Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Quartz Mountain Aerospace Inc 11E, N515BW, accident occurred January 24, 2018 in Millard, Omaha, Nebraska

N515BW in school ballpark after forced landing.

N515BW against chain link fence.

Tree that was struck during forced landing.


Empty fuel tank.


The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska

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


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


Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N515BW




Location: Omaha, NE
Accident Number: CEN18LA085
Date & Time: 01/24/2018, 1418 CST
Registration: N515BW
Aircraft: QUARTZ MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE L-11E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis 

During an instructional flight, the two pilots—an airline transport pilot giving instruction and a commercial pilot receiving instruction—flew to two airports and made an instrument approach at each airport. Upon returning to the pilots' home airport and while on another instrument approach, the engine lost all power. The pilot giving instruction assumed control of the airplane and made a forced landing in a school baseball field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees and a fence, causing substantial damage to a wing spar.

During a postaccident examination, a total of ½ gallon of fuel was drained from both tanks. The airplane's fuel capacity was 42 gallons, of which 40 gallons was usable. The airplane had been serviced with fuel several days before the accident, and the service technician estimated that 34 gallons of fuel was on board the airplane at the beginning of the accident flight. The pilot giving instruction reported that he had visually verified that the airplane was "full of fuel" before the flight, and he expected that there would be enough fuel for 4 hours of flight. The pilot giving instruction planned 3 hours of flight time, and the airplane's Hobbs meter indicated 3.1 hours of flight time.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The instructor pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)
Fuel - Not inspected (Cause)

Personnel issues
Preflight inspection - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Identification/recognition - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)


Factual Information

On January 24, 2018, at 1418 central standard time, a Quartz Mountain Aerospace (Luscombe) 11E, N515BW, struck trees and a fence during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power in Omaha, Nebraska. The certificated airline transport flight instructor and certificated commercial flight instructor receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The rental airplane was registered to and operated by Oracle Aviation, LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Millard Airport (MLE), about 1100.

According to the instructor's accident report, the airplane was full of fuel (verified visually), which should have provided about four hours of flight time. The planned flight time was 3 hours. They flew to Wayne Municipal Airport (LCG), Wayne, Nebraska, and Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI), Grand Island Nebraska, where they made an instrument approach at each airport before returning to MLE. The airplane was on the GPS (Global Positioning System runway) 12 instrument approach, about 5.3 miles from MLE, when the engine lost power. Following the emergency checklist, the engine regained power for about 10 seconds. The instructor assumed control and made a forced landing in a school baseball field near a road intersection. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees and a fence, causing damage to a wing spar.

The airplane was towed back to MLE where Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the Lincoln, Nebraska, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) examined the airplane. They drained a total of ½-gallon of fuel from both tanks. Both the tachometer and Hobbs meter indicated a flight duration of 3.1 hours.

The instructor noted that a similar incident occurred about two weeks earlier. In that case, the pilots were able to land at the airport. No determination was made as to why the engine lost power, but the instructor surmised that either the tanks did not hold 42 gallons, or the engine was consuming a "significantly greater amount" of fuel.

According to the service technician, when he serviced the airplane a few days before the accident, and it was not full of fuel. He added fuel to a level "just above the tab portion" of the fuel neck. Using another similar airplane, the technician demonstrated to FAA inspectors how he fueled the airplane to his customary level. He then added 6 additional gallons (3 gallons per tank) to reach the full level. It was estimated about 34 gallons of fuel was on board the airplane. 

History of Flight

Approach
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Emergency descent
Off-field or emergency landing

Landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/05/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 16046 hours (Total, all aircraft), 60 hours (Total, this make and model), 13400 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 26, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/03/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1420 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model), 1337 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: QUARTZ MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE
Registration: N515BW
Model/Series: L-11E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1006
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/21/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2280 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 276 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-ES
Registered Owner: Oracle Aviation, LLC
Rated Power: 185 hp
Operator: Oracle Aviation, LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 



Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MLE, 1051 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1415 CST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.22 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 3°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Omaha, NE (MLE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Omaha, NE (MLE)
Type of Clearance: IFR; VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1100 CST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Millard (MLE)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 105 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Snow; Wet
Runway Used: 12
IFR Approach: Global Positioning System; Practice
Runway Length/Width: 3801 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

