Saturday, April 22, 2017

'Rusty' Pilots get Needed Refresher at Tri-State Aero (with video)

On Saturday the Evansville Regional Airport and EVV Pilots Club held a special class at Tri-State Aero. The goal: get the wheels off the ground for an eager classroom.

For many pilots, the passion for flying never fades away, but sometimes, life happens.

"[I’m] a rusty pilot. I used to fly as a young man and enjoyed it a lot, then got married, had kids, and couldn't afford it, and now I can afford it again, and want to get back involved,” Michael O’Daniel said.

He’s not alone. Research by the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association shows there's more than a half million inactive general aviation pilots, and 85 percent of them want to get back in the cockpit.

"These people have experienced this before. This is to help them refresh their memories so that they can become a safe and efficient pilot once again,” Ron Timmermans said. Timmermans gives rusty pilot classes across the county.

Once a person gets their private license, they're a pilot for life, but they still have to get a flight review with an instructor every two years.

"Regulations change over the years. Like airspace may be different from the time the learned to fly, from what it is today,” Tri-State Aero flight instructor Steven Matthews said.

It's been a little longer than two years for O'Daniel, who hasn't flown by himself since he was 24.

"Oh, I don't think it's any challenge at all. You just have to commit the time and get excited about it, and get back into learning it,” O’Daniel said. "All the rules involve not bumping into anybody else. You want to keep separation, and airplanes move pretty fast. So you have to follow the rules, and understand the rules, to make sure that everybody's safe up there."

Keeping the sky safe and keeping minds sharp is a win-win for rusty pilots, and their instructors.

"I very much enjoy flying, and I enjoy teaching it almost as much,” Timmermans said.

Story and video:   http://www.tristatehomepage.com

Cessna 150, N102DK: Fatal accident occurred June 13, 2016 near Butler Field Airport (IN46), Rockville, Adams Township, Parke County, Indiana

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

NTSB Identification: CEN16FA216 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, June 13, 2016 in Rockville, IN
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/25/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 150F, registration: N102DK
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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 private pilot and passenger were departing on a personal, cross-country flight from a grass runway. A witness saw the airplane lift off from the 2,081-ft-long- runway near midfield with a high pitch attitude, but he did not see the subsequent climbout or accident. The airplane impacted tall trees about 1,100 ft past the departure end of the runway.

Given the witness's statement, the pilot likely did not lower the airplane's nose to accelerate while in ground effect, as recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration for a soft-field takeoff. Instead, the pilot likely attempted to climb the airplane at too high of a pitch angle and too low of an airspeed during the soft-field takeoff. Further, the airplane was near or above its maximum gross takeoff weight. The combination of these factors led to the airplane climbing out at an insufficient airspeed and its subsequent inability to adequately climb out of ground effect and clear the trees off the departure end of the runway. In addition, a light tailwind likely existed during the climb, which the pilot may not have noticed due to trees surrounding the runway and windsock.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's use of an improper soft-field takeoff procedure, which resulted in the airplane having insufficient airspeed to climb out of ground effect and its subsequent impact with trees near the departure end of the runway.

Kurt Michael Waugh, 44


Kimberly Dawn Heald-Chaplin, 39


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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 

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

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

Kurt Michael Waugh:   http://registry.faa.gov/N102DK




NTSB Identification: CEN16FA216 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, June 13, 2016 in Rockville, IN
Aircraft: CESSNA 150F, registration: N102DK
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On June 13, 2016, at 0957 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N102DK, impacted trees and terrain after departure from Butler Field Airport (IN46), Rockville, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions existed about the time of the accident near the accident site, and no flight plan filed. The flight was destined for Eagle Creek Airpark, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

According to a witness who was mowing grass at IN46, the airplane lifted off from the grass runway near midfield. The witness noticed that the airplane initially climbed with a high pitch attitude, but he did not observe the subsequent climbout or accident. The airplane struck the top of 50-ft-tall trees located about 1,100 ft past the departure end of the runway and came to rest about 125 ft beyond the initial tree strike. A postcrash fire ensued. 

