Thursday, March 22, 2018

Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Rans S-16 Shekari, N741WT; fatal accident occurred March 21, 2018 in Pierce County, Nebraska

Ground Scarring with Main Wreckage

Left Side of Main Wreckage 

Airspeed Indicator 

Left Side Pilot Seat Frame 



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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania

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/N741WT 


Location: Pierce, NE
Accident Number: CEN18FA126
Date & Time: 03/21/2018, 1845 CDT
Registration: N741WT
Aircraft: RANS INC S-16 SHEKARI
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 21, 2018, about 1845 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Rans S-16 Shekari airplane, N741WT, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain about ¼ mile from the approach end of runway 11 at a private airstrip near Pierce, Nebraska. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight; no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Norfolk Regional Airport/Karl Stefan Memorial Field (OFK), Norfolk, Nebraska, and was returning to the private airstrip, which was owned by the pilot, when the accident occurred.

A surveillance video from OFK showed that the airplane arrived at the fuel pump area about 1730 and that the pilot obtained fuel for his airplane. The OFK manager stated that the pilot purchased 16.5 gallons of 100 low-lead (100 LL) fuel. The surveillance video then showed that the pilot walked around the airplane from the left wing to the empennage and then the right wing. He then walked in the opposite direction and entered the airplane from the left side of the canopy. About 1740, the pilot closed the canopy. About 1741, the propeller began to rotate. About 1742, the airplane departed the fuel pump area and exited the camera's view.

A witness stated that she was outside of her home about 1845 when she heard the accident airplane and was waiting for the airplane to fly over her house as the pilot had done during past flights. She stated that she "knows the sound of the engine" and heard the engine "quit," "run again," and "then quit."

Another witness stated that he heard but did not see the accident airplane. He also stated that the engine noise "just stopped" and that "it was like the motor just died off." 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 69, 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: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/06/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/17/2015
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 42 hours (Total, this make and model) 

No record showed that the accident pilot completed a flight review in the 24 months before the accident, as required by 14 CFR 61.56.

On September 6, 2017, on his application for his medical certificate, the pilot reported 2,000 hours total flight experience, of which 50 hours were in the 6 months.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RANS INC
Registration: N741WT
Model/Series: S-16 SHEKARI
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 1299018
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/19/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 66 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 207.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320-A2B
Registered Owner: Pilot
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: Pilot
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The previous airplane owner built the airplane, completing the build on February 5, 2007. The pilot purchased the airplane from the previous owner and applied for the aircraft registration on June 30, 2017. The registration was accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on September 19, 2017.

Aircraft logbook entries showed that the airplane's two previous condition inspections before the accident were dated October 22, 2013, at a Hobbs time of 38.6 hours and a tachometer time of 27 hours, and May 19, 2017, at a Hobbs time of 41.1 hours and a tachometer time of 28.5 hours. An aircraft logbook entry stated to add a tachometer time of 112.8 hours for the airplane's total time.

The airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system (nor was it required to be), and the airspeed indicator and electronic flight instrument system (on the Dynon FlightDEK-D180 display) did not have any markings to indicate the stall speeds for the airplane. 

According to the airplane builder, the airplane had a stall speed of about 45 mph, and he would not fly the airplane below 50 mph. He stated that he would maintain a speed of about 63 mph when the airplane crossed the runway numbers and that he landed the airplane only on hard-surface runways that were at least 2,500 ft in length.

The Rans S-16 Shekari Specifications and Performance document indicated that, at sea level conditions and the airplane's maximum gross weight, the stall speeds with no flaps and with flaps were 62 and 58 mph, respectively, and the landing roll on hard-surface runways was 525 ft. The Rans S-16 Shekari Specifications and Performance document also stated the airplane was equipped with two 16-gallon fuel tanks.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OFK, 1573 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1856 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 153°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 130°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Norfolk, NE (OFK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pierce, NE (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Private (PVT)
Runway Surface Type: Dirt; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1621 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Standing Water; Soft; Wet
Runway Used: 11
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2365 ft / 70 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: 

The private airstrip was located at the pilot's residence and was where the pilot stored the airplane. The airstrip had one turf runway, 11/29, that was about 2,365 ft long and 70 ft wide. The elevation at the approach end of runway 11 was about 1,641 ft mean sea level (msl). From about 935 ft down the runway to the end of the runway, areas of standing water and mud, estimated to be upward of ½ inch deep, were present; thus, runway 11 would have had a usable length of about 935 ft. The elevation about 935 ft down the runway was 1,631 feet. 

