Sunday, September 09, 2018

Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 335, N2707J; fatal accident occurred September 09, 2018 near Palm Beach County Park Airport (KLNA), Lake Worth, Florida

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

Additional Participating Entities:

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

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


https://registry.faa.gov/N2707J

Location: Lake Worth, FL
Accident Number: ERA18FA244
Date & Time: 09/09/2018, 1037 EDT
Registration: N2707J
Aircraft: Cessna 335
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 9, 2018, at 1037 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 335, N2707J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Lake Worth, Florida. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane had departed Key West International Airport (EYW), about 0936. A review of data recorded by the on-board engine monitor and the primary flight display revealed that, when the airplane was about 9 miles southwest of Palm Beach County Airpark (LNA), descending through an altitude of about 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl) at an airspeed of about 170 knots, the engine exhaust gas temperature (EGT) values for all cylinders on the left engine decreased to below 300°F, consistent with a total loss of engine power. About 2 minutes later, the values all increased to between 900°F and 1,100°F, where they remained for about 2 minutes. The EGT values then rose briefly to about 1,350°F before decreasing again to below 300°F, consistent with a second total loss of engine power. This second loss of engine power occurred as the airplane was on a left downwind leg abeam the runway 16 threshold at LNA, at an altitude of about 1,000 ft msl and an airspeed of about 110 knots. The right engine EGT values remained relatively constant about 1,300°F until the last 30 seconds of data, when they increased to about 1,400°F. The airplane maintained its heading and altitude for about 20 seconds after the loss of engine power before it entered left descending 180° turn. During this turn, the bank angle varied between 0 and 30°. About 5 seconds before the end of the recorded data, the airspeed decreased to about 73 knots, the bank angle increased and the airplane rolled inverted as its pitch increased to 76° nose down.

Several witnesses reported that while the airplane was on approach to runway 16 at LNA, it rolled back and forth, became inverted, then descended to the ground in a spiral and spin.

Pilot Information

Certificate: None
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
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: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  1779 hours (Total, all aircraft), 157 hours (Total, this make and model) 

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot did not possess a valid medical or airman certificate. He had previously held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land; however, his certificate was revoked in 1997. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on June 30, 2014, and had expired for all classes in June 2016.

The pilot had owned the airplane since 2011. He received dual instruction in the accident airplane in 2011 and 2012, including one flight annotated in his logbook as "emergency procedures engine outs" in June 2011, and another annotated as "engine out procedures" in May 2012. In the 3 years preceding the accident, he logged 8.2 (2016), 6.4 (2017), and 1.8 (2018) hours in the accident airplane. There were no records of a flight review in his most recent logbook, which dated back to January 1997.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2707J
Model/Series: 335 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 335-0023
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/23/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5990 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3242 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520EB
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:300 hp 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane total time at the time of the accident could not be determined.

Recent Maintenance

Other than periodic inspections and oil changes, the most recent maintenance entry in the left engine logbook was recorded on September 3, 2014, noting the replacement of cylinder Nos. 1, 3, and 5. The airplane had accrued about 73 hours between this maintenance and the last annual inspection.

Other than periodic inspections and oil changes, the most recent maintenance entry for the right engine (found in the airframe logbook) was performed on June 21, 2018, noting the replacement of cylinder No. 3. That entry was made by the accident pilot, who was not a certificated mechanic. The airplane had accrued about 8 hours between this maintenance and the last annual inspection.

Fuel Information

The airplane was equipped with two main fuel tanks located in the wingtips (each with a capacity of 50 usable gallons), two auxiliary fuel tanks located in the wings (each with a capacity of 31.5 usable gallons), and one wing locker tank installed in the forward portion of the left engine baggage compartment (capacity 20 usable gallons). According to the airplane operating manual, the main tanks were to be used for takeoff, landing, descent, emergency, and the first 90 minutes of flight. The auxiliary tanks were to be used during level cruise flight only. The left wing locker tank did not supply fuel directly to either engine; instead, fuel could be transferred from the wing locker tank to the left main tip tank via an electric transfer pump using a switch in the cockpit. The engine fuel selector valve positions were off, main, auxiliary, and cross-feed.

The airplane was serviced with 50 gallons of fuel on September 5 at LNA, with an order to top off the main fuel tanks. The airplane flew from LNA to EYW uneventfully on September 6; the flight was about 62 minutes. The airplane was fueled with 47 gallons on September 9 at EYW, with an order to top off the auxiliary tanks. The accident flight was about 65 minutes long.

