water contamination or mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Given this evidence, the loss of engine power was likely a transient condition. Although the condition could have resulted from pilot action, neither the pilot nor the passenger indicated that the pilot took any action that would have resulted in the loss of engine power. Although the airplane was operating in conditions that were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice without the carburetor heat on, the fixed-pitch propeller/engine combination did not gradually lose rpm, which would have occurred if carburetor ice had developed. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide information on any policy that addressed protecting people on the ground during a loss of engine power. The FAA responded, in part, “Because of the variety of possible emergency situations, it is impractical to apply a specific policy addressing risks involved between beach landings and ditching. The FAA relies on its requirements for pilot training on aeronautical decision making to compel pilots to pursue courses of action in an emergency which appear to be the safest and most appropriate under the circumstances.” Once the engine failed, the pilot chose to land on a shoreline area that he incorrectly believed was unoccupied.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to identify occupants on the ground near the shoreline in the airplane’s forced landing path.

 
Ommy and Oceana Irizarry


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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida 
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida 
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

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

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


NTSB Identification: ERA14LA362 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Venice, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA28, registration: N8826C
Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 27, 2014, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8826C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a shoreline in Venice, Florida. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured; however, two people in shallow water near the shoreline were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight between Buchan Airport (X36), Englewood, Florida, and Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida, conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.

In an interview with the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that it was the first time the hangered airplane had flown in the preceding 3 1/2 months. The pilot later wrote that, after arriving at the hangar, he checked the fuel levels and noted "Right tank below tab. Left tank at tab." He also checked the oil level and added 3/4 quart of oil to the engine.

The pilot started the engine and made several magneto checks; the left magneto consistently ran "rough with 300 drop." He then shut down the engine and discussed the situation with an individual who had been working on another airplane in the hangar. The pilot subsequently started the engine again, and completed additional magneto operational checks with "all mags check[ing] out." The pilot then made a decision to go on a short flight and land at VNC for fuel, and he invited the other individual to go on the flight.

After taxiing to the run-up area, the pilot completed another engine run-up, with no anomalies noted.

The airplane subsequently took off from runway 30, with the climbout at best angle to 500 ft, and a slow turn south along the Intercoastal Waterway. The pilot subsequently climbed the airplane to 1,000 ft and cruised at 2,100 rpm. After maneuvering for a short while, the pilot headed the airplane north toward VNC with the engine rpm at 2,300 to 2,400 and the mixture remaining rich. The pilot decided to fly a 45-degree intercept to the VNC runway 23 downwind leg of the traffic pattern, passing over the beach at 900 to 1,000 ft.

En route, the engine started making a "missing, knocking, hitting sound. Rapid deterioration," according to the pilot. In a statement to county sheriff's office personnel and the FAA, the passenger recalled, that, in flight, the engine started running"…like there was a fouled plug or something…it started running rough a little bit…that was before it quit." The pilot subsequently adjusted the mixture and throttle to remove the knock, but the engine experienced a sudden total loss of power.

The pilot turned the fuel pump on and switched fuel tanks. The altitude was "dropping" and the pilot adjusted for best glide airspeed. He then looked toward VNC to land on runway 31 but decided the airplane would not reach the runway. He called VNC Unicom and declared an emergency, responding to questions about the airplane's location and registration.

The pilot then decided to target the Casperan Beach shoreline. He observed "only sparse population on sand" and a "group of people on high ground," which required him to keep the airplane over the water to remain clear of the grouping of people and noted that he could maneuver to shore, if able. The passenger also noted that, as the airplane approached the shoreline, he did not see people in the water. He further noted that, as the airplane was descending, the pilot "kept…pulling the nose up to try to extend the glide." The airplane subsequently touched down in shallow water on a northerly heading angled slightly toward the shore and came to a quick stop.

After the pilot and the passenger got out of the airplane, a lady shouted to them that she needed a cell phone. The pilot thought she wanted to call on their behalf, and it was only then that he learned that the airplane had hit two people in the water.

Neither the pilot nor the passenger indicated that the pilot applied carburetor heat during the flight.

According to an employee at VNC, about 1445, the pilot made an announcement on the common airport frequency, "to the effect of – emergency can't make the airport." The employee called 911 and asked the pilot of another airplane to provide the location; he responded that the airplane was on the beach about 1 mile south of VNC.

County sheriff's office personnel also provided transcripts from interviews with six witnesses. Witnesses were generally consistent as to what they saw and heard. The airplane was seen heading northward, over water, but angled in toward the north-south shoreline. It initially touched down in water but came to rest mostly on sand at the water's edge.