PERSONNEL INFORMATION 

The pilot, age 44, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. On March 15, 2016, the pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate with no limitations. At the time of the medical examination, the pilot reported having 60 hours of total flight time with 25 hours in the last 6 months. The pilot's logbooks were not available for the investigation. 

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION 

The accident airplane, a Cessna 150F, was manufactured in 1966. It was powered by a Continental Motors O-200A engine, serial number 63037-6-A. On April 24, 2002, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the use of auto gas for the airplane and engine in accordance with supplemental type certificates SE634GL and SA633. At the time of the airplane's last annual inspection on December 26, 2015, the airframe had accumulated 6,184 total hours, and the engine had accumulated 961 hours since its last overhaul. 

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION 

At 1015, the weather observation station at Edgar County Airport, Paris, Illinois, located about 21 miles west of the accident site, reported wind from 110° at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 24° C, dew point 13° C, and altimeter setting of 30.06 inches of mercury. 

AIRPORT INFORMATION 

IN46 was a privately owned, uncontrolled airport, located in a rural area 2 miles south of Rockville, Indiana. The airport elevation was 687 ft mean sea level, and the grass runway, oriented in a 09/27 configuration, was 2,081 ft long and 65 ft wide. The runway was dry and in good condition at the time of the accident. When using runway 27, a 20-to-1 slope was required to clear trees 500 ft beyond the departure end. 

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION 

The wreckage was located about 1,100 ft beyond the departure end of runway 27 slightly right of the projected runway centerline. Damage was observed to the tops of trees about 125 ft preceding the wreckage location, and broken branches were found below these trees. Broken tree branches were consistent with the airplane descending through the trees at an angle of about 70°. No damage was noted to terrain outside of the immediate footprint of the airplane, which came to rest upright and aligned with the runway heading. 

The cabin area of the fuselage was destroyed by fire, but the tail section was mostly intact and undamaged by fire. Damage to both wing leading edges was consistent with tree and branch impact. One of the propeller's blade tips was bent forward at a 90° angle, and the other blade was bent aft and embedded in the ground. 

Examination of the airplane revealed normal flight control continuity, and no anomalies of the flight control surfaces were noted. The flaps actuator indicated that the flaps were in the "up" position and that the elevator trim was near the "neutral" position. All cockpit engine controls were fire damaged, and the throttle was observed in the "full open" position. 

The engine was removed for further examination, and the carburetor was disassembled, and no anomalies were noted except for thermal damage. The throttle and mixture control arms moved freely by hand, and the accelerator pump actuated normally. 

The top spark plugs were removed, and the electrodes exhibited normal signatures. The cylinder combustion chambers were examined with a lighted borescope, and no anomalies were noted. The propeller was rotated by hand, and engine continuity was confirmed with thumb compression obtained on all four cylinders. The magnetos and ignition harness were thermally damaged, and the magnetos did not produce spark. 

Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. 

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION 

The Terre Haute Regional Hospital Department of Pathology conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The autopsy report noted the cause of death was "blunt force injuries." The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed toxicology tests on the pilot's specimens, and the results were negative for tested drugs. 

TESTS AND RESEARCH 

Weight and Balance Calculations 

Based on the pilot's medical certificate weight, the passenger's driver's license weight, and a full fuel load of 26 gallons, the airplane's takeoff weight would have been 45 lbs above its maximum gross weight. Although a witness observed the pilot add fuel to the airplane with plastic jugs from his car trunk, the investigation was unable to determine the actual amount of fuel onboard the airplane during the takeoff. 

Based on the Pilot's Operating Handbook performance chart, at maximum gross weight and 24° C with no wind, 1,500 ft of runway would have been needed to clear a 50-ft-high obstacle. The chart did not contain a correction for a grass runway. 

Applicable Guidance 

The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B, Chapter 5) describes ground effect as follows: 

Ground effect is a condition of improved performance encountered when the airplane is operating very close to the ground. Ground effect can be detected and measured up to an altitude equal to one wingspan above the surface. When the wing is under the influence of ground effect, there is a reduction in upwash, downwash, and wingtip vortices. As a result of the reduced wingtip vortices, induced drag is reduced. 