Fuel burn calculations estimated that the total fuel used on the accident flight was about 41 gallons.

Speed Limitations

According to the airplane operating manual, the minimum control speed, noted as "…the minimum flight speed at which the airplane is controllable with one engine inoperative and a 5° bank toward the operative engine," was 83 knots.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LNA, 14 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1055 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 5°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2400 ft agl
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None /
Wind Direction: 280°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Key West, FL (EYW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Lake Worth, FL (LNA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0936 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Palm Beach County Park (LNA)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation:14 ft 
Runway Surface Condition:Dry 
Runway Used: 16
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3421 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 26.608889, -80.083333 

The airplane impacted trees and terrain in a park about 1 mile north of LNA. The main wreckage came to rest upright on a heading of about 030° magnetic. The airplane was partially consumed by a post-crash fire. The wreckage path was also oriented about 030° and was about 40 ft in length. The impact area was surrounded by trees; the only damage to branches were those directly above the main wreckage. A series of three ground scars consistent with propeller strikes were located on an asphalt jogging trail along a heading of 030°, which were aligned with and about 15 ft behind the right engine.

The wreckage sustained impact and fire damage; however, all major components of the airplane were present at the accident site. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. The center and forward fuselage, as well as a large section of the left wing outboard of the left engine, were significantly damaged by postimpact fire. The aft fuselage was partially separated at the aft bulkhead, and the empennage was intact with only minor damage to the right horizontal stabilizer leading edge. The right wing was buckled downward near the right engine, and the leading edge was consumed by fire outboard of the right engine. The split-type flaps were partially extended. The landing gear actuator was found in the extended position.

All five fuel caps were intact and secure. The main fuel tanks were separated from the wing, with no damage to the attach fitting baffle. Both auxiliary fuel tanks were significantly fire damaged and partially consumed. The left wing locker fuel tank was intact and about 15 gallons of fuel were recovered from it. The left fuel selector valve was thermally damaged and remained attached to the wing. When air was applied, the valve was confirmed to be in the main tank position. The right fuel selector valve was thermally and mechanically damaged, remained attached to the control rod only, and appeared to be in the main tank position, but this could not be confirmed with an air test. Both of the cockpit fuel selector handles were found in the auxiliary tank position, the linkages between the handles and the valves were impact and fire damaged.

Both mixture controls were found near the cutoff position. The right propeller lever was near the low pitch position. The left propeller lever was near mid-travel. The right throttle was near the full-forward position. The left throttle was near mid-travel. All throttle quadrant control levers were folded over and bent toward the left.

The right engine remained attached to the wing and was impact and thermally damaged. The propeller remained attached to the engine. All three propeller blades were bent and twisted aft and displayed chordwise scratches and leading-edge gouges.

The left engine remained attached to the wing with its cowling intact and was impact and thermally damaged. All 6 cylinders produced thumb compression when the engine was rotated by hand. Valve train, camshaft, and crankshaft continuity were confirmed. A borescope examination of each cylinder revealed no anomalies. The oil filter was opened and contained no debris. Both magnetos produced spark on all towers when rotated with an electric drill. The top sparkplugs were removed, and all appeared "normal" in color and condition when compared to a Champion Check-a-Plug chart. The engine-driven fuel pump was impact damaged near the bellows. The drive coupling was intact, the pump rotated freely, and the vanes were intact. The fuel metering unit was intact with the control cable attached. The inlet screen was unobstructed. The fuel manifold was intact and its screen was unobstructed. The manifold cavity contained a small amount of debris, which was attracted to a test magnet. The ports in the cavity were unobstructed. The propeller was separated at the propeller flange. Two blades remained attached to the propeller hub, one of which was largely undamaged. The second blade was bent slightly about 8 inches from the root and again about 24 inches from the root; the blade displayed a slight twist. The third blade was separated from the hub and was largely undamaged. Examination of the left propeller assembly at the manufacturer's facility with oversight by the FAA revealed that the blades were at the low pitch stops at the time of impact. No anomalies were found. 

Medical And Pathological Information

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the Office of the District Medical Examiner, District 15 – State of Florida; the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Examination of the heart found calcified yellow plaques and green-brown grumous plaques in the native left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary arteries, with luminal stenosis of greater than 75%, greater than 90%, and approximately 100%, respectively.