One witness stated that he was standing in waist-deep water about 10 to 15 ft from the shore and about 150 ft south of the two people struck. He saw the airplane descend and it passed directly over his head about 30 ft above him. There was no noise from the engine and the propeller was "kinda moving." He watched the airplane descend toward a group of people. It cleared half of the group, but apparently did not clear all of them. The witness further stated that he thought the airplane was "drifting in because I was far enough out in the water that if he had continued on a straight course he probably would have just hit the water."

Several other witnesses also noted that the engine was not running and that the propeller was turning; some noted the sound of a "thump" in conjunction with the landing. One witness stated that when the airplane hit the water, it "kind of kicked over to the right," then went up onto the beach.

The airplane struck a father and daughter. According to the wife/mother of the victims, the family, consisting of herself, her husband, three children, and his mother, arrived at the beach shortly before noon. About 1 hour later, another couple joined them. The group then moved farther up the beach to avoid new beachgoers, leaving the husband's mother at the original location.

At the time of the accident, the wife was near the shoreline, with her husband and daughter about 10 to 15 ft directly behind her in about 2 ½ feet of water. The two had been bending over to use strainers to collect shark teeth from the bottom. The wife first heard the airplane then saw it out of her peripheral vision to the left but had not seen it hit her family as it was out of her line of sight at the time. She then saw the airplane glide along the water and onto the sand. Her stepson, who was coming out of the water when the airplane passed by, told her that he had ducked when it went over his head, but did not indicate if he saw his father or his sister hit.

PILOT INFORMATION

The pilot, age 57, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot reported 203 flight hours with 74 hours in make and model. His latest FAA third class medical certificate was obtained on February 11, 2013.

AIRPLANE INFORMATION

The airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-360-series engine driving a fixed-pitch, two-blade metal propeller. The latest annual inspection was completed on February 17, 2014, at airframe total time of 1,902 hours and engine time since overhaul of 836 hours.

There were no recording devices on the airplane.

According to the PA-28-181 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the wing fuel tank capacity was 24 gallons usable. The tab mark was placarded at 17 gallons usable.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

While exact temperature/dew point conditions could not be determined over the water where the airplane was flying, VNC recorded, at 1455, an onshore-wind temperature of 32° C (90° F) and a dew point of 24° C (75° F). Under those conditions, the carburetor icing probability chart found in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 indicated a 60 percent relative humidity and a probability of carburetor ice at glide and cruise power.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

On-scene photographs showed the airplane upright and nose-down at the waterline, angled slightly towards the beach with the magnetic compass indicating 350 degrees magnetic. The nose landing gear was separated from the airframe, while both fixed main landing gear remained attached. The left wing, which was extended over the water, had about 4 feet of leading edge crushing on the outboard portion of the wing, and the wingtip was undamaged. The two-blade metal propeller exhibited no damage to one blade, while the other was bent aft about 60°, beginning mid-span.

Photographs of the cockpit showed the fuel was selected off, the magnetos were off, the mixture was rich, the throttle was forward and the carburetor heat was off. The pilot indicated to the FAA inspector that he had turned off the fuel and ignition after landing. The Hobbs meter indicated about 22 minutes of operating time, consistent with the pilot's recollection of 10 to 15 minutes of flight time.

The wing fuel tanks were subsequently defueled, the wings were removed, and the airplane was transported to a storage facility. There, NTSB, FAA, Piper Aircraft, and Lycoming Engine investigators further documented the airframe and engine.

The fuel supply line from each wing fuel tank to its disconnect point in the cockpit and each fuel tank vent line was checked via air flow and found to be unobstructed. Engine compression, magneto spark, fuel quality and engine crankshaft continuity checks were also accomplished with no anomalies noted.

The fuselage with engine still attached was then strapped down to a trailer and the original onboard fuel was supplied to the fuel selector valve via a portable external tank. The engine started on the second attempt; however, with the damaged propeller, it could only safely be operated to about 900 rpm. The propeller was then removed and partially straightened to the extent of available capability, then reattached. The engine was subsequently restarted and was able to be run throughout the throttle range up to 2,000 rpm safely. Magneto checks at that rpm yielded about a 100-rpm drop for both the left and the right magneto.

After the engine run-ups, the carburetor was removed, disassembled and examined, with nothing found that would have precluded normal operation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Water in Fuel

Per FAA Advisory Circular 20-125, "Water can enter an aircraft…by condensation and precipitation (especially when an aircraft has partially filled tanks)." In addition, "The greatest single danger of water in fuel results from human error that allows fuel contaminated with water to enter an aircraft fuel system or permits an aircraft to be operated before its fuel system is properly checked for water."

The pilot provided a list of items performed before, during, and after the flight. However, the list did not mention sumping the fuel during the preflight inspection. The pilot was asked by email to "confirm preflight procedures in regards to checking fuel quality." The pilot responded with the original list and stated, in part, that the "fuel and oil quantities were verified and oil quantity was addressed." A subsequent email to the pilot specifically noted not wanting to miss any information about his sumping the fuel, but the pilot did not respond.