Due to the reduced drag in ground effect, the airplane may seem to be able to take off below the recommended airspeed. However, as the airplane rises out of ground effect with an insufficient airspeed, initial climb performance may prove to be marginal because of the increased drag. Under conditions of high-density altitude, high temperature, and/or maximum gross weight, the airplane may be able to become airborne at an insufficient airspeed, but unable to climb out of ground effect. Consequently, the airplane may not be able to clear obstructions. 

The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook contains the following information about a soft-field takeoff: 

After becoming airborne, the nose should be lowered very gently with the wheels clear of the surface to allow the airplane to accelerate to Vy, or Vx if obstacles must be cleared. Extreme care must be exercised immediately after the airplane becomes airborne and while it accelerates, to avoid settling back onto the surface. An attempt to climb prematurely or too steeply may cause the airplane to settle back to the surface as a result of losing the benefit of ground effect. An attempt to climb out of ground effect before sufficient climb airspeed is attained may result in the airplane being unable to climb further as the ground effect area is transited, even with full power. Therefore, it is essential that the airplane remain in ground effect until at least Vx is reached.

NTSB Identification: CEN16FA216
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, June 13, 2016 in Rockville, IN
Aircraft: CESSNA 150F, registration: N102DK
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On June 13, 2016, at 0957 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N102DK, impacted terrain while departing from Butler Field Airport (IN46), Rockville, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The flight departed without a flight plan and was destined for Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), Indianapolis, Indiana. 

According to a witness mowing grass at IN46, the airplane lifted off near midfield from the 2,081 x 65 ft turf runway. The witness noticed the airplane initially climb with a high pitch attitude, but did not observe the subsequent climb out or accident. The airplane struck the top of trees located about 1,125 ft from the departure end of the runway and came to rest about 125 ft beyond the initial tree strike. A post-crash fire ensued.

Jimmy DeButts: Anne Arundel, Maryland, residents deserve NextGen relief

Residents of Phoenix sued the federal government when low-flying planes began rattling windows and shaking walls in 2014.

The action came nine months after the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a new "modernized" air traffic management system. The same program arrived at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport in spring 2015.

NextGen had the same intrusive and disruptive impact on residents of Anne Arundel and Howard counties.

The difference? Our state and county are still in the "talking" phase.

The FAA says NextGen will result in $160 billion in savings by 2030. It promises reduced carbon emissions, decreased fuel consumption and fewer flight delays.

It's already delivered anxiety, sleepless nights and fears of falling home values and quality of life for many Anne Arundel residents.

Local leaders are relying on cordial correspondence with the feds instead of taking an aggressive stance as noise complaints centered around BWI spiked to 1,849 in 2015 from 835 in 2014. A request for 2016 data from the state's Office of Noise, Real Estate and Land Use Compatibility was not fulfilled.

At this point, what's left to say? How many different ways can residents say, "My walls shake. I can't sleep at night. I can't talk with my neighbors outside because more planes are flying lower (and louder) than before NextGen?"

Talk. That's all we've received.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh sent a letter to FAA chief Michael Huerta on April 5, 2017 seeking a town hall be held in the county with impacted communities. This would allow residents to "voice their concerns regarding departure procedures that were never addressed sufficiently" by the FAA prior to implementation.

Schuh wants FAA leaders to hear concerns. This comes nearly two years after Phoenix sued the FAA to halt NextGen. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held a hearing in the Phoenix's case on March 17.

Maryland is playing catchup.



The county and state need a plan. Saying "pretty please" hasn't expedited the process.

Maryland is asking the federal government to do the right — and responsible — thing. Two years of polite requests have changed nothing.

The county and state must take the fight to the feds. When the talk ends, and if the FAA rejects our pleas for change, what is the next step for Marylanders?

Gov. Larry Hogan and Schuh should join the state's Democratic congressional delegation — who also were tardy to the party — Anthony Brown, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sabanes, John Delaney and Jamie Raskin, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen — in demanding the FAA revert to its previous flight path program.

The Democratic delegation sent a letter to the FAA on Wednesday urging it to act on the DC Metroplex BWI Community Roundtable's NextGen solution. The roundtable recommends immediately reverting to the pre-NextGen flight paths and procedures.