Toxicology testing performed on the pilot by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified 0.132 (µg/mL) of diphenhydramine in cavity blood. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine available over-the-counter in many products used to treat colds, allergies, and insomnia. The therapeutic range is 0.0250 to 0.1120 ug/mL. It causes sedation and can result in impaired cognitive and psychomotor performance. Diphenhydramine undergoes postmortem distribution and central levels may be 3 times higher than peripheral levels.

Additional Information

Data recovered from the on-board engine monitor included parameters for each cylinder's head temperature and exhaust gas temperature, the turbocharger inlet temperature, and battery voltage. The unit typically records additional parameters such as fuel flow, engine RPM, engine manifold pressure, and engine oil temperature and pressure. It could not be determined if these parameters were not present due to the damage to the engine monitor (it could not be downloaded using the normal procedures for an intact unit) or if they were not connected when the unit was installed. The airplane was equipped with other non-recording instruments that displayed this information to the pilot.

The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook defined minimum control speed (Vmc) as:

The minimum flight speed at which the airplane is controllable with a bank of not more than 5 [degrees] into the operating engine when one engine suddenly becomes inoperative and the remaining engine is operating at takeoff power… At low airspeed and high-power conditions, the downward moving propeller blade of each engine develops more thrust than the upward moving blade…When the right engine is operative and the left engine is inoperative, the turning force is greater… In other words, directional control is more difficult when the left engine (the critical engine) is suddenly made inoperative.

Location: Lake Worth, FL
Accident Number: ERA18FA244
Date & Time: 09/09/2018, 1037 EDT
Registration: N2707J
Aircraft: Cessna 335
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 9, 2018, about 1037 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 335, N2707J, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in John Prince Park, Lake Worth, Florida. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Key West International Airport (EYW), Key West, Florida, about 0936. The flight was destined for Palm Beach County Airpark (LNA), Lake Worth, Florida. The airplane was privately owned and operated the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot had fueled the airplane on September 5 at LNA, with an order to top off the main (wingtip) fuel tanks. He flew from LNA to EYW uneventfully on September 6.

Shortly before the accident, several witnesses reported that while the airplane was on approach to runway 16 at LNA, while in the traffic pattern near the left base leg, it rolled back and forth, became inverted, then descended to the ground in a spiral or spin.

The airplane impacted trees and terrain in a park about 1 mile north of LNA. The main wreckage came to rest upright on a heading of about 030° magnetic. The airplane was partially consumed by a post-crash fire. The wreckage path was also oriented along 030° and was about 40 feet in length. The impact area was surrounded by trees and the only damage to branches were those directly above the main wreckage. A series of three ground scars consistent with propeller strikes were located on an asphalt jogging trail along a heading of 030°, which were in line and about 15 feet behind the right engine.

Examination of the wreckage revealed that all the major components of the airplane were present at the accident site. The center and forward fuselage, as well as a large section of the left wing outboard of the left engine, were significantly damaged by postimpact fire. The aft fuselage was partially separated at the aft bulkhead, and the empennage was intact with only minor damage to right horizontal stabilizer leading edge, near its root. The right wing was buckled downward near the right engine, and the leading edge was consumed by fire outboard of the right engine. The split-type flaps were partially extended. The landing gear actuator was found in the full down/extended position. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. All control ends remained attached to their attach points except for the aileron yoke interconnect chain, which was found off the sprockets consistent with impact forces.

All five fuel caps were intact and secure. The main wingtip fuel tanks were separated from the wing, with no damage to the attach fitting baffle. Both wing auxiliary fuel tanks were significantly fire damaged and partially consumed. The left wing locker fuel tank was intact and about 15 gallons of fuel were recovered from it. The left fuel selector valve remained attached to the wing and was confirmed via an air test, to be in the main tank position. The right fuel selector valve remained attached to the control rod only and appeared to be in the main tank position, but could not be confirmed with an air test. Both of the remotely located cockpit fuel selector handles were found in the auxiliary tank position.

Both mixture controls were found near the cutoff position. The right propeller lever was near the low pitch position. The left propeller lever was near mid travel. The right throttle was near the full forward position. The left throttle was near mid travel. All throttle quadrant control levers were folded over and bent towards the left.

