Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota
Lycoming; 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
http://registry.faa.gov/N251WT
Location: Sauk Centre, MN
Accident Number: CEN18FA083
Date & Time: 01/23/2018, 1530 CST
Registration: N251WT
Aircraft: SKWIRA MATTHEW J W-10 TAILWIND
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event:Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On January 23, 2018, about 1530 central standard time, an experimental, amateur-built W-10 Tailwind airplane, N251WT, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Sauk Centre Municipal Airport (D39), Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was privately owned and was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Cambridge Municipal Airport (CBG), Cambridge, Minnesota, about 1415.
According to witness statements, fuel records, and the pilot's cell phone records, the pilot fueled the airplane with about 7 gallons of fuel and departed D39 about 1200. The pilot landed at Princeton Municipal Airport (PNM), Princeton, Minnesota, about 1244 and departed about 1324. The pilot then landed at CBG about 1341 before departing about 1415. After landing at D39 about 1515, the pilot brought the airplane to a full stop on runway 32, taxied back to the end of the runway, and subsequently departed.
The approximate total flight time from when the pilot originally departed from D39 at 1200, to the time of the accident, was 2 hours 16 minutes, and the total distance flown was about 155 miles. There were no recorded radio communications from the pilot or radar information associated with the airplane. When the pilot did not return as expected, family members contacted authorities and an ALNOT was issued. The airplane wreckage was located about 0820 the next morning about 2.7 statute miles south of D39. The search was assisted by the Air Force Forensic Cellular Team.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:Yes
Medical Certification: BasicMed None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/28/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 306 hours (Total, all aircraft), 19 hours (Total, this make and model), 19 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
The pilot held a private pilot certificate. According to pilot logbook information provided by family members, his total flight experience was about 306 hours. No flight time was logged between July 2012 and September 2017; 24 hours were logged between September 2017 and the accident. The pilot's most recent flight review was completed on September 7, 2017. His first flight in the accident airplane was on October 25, 2017, and he had logged about 18 hours in the airplane before the accident. The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman medical certificate but reported that he had completed the requirements for operation under BasicMed on August 28, 2017.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: SKWIRA MATTHEW J
Registration: N251WT
Model/Series: W-10 TAILWIND NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 1
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/20/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1425 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 23 Hours
Engines:1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320B1A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
The airplane, a Wittman Tailwind, was constructed of a steel tube fuselage and wooden wing structure covered with fabric. The airplane was built by the pilot and received its special airworthiness certificate from the FAA on September 20, 2017. According to FAA documents, no defects were noted during the initial airworthiness certification/inspection. The airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-320-B1A engine equipped with a wooden propeller. According to the engine manufacturer's operating manual, the engine consumed about 10 gallons of fuel per hour. Friends of the pilot stated that the pilot usually kept his fuel tank topped off. The fuel tank capacity of the airplane was 32 total gallons.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: D39, 1242 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1535 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -3°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Cambridge, MN (CBG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sauk Centre, MN (D39)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1415 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
The reported weather at D39 about the time of the accident included clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and wind from 350° at 3 knots.
Airport Information
Airport: Sauk Municipal (D39)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1242 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Ice
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach:None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 45.659722, -94.930278
The accident site was located in a large plowed field. The left side of the cabin structure had been moved by first responders. There was no evidence of a postcrash fire and there was no odor of fuel at the site. There was no evidence in the surrounding area of impact with any obstructions prior to ground impact. Signatures at the site indicated that the airplane impacted the ground in an approximate 45° nose-down, wings-level attitude. The cockpit and front structure of the cabin were mostly destroyed by impact forces. The leading edges of both wings were destroyed. The empennage was bent slightly forward and crumpled along its longitudinal length. The fuel tank and fuel lines were compromised. One propeller blade was visible and was relatively undamaged. The second propeller blade was found shattered underneath the engine. The right elevator was found separated from the elevator control system and moved freely. The left elevator was in the full down position and could not be moved.
