Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Aircraft Structural Failure: Azalea Saberwing, N203SW; fatal accident occurred December 18, 2018 near Cook County Airport (15J), Adel, Georgia



Larry Bothof
~











Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Alleyne, Eric

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Danny Cox; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Azalea Aviation LLC.; Adel, Georgia 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  


Location: Adel, Georgia 
Accident Number: ERA19FA068
Date and Time: December 18, 2018, 15:00 Local 
Registration: N203SW
Aircraft: Saberwing Saberwing 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aircraft structural failure
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The airplane broke up in-flight and the wreckage was located about 6 miles southwest from the airport, scattered over a large swamp area; there were no witnesses to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the wing forward spar had two significant failure areas on both the left and right wings; one was located at the side of the fuselage and one was located at the outboard wing attach points. This was indicative of shear failure of the rear spar upper attach bolts and tensile overload at the rear spar upper spar cap. The primary wing failures were due to negative overload causing failure of the upper attach points on the left and right wings.

High positive loads on the horizontal stabilizers would generate downward bending loads in the fuselage that would be greatest at the rear spar location. Given these findings, it is likely that the pilot performed a pull-up maneuver aggressively or at high speed, possibly while performing aerobatics. The pull up would have generated significant down force on the tail, resulting in the left and right fuselage longerons failing in tensile overload due to the downward bending loads in the fuselage in excess of the structural capabilities of the airplane. This sudden failure would cause the airplane to pitch over violently resulting in the negative overload wing failure.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The in-flight failure of the fuselage, as a result of the pilot conducting maneuvers that exceeded the structural capabilities of the airplane.

Findings

Aircraft (general) - Capability exceeded
Personnel issues Unnecessary action - Pilot
Aircraft Longerons/stringers (main fus) - Capability exceeded
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-aerobatics Aircraft structural failure (Defining event)

On December 18, 2018, about 1500 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Azalea Saberwing, N203SW, was destroyed during an inflight breakup near Adel, Georgia. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a witness, the pilot was flying in the traffic pattern at the Cook County Airport (15J), Adel, Georgia, before departing the area to the west. Another witness, located about 6 miles west of 15J, arrived home and observed airplane parts scattered in his yard. There were no witnesses to the accident.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 56,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 1, 2016
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1100 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Saberwing
Registration: N203SW
Model/Series: Saberwing
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017 
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 003
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 15, 2018 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1120 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 27 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 101 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: XIO-360-M1B
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The Azalea Saberwing was an experimental, amateur-built, single-engine, low wing, composite airplane with a conventional tail and fixed conventional landing gear. The airplane was primarily manufactured from fiberglass composite sandwich panels using woven and unidirectional fiberglass cloth with foam core that was infused with resin. The fuselage bulkheads, wing spars, and tail spars were constructed of wood. The center portion of the wing, about 7 ft long, was bonded in the lower fuselage during construction, and the outboard portions of the wings were attached through bolted fittings on the forward and aft spars. The forward and aft wing spars were a wooden box design with Sitka spruce spar caps and ribs and Birch plywood webs.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MGR,283 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 264°
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: 30.06 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Adel, GA (15J)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Adel, GA (15J)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 11:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 31.10361,-83.553054(est)

The wreckage was located in a swampy area 6 miles southwest from 15J; the wreckage field was about 6,000 ft long by 1,000 ft wide. The fuselage fractured near the aft wing spar; additionally, the left and right outboard wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator were dispersed amongst the wreckage field consistent with an inflight breakup of the airplane. At the beginning of the debris field, the vertical stabilizer was located; it was separated into 2 pieces. The next part that was located was the rudder, which was separated from the vertical stabilizer. The entire horizontal stabilizer assembly was then located, with both elevators still attached and intact. There was no damage to the aft fuselage below the tail. The left flap assembly was located next along the debris path on the left side of the debris field. The right wing assembly was located on the right side of the debris field and included the aileron, flap, and landing gear assembly. The empennage was found forward of the right wing assembly. The cockpit and engine were found near the end of the debris field. The engine remained attached to the engine mounts and attached to the firewall of the cockpit section. All three propeller blades were broken at the propeller hub. All of the propeller blades had scoring and impact marks throughout the span of the blades. The left wing was not located during the initial search but was later found on February 1, 2019, in the swamp near where the cockpit was located. Examination of the fuselage longerons that ran below the canopy revealed that they had fractured in tension overload, on both sides of the fuselage near the location of the rear spar. The tensile fractures were consistent with fuselage bending in the downward direction.

Medical and Pathological Information

The Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, performed an autopsy on the pilot. His cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.

Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs.

Larry Bothof
August 11, 1962 ~ December 18, 2018 (age 56)
~

Larry Bothof, 56 of Moultrie entered the arms of his Savior on December 18, 2018.  He was a life long private pilot who was enjoying his passion for aviation when he flew through heavens gates.  He was born August 11, 1962 to Gertrude and Gary Bothof in Bellflower, California.  Larry lived most of his life in Idaho, where he enjoyed all things adventurous.  He met the love of his life, Cheryl Mingo and they married on December 17, 2005.

