Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Zenair STOL CH 701, N3846T: Accident occurred April 11, 2017 in Red Lion, Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania

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

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

NTSB Identification: ERA17CA152
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Windsor Twp, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/17/2017
Aircraft: LAZEAR JOHN T ZENAIR STOL CH 701, registration: N3846T
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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 experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he attempted to take off on a grass portion of his property that extended about 1,000 ft before reaching power lines. During takeoff on an approximate 130° heading, he noticed the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the power lines. He pulled up “hard” to clear the power lines but stalled the airplane. The left wing dipped down, and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing separated from the fuselage, and the empennage was crushed behind the wings. Both main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the nose landing gear folded back under the engine compartment. 

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that he thought the wind was swirling and that the airplane may have encountered some wind shear. The recorded wind at an airport located about 13 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 320° at 4 knots. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's improper pretakeoff planning, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a short-field takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he attempted to takeoff on a grass portion of his property, that extended about 1,000 ft prior to reaching powerlines. During takeoff on an approximate 130° heading, he noticed the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the powerlines. He pulled up "hard" to clear the powerlines but stalled the airplane. The left wing dipped down and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing separated from the fuselage and the empennage was crushed behind the wings. Both main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the nose gear folded back under the engine compartment. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He added that he thought the wind was swirling and may have encountered some windshear. The recorded wind at an airport located about 13 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 320° at 4 knots.

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

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
  
http://registry.faa.gov/N3846T 

NTSB Identification: ERA17CA152
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Windsor Twp, PA
Aircraft: LAZEAR JOHN T ZENAIR STOL CH 701, registration: N3846T
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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 experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he attempted to takeoff on a grass portion of his property, that extended about 1,000 ft prior to reaching powerlines. During takeoff on an approximate 130° heading, he noticed the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the powerlines. He pulled up "hard" to clear the powerlines but stalled the airplane. The left wing dipped down and the airplane impacted the ground. The right wing separated from the fuselage and the empennage was crushed behind the wings. Both main landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the nose gear folded back under the engine compartment. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. He added that he thought the wind was swirling and may have encountered some windshear. The recorded wind at an airport located about 13 miles west of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 320° at 4 knots.



A small plane experienced a rough landing in York County on Tuesday, according to a release from the Federal Aviation Administration.

A Zenair STOL CH 701 force landed in a Windsor Township field about 12:15 p.m., the FAA said. The condition of the pilot was not immediately available Tuesday afternoon.

The plane could be seen damaged in a field in the area of the 300 block of White Oak Road  on Tuesday.

The FAA is investigating.

This is the second time in less than a month that a small aircraft has made an emergency landing in a York County field .

Last month, a Cessna C162 aircraft landed  about 6:30 p.m. March 23 in a  field  in the area of Sticks Road and Mummert Road in Codorus Township.

It had taken off from Lancaster Airport and was headed to the Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster, Maryland, when it experienced an engine-related problem.

Original article can be found here: 
http://www.yorkdispatch.com



YORK COUNTY, Pa. —

The pilot of a Zenair STOL CH 701 force landed in a Windsor Township, York County field earlier today.

It happened at White Oak Road and Frysville Road.

Police say John Stone force landed his plane upon take-off in a field near his home.

Authorities say the pilot, John Stone, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was released from the hospital and is doing OK.

Story and video:  http://www.wgal.com

Do what you can to make flights with a bush pilot easier



By Christine Cunningham

The woman behind the counter told me she could try to get me over on wheels when the first pilot got back. I was eager to join the rest of my hunting party already in the field, but I hadn't called ahead to confirm my flight and spent the next several hours watching a little wiry white-haired pup named Piper come in and out the door with business.

We watched as a crew unloaded a moose from a floatplane while pilots checked in with the office in the carefree manner of men who spend most of their days in the sky. Finally, and without introduction, a man in a red-and-black flannel shirt asked if I was ready to go. I didn't know whether I was getting kicked out or picked up. I followed him out the door 20 feet to a Super Cub parked next to my truck.

"I've never flown in a plane that small before," I admitted.

"It's only my second time," he said.

Visiting wild places

Once inside the Cub, we sped across the parking lot and scooted up the driveway like we were on a four-wheeler with wings, turned a corner and were airborne. Below, the perfectly mowed lawn and office on the lake turned into an image from Google Earth.