The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand and drivetrain continuity was established from the propeller to the gearbox. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders. The spark plugs exhibited normal wear patterns. The left and right magnetos were removed but could not be tested due to impact damage. The oil sump was found broken; the engine exhaust and intake pipes were crushed up and aft. The crankshaft flange was deformed, and the starter ring was broken. The oil cooler was crushed aft. The throttle and mixture cables were broken due to impact damage. The carburetor was impact damaged and could not be tested. The fuel lines were compromised by impact damage. No mechanical anomalies were found during the engine examination.
Access panels and fabric were removed to facilitate a detailed flight control examination. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all control surfaces, except the connection to the right elevator control horn. The control horn was found fractured adjacent to a weld joint. The left elevator was connected and appeared undamaged. Examination of the right elevator tubular frame revealed fractures consistent with overstress. Similar overstress fractures were found on the left elevator tubular frame. The overstress fractures were consistent with impact forces. The right elevator skin adjacent to its attachment hinges showed marks consistent with overtravel. The attachment hinges for the left elevator revealed evidence of overtravel in the downward direction. The overstress fractures and overtravel marks were consistent with impact forces. No other anomalies were found during the airframe examination.
Medical And Pathological Information
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office, St. Paul, Minnesota, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death was blunt trauma. Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified no tested-for drugs, ethanol, or carbon monoxide.
Accident Number: CEN18FA083
Date & Time: 01/23/2018, 1530 CST
Registration: N251WT
Aircraft: SKWIRA MATTHEW J W-10 TAILWIND
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On January 23, 2018, about 1530 central standard time, a Whitman Tailwind experimental homebuilt airplane, N251WT, registered to the pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain about 2.7 miles south of the Sauk Centre Municipal Airport (D39), Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight was being operated under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from D39 about 1200.
After an ALNOT was issued, the airplane was located about 0820 on January 24, 2018. The ground search was assisted by the Air Force Forensic Cellular Team. The wreckage was located at grid coordinates North 45.659722 West 94.930278, about 2.7 miles south of the Sauk Centre airport.
On January 25, 2018, The NTSB arrived at the accident site and examined the wreckage. The site was a large plowed field with no obstructions. Signatures at the site showed that the airplane impacted the ground approximately 45-degrees nose down. The cockpit and front structure of the cabin were mostly destroyed by impact forces. Both wings' leading edges were destroyed. The empennage was bent slightly forward and crumpled along its longitudinal length. There were no signs of rolling at impact and it appeared that the wings were level at the time of impact. One propeller blade was visible and was relatively undamaged. The second propeller blade was found shattered underneath the engine. The right elevator was found disconnected to the elevator control system and moved freely. The left elevator was locked in the full down position and was not able to be moved. The right elevator damaged portions were removed at the site and preserved for further examination.
The left side of the cabin structure had been moved by first responders for retrieval of the pilot. There was no evidence of a post-crash fire and the smell of fuel was not present. There was no evidence in the surrounding area of impact with any obstructions prior to ground impact.
The wreckage was recovered late on January 25th and transported to a secure facility in Lakeville, Minnesota, for more detailed examinations of the airframe and engine.
On January 26, 2018, the NTSB IIC examined the aircraft at Wentworth Aviation in Lakeville, Minnesota. Access panels and fabric were removed to facilitate a detailed flight control examination. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all control surfaces, except the connection to the right elevator control horn. The control horn was found fractured at the accident site. The fracture was adjacent to a weld joint. The left elevator was connected and appeared undamaged. Also, the right elevator shows damage at the upper and lower hinge points. The left elevator did not show damage to the hinge points.
No other anomalies were found during the airframe and engine examinations.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: SKWIRA MATTHEW J
Registration: N251WT
Model/Series: W-10 TAILWIND NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: D39, 1242 ft msl
Observation Time: 1535 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -3°C / -9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 350°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Sauk Centre, MN (D39)
Destination: Sauk Centre, MN (D39)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 45.659722, 94.930278
Matthew James Skwira
Services celebrating the life of Matthew James Skwira, age 50 of Rice, will be 11:00 AM, Monday at the Community Church in Holdingford, burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Little Falls. Matt died from injuries in a plane accident on Tuesday. There will be a visitation from 2:00-6:00 PM, Sunday, and again after 10:00 AM Monday, at the church in Holdingford. Arrangements are being made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes.