Larry was a devoted husband, father, and papa.  Anyone who met Larry became a friend because he never met anyone who left as a stranger.  He had a smile on his face that stress and life could never steal.  The joy of the Lord was truly his strength and came from deep inside his soul and out to every person he came in contact with.  No one left untouched by his joy.  Larry's passion for life was unmatched and an amazing gift to all who were blessed to share life with him.  He was a man of many gifts, he could fix or repair anything his hands touched and if he didn't know how, he would figure it out and redesign it to work better than before.

In passing he not only leaves behind his loving best friend and wife, Cheryl Mingo Bothof; sons, Levi Thomas (Brianna), and Evan Dean.  stepchildren, Steven Mingo (Louisa), Emily Rice (Tyler Robinson) and Alex Slemp; four grandblessings, Korbin, Kasen, Tucker, and Everleigh; his parents, Gertrude & Gary Bothof; brother, Steve (Donna); sister, Lori Hill (Roy); many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

The gift God gave the world in Larry Bothof was cherished by many and his absents will be deeply felt.  His heart was the same as his Jesus...that no one leave this earth without the heartfelt love of knowing Jesus Christ and living for him.  Larry lived that daily in his relationships, giving to others and sharing the gospel with whoever God laid on his heart.  His smile would be even bigger today if he knew someone fell in love with Jesus through hearing of his passing.  What a celebration heaven is having!

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 28, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Heritage Church, 844 Ga. Hwy 33 South, Moultrie, GA  31788. 



Location: Adel, GA
Accident Number: ERA19FA068
Date & Time: 12/18/2018, 1500 EST
Registration: N203SW
Aircraft: Saberwing 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 18, 2019, about 1500 eastern standard daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Saberwing, N203SW, was destroyed during an inflight breakup near Adel, Georgia. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Cook County Airport (15J), Adel, Georgia at 1100.

According to a witness the pilot was flying in the airport traffic pattern before departing the area. Another witness, located about 9 miles west of 15J, arrived home and saw airplane parts scattered in his yard. He called the local authorities and when they arrived, they confirmed the registration number on the vertical stabilizer belong to the accident airplane. No radio communications were received from the pilot prior to the accident.

The pilot, age 56, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. On his most recent application for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate, dated November 30, 2019, he reported his flight experience included 1,100 total and 120 hours in last six months. The pilot held a third-class medical certificate with a limitation requiring the use of corrective lenses.

The experimental amateur-built airplane was completed in 2016, and was designated serial number 003. It was powered by a Lycoming XIO-360-MIB series 180-horsepower engine and equipped with a Sensenich propeller. Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed the airplane's most recent condition inspection was completed on July 15, 2018. The recorded tachometer time was 101 hours. The tachometer was not located and the airframe hours at the time of the accident could not be determined.

At 1515, the recorded weather at Moultrie Municipal Airport (MGR), Moultrie, Georgia, located 14 miles west of the accident site, included wind from 210° at 3 kts, 10 statute miles visibility, and clear skies. The temperature was 18°C, the dew point was 2° C, and the altimeter setting was 30.07 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was scattered over a large swamp that included a heavily wooded area. The wreckage debris field was about 6,000 ft in length, oriented toward 343° true. The cockpit with the engine still attached to the engine mounts came to rest at the end of the debris path. At the beginning of the debris field, the vertical stabilizer was located split into 2 pieces, in the yard of the witness. The next part that was located was the rudder which was separated from the vertical stabilizer. The entire horizontal assembly was then located, with both elevators still attached. The left flap assembly was located next along the debris path left of the debris field. The right wing assembly was located on the right side of the debris path. The right wing assembly consisted of the aileron, flap and landing gear assembly. The wing was broken away from the fuselage at the wing root forward main spar. The entire aft spar was still attached to the right wing. The upper attachment fittings that connect the spar to the wing were broken. The fuselage was broken into two sections, the aft section which consisted of the entire empennage was located forward of the right wing. Forward of the empennage along the end of the debris path the forward cockpit was located. The engine remained attached to the motor mounts and attached to the firewall of the cockpit section. All three propeller blades were broken at the propeller hub. All of the propeller blades had scoring and impact marks throughout the span of the blades. The left wing was not located during the initial search.

The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Saberwing
Registration: N203SW
Model/Series: Saberwing
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMGR, 283 ft msl
Observation Time: 2015 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Adel, GA (15J)
Destination: Adel, GA (15J) 

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: 31.103611, -83.553056 (est)


COOK COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Investigators in Cook County are still looking for answers after the body of 65-year-old Larry Bothof who was pulled from the wreckage of a small civilian plane earlier this week.  

We are told from representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board, or the NTSB, are still in the area, gathering parts, and continuing their investigation.

They are working alongside the Federal Aviation Administration to find out what exactly happened Tuesday that led to this crash.

We are also told that these agencies are requiring an in-depth examination from the Cook County coroner, about Buthof's death. 

The coroner shared that he does not have any information for release at this time.

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



COOK CO., GA (WALB) - The body of a pilot in a Cook County plane crash was found Wednesday morning, according to officials.