The right engine remained attached to the wing. The propeller remained attached to the engine. All three propeller blades were bent and twisted aft, with chordwise scratches and leading-edge gouges. The left engine remained attached to the left with its cowling intact. The propeller was separated at the propeller flange. Two blades remained attached to the propeller hub, one of which was largely undamaged. The second blade was bent slightly, approximately 8 inches from the root, and again about 24 inches from the root, with a slight twist. The third blade was separated from the hub and was largely undamaged.

A review of airplane maintenance logbooks revealed that the most recent annual inspection was performed on July 23, 2018, at an aircraft total time of 3,242 hours. The total time on the airplane at the time of the accident could not be determined. Both engines were 300 horsepower turbo-normalized six-cylinder engines driving three bladed propellers. At the time of the most recent annual inspection, both engines had accrued 1,809 hours since overhaul.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the 70-year-old pilot did not possess a valid medical or airman certificate. He had previously held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land. His most recent medical certificate was issued on June 30, 2014. According to his logbook, he had accumulated 1,779 hours of total flight experience, of which 157 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

At 1055, the reported weather at LNA included wind from 280° at 5 knots, with scattered clouds at 2,400 feet above ground level.

An electronic primary flight display and engine monitor, both of which have the capability to record flight data, were forwarded to the NTSB laboratory for examination.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2707J
Model/Series: 335 No Series
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: LNA, 14 ft msl
Observation Time: 1055 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 24°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2400 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 280°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Key West, FL (EYW)
Destination: Lake Worth, FL (LNA)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 26.608889, -80.083333

Philip and Mandy Castronova

Philip & Mandy Castronova passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

They are survived by many loving family members and friends, among them are Mandy's parents Arnold & Claudia Lane, grandmother Elizabeth Lane, 2 brothers Arnold (Shonna) E. Lane II and his children Kalee Brooke and Renna and Samuel Lane and his son Caden, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.  Philip is survived by his father Chick Castronova, 2 sons Michael Castronova and Christiano Castronova, brother Gary (Josephine) Castronova, grandson Tyler Castronova, nephew Gary Castronova Jr., and niece Stephanie Castronova.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 15 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.

https://www.glickfamilyfuneralhome.com


Mandy Castronova, 39 and Philip Castronova, 70


The FAA requires every pilot, whether he or she is flying a single engine or multi-engine plane, to have a license. But, the airports they are flying into don't have the authority to check that, according to the FAA. 

On Sunday morning, Philip Castronova, 70, and his wife Many, 39, flew out of Key West bound for Lantana. Family and friends of the couple say flying was Castronova's passion and one he did for more than 40 years, even though the FAA says he has not had an active airmen certificate since 1997. 

"When you land on the ground, somebody doesn't come up and ask to see your license," said Vincent "Jim" Costa, a pilot. 

Costa got his pilot's license in 1969 and has flown into almost every airport in the state since. He says airports don't check if you have your pilot's license. The FAA says it's because airports don't have regulatory authority. 

"It is absolutely 100 percent up to the pilot that he's keeping up with his personal certification," said Costa. 

The FAA says its inspectors can conduct random ramp checks of any pilot at any airport. 

"I've had an airplane since 1969, I've had 8 airplanes, and I've never had a ramp inspection," added Costa. 

It's rare and it's probably because of the volume of pilots and flights. The FAA says in 2016 pilots flew 7.9 million hours on personal flights in the U.S. The FAA also does not oversee aircraft inspections. Pilots are required to conduct annual inspections of their aircraft and the FAA can request that information. 

Costa said Castronova would have had an inspection logbook in his plane. The National Transportation Safety Board will not say if investigators located the logbook, but said it would be something they would look for. It could help determine the last time the plane was inspected. 

"For some reason, the plane fell out of the sky in clear weather. Those are the facts," added Costa. 

Information about the investigation's status should be available in a preliminary report in seven days. 

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





The man who died in a plane crash in Lake Worth was a private pilot whose license was revoked two decades ago by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Philip Castronova, 70, and his wife, Mandy Castronova, 39, were flying home Sunday morning from Key West when their Cessna 335 multi-engine plane crashed in a Palm Beach County park.

The couple, who lived west of Lake Worth, died in the fiery wreck among trees in John Prince Park. No one on the ground was injured after the plane fell from the sky about 10:40 a.m.

Federal investigators have not said who may have been piloting the plane.

The FAA website did not list an airman’s certificate for Mandy Castronova.