The county should follow Howard County's lead and authorize its attorney to sue the FAA if changes aren't immediately made. State leaders should join forces in federal court with Howard County, Phoenix, three Southern California communities and other cities and states impacted by this ill-conceived cost-saving plan.

The roundtable took four months to say what should have taken a day. Federal bureaucrats will predictably drag their feet so it's conceivable an answer won't come until the end of the year.

More uncertainty of continued air terror for thousands of county residents is immoral. They deserve a definitive answer: either their property values sink or they'll receive relief.

Imagine trying to sell a house when prospective buyer's questions are drowned out by screeching 737s that rumble by every few minutes. Increased noise associated with NextGen has robbed many residents of their outdoor joys. Some have abandoned gardening and outdoor dining because of the incessant high-decibel bombardment coming from passenger and commercial aircraft.

NextGen is an unmitigated disaster created by the Obama administration for everyone who is not a bean counter. A speedy resolution is not a partisan issue. Del. Nic Kipke, R-Pasadena, has constituents who say they can see passengers in low-flying aircraft through the plane's windows.

Residents from Hanover to Arnold — represented by Democrats and Republicans — are subject to unnecessary noise pollution. There's an easy solution:

A coalition of Maryland's elected leaders needs to say loud and unequivocally, "END NextGen NOW."

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

Piper PA-44-180 Seminole, Plane Nonsense Inc., N190ND: Accident occurred July 07, 2016 at Dillant-Hopkins Airport (KEEN), Keene, Cheshire County, New Hampshire




Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine 

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

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

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

Plane Nonsense Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N190ND

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA377 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 07, 2016 in Keene, NH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/04/2017
Aircraft: PIPER PA 44, registration: N190ND
Injuries: 2 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 flight instructor in the multiengine airplane reported that, during a simulated single-engine instrument approach to runway 2, the right engine was configured for the simulated failure. The instructor added that the goal was to perform a missed approach on one engine and note the airplane’s performance. The pilot under instruction descended to the decision height and executed the missed approach procedure, but the airplane would not climb. The flight instructor told the pilot to go to full power on both engines. According to the flight instructor, “mixtures, props and throttles were all full forward and the fuel flow levers were both at the ON position,” and he took control of the airplane. 

The flight instructor reported that there were trees and buildings to the north and that he made a left turn about 400 ft above ground level with the intent to land on runway 14. He extended the landing gear but realized that he would not reach the runway. He executed a forced landing to the southwest on taxiway Sierra, the airplane crossed over runway 32/14, and although heavy braking was applied, the airplane exited the taxiway and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage stringers and longerons.

The airport elevation was 488 ft, the density altitude was 2,120 ft, the temperature was 81°, the dew point was 66° F, and the wind was calm, and the flight instructor stated that carburetor heat was not used during the approach on either engine. 

The relative humidity was about 60 percent, and the weather conditions were conducive to serious icing probability when operating in a gliding flight profile.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The flight instructor’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach while operating in atmospheric conditions that were conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

Per the AOPA Carburetor Ice Probability Chart, the relative humidity was about 60 percent and there was serious icing probability when operating in a gliding flight profile.

Mark Oberman: Aviation company founder to receive honor

Channel Islands Aviation founder and owner Mark Oberman, of Camarillo, has been recognized with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the Federal Aviation Administration’s most prestigious award for certified pilots.

The honor goes to U.S. citizens “who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft,” according to the FAA. To be eligible, pilots must be a citizen and hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority or FAA pilot certificate, and have 50 or more years of civil and/or military flying experience. Awardees have their name, city and state added to the “Roll of Honor,” which is published on the FAA’s website.

Oberman graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural and engineering and started his career working at McDonnell Douglas in Marina del Rey as an associate engineer scientist working on rockets, many of which were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. Oberman decided to combine his career and flying hobby and launched his own company, Channel Islands Aviation, in 1975. He had identified the demand for charter flights to the Channel Islands when he took his first charter flight to Santa Cruz Island on Jan. 1, 1975. The following year, he and his wife, Janie, established Channel Islands Aviation at the Camarillo Airport.

