Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, registered to and operated by 1st Avenue Malibu Services LLC, N148ME: Accident occurred May 29, 2018 near Ernest A. Love Field (KPRC), Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Prescott, Arizona

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/N148ME

Location: Prescott, AZ
Accident Number: GAA18CA312
Date & Time: 05/29/2018, 2115 MST
Registration: N148ME
Aircraft: PIPER PA 46
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot, about 15 minutes prior to reaching the destination airport during descent, the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine power was momentarily restored, but the engine stopped producing power, even though he thought it "was still running all the way to impact."

The pilot force landed on a highway at night, and the right wing struck an object and separated from the airplane. The airplane came to rest inverted.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) that performed the post-accident airplane examination, the fuel lines to the fuel manifold were dry, and the fuel manifold valves were dry. He reported that the fuel strainer, the diaphragm, and the fuel filter in the duel manifold were unremarkable. Fuel was found in the gascolator.

The FAA Inspector reported that during his interview with the pilot, "the pilot changed his story from fuel exhaustion, to fuel contamination." The Inspector reported that there were no signs of fuel contamination during the examination of the airplane's fuel system.

According to the fixed base operator at the departure airport, the pilot requested 20 gallons of fuel. He then canceled his fuel request and walked out of the FBO.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Private
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/05/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/27/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3 hours (Total, this make and model), 2000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 60 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N148ME
Model/Series: PA 46
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1986
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 46-8608009
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4118 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520
Registered Owner: 1ST AVENUE MALIBU SERVICES LLC
Rated Power: 0 hp
Operator: 1ST AVENUE MALIBU SERVICES LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPRC, 5052 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0453 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 341°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SANTA ANA, CA (SNA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: PRESCOTT, AZ (PRC)
Type of Clearance: IFR; VFR; VFR on top
Departure Time: 1940 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Ernest A Love Field (PRC)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Concrete
Airport Elevation: 5045 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.340556, -112.294167 (est)



The pilot of a small plane, knowing that he was running out of fuel, couldn’t quite make it to Prescott's Ernest A. Love Airport. So, he attempted a landing on Iron Springs Road. 

"He was either a rockstar or really, really lucky," said John Stonecipher, CEO of Guidance Aviation. Stonecipher, who lives near Iron Springs Road, came to see the accident site. 

Tom Juliani, General Manager of Legend Aviation and the Chairman of the Airport Advisory Commission, agreed. "It was a good landing. There’s an old adage, 'Any landing you walk away from, is a good landing."

As the plane landed, it didn’t damage any buildings, hit any cars or injure anyone on the ground. By the time the Prescott Fire Department arrived (and they were on their way already) the pilot and two occupants were out of the plane and walking along the sidewalk. 

Tom Juliani, General Manager of Legend Aviation and the Chairman of the Airport Advisory Commission, agreed. "It was a good landing. There’s an old adage, 'Any landing you walk away from, is a good landing."

As the plane landed, it didn’t damage any buildings, hit any cars or injure anyone on the ground. By the time the Prescott Fire Department arrived (and they were on their way already) the pilot and two occupants were out of the plane and walking along the sidewalk. 

Prescott Police Department issued the following statement from Deputy Chief of Police Amy Bonney:

On May 29, 2018 at approximately 9:12 PM the FAA at the Prescott airport contacted the Prescott Police Department regarding an inbound passenger plane, which was possibly running low on fuel and reporting the potential of an emergency landing.  Initial indications were that the pilot might attempt a landing in the area of State Route 89 and State Route 69. However, a short time later, the plane made an emergency landing near the 1500 block or Iron Springs Road. 

Responding personnel located a small Malibu Piper single nose-prop aircraft, which had in fact landed, in the middle of Iron Springs Road. The plane was carrying three individuals bound for Prescott from the Los Angeles area and the pilot indicated the plane had run out of fuel forcing the landing. It appears the plane may have struck a light pole in the area, causing the wing to shear off and the plane to roll onto its roof.

The pilot and the two passengers were transported to YRMC, West campus for non-life threatening injuries. Their current condition is unknown.

As the plane was landing, a vehicle stopped in the roadway and was rear-ended by another vehicle. No one sustained injury during that related crash.

The road way was closed for a period of time during the investigation, but is expected to be open before morning.

The investigation is ongoing and further efforts will be coordinated through the Prescott Airport Operations Team in conjunction with the FAA. 

Original article ➤ https://www.prescottenews.com











PRESCOTT, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - A plane bound for Prescott from the Los Angeles area was forced to make an emergency landing after it ran out of fuel late Tuesday night, according to the Prescott Police Department.

The FAA and Prescott Police Department were notified about an incoming passenger plane that was low on fuel and reported the potential of an emergency landing around 9:12 p.m.

The pilot initially indicated that they might attempt to land the plane in the area of State Route 89 and State Route 69, said police. However, the plane made an emergency landing near 1500 Iron Springs Road in Prescott.

The small Malibu Piper single nose-prop aircraft landed in the middle of the road and was carrying three individuals, said police. The pilot told police that the plane had run out of fuel, forcing the landing.

During the landing, police said it appears the plane may have struck a light pole in the area, shearing the wing off and causing the plane to roll onto its roof.

The pilot and two passengers were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Their current condition is unknown, said police.

While the plane was landing, police said a vehicle stopped in the roadway and was rear-ended by another vehicle. No injuries were sustained during that crash, however.

The roadway is expected to be closed for a period of time during the investigation but is expected to reopen before morning.

The investigation into the emergency plane landing is ongoing and will be coordinated through the Prescott Airport Operations Team in conjunction with the FAA, said police.

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




An aircraft that ran out of fuel crashed and flipped on Iron Springs Road as it attempted to make an emergency landing Tuesday night.

According to Prescott Airport officials, three passengers on board the plane survived the crash with minor injuries. The two males and one female were taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott to be evaluated.

The report of the crash came in at 9:12 p.m.

The 6-seater, Piper Malibu aircraft originated out of John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, with Prescott listed as its destination.

“We understand that the pilot contacted the tower with a low fuel emergency request,” said Robin Sobotta, director of Prescott Airport. “They were approved to proceed to Prescott for an emergency landing but they did not make it.”

The plane was attempting to land west to east on Iron Springs Road in the 1500 block, crashing about 100 yards west of the Iron Springs Cafe when its right wing clipped a light pole and flipped the aircraft.

“It was a remarkable landing considering the extreme circumstances, landing at night on a road that has some curves to it,” Sobotta said. “We are very, very relieved that the outcome was no major injuries and no fatalities.

“We also are very fortunate that, at this time of the evening, traffic was limited on the roadway,” Sobotta said.

Besides the light pole, no buildings or structures were damaged in the crash.

Two cars were involved in a rear-end accident after the plane hit the ground. Police believe the distraction of the wreckage and emergency vehicle lights may have played a role in the car crash, said Officer Matt Medina with the Prescott Police Department.

A tow company was called to transport the aircraft to the Prescott Airport where it will be reviewed by investigators. It was expected that the wreckage would be cleared and roads reopened by midnight.

“I’d like to acknowledge the Prescott police and fire department personnel for the way they quickly responded and secured the scene so that no additional injuries or accidents occurred,” Sobotta said. The City of Prescott Airport Department also responded to the crash.

The names of the pilot and passengers are not being released at this time.

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