Oil platforms stationed in Cook Inlet appeared below. Mount Redoubt steamed in the distance above the Drift River Valley. The tidal sloughs glowed amber, and the flats were gold with the day's last light. Flying just above sea level, I watched through the passenger window as the Cub carried me to a hunting camp I knew was on the horizon.

I may be guilty of a few romantic thoughts about flying in Bush planes. After all, it's difficult not to associate Bush planes with the wild places they fly — places where solitude dissolves rudimentary notions of time and space. The rules are based on changing weather, terrain and game plans. You want your pilot to be as close to the pulse of that world as possible and able to react to changing circumstances without any time lost to surprise.

No matter how glamorous the job looks, bush pilots aren't getting rich. Most fly because they love it and can't imagine doing anything else. Flying in numerous Bush planes over the years on hunting and fishing trips has provided lessons in how to be considerate of myriad contingencies concealed behind bush pilots' outwardly cool appearance.

If the air-taxi service says don't bring more than a certain amount of gear, I don't. This request isn't like a commercial airline asking me to fit my carry-on into a prescribed square or asking me what fictional weight is on my driver's license. Over-the-limit payloads in small aircraft are dangerous and illegal.

The smaller the plane, the smaller the area to hold gear. If you haven't flown in a Bush plane before, it's worthwhile to look at the aircraft you're flying to get a frame of reference when you pack. If you have extra-long or extra-heavy gear, ask if it will fit ahead of time.

Even if time allows and you can afford an additional trip for gear transport, weather can close in fast, particularly in mountain passes. No one wants to get stuck in the Alaska Bush lacking items that had to be left behind because you didn't plan well or ignored the air-taxi guidelines.

Passengers wanting to know more about their chosen air taxi before takeoff can search the National Transportation Safety Board aviation database (ntsb.gov) and come up with the company's accident history.

Read more here:  https://www.adn.com

Pittsfield Municipal Airport (KPSF) taking off: There's a waiting list for hangar space and a solar installation on the way

PITTSFIELD — With growth ahead of national trends, the city's municipal airport is "booming" and could operate in the black in the foreseeable future.

That would follow at least seven years of operating in the red.

An uptick in the economy is the likely cause for the change, resulting in 18 percent growth over the past year.

"It's booming," Gloria Bouillon, airport manager, said of the number of airplanes that remain at the airport for more than 60 days. She said nationally airports are seeing a 4 to 5 percent increase.

She attributed the increase to a rebounding economy and because of that, an increase in the number of jets utilizing the airport.

She said the airport could see more growth if it had additional infrastructure to support it.

The airport has a waiting list or 14 people interested in hangar spaces for them to park airplanes.

The statistics were gathered by Bouillon as she continues to identify ways the airport can be self-sufficient for the long run, which she said may be achievable within the next two years.

On the job about six weeks, among the tasks Bouillon was charged with when she was hired earlier this year was making the airport financially stable.

Formed more than a year ago, a nine-member Airport Study Commission was tasked with determining if it made financial sense for the city to continue to operate the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. It determined it should, citing a lack of commercial traffic as its reason.

"With a city management model, such items as real estate and property taxes, aeronautical-related businesses, and a solar facility can offset losses," the report reads.

The study group's findings were presented to the City Council Tuesday night.

A 38-page report from the study group outlined nine recommendations — which it forwarded to the mayor, the council and the Airport Commission — ranging from an annual review of fees by the Airport Commission to requiring the commission make an annual report to the council.

Airport Study Commission chairman Thomas Sakshaug said the growth trends have him feeling equally optimistic about the airport's financial future.

"When the solar field goes in, I think we are there," he said of self-sufficiency.

The Airport Commission is considering placing a five to eight-and-a-half megawatt solar installation on airport land.

The commission could select a solar company at a meeting later this month. And airport officials believe the panels could be up and running by 2019.

Whether the airport is operating in the red or the black is a more difficult question to answer.

As the study group reviewed the airport's finances it found if FAA funding and taxes for the Westwood Business Park are included as revenue the airport would show about a $25,000 surplus, Sakshaug said.

But Bouillon said when reviewing its budget the FAA looks at income and expenses that can be linked directly to airport operations. From that perspective, the airport will likely finish with a deficit this year, as it has each year since 2010.

During that time losses have been between $66,006 and $98,303 a year.