“When I first soloed in 1966, I had no idea I would still be active in private and commercial aviation in 2017 and still enjoying it,” Oberman said. “I mostly fly out to the Channel Islands. There are six islands with airports or air strips, and we go into all of them. It’s some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.”

Oberman will receive his award at the 2017 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Fly-In set for April 28 and 29 at the Camarillo Airport.

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

Gulfstream American Corp AA-5A, N26908: Accident occurred July 07, 2016 near Cheyenne Regional Airport (KCYS), Laramie County, Wyoming

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

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

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

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


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


Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N26908

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA256
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 07, 2016 in Cheyenne, WY
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/20/2017
Aircraft: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN CORP AA 5, registration: N26908
Injuries: 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 flight instructor and student pilot were departing on an instructional cross-country flight when, just after takeoff, the airplane encountered wind and turbulence. The instructor had difficulty maintaining altitude and elected to perform an off-airport precautionary landing, during which the right wing sustained substantial damage. A weather study revealed conditions conducive to low-level wind shear and turbulence at the accident site at the time of the accident. Although the instructor had received an abbreviated weather briefing before departure, the briefing did not advise of the potential for low-level wind shear. It is likely that the encounter with wind shear during departure made it difficult for the airplane to maintain altitude.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The airplane’s encounter with low-level wind shear during takeoff, which resulted in an off-airport landing.

On July 7, 2016, about 1155 mountain daylight time, a Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A airplane, N26908, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after departing Cheyenne Regional Airport/Jerry Olson Field (KCYS), Cheyenne, Wyoming. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Eppley Airfield (KOMA), Omaha, Nebraska.

The flight instructor stated that the takeoff was normal; however, at the departure end of the runway, between 300 and 400 feet above the ground, "the wind started blowing from all directions" and he had difficulty maintaining control of the airplane. The flight instructor had difficulty maintaining altitude and elected to land the airplane on the road next to a school. During the landing roll, the flight instructor maneuvered the airplane to avoid hitting construction workers directly ahead of him. The right wing hit a construction sign and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine at the time of the accident.

A weather study was conducted by a meteorologist with the National Transportation Safety Board. The National Weather Service charts depicted a low pressure system over southeast Wyoming and a mid-level trough just west of the accident site. Winds at the 700-hPa level were westerly around 10 knots, whereas winds at the 500-hPa level increased to 60 knots. There were no AIRMETs, SIGMETs, or center weather advisories valid for the accident site at the time of the accident. One PIREP in the area reported moderate "chop" between 6,500 feet and 8,500 feet mean sea level. The terminal aerodrome forecast valid at the time of the accident forecast winds from 300° at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots.

Cheyenne Regional Airport had the closest official weather station to the accident site, 2 miles south-southeast of the accident location. The observation taken at 1153 reported wind 090° at 9 knots, and clear skies. The observation taken at 1208, after the accident, reported wind from 090° at 7 knots. The closest non-official surface observation site (5 miles west of the accident site) reported wind from 274° with gusts to 19 knots at 1215. Weather service radar depicted a dry-line boundary at the accident site, at the time of the accident. Wind speed and direction changed with altitude associated with this dry-line boundary and would have had a corresponding increase in low-level turbulence and low-level wind shear.

A search of official weather briefing sources revealed that the flight instructor contacted Lockheed Martin Flight Service at 0853 on the morning of the accident and received an abbreviated briefing for the flight from Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Cheyenne, Wyoming. There was no record of the flight instructor receiving or retrieving any additional weather information before the accident flight.


NTSB Identification: CEN16LA256
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 07, 2016 in Cheyenne, WY
Aircraft: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN CORP AA 5A, registration: N26908
Injuries: 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 7, 2016, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A airplane, N26908, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after departing Cheyenne Regional Airport/Jerry Olson Field (KCYS), Cheyenne, Wyoming. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and it is unknown if a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Eppley Airfield (KOMA), Omaha, Nebraska.

The flight instructor reported that after takeoff the airplane encountered very windy conditions and he was unable to control the airplane. The airplane was unable to climb out and the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a road. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid a collision with a construction crew on the road. The right wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a construction sign.