The passenger stated that he was not present for the preflight inspection.

Carburetor Icing

According to the POH, "Under certain moist atmospheric conditions at temperatures of -5 to 20 degrees C, it is possible for ice to form in the induction system, even in summer weather. This is due to the high air velocity through the carburetor venture and the absorption of heat from this air by vaporization of the fuel. To avoid this, carburetor preheat is provided to replace the heat lost by vaporization. Carburetor heat should be full on when carburetor ice is encountered. Adjust mixture for maximum smoothness."

In addition, "Carburetor ice can be detected by a drop in rpm in fixed pitch propeller airplanes and a drop in manifold pressure in constant speed propeller airplanes. In both types, usually there will be a roughness in engine operation."

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-14-23

On August 6, 2014, the FAA issued the SAIB, "information only, recommendations are not mandatory," to alert owners, operators and maintenance technicians of an airworthiness concern, "specifically structural deterioration and possible collapse of the air inlet hose. The air inlet hose may be between the air filter and the fuel injector, carburetor or carburetor heat box depending on the airplane model. A collapsed hose reduces airflow to the engine and could result in a rough running engine or a loss of power." Postaccident examination of the air inlet hose, revealed that it was not collapsed.

Ditching

The pilot indicated that he was concerned that if he landed in deeper water, the fixed landing gear airplane would flip over.

No substantive documentation could be located in FAA archives regarding the probability of successfully ditching an airplane. Thus, the NTSB requested that the FAA provide any policy that addressed protecting lives and property on the ground during a loss of engine power. The request was made not only in reference to this accident, but also to a similar accident that occurred in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on March 15, 2010 (NTSB #ERA10LA175). According to the FAA response:

"In the Pilot/Controller Glossary (P/CG), an aircraft emergency is described as 'a distress or urgency condition.' The P/CG further defines distress as 'a condition of being threatened by serious and or/imminent danger and requiring immediate assistance.' Urgency is defined as 'a condition of being concerned about safety and of requiring timely but not immediate assistance; a potential distress condition.'

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations includes several requirements intended, in whole or in part, to protect lives and property other than the occupants of the aircraft. Section 91.119 describes minimum safe altitudes for operations under part 91; those regulations principally require all operations to be at an altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. That regulation further specifies operational restrictions in congested areas. Section 91.13 prohibits any person from operating an aircraft in a way that endangers the life or property of another.

While not regulatory, Chapter 16 of the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083- 3A) describes the human factors elements associated with pilots selecting between forced landing sites, including forced landings on water (ditching).

The accidents described in the NTSB's request appear to be the result of a PIC decision to land on a hard surface rather than in the water. In these cases, the only available surfaces may have been the body of water and the beach. Most pilots will instinctively look for the largest available flat and open area for an emergency landing. While ditching an aircraft is not necessarily more unsafe than a beach landing, when other options exist, pilots may tend to avoid ditching an aircraft.

Ditching generally involves total loss of the aircraft, and the sudden deceleration, likelihood the aircraft overturning on touchdown, and subsequent cockpit egress difficulties can further influence this decision. A beach can also appear deceptively attractive to a pilot who is forced to make an instantaneous emergency landing decision. A beach surface is somewhat level, usually with no fixed obstacles, and can be assumed to be safe for the aircraft occupants and preservation of the aircraft. These conditions can cause a pilot to overlook the density of people on such a surface.

Because of the variety of possible emergency situations, it is impractical to apply a specific policy addressing risks involved between beach landings and ditching. The FAA relies on its requirements for pilot training on aeronautical decision making to compel pilots to pursue courses of action in an emergency which appear to be the safest and most appropriate under the circumstances."














  





NTSB Identification: ERA14LA362 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Venice, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-181, registration: N8826C
Injuries: 2 Fatal,2 Uninjured.

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 may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On July 27, 2014, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8826C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a shoreline in Venice, Florida. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured; however, a father and his daughter in shallow water near the shoreline were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight between Buchan Airport (X36), Englewood, Florida, and Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida, conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In an interview with the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot indicated that it was the first time the airplane had flown in the preceding 3 ½ months. The left fuel tank was ¾ full and the right fuel tank was ½ full. The engine started "right away;" however, when the pilot performed a magneto check, one of the magnetos had a 300-rpm drop. A second magneto check had the left magneto running roughly, but during a third magneto check, both magnetos were smooth and within limits. The carburetor heat check resulted in a smaller than usual drop of engine rpm.