Philip Castronova’s pilot license was revoked Sept. 19, 1997. A document provided by the FAA lists the violation of a regulation pertaining to medical standards. In addition to passing skill tests as a pilot, every flyer also has to pass a medical examination and receive a certificate.

In Castronova’s case, he was accused of violating a rule that says no one may make or cause to be made a fraudulent or intentionally false statement on any application [to the FAA] for a medical certificate.

The FAA said it is researching Castronova’s pilot certification history because it appeared he did not reapply for a pilot’s certification after it was revoked in 1997. The “in-depth review” was not completed by the FAA, it said Wednesday.

His brother, Gary Castronova, of Rochester, N.Y., said Wednesday he was in South Florida making funeral arrangements with Mandy Castronova’s family.

“They were seven years married,” Gary Castronova said. “They were happy. They had a nice weekend getaway to Key West, and then something happened.”

His brother’s survivors include two adult sons, Castronova said.

“He was a good, good pilot, he flew all over the place,” he said about his brother, who took him up in the air many times.

Philip Castronova built swimming pools in Rochester, N.Y., until he retired and moved to Florida 30 years ago. Flying was a hobby, until it grew to a business of buying and selling planes, and he owned the one that he crashed in, Castronova said.

“It had to be something very tragic at the end,” Castronova said. “I heard the audio [of the last moments of the flight]. There was no panic. He sounded like he always did.”

He said like everyone else, he’s looking for answers to what happened.

“It hurts,” Castronova said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash. It will look at whoever was piloting the aircraft, the condition of the plane and maintenance, as well as the weather.

The NTSB asks any witnesses to email the board at witness@ntsb.gov or call 202-314-6290.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com


Commercial pilot Art Kamm


LANTANA, Fla. - A recording of what may have been the last communication a pilot had on an air traffic frequency before his plane crashed reveals the pilot was preparing to land at Palm Beach County Park Airport. 

The audio recording is from an air control traffic frequency pilots use communicate on at the airport in Lantana prior to landing. The broadcasts can be heard live online and can be searched for in zulu time in the archived recordings.  

On it, the pilot in a Cessna 335 with the same call sign as Castronova plane tail number says the plane is approaching to land. 

"Lantana traffic: twin Cessna zero seven Juliet out of three-thousand over the intracoastal, inbound for one six Lantana," said the pilot. 

Commercial pilot Art Kamm said that announcement means the two-engine Cessna with the last three numbers and letters of the tail number, 07J, was starting to descend to approach runway 16. 

Less than a minute later, the pilot is heard again, "Lantana traffic, twin Cessna zero seven Juliet on a downwind for one six, Lantana." 

"This gentleman flew in from Key West. He’s coming from the south, he joined what's called the downwind leg where you come in and you turn parallel to the runway you’re going to land on," said Kamm. 

Then, you hear another pilot come on the traffic frequency following the twin engine Cessna. 

"Lantana, turning downwind for runway one six, we'll follow the twin," said the pilot.  

Minutes later, the recording appears to show the Cessna is starting to turn to approach the runway.  

"Zero seven Juliet base for one six."  

"Somewhere on his base leg something happened," said Kamm after the pilot never came back on to the frequency to say he was approaching final or preparing to land. 

Kamm has been flying for 20 years and pilots a plane similar to the one in the crash. He said turning at the base to land is, in his opinion, the most dangerous part of the landing. 

"If you don’t keep enough air over your wings you lose lift and that’s called a stall," said Kamm. "It [the airplane] basically just falls out of the sky."

There's no further information from the Cessna after the announcement that it was turning at the base.
About 12 minutes later, it appears another pilot says he's ready to land, but no communication over the air traffic about a plane crashing. 

The National Transportation Safety Board will be looking into the plane, its systems, the environment, and the pilot's experience to determine what caused the crash. 


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



A man who crashed his plane at John Prince Park on Sunday was not certified to fly the aircraft, according to records provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

The pilot, Philip Castronova, was first issued a pilot’s certificate in 1977. However, records show the FAA suspended the certificate for 180 days in 1995 due to four violations. 

In 1997, Castronova certificate was revoked because of a “fraudulent” or “intentionally false” statement on an application for a medical certification. 

The Federal Aviation Administration requires all pilots to have a certificate on file to legal fly an aircraft.

Records show Castronova had no prior accidents or incidents, but they also found no evidence Castronova reapplied for a pilot certificate since it was revoked in the late 90s.

The Federal Aviation Administration told Contact 5 they are doing an in-depth review. 