Cheyenne, Wyo. - A plane that crashed near Central High School on Thursday (7/7/16) was being piloted by 16 year-old Isaiah Cooper.

Cooper was not hurt in the hard landing; he was on a quest to become the youngest African American to pilot an airplane around the continental United States of America. His crash comes just moments after we spoke to him about his flight.

Immediately following takeoff, he encountered extreme wind shear in what is called a microburst. Recognizing this adverse weather phenomena, Isaiah executed emergency procedures flawlessly, avoided obstacles, and landed on a nearby street. During ground rollout, the plane struck a street sign and sustained damage. No people were injured, and no property was damaged in this landing.






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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

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

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

Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N26908




NTSB Identification: CEN16LA256
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 07, 2016 in Cheyenne, WY
Aircraft: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN CORP AA 5, registration: N26908
Injuries: 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.

On July 7, 2016, about 1155 mountain daylight time, a Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A airplane, N26908, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after departing Cheyenne Regional Airport/Jerry Olson Field (KCYS), Cheyenne, Wyoming. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Eppley Airfield (KOMA), Omaha, Nebraska.

The flight instructor stated that the takeoff was normal; however, at the departure end of the runway, between 300 and 400 feet above the ground, "the wind started blowing from all directions" and he had difficulty maintaining control of the airplane. The flight instructor had difficulty maintaining altitude and elected to land the airplane on the road next to a school. During the landing roll, the flight instructor maneuvered the airplane to avoid hitting construction workers directly ahead of him. The right wing hit a construction sign and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine at the time of the accident.

A weather study was conducted by a meteorologist with the National Transportation Safety Board. The National Weather Service charts depicted a low pressure system over southeast Wyoming and a mid-level trough just west of the accident site. Winds at the 700-hPa level were westerly around 10 knots, whereas winds at the 500-hPa level increased to 60 knots. There were no AIRMETs, SIGMETs, or center weather advisories valid for the accident site at the time of the accident. One PIREP in the area reported moderate "chop" between 6,500 feet and 8,500 feet mean sea level. The terminal aerodrome forecast valid at the time of the accident forecast winds from 300° at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots.

Cheyenne Regional Airport had the closest official weather station to the accident site, 2 miles south-southeast of the accident location. The observation taken at 1153 reported wind 090° at 9 knots, and clear skies. The observation taken at 1208, after the accident, reported wind from 090° at 7 knots. The closest non-official surface observation site (5 miles west of the accident site) reported wind from 274° with gusts to 19 knots at 1215. Weather service radar depicted a dry-line boundary at the accident site, at the time of the accident. Wind speed and direction changed with altitude associated with this dry-line boundary and would have had a corresponding increase in low-level turbulence and low-level wind shear.

A search of official weather briefing sources revealed that the flight instructor contacted Lockheed Martin Flight Service at 0853 on the morning of the accident and received an abbreviated briefing for the flight from Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Cheyenne, Wyoming. There was no record of the flight instructor receiving or retrieving any additional weather information before the accident flight.




NTSB Identification: CEN16LA256
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, July 07, 2016 in Cheyenne, WY
Aircraft: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN CORP AA 5A, registration: N26908
Injuries: 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 7, 2016, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A airplane, N26908, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after departing Cheyenne Regional Airport/Jerry Olson Field (KCYS), Cheyenne, Wyoming. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and it is unknown if a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Eppley Airfield (KOMA), Omaha, Nebraska.

The flight instructor reported that after takeoff the airplane encountered very windy conditions and he was unable to control the airplane. The airplane was unable to climb out and the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a road. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid a collision with a construction crew on the road. The right wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a construction sign.

Clinton Municipal Airport (KCWI), Iowa: Flight Lessons May Be on Horizon




CLINTON — The Clinton Municipal Airport continues to be a crucial factor in the economic development in the Gateway area.

The airport serves as the landing spot for executives of many of the region’s top companies and corporations, but it is also the hub for site selectors of potential future industries – something that area economic development specialists are always keeping an eye out for.

“That’s really what I think is the most important use for the airport,” Airport Manager Mike Nass said. “We support a lot of businesses, and we support the economic development. Industries will have site selectors come here to look at sites, and we have executives coming in. A lot of the larger industries, but also supporting industries, the smaller companies are here frequently as well.”