Projected losses for 2017 are expected to be $44,338, a decrease of $47,701 from the current year.

"I think that is quite an improvement," Sakshaug said. "You can thank the Airport Commission negotiating with Lyon Aviation for a lot of that."

Lyon Aviation agreed to several changes to the fees it pays the city including those for landing and jet fuel.

Lyon Aviation, the airport's fixed based operator since 1982, provides a variety of services to those using the airport. Those services include fee collection, on the city's behalf, for fuel, parking and landing, refueling, flight school, and maintenance.

Mayor Linda M. Tyer appointed the study group at the request of City Councilors Donna Todd Rivers, Melissa Mazzeo, Christopher J. Connell and former councilor Jonathan Lothrop in February 2016

During the council meeting Connell congratulated the group on the work it accomplished.

"There were a lot of layers of the onion to peel back," he said. "I think that one of the main goals was to see if we could really stop the bleeding."

Original article can be found here:  http://www.berkshireeagle.com

Cessna 140, N2414N: Accident occurred April 11, 2017 in Bowdoin, Sagadahoc County, Maine

http://registry.faa.gov/N2414N

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine

Aircraft force landed on a highway.

Date: 11-APR-17
Time: 14:20:00Z
Regis#: N2414N
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: C140
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: BOWDOIN
State: MAINE







BOWDOINHAM (WGME) -- A plane force landed on I-295 Tuesday morning. The pilot and his passenger walked away without serious injuries.

It happened near Exit 37 in Bowdoinham.

The FAA says the pilot of the 1947 Cessna used the highway as an emergency landing strip after he experienced an engine related problem during his flight, but luckily he and his passenger escaped with minor injuries

Maine State Police say the pilot, John Gayley of Bowdoin, suffered facial injuries and was taken to Maine Medical Center.

His passenger, Rodney Voisene of Bowdoin, has a minor injury to an arm and was taken to a local hospital to be checked.

Maine State Police say the plane made the emergency landing around 10:15 a.m.

Gayley had taken off from Twitchell airport and the engine stalled when he attempted to switch fuel tanks, according to officials.

Police say Gayley landed the plane in the southbound lane, against traffic, and the plane then veered into the guardrail, along the breakdown lane.

One vehicle had to swerve to avoid the plane as it landed. 

The crash also caused the plane to start leaking fuel, which crews are working to clean up.

A wrecker will remove the plane from the road Tuesday afternoon. Southbound traffic will be disrupted during that time.

The FAA says they are investigating the cause of the crash.

Original article can be found here:  http://wgme.com

Cessna 172G, N5813R LLC, N5813R: Accident occurred April 10, 2017 at Somerset Airport (KSMQ), Bedminster, New Jersey

N5813R LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N5813R

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Teterboro, New Jersey 

Aircraft on landing, went off the runway into a ditch.  

Date: 10-APR-17
Time: 19:00:00Z
Regis#: N5813R
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: C172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: BEDMINSTER
State: NEW JERSEY

Weatherly 620B, N9004M, Skyline Aviation LLC : Accident occurred April 10, 2017 near Lewistown Municipal Airport (KLWT), Fergus County, Montana

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana

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

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


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

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


Skyline Aviation LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N9004M


NTSB Identification: GAA17CA225
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Monday, April 10, 2017 in LEWISTOWN, MT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/20/2017
Aircraft: WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B, registration: N9004M
Injuries: 1 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 reported that, during a low-altitude, practice agricultural application flight, he lost depth perception between the snow-covered ground and overcast sky. He added that the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest after sliding about 500 ft.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s pamphlet, “Flying in Flat Light and White Out Conditions,” states the following:

Flat light is an optical illusion, also known as “sector or partial white out.” It is not as severe as “white out” but the condition causes pilots to lose their depth-of-field and contrast in vision. Flat light conditions are usually accompanied by overcast skies inhibiting any good visual clues. Such conditions can occur anywhere in the world, primarily in snow covered areas but can occur in dust, sand, mud flats, or on glassy water. Flat light can completely obscure features of the terrain, creating an inability to distinguish distances and closure rates. As a result of this reflected light, it can give pilots the illusion of ascending or descending when actually flying level. However, with good judgment and proper training and planning, it is possible to safely operate an aircraft in flat light conditions.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during low-altitude maneuvers in flat light conditions.

