Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 150F, N7990F; fatal accident occurred August 28, 2018 at Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, Shasta County, California

N7990F, Front Left View

Left Wing View

Left Side Fuselage View

Empennage View

Right Side fuselage View

Right Wing View


Right Front View


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

Additional Participating Entities:  

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

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/N7990F 


Location: Redding, CA
Accident Number: WPR18FA244
Date & Time: 08/29/2018, 1100 PDT
Registration: N7990F
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 29, 2018, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N7990F, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, California. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.

Multiple witnesses saw the airplane during the initial climb shortly after its takeoff from runway 33; several stated that their attention was drawn to the airplane due to its abnormal engine sound. Many of the statements provided by witnesses were consistent in describing the airplane's nose-high attitude and slow airspeed before it turned left and descended to ground contact. One witness, a mechanic, stated that the engine was "misfiring" during the initial climb; the airplane stalled, and the left wing dropped "aggressively." 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 71, 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 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/27/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/19/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 195 hours (Total, all aircraft), 161.4 hours (Total, this make and model), 136.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 0.8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

The 71-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land issued on September 21, 2017. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 27, 2017, with a limitation stating, "must have available glasses for near vision." At the time of his medical examination, he reported 110 total hours of flight experience. About 5.5 hours were logged in the previous 6 months; .8 hour in the previous 90 days and 0 hour in the previous 60 days. The pilot logged a total of 14.7 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot's most recent flight review took place on September 19, 2017.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7990F
Model/Series: 150 F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15064090
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1601 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-200 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane was manufactured in 1966 and purchased by the pilot on December 20, 2017. The airplane was equipped with a Continental O-200A engine, serial number 63876-6-A, and a two-blade, fixed-pitch propeller.

A review of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed that the most recent annual inspection was completed on October 20, 2017, at an airframe total time of 4,814.54 hours. The engine was last overhauled on August 7, 1998, at a tachometer time of 4,304.11 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 27.39 hours since the most recent annual inspection, and the engine had accumulated 537.82 hours since major overhaul. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RDD, 739 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 127°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Redding, CA (O85)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Redding, CA (O85)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1055 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

At 1053, the automated weather observation station at Redding Municipal Airport (RDD), Redding, California, about 7.5 miles southeast of the accident site, reported wind from 150° at 4 knots, clear sky, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 25°C, dew point 13°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury. Using the reported weather conditions and field elevation, the calculated density altitude about the time of the accident was about 2,343 ft.

Airport Information

Airport: Benton Field Airport (O85)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 723 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2420 ft / 75 ft
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: 40.578056, -122.409722 (est) 

The airplane came to rest upright on a magnetic heading about 125° on a generally level, wooded area of private property about 500 ft northwest of the runway 33 centerline and 680 ft from the departure end of the runway. The wreckage was contained in an approximate 30-square-ft area. All major components of the airplane were found at the site. The first point of impact was about 20 ft above the ground on a tree about 7 ft to the left and behind the wreckage.

The fuselage displayed damage from underneath the engine nacelle extending upward and aft. The fuselage was buckled and fractured open just aft of the main landing gear. The wings displayed four concave dents in which traces of tree bark were embedded, consistent with tree impact. A portion of the left wing, about 15 inches from the wing tip inboard, was separated near a large concave dent on the leading edge. The left wing and cabin ceiling separated from the fuselage and was displaced forward about 15°. The right wing separated from the fuselage, was displaced forward about 5°, and came to rest against a tree near the wing root. The main landing gear remained intact and attached to the fuselage. The nose landing gear was displaced aft.

The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft propeller flange. The spinner was crushed aft around the propeller. One blade displayed moderate aft bending along with leading edge gouging and chordwise striations along the blade face; the other displayed minor aft bending, some leading edge gouging, and few striations along the blade face.

The fuel selector was found in the ON position. About 2 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing tank and 6 gallons were drained from the right wing tank. The fuel tested negative for water. The last fuel receipt discovered was dated August 15, 2018, for 17.0 gallons.

Flight control continuity was established from all flight control surfaces to the cabin flight controls. The flap selector was found in the down position, the flap actuator was at 3.25 inches, consistent with the flaps being between 10° to 20°. The flaps were extended about 20°. Elevator trim continuity was established and was found 1.44 inches, consistent with a neutral setting. The engine was examined at the accident site.