The takeoff was "normal" and the airplane climbed to about 1,000 feet, then turned south toward Englewood. It subsequently turned north toward Venice, still at 1,000 feet, with the pilot listening on the local airport traffic frequency to enter the landing pattern. Approaching Venice, the engine began to run roughly, and the pilot checked different positions of the ignition switch and changed fuel tanks, but the engine lost power and propeller began windmilling. Total flight time was 10 to 15 minutes.

The pilot declared an emergency on the radio and began the forced landing descent. The airplane was over the water at the time, and the pilot was concerned that if he landed in deep water, the fixed landing gear airplane would flip over. The pilot saw groups of people along the beach, and attempted navigated around them. He then aimed for a spot where he thought there were no people, and landed in the water near the shoreline.

After the pilot and passenger got out of the airplane, a lady shouted to them that she needed a cell phone. The pilot thought she wanted to call on their behalf, and it was only then that he learned that the airplane had hit the father and his daughter.

According to an employee at VNC, about 1445, the pilot made an announcement on the common airport frequency, "to the effect of – emergency can't make the airport." After two requests, the pilot provided the registration number, but when asked about location, he did not respond. The witness called 911 and asked the pilot of another airplane departing the airport to provide the location, which he responded was on the beach about 1 mile south of VNC.

Venice Police provided transcripts from interviews with six witnesses. Witnesses were generally consistent as to what they saw and heard. One witness stated that he was standing in waist deep water about 10 to 15 feet from the shore and about 50 yards south of the family. He saw the airplane descend and it passed directly over his head about 30 feet above him. There was no noise from the engine and the propeller was "kinda moving." He watched the airplane descend toward a group of people. It cleared half of the group, but apparently did not clear all of them. The witness further stated that he thought the airplane was "drifting in because I was far enough out in the water that if he had continued on a straight course he probably would have just hit the water."

Several other witnesses also noted that the engine was not running and that the propeller was turning; some noted the sound of a "thump" in conjunction with the landing. One witness stated that when the airplane hit the water, it "kind of kicked over to the right," then went up onto the beach.

Several days after the accident, the family asked the FAA inspector to speak with them. During the visit, the wife indicated that the family, consisting of herself, her husband, his son and daughter from a previous marriage, and their daughter, arrived at the beach around mid-day. About ½ hour later, the husband's mother and another couple joined them. The family then moved farther up the beach to avoid new beach goers, leaving the husband's mother at the original location.

According to the wife, she was facing north, close to her stepdaughter, when she  saw the airplane in her peripheral vision pass by very low. She did not see her family struck. Her stepson, who was coming out of the water when the airplane passed by, told her that he had ducked when the airplane went over his head, but did not indicate if he saw either his father or his sister hit. The airplane came to a stop about 200 feet beyond the victims, who were in about 4 feet of water and very close to each other. The wife ran to pull her stepdaughter out of the water and a friend pulled her husband out of the water. Both victims were unresponsive and not breathing. A man arrived with knowledge of CPR and gave assistance to her husband while the wife administered to her stepdaughter.

On-scene photographs showed the airplane upright, nose-down at the waterline,  angled slightly towards the beach, with the magnetic compass indicating 350 degrees magnetic. The nose landing gear was separated from the airframe, while both fixed main landing gear remained attached. The left wing, which was extended over the water, had about 4 feet of leading edge crushing on the outboard portion of the wing, and the wingtip undamaged. The two-bladed propeller exhibited no damage to one blade, while the other was bent aft about 60 degrees, beginning mid-span, consistent with a lack of power at touchdown.

Photographs of the cockpit showed the fuel off, the magnetos off, the mixture rich, throttle forward and the carburetor heat off.

The wing fuel tanks were subsequently defueled, the wings were removed, and the airplane was transported to a storage facility. There, NTSB, FAA, Piper Aircraft and Lycoming Engine investigators further documented the airplane and engine.

Each wing fuel tank's fuel supply line from the tank to its disconnect point in the cockpit was checked via air flow to be clear, and each tank's vent system was also checked via air flow to be clear. Engine compression, magneto spark, fuel quality and engine crankshaft continuity checks were also accomplished with no anomalies noted.

The fuselage with engine still attached was then strapped down to a trailer and original onboard fuel was supplied to the fuel selector valve via a portable external tank. The engine started on the second attempt; however, with the bent propeller, it could only safely be operated to about 900 rpm. The propeller was then removed and partially straightened to available capability, then reattached. The engine was subsequently restarted and was able to be run throughout throttle range up to 2,000 rpm safely. Magneto checks at that rpm yielded about a 100-rpm drop for both the left and the right magneto.

After the engine run-ups, the carburetor was removed, disassembled and examined, with nothing found that would have precluded normal operation.

Research of engine electrical, air induction and fuel delivery systems continues.