Normal days at the airport can feature aircraft of all sizes stopping in for fuel, maintenance, or perhaps even just a break and a cup of coffee. The airport’s activity and usage numbers vary from year to year, along with its fuel sales. Though fuel sales are slightly lower this year than last year, it’s not worrisome to Nass. Economic uncertainty in recent months, Nass says, limited some companies’ air travel.

Airport officials are always looking to generate more revenue, and that can be as simple as persuading a group that might normally land in the Quad-Cities to go a bit further north and stop in Clinton, a scenario which has recently happened.

Nass has also looked into hosting pilot training and flight instructing sessions after receiving some community interest as of late.

“We’ve been getting a lot of inquiries lately from people who are wanting to learn to fly,” Nass said. “The closest place right now is Davenport, so that’s something we want to do to improve is offering flight instructing and add that to the list of services that we offer.”

Nass said last summer’s Fly Iowa event at the airport may have sparked an interest in the community when it comes to learning how to fly. With a little more research, the possibility of offering those services will become more of a realization for Nass and his staff.

“It’ll just take a little more homework to get that done, but it’s certainly something that we’re looking into,” Nass said.

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

At 75, A World War II Legend Gets A Full Makeover

Richard Issacks was a B-52 pilot in Vietnam and then flew for American Airlines. Here, he works on a cushion.



By Noah Adams



A legendary airplane that helped America win World War II is being reborn at age 75. The B-17 bomber "Memphis Belle" flew 25 missions against Nazi Germany and then came home to help sell war bonds and raise spirits.

In recent years, the Belle has been undergoing a patient and precise restoration at the National Museum of the Air Force Museum near Dayton, Ohio. I went to see the work in progress and talk with some of the many technicians and volunteers.

The restoration hangar is a vast, bright workspace, where the four-engine Flying Fortress has been stripped down to its bare aluminum. After eight years work the plane is still to be painted.

This is the actual aircraft that I have watched in a documentary from 1944. William Wyler, the Academy Award winning director, went to an Army Air Force base in England, and he and his team could take their cameras on the bombing runs — riding with the pilots, the gunners, the bombardier, navigator.




The plane was built in the summer of 1942 by Boeing in Seattle, and flew from Bangor, Maine, by way of Scotland, then on to an Army Force Base in England. A 10-man crew was put together, the youngest was 19. Captain Robert Morgan, the pilot, named the plane after his girlfriend.

They started flying missions in November 1942, dropping bombs on targets in France, Belgium and across into Germany: aircraft factories, munitions plants and submarine bases. Once, the Belle went out with 27 other planes, and six failed to return.

For the men flying mission from England, the Army Air Force had set a goal: "Fly 25 missions and we'll send you home." The Memphis Belle crew accomplished that and then flew back across the Atlantic to celebrate.

They landed at 31 American cities, cheered by big crowds at war bond rallies.

The plane went on display in Tennessee, honored and protected for many years, neglected for many others. And in 2005 it was sent by truckloads to the Air Force Museum outside Dayton.

Restoration has been underway, helped now by extra film from the Wyler wartime documentary. Lead Curator Jeff Duford is able to watch on his computer screen more than 11 hours of Technicolor outtakes. "I can't think of any other event or restoration where we have this much color footage," he says. "It was as if somebody knew that we would need this. And one of those cameramen, Harold Tannenbaum, was killed flying on a photo mission."

Steve Markman, a retired aerospace engineer, is one of many skilled volunteers donating their time and experience to help the museum's aircraft mechanics. On his bench one day, a Norden bombsight: "Top secret during World War II," he says. "It's got about 70 years worth of dust on it." He's using some alcohol and scrubbing pads and a toothbrush to very gently remove that grime.

The Memphis Belle, fully restored (although not for actual flight) is scheduled to go on display May 17, 2018. That date marks the planes 25th successful mission back in 1943.

But there's still lots of work left. The restoration team estimates they still have 12,000 hours of work ahead.