The engine remained attached to the firewall. The rear of the engine was pushed up towards the pilot's glare shield. The engine sustained impact damage, which had fractured the intake manifold allowing the carburetor to separate. The mixture control arm and the throttle control arm moved freely throughout their full range. The carburetor bowl was removed to examine the floats. The float bowls were brass in appearance and moved through their full travel. The floats displayed hydraulic damage. The airframe fuel strainer was damaged and there was no presence of fuel. No contaminations were found on the carburetor fuel finger strainer. The accelerator pump functioned normally. A blue fluid with the appearance and smell of aviation gasoline was found in the carburetor bowl. This fluid tested negative for water and was free of debris. The upper spark plugs were removed at the scene and appeared undamaged. Spark plugs number 1, 2, and 3 appeared dark in color and dry. Sparkplug number 4, appeared darker in color and wet. Thumb compression was obtained on all four cylinders. All rocker arms moved freely when the engine was rotated. The carburetor had a red Precision Airmotive Corporation data tag riveted to it. The data tag displayed the following information: Model: MA-35PA, Part No.: 10-4894, Serial Number: 3E-0-231 or BE-0-231. The vacuum pump had separated but remained attached via hoses. The oil filter was examined, and the filtering medium exhibited no foreign or metal material.

On November 26, 2018, the engine was further examined at Continental Motors, Mobile, AL. During this examination the engine could be rotated freely by turning the propeller mounting flange. All cylinders appeared intact without damage. The lower spark plugs were removed. Spark plugs number 1, 2, and 3 appeared dark in color, dry and undamaged. Spark plug number 4, appeared darker in color and wet. Various shields and non-system items were removed. The starter motor appeared normal. The oil filter attachment bracket had a mounting tab broken. The other tab was cracked. Deposits were found trapped in the oil screen but estimated to be less than 10% blockage. The oil pump attachment bolts did not have safety wire but appeared to retain their torque. The oil pump gears appeared normal. The engine was verified to be timed correctly at 24°. The left magneto, Left, S/N: A58836, was test run and verified to function correctly. The right magneto, S/N: A58837, was test run and verified to function correctly. The generator appeared normal. The exhaust mufflers appeared normal. The intake manifold was broken at the carburetor mount, otherwise it appeared normal. Cylinders 1, 3, and 4 were standard nitrated steel cylinders. Cylinder 2 had been channel-chrome plated. All cylinders, valves, valve lifter bodies, connecting rods, rod end bearings, wrist pins, cam, and cam bearing surfaces exhibited normal wear patterns. All pistons exhibited normal wear patterns with light to medium combustion deposits on all four piston domes. The pistons were a standard bore size. The number 2 intake and number 3 exhaust valve lifter faces exhibited spalling where the cam lobes meet the lifter face. The number 2 intake and number 3 exhaust guides were pitting at the point where the cam lobes meet the guide. The crank case and bearing surfaces exhibited normal wear patterns.

Medical And Pathological Information

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the Shasta County Sheriff-Coroner, Redding, California. The cause of death was blunt trauma.

Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified Tamsulosin in blood and in urine, Delta-9-THC in blood (cavity) and urine, Carboxy-Delta-9-THC in blood (cavity) and urine, and 11-Hydroxy-Delta-9-THC in urine.

Tamsulosin is an a1a-selective alpha blocker used in the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is not generally considered impairing.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) has mood-altering effects, including euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, disorientation, image distortion, and psychosis. In addition, THC is lipophilic and stored in liver and lung for long periods after smoking. The cavity blood taken from the chest was in close proximity to the liver and lung, and postmortem levels may therefore be significantly elevated compared with antemortem levels.

Additional Information

The Cessna 150 Owner's Manual stated that normal and obstacle clearance takeoffs should be performed with flaps retracted. A flap extension setting of 10° would shorten the airplane's ground roll during takeoff by about 10% but reduces the climb to a 50-ft obstacle.

The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B), Chapter 8, Approaches and Landings, stated:

Flap extension has a definite effect on the airplane's pitch behavior. The increased camber from flap deflection produces lift primarily on the rear portion of the wing. This produces a nose-down pitching moment; however, the change in tail loads from the downwash deflected by the flaps over the horizontal tail has a significant influence on the pitching moment. Consequently, pitch behavior depends on the design features of the particular airplane.


Flap deflection of up to 15° primarily produces lift with minimal drag… Flap deflection beyond 15° produces a large increase in drag. Also, deflection beyond 15° produces a significant nose-up pitching moment in high-wing airplanes because the resulting downwash increases the airflow over the horizontal tail.

===========

Location: Redding, CA
Accident Number: WPR18FA244
Date & Time: 08/28/2018, 1100 PDT
Registration: N7990F
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 28, 2018, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N7990F, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, California. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

Multiple witnesses located near the accident site reported that after takeoff, the airplane appeared to be slow and continued to pitch upward before it rolled to the left and descended toward the ground in a nose low attitude.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted generally flat terrain about 700 ft northwest of the departure end runway 33. The wreckage was contained within a 20 foot area of the initial impact point (IIP). The IIP was identified by a tree strike about 20 ft above the ground near the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest upright on a magnetic heading of about 130°. All major structural components were located at the accident site.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7990F
Model/Series: 150 F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
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: RDD, 739 ft msl
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Redding, CA (O85)
Destination: Redding, CA (O85)

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: 40.578056, -122.409722 (est)

Richard Joseph Engel and Frodo





The pilot who was killed in a plane crash Wednesday near Benton Airpark in Redding was identified Thursday by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office as Richard Joseph Engel, 71, of Shingletown.