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


PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla.--  Family members of the pilot and passenger killed in a plane crash in Lake Worth walked through the crash site Monday afternoon for the first time. 

"Hopefully, he didn’t suffer or anything. Hopefully it was all instant," said the pilot's stepdaughter Jamie Engers.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Philip Castronova, 70, and Mandy Castronova, 39, of Lake Worth were killed in the crash. 

Engers said her stepdad and his wife were spending a few days in the Keys. National Transportation Safety Board Investigators say the pilot took off from Key West Sunday morning and was going to land at Palm Beach County Park Airport in Lantana. 

The two-engine Cessna 335 crashed at John Prince Park just before 11 a.m. Witness cellphone videos show the aircraft caught fire shortly after impact.  

Engers said it's hard not knowing what happened. 

"He was a good guy, and he taught me a lot, and I'll forever love him cause of all of that," she added.

Family members in New York say Castronova and his wife Mandy were traveling with their two dogs.

Philip's sister-in-law said he would fly to Key West often and was an experienced pilot. Josephine Castronova said her husband, Philip's brother and Philip's oldest son flew out of New York Monday morning to go to Florida.  "I think everyone is in shock right now," said Josephine.

NTSB investigators say they do know Castronova communicated with the Key West Airport before take-off and then again with a Navy facility in South Florida, but do not know if he had any communication with the airport in Lantana before the crash. 

Investigators do believe he was trying to land and will be taking a look at the plane, its systems, the environment at the time of the crash, and pilot's experience to determine what happened. A preliminary report of the crash will be available in 10 days; the investigation may take 18 to 24 months to be complete. 

"We will gather perishable evidence from the scene and examine the plane further at a secure location," said Doug Brazy, Air Safety Investigator with NTSB. 

NTSB investigators are asking witnesses with any information to email witness@ntsb.gov or call 202-314-6290.

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










LAKE WORTH, Fla. —  The Palm Beach County Sheriff's office released the names of the people killed in a plane crash in Lake Worth.

The victims have been identified as Philip Castronova, 70, and his wife, Mandy Castronova, 39, of Lake Worth.

“My stepdad was an amazing person and I am glad that he at least passed away doing what he loved,” Jamie Engers said.

The Cessna 335 crashed inside John Prince Park around 10:30, Sunday morning. The plane took off from Key West.

“Just to see it like that in pieces, just to think what was he thinking before this happened. Was he scared? Was he calm? What was going on through his mind? To look at that, it’s like, 'jeez,'” Engers said.

“Post-crash fires are somewhat common with airplane accidents. They can be fueled by airplane fuel or the surrounding vegetation, we don’t know right now,” Doug Brazy, an NTSB Air Safety Investigator said.

Castronova’s hangar mate, and good friend, Glenn Corkins said they have flown together hundreds of times. He said Castronova was a great pilot and can’t understand what went wrong.

“He was a great guy, it is really a loss, too many trips to the Bahamas, we had a lot of fun, good family man, tragic accident,” says Corkins.

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









A fiery plane crash killed two people Sunday at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

They were Philip Castronova, 70, and Mandy Castronova, 39, of Lake Worth, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Their Cessna 335 crashed about a mile northeast of the Palm Beach County Park Airport in West Palm Beach at 10:40 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said.

It’s intended destination and who was piloting the plane was not immediately known.

No one on the ground was hurt.

Albert Borroto, a spokesman for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, said the plane was "engulfed in flames" when firefighters arrived on the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. The NTSB asks any witnesses to contact the board at witness@NTSB.gov or call 202-314-6290.

A cell phone video recording showed a dozen or more people were at the park watching the wreckage of the plane after the crash. They backed away from the crash, afraid the plane would explode. Home Park, about a mile from John Prince Park.The plane took off from Key West earlier in the day, FAA records show.

Story and video ➤ http://www.sun-sentinel.com

33 comments:

  1. So he did not have a current medical?

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  2. What I saw elsewhere on-line says his last medical was 2014, and he had no current certification. How often do pilots need media; clearance?

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  3. Medical was not current and he didn't have any valid certificates.

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  4. At his age every 2 years. Plus a BFR. Biennial flight review with a logbook endorsement by a flight instructor saying the review was accomplished. Plus currency for carring passengers. This is just 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop for night. Touch and go's are good for daytime unless a tailwheel airplane.