Larry Bothof, 56, of Colquitt County, was identified after his body was recovered at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The body, initially found at 9:30 a.m., was found submerged in 7-8 feet of water, according to Brent Exum, Cook County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

Valdosta Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) and Valdosta Sports assisted in recovering the body and the body was taken to the coroner.

The plane, a single engine fixed wing air raid, belonged to Bothof.

Officials found the plane has lost parts early Tuesday. 

A missing persons report was filed Berlin, which helped identify the pilot. 

The area where parts are being recovered is over a mile long, Exum said.

Most everything in the recovery area, Exum pointed out, is full of water up to 20 feet deep.

Another wreckage area was found Wednesday morning, Exum said.

The plane left Cook County Airport where it was housed, according to Exum.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are working with law enforcement to find what they can in the investigation.

The investigation is wrapping up for the most part, Exum said.

COOK CO., GA (WALB) - Law enforcement agencies are investigating after a small civilian aircraft crashed in Cook County on Tuesday.

According to Public Information Officer Capt. Brent Exum with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency 911 received a call from a resident on Arthur Tillman Road who said he found items on his property that appeared to be from a plane.

The sheriff’s office, Cook County Emergency Management, Georgia State Patrol, fire personnel and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources all responded to the scene.

Exum said the plane that crashed had left the Adel Airport earlier Tuesday with a single pilot on board.

The crash happened in a slough, completely covered in water from recent rains, explained Exum.

Exum said attempts to reach the aircraft and the pilot continue with the assistance of the GSP Aviation Unit, but they have so far been unsuccessful due to the terrain and light restrictions.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been contacted and is headed to the location, according to Exum. 

The sheriff’s office is requesting that residents avoid the location around Arthur Tillman and Pike Creek Road until further notice in order to allow rescue efforts to continue.

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


The command center near the scene of the crash.


COOK COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- Authorities have confirmed that one person is dead following a plane crash in Cook County.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office says around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, they received a call from a homeowner reporting that they'd found a piece of debris that appeared to be from a plane. During the call, the homeowner located another piece of the aircraft with a tail number on it, which was then matched to a missing persons report out of Berlin, Georgia.

The missing persons report was for the owner of the plane, 56-year-old Larry D. Bothos, of Colquitt County. Bothos was reported missing on Tuesday after he didn’t show up for an afternoon appointment.

Officials say Bothos was a frequent flyer at the Cook County airport and had a hangar there.

Authorities responded to the scene and confirmed that the wreckage was indeed that of Bothos' plane. The debris field spanned approximately 2 miles in a wooded area west of Adel.

Around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, authorities located Bothos' body.

Authorities say Bothos was piloting the plane and was the only person aboard the Saberwing experimental aircraft when it went down in an area near Arthur Tillman Road.

Bothos' body has been taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Macon for an autopsy.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

COOK COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what caused a plane to crash in Cook County.

The FAA released the following statement on Wednesday:

"A Saberwing experimental aircraft crashed in a wooded area in Cook County, GA. Only the pilot was onboard. Local authorities will release the pilot's name and medical condition. The FAA will investigate and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the accident."

It is not clear at this time exactly when the plane crashed.

We're hearing that the plane went down in a rural area west of Adel near Arthur Tillman Road, which has since been shut down to allow officials to investigate.

A command center is currently set up near the scene along Pike Creek Road between McConnell Bridge Road and Quillie Jones Road.

Multiple agencies are on the scene including the FAA, the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the Valdosta Police Department, Cook County Fire Rescue and Tift County Fire Rescue.

10 comments:

  1. Was this one of the "Beta Testers" ?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Has to be one of the first customer airplanes.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. He replaced the 100bhp engine with a 200bhp engine and increased the fuel tankage by cutting into the top wing skins with a saber saw. The fiberglass wing skins are structural components...

    ReplyDelete
  4. From Saberwings website :

    It is with deep sadness and pain that I report the loss of an amazing man and great friend. Dec 18, Larry Bothof was killed in his Saberwing N203SW after apparently attempting aerobatic manuevers. A report of the results of the investigation from the FAA and NTSB will be provided when completed. The FAA has inspected and cleared our kits to continue without changes to design as it does not seem to be a contributing factor. Larry leaves behind his wife Cheryl and family who will covet your prayers and support. You are welcome to contact us if you personally knew Larry and would like to comment on his influence in you life.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The interview is interesting. 12:35 min and 13:00 min in ...


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYApnyTyEZs&t=7s

    ReplyDelete
  6. So did he crash as a result of loss of control while doing aerobatics OR did the airframe fail causing the loss of control? Is this design rated for aerobatics? I wonder what maneuver he was attempting at the time of the crash. RIP fellow aviator.

    ReplyDelete
  7. If the debris field spans 2 miles, that plane came apart in-flight. I wonder if it is rated for aerobatics?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Limitations +4 Gs and -2 Gs ( no aerobatics or spins allowed) --- source: http://azaleaaviation.com/Saberwing%20Kit%20INFORMATION.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  9. If you double the power on any airplane it increases the stress on the tail tremendously

    ReplyDelete