The pilot reported that during a low altitude, practice aerial application flight, he lost depth perception between the snow-covered ground and overcast sky. He added that the airplane impacted the ground, and came to rest after sliding about 500 ft.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Federal Aviation Administration's pamphlet, "Flying in Flat Light and White Out Conditions", which states:


Flat light is an optical illusion, also known as "sector or partial white out." It is not as severe as "white out" but the condition causes pilots to lose their depth-of-field and contrast in vision. Flat light conditions are usually accompanied by overcast skies inhibiting any good visual clues. Such conditions can occur anywhere in the world, primarily in snow covered areas but can occur in dust, sand, mud flats, or on glassy water. Flat light can completely obscure features of the terrain, creating an inability to distinguish distances and closure rates. As a result of this reflected light, it can give pilots the illusion of ascending or descending when actually flying level. However, with good judgment and proper training and planning, it is possible to safely operate an aircraft in flat light conditions.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA225
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Monday, April 10, 2017 in LEWISTOWN, MT
Aircraft: WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B, registration: N9004M
Injuries: 1 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 reported that during a low altitude, practice aerial application flight, he lost depth perception between the snow-covered ground and overcast sky. He added that the airplane impacted the ground, and came to rest after sliding about 500 ft.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Federal Aviation Administration's pamphlet, "Flying in Flat Light and White Out Conditions", which states:

Flat light is an optical illusion, also known as "sector or partial white out." It is not as severe as "white out" but the condition causes pilots to lose their depth-of-field and contrast in vision. Flat light conditions are usually accompanied by overcast skies inhibiting any good visual clues. Such conditions can occur anywhere in the world, primarily in snow covered areas but can occur in dust, sand, mud flats, or on glassy water. Flat light can completely obscure features of the terrain, creating an inability to distinguish distances and closure rates. As a result of this reflected light, it can give pilots the illusion of ascending or descending when actually flying level. However, with good judgment and proper training and planning, it is possible to safely operate an aircraft in flat light conditions.

Grumman American AA-1B, N9613L: Accident occurred March 28, 2017 at Dalton Airport (3DA), Flushing, Genesee County, Michigan

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

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA247
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Flushing, MI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/14/2017
Aircraft: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA, registration: N9613L
Injuries: 1 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 reported that, during the landing, he was “going…[too] fast,” overran the runway, and impacted trees. 

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

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

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s unstabilized approach and subsequent failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Belleville, Michigan

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/N9613L

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA247
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Flushing, MI
Aircraft: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA, registration: N9613L
Injuries: 1 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 reported that, during the landing he was "going to[too] fast", over ran the runway, and impacted trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

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

Cessna 525B, Flagship Private Air LLC, N315CJ: Incident occurred April 10, 2017 at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), Collier County, Florida

Flagship Private Air LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N315CJ

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;Tampa, Florida

Aircraft on takeoff, struck  a fox.  Returned and landed without incident.

Date: 10-APR-17
Time: 23:59:00Z
Regis#: N315CJ
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: C525B
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
City: NAPLES
State: FLORIDA

Beech A36TC Bonanza, Level '5', N755R: Incident occurred April 10, 2017 in Livermore, Alameda County, California

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oakland, California
Honeywell; Olathe, Kansas

Aviation Incident Preliminary Report -  National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

LEVEL '5':   http://registry.faa.gov/N755R

NTSB Identification: WPR17IA086
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Incident occurred Monday, April 10, 2017 in Livermore, CA
Aircraft: BEECH A36TC, registration: N755R
Injuries: 1 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 used data provided by various sources and may not have traveled in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft incident report.

On April 10, 2017, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N755R, landed gear-up at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California after the pilot experienced a flight control malfunction during the landing approach. The airplane was registered to Level '5' (Corporation) and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained minor damage. The local personal flight departed Tracy Municipal Airport, Tracy, California, about 1015. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot stated that he departed earlier in the morning from Livermore with the intention of performing a "warm-up" flight. The preflight checks were uneventful, and after departing, he flew northeast for about 30 miles. He then turned southwest towards Tracy with the aid of the autopilot. As he approached Tracy, he disengaged the autopilot, and performed four uneventful landings and takeoffs. He then departed west towards Livermore, again using the autopilot after he had trimmed the airplane for level flight.