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  5. While it shows no certificates listed it would be interesting to see what asf-620 provides under foia ... Must be a history there of some sort.

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  6. Certificates to fly? We don't need no stinkin' certificates... Hold my martini!

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  7. Only two things on earth more dangerous than piston twins - any guesses? Let's see who has been paying attention here.

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  8. Lost his license 21 years ago, and license was also suspended in 1995?

    Dang...

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  9. He was a fraudster who bought and sold planes. Can it get any worse?

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  10. 335 is under 6000 lbs so based on BasicMed requirements in the US he would not need a medical certificate to fly the aircraft.

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  11. Women and Handguns - you would be correct!

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  12. Women are buying more handguns than men.

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  13. To: "335 is under 6000 lbs so based on BasicMed requirements in the US he would not need a medical certificate to fly the aircraft.", ..... what are you talking about? He needs a medical every 24 months to fly legally. Are you a pilot?

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  14. Uhhhh ... Ya might want to check the regs Mr. Slowtation driver ... They do change from time to time.

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  15. The SWITCH to BasicMed only applies if the airman has a current valid medical and has a valid certificate i.e is LEGAL to fly. This didn't apply to Mr. Selfish criminal above who now put the spotlight on TSA to invade small GA airports and one more thing to impede on the freedom of countless of law abiding, respectful and safe pilots.

    Just like jealousy regarding motorcyclists splitting lanes by cagers, I wouldn't be surprised if the masses traveling by commercial air travel soon will be jealous of private pilots able to get in their planes like in a car and with no security checks. And push for a sharing of their misery. Which happens to also be the tone of the article about Mr. Castanova not having his pilot's license.

    Any deviation or violation in itself is a selfish act that affects the GA community. They are defined by the 5 hazardous attitudes the FAA defines as dangerous and where one shouldn't be flying Ie anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho and resignation.

    The rules are written in blood and once again it is all proven as true.

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  16. "The SWITCH to BasicMed only applies if the airman has a current valid medical and has a valid certificate i.e is LEGAL to fly."

    Not quite ... He held a valid medical certificate within the parameters of Basic Med. Read the reg or is reading a lost art?

    However, if you are going to fly rogue go ahead and fly ROGUE.

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  17. HOW DO I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BASICMED?

    At least every 48 months, visit a state licensed physician where he or she will perform an examination and affirm the absence of any medical condition that could interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft. Every 24 calendar months, take a free, online medical education course. AOPA’s online medical education course is available to all individuals, free of charge.

    AOPA recommends taking the following steps, in order:

    Complete the pilot information and medical history portion of the FAA Medical Examination Checklist prior to your examination;
    Schedule and attend an examination with a state-licensed physician who will complete the FAA Medical Examination Checklist;

    Successfully complete the AOPA Medical Self-Assessment Course;
    Print the certificate of completion following the online course and keep it in your logbook or in an accurate and legible electronic format, along with the completed Medical Examination Checklist;

    Ensure that you meet the flight review requirements of FAR 61.56 and any other applicable flight or instrument proficiency requirements, as necessary for you to act as pilot in command.

    WOW, that easy? Hmmm- yeah, let's get more unfit folks into the friendly skies!!

    Is the GA industry really declining that much?

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  18. It's not just GA ... It's our society.

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  19. Do the piston twins have a dangerous propensity to enter an unrecoverable spin?

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  20. In order ro qualify for BASICMED an airman must have not have any medical revocations prior to application.

    He can have a lapsed medical but in this case the medical and pilot license were both revoked. Mr Castanova's visit to a physician to apply for BasicMed would have been denied by the FAA for the simple reason his previous medical was denied in the 1990s.

    I have a heart attack. Don't tell it to the FAA then they find out and revoke my license and medical. 15 years later I fly again. Would you fly with me?

    I strongly suspect a medical issue may have happened like a catastrophic incapacitation in this case. There are quite a few accidents where older pilots with valid medicals suffered strokes and everyone onboard died as far as I can see some of the NTSB reports.

    It is the duty of the PIC to not only be legal but also assess IMSAFE and not fly if they feel not be up to the task.

    Ignore rules written in blood and face the consequences.

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  21. Anonymous said...
    Do the piston twins have a dangerous propensity to enter an unrecoverable spin?

    No. To answer the early question What are the two things more dangerous than a piston twin? 1- Male pilots who don't understand how to fly them 2 - Female pilots who don't understand how to fly them.