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: 42.238611, -97.597222 (est) 

The airplane impacted a field that was about ¼ mile from the extended centerline of runway 11 at an elevation of about 1,609 ft msl. The airplane was upright and oriented on a tail-to-nose heading of about 330°. The airplane canopy was attached and closed. Ground scarring extended from about 42 ft behind the airplane tail along a heading that was similar to that of the airplane. From about the 42-ft point to about 26 ft behind the airplane tail, there were three parallel linear marks in the ground in the direction of the airplane, consistent with impressions from the main and nose landing gear wheels. These three marks were followed by a mud- and water-filled hole that was about 1 ft deep. The edge of the hole nearest to the airplane tail contained a propeller blade. The landing gear marks, the location and depth of the hole, and the propeller blade location were consistent with a nose-low impact attitude. The bottom nose cowling and nose landing gear were crushed upward into the engine.

The two-blade wood propeller was broken off at the blade roots and separated through in areas along the span of the propellers. The propeller hub was securely attached to the engine crankshaft propeller hub flange.

Flight control continuity was confirmed from the control surfaces to both cockpit control sticks and rudder pedals. The cockpit control sticks were undamaged. The wing flaps were extended to 40°, and the cockpit flap control handle was in the 40° flap extended position. The cockpit elevator trim position indicator was about mid-travel along the jackscrew traversed by the indicator.

The master switch and electrical auxiliary fuel pump switches were in the ON position before they were turned off by first responders. Both magnetos were in the ON position. The electric auxiliary fuel pump was removed and connected to a car battery, and air was drawn into and expelled from the pump. No mechanical anomalies were found.

The cockpit throttle control was about ½ inch forward of its aft stop position. The mixture control was about ½ inch from the forward stop. The carburetor heat cockpit control was at the OFF position. Throttle and mixture control continuity to the engine was confirmed.

The fuel tank filler cap was in place and secure. The fuel tank filler cap was removed at the accident site, and the fuel tanks were found to be about 7/8 full with a liquid consistent in smell and color with 100 LL fuel. The fuel tank comprised of two tanks, left and right, that were oriented laterally with a bottom interconnect between them. Neither tank was deformed and/or collapsed, and the ¼-inch fuel tank vent line was unobstructed. Upon recovery of the airplane, fuel drained out of the fuel tank. (The left and right tank interconnect had broken open, which caused the fuel to drain during the recovery of the airplane.) Both tanks were cut open and swabbed along the bottom with water-sensing paste. The swabbing showed no indication of water. Both tanks contained dark-colored debris consistent in appearance with dirt/sediment. Both feed lines had in-line valves that were in the ON position and were connected to the single main fuel supply line. All the fuel lines from the fuel tanks to the engine were attached and intact.

The gascolator was about ¼ full of a liquid consistent with 100 LL fuel. This liquid was tested with water-sensing paste, and no indication of water was found. The bottom of the gascolator bowl had debris that was estimated to be less than 1% of bowl volume and was similar in appearance to the debris in the left and right sides of the fuel tank. The gascolator screen was unobstructed.

The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-A2B engine, serial number L-12206-27. The top spark plugs were removed, and the engine was rotated by hand through the attached propeller. During the rotation, a spark was obtained from each ignition harness lead. Air was expelled out of and drawn into each top spark plug hole, and compression was felt through the top spark plug holes during the rotation. The intake and exhaust valves opened and closed sequentially. Ignition timing was checked with a timing light that confirmed that the timing was in accordance with the engine manufacturer's specifications. The spark plugs displayed features of normal engine operation.

The engine-driven fuel pump was removed from the engine, and about 15 mL of liquid consistent with 100 LL fuel was drained from the inlet and exit ports. The drained liquid was tested with water-sensing paste, and no indication of water was found. When the pump actuating arm was actuated using hand pressure, air was drawn into the inlet and expelled from the outlet, and actuation of the diaphragm was heard. The pump was disassembled, and the pump and diaphragm did not display any mechanical or material anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and there was no debris.

