Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N6785P: Fatal accident occurred December 13, 2018 at Porter County Regional Airport (KVPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana and accident occurred March 21, 2018 at Starke County Airport (KOXI), Knox, Indiana

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Plaines, Illinois
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida
Textron Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania

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


https://registry.faa.gov/N6785P 




Location: Valparaiso, IN
Accident Number: CEN19FA044
Date & Time: 12/13/2018, 1044 CST
Registration: N6785P
Aircraft: Piper PA24
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 13, 2018 at 1044 central standard time, a Piper PA24-250, N6785P, impacted the ground during a loss of control on initial climb after takeoff. The airplane was departing on runway 9 at the Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana. The pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. 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 for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident for an unknown destination.

Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane taking off from runway 9 at VPZ and when the airplane was a few hundred feet above the runway the right wing dropped, and the airplane entered a spin to the right and impacted the ground.

A surveillance video from a camera mounted on a building near the accident captured the final portion of the accident sequence. The airplane can be seen entering the frame of the video and then the right-wing drops, and the airplane enters a spin to the right. The airplane completed one revolution in the spin before impacting the ground in a near vertical attitude.

The airplane impacted the ground about 3,700 ft. east of the approach end of runway 9 and 250 ft. south of the runway centerline. The airplane was facing east and had crushing of the forward fuselage and the leading edges of both wings. There was wrinkling of the fuselage skins aft of the cabin. The wings and tail surfaces remained attached to the fuselage and all control surfaces remained attached. Examination of the airplane after its removal from the site revealed that all control system cables were intact from the cockpit controls to their respective control surfaces.

Examination of the engine confirmed compression and suction on the forward 4 cylinders. The aft 2 cylinders did not initially produce compression due to damage to the rocker arm pushrods. Removal of the rocker arms, allowing the valves to close, resulted in compression and suction on the aft 2 cylinders. Crankshaft, valve train, and accessory gear continuity were confirmed during rotation of the engine. Both magnetos were broken loose from the engine accessory case and one magneto produced spark on all leads when rotated. The second magneto did not produce spark but had impact damage. Disassembly of the magneto confirmed that the impact damage had fractured the ignition points pivot block. The carburetor was fractured, and the bowl was broken open and disassembly did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The mechanical fuel pump was fractured and could not be tested but disassembly did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

The airplane had 4 fuel tanks. Each wing had a rubber bladder type main fuel tank within the wing structure, and a tip mounted tank. All 4 fuel tanks were ruptured, and no fuel remained in any tank. It was raining during the initial on-scene examination and no fuel odor was detected. The fuel selector valve was found positioned to the right fuel tank and the handle was in the detent for that position. The 2 electric fuel pumps were removed from the airframe and both electric fuel pumps pumped a liquid when electrical power was supplied to them. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N6785P
Model/Series: PA24 250
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: VPZ, 770 ft msl
Observation Time: 1656 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / 15 knots, 140°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  9 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Valparaiso, IN (VPZ)
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.451667, -87.004444

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. 


VALPARAISO — A preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board describes the fatal crash of an airplane at Porter County Regional Airport last week.

It does not provide a cause of the crash. National Transportation Safety Board officials have said that could take up to 18 months to complete.

Azam J. Zayed, 40, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, the pilot, was killed on impact on December 13th.

"Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane taking off from runway 9 at VPZ and when the airplane was a few hundred feet above the runway the right wing dropped, and the airplane entered a spin to the right and impacted the ground," reads the report.

A surveillance camera captured the accident.

"The airplane can be seen entering the frame of the video and then the right-wing drops, and the airplane enters a spin to the right. The airplane completed one revolution in the spin before impacting the ground in a near vertical attitude," the report reads.

Visibility was 9 miles and wind speeds were 7 to 15 knots.

The report also includes initial information on the examination of the aircraft by the investigation team which was made up of personnel from the Federal Aviation Administration and representatives of the aircraft and engine manufacturing companies.


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


















Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; DuPage, Illinois 

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Analysis 

The flight instructor reported that, during landing, while the student pilot was flying, the airplane ballooned. He added that he took the flight controls and landed on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Hard landing (Defining event)
Abnormal runway contact

Location: Knox, IN
Accident Number: GAA18CA195
Date & Time: 03/21/2018, 1655 CDT
Registration: N6785P
Aircraft: PIPER PA24
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The flight instructor reported that, during landing, while the student pilot was flying, the airplane ballooned. He added that he took the flight controls and landed on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/11/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 35.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 14.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.9 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 54, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/01/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2024 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15 hours (Total, this make and model), 1896.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 200 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 75 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N6785P
Model/Series: PA24 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1960
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 24-1916
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6049.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-A
Registered Owner: AZAM ZAYED
Rated Power: 250 hp
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: KPPO, 811 ft msl
Observation Time: 2155 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 348°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -8°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 16 knots/ 20 knots, 330°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: GRIFFITH, IN (05C)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Knox, IN (OXI)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: STARKE COUNTY (OXI)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 684 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4401 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  41.325556, -86.662222 (est)

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