Matt was born October 2, 1967 in St. Cloud to James and Alice (Brinkmann) Skwira. He lived his entire life in the Holdingford area, with the exception of his time in the U.S. Marine Corps. He married Charlotte "Char" Spiczka on April 26, 1997 in Sauk Rapids. The couple owned Duckwood Prefinishing and Painting in Rice and Matt worked for Talon Innovations in Sauk Rapids. He was a man of many hobbies and talents. He was a man of great patriotism. Matt took much pride in our country and was a man who stood up for what he believed was fair and honest; he would not be swayed. He loved to debate and spent many hours studying his interests. He loved the outdoors, whether he was picking mushrooms, hunting, or fishing. He enjoyed his time on the school board where he fought for what was right for the kids, even if it wasn't popular He had an avid love of flying and he even built his own plane from scratch. He was an experienced pilot with over 10 years of flying. Matt was a member of the Stearns County Community Corrections Advisory Board, and the Bowlus Legion. He served on the Holdingford School Board for over 8 years and he is an alumni of the Holdingford FFA.
Matt is survived by his wife, Char, Rice; his children, Haley (fiancé Matthew Friese) Skwira, Phoenix, AZ and Gerald Skwira, Rice. He is also survived by his mother, Alice Skwira, Holdingford; his brother, Peter (Catherine) Skwira, Gilman and his sister, Donna (Tom) Check, Wisilla, AK, and his flying buddy, Ryan Eiden, Albany.
He is preceded in death by his father, and Char's parents, Rosemary and Paul Spiczka.
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. -- A 50-year-old pilot was found dead after his single-engine experimental aircraft was discovered Wednesday morning, Jan. 24, after the plane was reported missing on Tuesday, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities later Wednesday identified the pilot as Matthew James Skwira, of Rice.
Authorities were notified about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday that the aircraft hadn’t returned to the Sauk Centre Airport, where the pilot was to practice take-offs and landings, the sheriff’s office said. The plane was last seen around 3:30 p.m.
The sheriff’s office and Sauk Centre police began a search of the area with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration and cellular telephone carriers to try to pinpoint the aircraft’s location. Poor weather deterred an aerial search of the area, the sheriff’s office said.
With information from the FAA, Sauk Centre firefighters assisted in a ground search and located the aircraft around 8:25 a.m. Wednesday.
The FAA is conducting a crash investigation.
Sauk Centre is about 25 miles southeast of Alexandria along Interstate 94.
Original article ➤ https://www.duluthnewstribune.com
The pilot of an experimental plane was killed when the aircraft he was flying went down sometime Tuesday afternoon near Sauk Centre.
According to a release from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, the single-engine plane was located Wednesday morning after a ground search. The pilot has been identified as 50-year-old Matthew James Skwira, of Rice.
The sheriff's office says authorities were notified about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday that the Skwira had not returned after spending time at the Sauk Centre Airport during the afternoon. The release says he had planned to practice takeoffs and landings.
After attempts to reach the pilot were unsuccessful, Sauk Centre police and the sheriff's office began a search of the area, with help from the Federal Aviation Administration and cellular carriers, in an attempt to pinpoint the aircraft.
It said poor weather Tuesday night prevented an aerial search.
A ground search resumed Wednesday morning based on information from the FAA, and the plane's wreckage was found about 8:25 a.m. by Sauk Centre fire personnel about six miles south of the airport.
The FAA is investigating. The plane is expected to stay in the field until investigators wrap up their work at the site.
Those who know Skwira say he spent months practicing takeoffs and landings in an experimental plane he built himself.
Story and video ➤ http://kstp.com
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