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  22. Life is short! He married his ashley madison. Wow. Retired at 40. Married someone 31 years younger than him. Wow. This guy had it going on!! Who needs a license?

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  23. "... dangerous propensity to enter an unrecoverable spin..."
    That would be the Beechcraft 95-B55 Barons. History of engine failures.

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  24. Airspeed decay below any reasonable margin on base to final coupled with high bank angle. Good engines or bad, stall and spin that slow and low leads to disaster.
    On approach legs, I fly mine on the blue line until I’m firmly established on final with the runway established even at idle power. Some controllers may not like the excess speed, but then again they aren’t flying the airplane nor are they going to suffer the consequences of a stall.

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  25. This pilot had no idea how to use the airspeed indicator, he lacked discipline, training, medical or airman certificate, etc. So this should be a reminder to anyone who is getting an airplane ride. If you feel uncomfortable as a passenger, say something to the pilot. Tell him or her you do not feel comfortable with the flight either turn around or land. Never be afraid to speak up and save your life or those with you.
    Former US Air Force pilot.

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  26. I refuse to call an individual such as this a pilot because in my mind, a pilot is all too aware of the innumerable limitations both internal and external which make flying the challenging and rewarding endeavor it is. A pilot is respectful of all the complex factors involved, is methodical and scrupulous, and refuses to fly when the risks don't add up, especially when other souls are on board.

    This type of individual mistakes the fact he's flown and survived for so long with the idea that it's something he'll always be capable of. Friends and family members ride along with these people, either because of ignorance out of a mistaken idea of respect for the individual. These blog is full of so many individuals like this.

    As hard as it is to get an older person to give up the keys to a car when everyone around them can see they're unable to safely drive, family members and friends ride along in the car with the nonagenarian with the palsied hand and the non-existent fields of vision, impaired reflexes, etc. At least in a car, there's the hope the car can just pull over and stop in the event of heart attack, stroke, or other sudden "unexpected" incapacitation of the driver. If the individual is flying a high performance high complexity machine like this, there is no hope unless another passenger is a pilot and ready to take over instantly. Sadly, there was no pilot aboard this craft.

    In no shape, form, or fashion do I think that age alone is a single disqualifying criteria for driving or flight. As a physician, I know plenty of older individuals with whom I'd happily fly if they said they were ready, and plenty of younger ones whom I wouldn't trust to park a bicycle. I do think that as we age, however, it falls to the individual to be increasingly suspicious of "writing checks" our "bodies can't cash," and the potential consequences for those who trust us with their lives.

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  27. They are wise guys ... there's thousands of them flying without the proper medical, ratings, license. It's the free spirit attitude in US. And the FAA is a real chicken-shit. Some of those non-certificated guys are good pilots ....but they are few and far between.

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  28. Totally agree, Thor3. Thank you!

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  29. I say make the FBOs or municipal airports check for licenses and BFR and ID whenever someone lands. It would literally take 2 min of their time and any receptionist can be trained in a couple of minutes what to ask and look for when someone checks in.

    Pilots who are current and respectful would look forward to showing their credentials.

    I say a small price to pay for the peace of mind TSA will not invade small airports if something terrible will happen in the future, say the same kind of Romeo crashing in a stadium or a field full of children and causing countless death beyond himself, with the general public pushing for ever more restrictions.

    I am a commercial pilot and I follow the rules, the requirements and obligations that come with being a PIC and I am appalled some unscrupulous people will take advantage of the honor and trust system that always existed to be selfish and give a black eye to GA.

    At least a higher probability of being checked ie 1% of the time vs. 0.0001% like now would deter the dangerous ones.

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  30. “I say make the FBOs or municipal airports check for licenses...”

    What a dumb ass idea! F no! Flying has enough regulations as it is. I don’t want to have to pay even more when Signature Flight Extortion adds a “check credentials fee”

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  31. Apparently not dumb enough since dudes like this one indulge in 20+ years of flying with no valid license or medical. And they fly machines of several thousand lb that can be guided missiles that endanger innocents when a mishap happens.

    The MEDICAL part may have been the critical factor here... some kind of last second incapacitation (because he was such an anti-authority and macho he didn't need one right?) at the wrong moment.

    There must have been family members, or heck his wife knowing this right? No one said a thing?

    Once again a disdainful and shelfish owner/operator (NOT a pilot!) creates a precedent to tighten screws further.

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