Original article and audio:  http://www.wbur.org

Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer, N8130D: Accident occurred July 02, 2016 in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia



Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;   Harrisonburg, Virginia 

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N8130D

NTSB Identification: ERA16CA239
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 02, 2016 in Harrisonburg, VA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/10/2017
Aircraft: PIPER PA 22-160, registration: N8130D
Injuries: 1 Serious, 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/owner of the single-engine, tailwheel-equipped airplane was attempting to depart from a private turf runway. During the takeoff, a wind gust contacted the airplane from the left side, and the airplane veered to the right. The airplane's right wing and propeller then struck a fence post. The pilot tried to fly the airplane back to the runway, but it impacted terrain and slid into a tree. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The recorded weather at an airport located about 15 miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a left quartering headwind at 9 knots.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.





          


Cessna 152, N4916B: Accident occurred April 14, 2019 at Bangor International Airport (KBGR), Penobscot County, Maine and Accident occurred July 01, 2016 at Augusta State Airport (KAUG), Kennebec County, Maine

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N4916B

Location: Bangor, ME
Accident Number: GAA19CA213
Date & Time: 04/14/2019, 1700 EDT
Registration: N4916B
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard, bounced, and he decided to continue the landing. He added that during the second touchdown, the airplane landed hard again, and the nose landing gear separated. The airplane came to rest on the runway.

The pilot reported that he should have performed a go around instead of attempting to land the second time.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

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

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 28, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/14/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/13/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 80 hours (Total, this make and model), 56 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N4916B
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15283704
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1700 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-235 SERIES
Registered Owner: University Flying Club
Rated Power:
Operator: University Flying Club
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBGR, 192 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 144°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 10000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Rockland, ME (RKD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Bangor, ME (BGR)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1630 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class C

Airport Information

Airport: BANGOR INTL (BGR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 192 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 11440 ft / 200 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.808056, -68.829444 (est)



BANGOR, Maine - A plane made a crash landing at Bangor International Airport Sunday evening.

Airport officials said the small aircraft crashed on a runway a little after five p.m. 

Aimee Thibodeau, the airport's marketing and business development manager, said no one was hurt.

As part of standard protocol, that part of the runway was shut down while the plane was removed. 

The plane's propeller was damaged and more damage could be seen under the nose of the plane. 

The Federal Aviation Administration will be looking into what caused the aircraft to crash.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.foxbangor.com

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

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

Location: Augusta, ME
Accident Number: ERA16CA303
Date & Time: 07/01/2016, 1300 EDT
Registration: N4916B
Aircraft: CESSNA 152G
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis 

The pilot was taking his private pilot checkride and was demonstrating a short-field landing. During the landing, the wind was gusting, and he decided to go around. During the go-around, the left wing dropped and struck the runway. The designated pilot examiner (DPE) took control of the airplane and completed the go-around. He then returned control of the airplane to the pilot, and the pilot then performed another short-field landing with a full stop. After the full-stop landing, he taxied to the fixed-base operator (FBO) at the airport, and he and the DPE exited the airplane and went into the FBO to complete the paperwork for the check ride. After the DPE had completed the paperwork, the pilot returned to the airplane intending to fly back to his home airport. During his preflight inspection, he noticed that the wing was damaged. Examination of the wing revealed that both wing spars were substantially damaged.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to compensate for the gusting wind conditions during a short-field landing and the designated pilot examiner's delayed remedial action, which resulted in the wing tip contacting the runway during the go-around. 

Findings

Aircraft
Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Gusts - Response/compensation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR go-around
Loss of control in flight
Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 28, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/12/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/01/2016
Flight Time:  99 hours (Total, all aircraft), 98 hours (Total, this make and model), 26 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Check Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/10/2016
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:  05/27/2015
Flight Time:  16000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4000 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N4916B
Model/Series: 152G
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 15283704
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/04/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1676 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 13498.5 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235-L2C
Registered Owner: UNIVERSITY FLYING CLUB
Rated Power: 110 hp
Operator: UNIVERSITY FLYING CLUB
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: AUG, 360 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1253 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 178°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 14 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Augusta, ME (AUG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Augusta, ME (AUG)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1200 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: AUGUSTA STATE (AUG)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 351 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5001 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.320556, -69.797222 (est)