The airplane was equipped with a Precision Airmotive Corporation model MA-4SPA carburetor, serial number BL-18-7306. The carburetor float chamber was broken off, and the brass-colored float was attached to a piece of the chamber housing by the carburetor float arm. The throttle control cable was attached to the carburetor throttle control arm, which was attached to a piece of the carburetor housing. The float was crushed inward and did not exhibit any holes and contain fluid. The carburetor fuel screen was removed, and it contained debris consistent with that of the debris in the gascolator and the left and right sides of the fuel tank. The debris on the fuel screen covered less than 5% of the screen with the remainder of the screen unobstructed. 

Medical And Pathological Information

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Pathology Medical Services of Siouxland, Sioux City, Iowa. The pilot's cause of death was "multiple acute blunt force traumatic injuries.". The autopsy identified that the pilot had severe coronary artery disease.

Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified carvedilol and chlorthalidone (blood pressure medications) in the pilot's blood and urine specimens and losartan (a blood pressure medication) and atorvastatin (a cholesterol medication) in his urine specimens. None of these medications are considered to be impairing. The pilot's blood specimens were negative for ethanol and carbon monoxide. 

Tests And Research

The Dynon FlightDEK-D180 display was sent to the NTSB's Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for the download of nonvolatile memory data. The download showed the following:

About 48 seconds before the last recorded data, the airspeed was 60 knots (69 mph), the engine speed was 987 rpm, and the manifold pressure was 9.43 inches of mercury.

About 38 seconds before the last recorded data: the airspeed was 35.5 knots (41 mph), the engine speed was 1,117 rpm, and the manifold pressure was 12.2 inches of mercury.

About 30 seconds before the last recorded data, the airspeed was 49.3 knots (57 mph), the engine speed was 1,815 rpm, and the manifold pressure was 22.4 inches of mercury.

The last three recorded data points occurred over a period of 20 seconds and indicated an airspeed of 0 knots at a pressure altitude between 1,623 and 1,625 ft msl. 

Location: Pierce, ND
Accident Number: CEN18FA126
Date & Time: 03/21/2018, 1845 CDT
Registration: N741WT
Aircraft: NANNARONE RANS S-16 SHEKARI S-16 SHEKARI
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 21, 2018, about 1845 central daylight time, a Nannarone Rans Inc S-16 Shekari, N741WT, impacted terrain about ¼ mile from the approach end of runway 11 at a private airstrip, owned by the pilot, near Pierce, Nebraska. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Norfolk Regional Airport/Karl Stefan Memorial Field, Norfolk, Nebraska, after obtaining fuel, and was returning to the private airstrip. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: NANNARONE RANS S-16 SHEKARI
Registration: N741WT
Model/Series: S-16 SHEKARI
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: Pilot
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OFK, 1573 ft msl
Observation Time: 1856 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots, 130°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Norfolk, NE (OFK)
Destination: Pierce, ND

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:  42.238611, 97.597222


Jim A. Fritz
(March 1, 1949 - March 21, 2018) 

Funeral services for James A. Fritz age 69 of Osmond will be held at 10:30 Wednesday, March 28th at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Osmond with burial in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM. Tuesday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rosary at 7 PM. Military Honors will be conducted by the Osmond American Legion and VFW. Jim Fritz passed away March 21, 2018.


Read more here ➤ http://www.ashburnfh.com



PIERCE COUNTY, NE (NCN) -

Update:

A crash of a small airplane in Pierce County, Nebraska last evening took the life of the pilot.

Now unfortunately for the Fritz family, this isn't the first time that they've had to deal with this type of situation

The plane crash site is on the East side of Highway 12, and across the street on the West side, is the home of the Fritz family where they are grieving for the second time for this kind of accident.

Shortly after 6:15 p.m. Wednesday night, a 2-person plane carrying pilot, 69-year-old James Fritz crashed into a field.

Back in 2001, Fritz's son, 23 year old Brian J. Fritz was also killed in an airplane crash near Columbus, Nebraska. 

The plane clipped a power line and crashed into the Loup River.

Authorities say the aircraft was engulfed in flames on impact.

Pierce County Sheriff Rick Eberhardt, explains that James Fritz's crash, was all too similar Wednesday night- to his son's nearly 18 years later.

"Between the hours of 6:30 and 7:45 there was a single-engine, experimental airplane crash 5 miles northwest of Pierce," said Pierce County Sheriff Rick Eberhardt. "And after law enforcement responded, the pilot was found deceased."