He contacted the Livermore Air Traffic Control Tower, and was given a straight-in clearance for runway 25L. Shortly after contacting the tower, he disengaged the autopilot using the autopilot disconnect button on the control yoke. The airplane immediately pitched aggressively up about 50 degrees with an immediate loss of airspeed. The pilot stated that the pitch up happened so fast that he feared the airplane was about to stall. He applied full forward pressure on the control yoke, and the airplane pitched almost directly nose down, and began to quickly build airspeed. He then reduced the yoke forward pressure, and the airplane pitched back up again. The pilot reduced engine power, set the landing gear selector switch to down, and extended the flaps. He stated that he heard the landing gear extend, and confirmed that the three green landing gear lights had illuminated. With full forward yoke pressure, he was able to maintain an approximate level attitude, although the control forces were so great that he needed to use both hands and his knee to keep the yoke forward.

He then called the tower, declared an emergency, and was given an amended clearance to land on runway 25R. He attempted to reach over to the autopilot circuit breaker, but it was out of his reach, and because of his hold on the yoke, he feared he would immediately lose control of the airplane if he released his grip. He previously experienced an engine throttle cable failure, and suspected that this time the elevator control system had either stuck or failed.

The pilot reached down to adjust the elevator trim wheel, but it would not move, and he could not safely move himself into a position to look down and observe the elevator tab position indicator. He continued the approach, and regulated pitch by adjusting engine power, and holding the yoke fully forward. The airplane continued to porpoise as he initiated a gradual descent back to the airport. He stated that at some point during the approach and ensuing struggle, he inadvertently knocked off his glasses and headset, so was no longer able to hear the tower controller. Although the tower controller made multiple calls during the final approach warning the pilot that the landing gear was not extended, but the pilot did not hear those calls due to his loss of the headset. The airplane touched down on runway 25R, and it was then that the pilot realized the landing gear was not extended. The airplane came to a stop on its belly and the pilot immediately egressed.

An airport operations staff member immediately responded to the airplane, and turned off the master switch, magnetos, and fuel selector valve. He noted that the landing gear selector switch was in the down position, and the landing gear and auxiliary fuel pump circuit breakers were both tripped.

Postaccident examination revealed that the elevator tab gauge indicated "18U" (up), and the elevator tabs were in the tab down (airplane nose-up) position.

The airplane was equipped with dual controls. Examination revealed that with the yoke in the full-forward position, the yoke T-bar obscured the view of the lower center portion of the instrument panel, blocking the view of the elevator tab indicator, and obscuring left seat occupant access to most of the circuit breakers, including the autopilot and trim breakers. Additionally, while holding the yoke fully forward with an extended left arm, it was not possible to reach the autopilot and trim circuit breakers.

Tecnam P-2004 Bravo, N54EB: Accident occurred April 09, 2017 at Catalina Airport (KAVX), Avalon, Los Angeles County, California

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach, California

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

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


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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N54EB

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA222
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 09, 2017 in Avalon, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/20/2017
Aircraft: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2004 BRAVO, registration: N54EB
Injuries: 1 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 reported that, just before touchdown, a wind gust lifted the right wing and drifted the airplane to the left of the runway. He added that the airplane touched down and ballooned in a nose-high attitude. The pilot added power and lowered the nose “to prevent a stall,” and the airplane landed hard. The left wingtip struck the ground, and airplane came to rest in the grass to the left of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading and the improper landing flare during landing.

The pilot reported that just before touchdown a gust of wind lifted the right wing and drifted the airplane to the left of the runway. He added that the airplane touched down and ballooned in a nose high attitude. The pilot added power and lowered the nose "to prevent a stall" and the airplane landed hard. The left wingtip struck the ground and airplane came to rest in the grass to the left of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.


The pilot reported on the NTSB 6120.1 form that the wind was light and variable.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA222 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 09, 2017 in Avalon, CA
Aircraft: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2004 BRAVO, registration: N54EB
Injuries: 1 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 reported that just before touchdown a gust of wind lifted the right wing and drifted the airplane to the left of the runway. He added that the airplane touched down and ballooned in a nose high attitude. The pilot added power and lowered the nose "to prevent a stall" and the airplane landed hard. The left wingtip struck the ground and airplane came to rest in the grass to the left of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported on the NTSB 6120.1 form that the wind was light and variable.