Sunday, January 14, 2018

Aviat A-1B Husky, N337AM: Accident occurred October 22, 2017 at Williamsport Regional Airport (KIPT), Montoursville, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Harrisburg, 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 
 
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N337AM

Analysis

The pilot of the tundra-tired, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown, he saw that the left emergency brake was partially engaged. He added that the left wheel was locked and that the airplane exited the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the right landing gear collapsed, and the right wing tip struck the ground.

He added that, before the previous takeoff from a grass airstrip, he had performed his preflight checklist, which was normal. But, "upon reflection," he realized that he had changed his normal routine by shutting down the engine, setting the parking brakes, and exiting the airplane after completing the checklist. After re-entering the airplane, he only did a "visual left to right flow check." He then pressed and released the brakes and applied power holding the left rudder and brake down to turn the airplane in the direction of the departure and then departed after a "very short ground roll downhill."

He further added that, by immediately turning left during the takeoff roll, he "may not have released enough pressure on the parking brake to turn it completely off." He believed that, due to the combination of the large smooth tire, wet grass, and downslope hill, he was unable to determine that the emergency parking brake was engaged.

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

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to verify that the parking brake was disengaged before landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Findings

Aircraft
Master cylinder/brake valve - Unintentional use/operation (Cause)

Personnel issues
Task monitoring/vigilance - Pilot (Cause)
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Forgotten action/omission - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Loss of control on ground
Landing gear collapse
Dragged wing/rotor/float/other

Location: Williamsport, PA
Accident Number: GAA18CA022
Date & Time: 10/22/2017, 0929 EDT
Registration: N337AM
Aircraft: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A1
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot of the tundra tire, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing touchdown, he discovered that the left emergency brake was partially engaged. He added that, the left wheel was locked and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the right landing gear collapsed and the right wingtip struck the ground.

He added that, before the previous takeoff, from a grass airstrip, he had performed his preflight checklist, which was normal. But, "upon reflection", he realized that he had changed his normal routine by shutting down the engine, setting the parking brakes and exiting the airplane after completing the checklist. After re-entering the airplane, he only did a "visual left to right flow check". He then, pressed and released the brakes and applied power holding the left rudder and brake down to turn the airplane in the direction of the departure, and departed after a "very short ground roll downhill".

He further added, that by taking an immediate turn to the left, during the takeoff roll, he "may not have released enough pressure on the parking brake to turn it completely off." He believed that, due to the combination of the large smooth tire, wet grass and downslope hill he was unable to determine that the emergency parking brake was engaged.

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

The pilot did report that the left parking brake did not disengage. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 56, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/26/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3264 hours (Total, all aircraft), 610 hours (Total, this make and model), 3264 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 64 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 18.5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC
Registration: N337AM
Model/Series: A1 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2337
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/18/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1295 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A1P
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIPT, 525 ft msl
Observation Time: 1254 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 59°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 300 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 7°C
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 30.39 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV): 
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Reedsville, PA
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Williamsport, PA (IPT)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0857 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: WILLIAMSPORT RGNL (IPT)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 528 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6825 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.239167, -76.930556 (est)

No comments:

Post a Comment