Engel, along with his dog, were killed when his two-seat Cessna 150 crashed shortly after taking off from the airport shortly after 11 a.m.

It crashed in a ravine-like backyard of a home off Highland Avenue across Placer Street from the airport after hitting an unknown number of trees.

Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna and Continental Motors were on scene at the crash site Thursday to inspect the wreckage as they began work to try to discover what caused the crash.

Fabian Salazar, an air safety investigator with the NTSB, said the aircraft was to be removed Thursday and then transported by commercial truck to a facility in Arizona where it will undergo a thorough inspection.

A preliminary report will be issued in about seven to 10 days, but it could about a year to determine what actually caused the crash, he said.

He said the investigation will generally focus on the pilot's performance and background, as well as the mechanical condition of the plane's engine and maintenance.

While inspectors extensively went over the rumpled aircraft Thursday, Salazar said it was not obvious what might have caused it to crash.

He noted that eyewitnesses reported hearing a sputtering sound coming from the plane before it crash and asked those who might has seen the crash to contact the NTSB at eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov.

"Witnesses can help," Salazar said.

Salazar, who noted that NTSB investigates about 1,400 aviation crashes a year, said he and air safety investigator Debra Eckrote arrived in Redding Wednesday night from Federal Way, Washington to begin the probe into the wreck.

And, he said, it's quite common nowadays for pilots to fly with their pets.

"It's not unusual at all," he said.

The aircraft, which remained at the scene overnight on Wednesday, was secured by Redding Police until a private security company took over the job.

And Salazar said he was very impressed how the first-responders were able to protect the aircraft and crash site.

"They did just a fabulous job helping us out," he said.

https://www.redding.com







A man and his dog were killed late Wednesday morning when his aircraft crashed in a canyon just north of Benton Airpark in Redding.

The fatal crash forced a closure of Placer Street near the scene until late that afternoon as emergency personnel arrived to secure the area and remove the man's body.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were called to investigate the tragic crash, but they are not expected to arrive until Thursday, said Redding Airports Manager Bryant Garrett.

Garrettt said witnesses reported the plane, a Cessna 150, had taken off into the wind in a northbound direction when they heard an unusual sound coming from its engine.

Those witnesses said the pilot apparently pulled up the nose of the aircraft and it stalled and crashed.

But, Garrett said, it's remains unclear what exactly went wrong..

He and others he had spoken to about the crash said it was the first they could recall in years there.

Garrett had not heard whether the pilot radioed a distress call before the wreck.

The small, single-engine plane went down in a gully just north of the airfield shortly after 11 a.m., narrowly missing a home off Highland Avenue, which intersects with Placer Street.

Forty-year-old Nathaniel Pritchard, who lives at that house with its owners and their two 11-year-old children, said he heard the crash and went outside to investigate.

After seeing the wreckage, Pritchard said he, as well as other neighbors, ran to the plane to try to assist those inside, but it was too late.

The pilot, who has not yet been identified, was unconscious and not moving, he said, adding he also saw the body of a small dog inside the plane.

The plane apparently clipped a tree before it crashed and came to rest against another tree and near a children's trampoline.

But, Pritchard said, the sound of the plane crash did not initially frighten him.

"It sounded a little bit like a car crash, really quick, or something falling from the back of a truck," he said. "It didn't sound very alarming."

Chris Thrift, 51, and Calvin Johansen, 63, who both live on the north side of Placer Street across from the crash site, said they also thought it was a car crash at first.

"It almost sounded like a gigantic tin can being crushed," Johansen said.

But, they said, they also heard a "sputtering" sound before the plane went down, leading them to believe the pilot may have experienced engine problems.

"I heard a putter, putter and then a boom," Johansen said.

"It sounded like the engine went out," Thrift said.

Placer Road was shut down as a result of the crash, but it was fully reopened around 4 p.m.


Story and video  ➤  https://www.redding.com





REDDING, Calif. — Update at 12:40 p.m.:

Placer Street is closed down to one lane for both east and westbound traffic near the Benton Airpark. Drivers should expect traffic control and delays. The closure is expected to remain in effect for about three hours.

Original Article:

Redding Fire has confirmed at least one person is dead after a plane crashed in a field near Benton Airpark.

SHASCOM dispatchers say they got the report of the crash at 11:18 a.m.

First responders say the plane crashed in the field on the north side of Placer Street across from the runway.

Placer Street is closed to westbound traffic at Airpark Drive. Eastbound traffic is being permitted to pass through. 

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

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