An autopsy will be performed to see how 69-Year-Old James Fritz died, and the investigation is on-going. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash.

Previous Story:

Authorities responded to a plane crash in rural Pierce County Wednesday night. The Pierce County Sheriff Rick Eberhardt said 69-year-old James Fritz of rural Pierce County died in the crash. 

A Pierce County 911 dispatcher received a call at 7:45 p.m. five miles northwest of Pierce near the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 121 of a plane crash.

Sheriff Eberhardt said emergency responders arrived scene and found a two seat single engine plane with the pilot, Fritz deceased. 

Authorities believe the crash occurred sometime after 6:15 p.m.

Officials from the Nebraska State Patrol, Pierce Fire and Rescue and Pierce Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. 


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




OSMOND — Residents here are mourning the death Wednesday night of one of its quiet community stalwarts.

Jim Fritz, the owner of Big John Manufacturing in Osmond, died in connection with a plane crash, said Rick Eberhardt, Pierce County sheriff.

“He was heavily involved in the community in a quiet way. He never sought the center stage,” said James Bessmer, Osmond’s mayor.

Big John Manufacturing is one of Osmond’s leading employers and is well-known across the nation and in parts of the world for its long list of agricultural-related products it researches, manufactures and sells.

At the age of 69, Fritz remained extensively involved with Big John operations along with his wife, Candy, and their son, Daniel, a company representative said Thursday morning.

The company has been supplying its agricultural customers with quality products for more than 40 years. Big John has strived to maintain its leadership role in sprayers, ag electronics, detassling equipment and custom manufacturing, the company’s website indicates. The companies, which has about 15 employees, markets its products in 48 states and several foreign countries.

Eberhardt said the plane crash is believed to have occurred about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Highways 13 and 122 in Pierce County, which is where Fritz lives. A longtime pilot, he had a private landing strip near his residence.

Eberhardt said a 911 call about a plane crash was received at about 7:45 p.m.

He said on Thursday  morning that the Federal Aviation Administration has arrived and is in the process of inspecting the plane and removing it.

The sheriff's department, Pierce Police Department and Pierce fire and rescue were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, Eberhardt said a two-seat, single-engine plane was located and the lone male occupant of the plane was found to be dead.

An autopsy is being conducted, and representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash scene.

Services for Fritz were pending Thursday morning with Ashburn Funeral Home of Osmond.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://norfolkdailynews.com

OSMOND — Services for James A. Fritz, 69, Osmond, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Osmond. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Osmond American Legion and VFW.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a 7 p.m. rosary.

He died Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

1949-2018

James A. Fritz was born March 1, 1949, in Elgin, to William R. Fritz and Eva M. (Gregor) Fritz. He grew up in Elgin, graduating in 1967 from St. Boniface High School. After high school, he entered the U.S. Army, serving from 1968 to 1970 at Fort Hood, Texas, and in Vietnam.

Following his time in the Army, he worked for various places before enrolling at Wayne State College. There, he met Candy Baumann from Battle Creek, Iowa. The two were married on Nov. 18, 1972, in Denison, Iowa. Two sons were born to this union, Brian James (BJ) in 1977 and Daniel William in 1987.

They eventually moved to Columbus, where Jim worked with his brother, Bill, at Middle State Manufacturing. They lived there for almost 10 years before purchasing Big John Manufacturing and moving to Osmond in 1981.

Jim was avid about his business and airplanes. In 2011, they finally realized a dream of building a house in the country, where Jim could keep his planes and have his own runway.

Jim is survived by Candy, his spouse of 45 years; a son, Daniel of Osmond; two grandsons, Michael, 7, and Alex, 5, of Omaha; a brother, George (Bonnie) of Norfolk; a sister, Alice Stodola of Norfolk; a sister, Sister Mary Eva of Omaha; a brother, Joe (Loreen) of O’Neill; a brother, Don (Nadine) of Fort Benton, Mont.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brian James; a brother, William Jr. and a brother, Francis.

Jim and BJ are finally together again, flying in heaven.

1 comment:

  1. No fire and the plane held up quite well, kind of surprised with the fatality. Wonder if something happened prior to the crash landing in the field.

    Either way, talk about bad luck for this family.

    ReplyDelete