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:  41.196111, -96.112222 (est) The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska

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


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

http://registry.faa.gov/N515BW


Location: Omaha, NE
Accident Number: CEN18LA085
Date & Time: 01/24/2018, 1418 CST
Registration: N515BW
Aircraft: QUARTZ MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE L-11E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On January 24, 2018, at 1418 central standard time, a Quartz Mountain Aerospace (Luscombe) 11E, N515BW, struck trees and a fence during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power in Omaha, Nebraska. The certificated airline transport flight instructor and certificated commercial flight instructor receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The rental airplane was registered to and operated by Oracle Aviation, LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Millard Airport (MLE), about 1100.

According to the instructor's accident report, the airplane was full of fuel (verified visually), which should have provided about four hours of flight time. The planned flight time was 3 hours. They flew to Wayne Municipal Airport (LCG), Wayne, Nebraska, and Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI), Grand Island Nebraska, where they made an instrument approach at each airport before returning to MLE. The airplane was on the GPS (Global Positioning System runway) 12 instrument approach, about 5.3 miles from MLE, when the engine lost power. Following the emergency checklist, the engine regained power for about 10 seconds. The instructor assumed control and made a forced landing in a school baseball field near a road intersection. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees and a fence, causing damage to a wing spar.

The airplane was towed back to MLE where Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the Lincoln, Nebraska, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) examined the airplane. They drained a total of ½-gallon of fuel from both tanks. Both the tachometer and Hobbs meter indicated a flight duration of 3.1 hours.

The instructor noted that a similar incident occurred about two weeks earlier. In that case, the pilots were able to land at the airport. No determination was made as to why the engine lost power, but the instructor surmised that either the tanks did not hold 42 gallons, or the engine was consuming a "significantly greater amount" of fuel.

According to the service technician, when he serviced the airplane a few days before the accident, and it was not full of fuel. He added fuel to a level "just above the tab portion" of the fuel neck. Using another similar airplane, the technician demonstrated to FAA inspectors how he fueled the airplane to his customary level. He then added 6 additional gallons (3 gallons per tank) to reach the full level. It was estimated about 34 gallons of fuel was on board the airplane. 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/05/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 16046 hours (Total, all aircraft), 60 hours (Total, this make and model), 13400 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 26, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/03/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1420 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model), 1337 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: QUARTZ MOUNTAIN AEROSPACE
Registration: N515BW
Model/Series: L-11E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1006
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/21/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2280 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 276 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-ES
Registered Owner: Oracle Aviation, LLC
Rated Power: 185 hp
Operator: Oracle Aviation, LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MLE, 1051 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1415 CST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.22 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 3°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Omaha, NE (MLE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Omaha, NE (MLE)
Type of Clearance: IFR; VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1100 CST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Millard (MLE)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 105 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Snow; Wet
Runway Used: 12
IFR Approach: Global Positioning System; Practice
Runway Length/Width: 3801 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

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:  41.196111, -96.112222 (est)






OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) -- Federal Aviation Administration inspectors are investigating what caused a small plane to force land in a Millard ball field Wednesday afternoon.

Officials got word of the emergency landing at Anderson ball field near 137th and Millard Avenue around 2:20 p.m.

6 News has learned the single-engine plane is owned by Oracle Aviation. An Oracle spokesperson told 6 News a student pilot and his flight instructor were inside the plane. They were returning to Millard Airport from a 2 to 3 hour cross country training flight. Both the instructor and his student were unharmed and walked away from the landing.

Jim Bolamperti was working in the area when the low-flying plane caught his attention. He told 6 News: “I look up and he’s just barely clearing those treetops. And it sounded like he was clipping some of them. And then I heard some other loud noises which might have been him hitting that wire, there. I ran over here and sure enough there he is – right up there against the fence."

The circumstances of the incident remain under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating an incident last Saturday in which engine trouble forced a small plane, also owned by Oracle Aviation, to land in a field near 144th and Giles Road. A flight instructor and student were also involved in Saturday's incident. They were both unharmed.

Story and video ➤ http://www.wowt.com

Loss of Control in Flight: Wittman W-10 Tailwind, N251WT; fatal accident occurred January 23, 2018 near Sauk Centre Municipal Airport (D39), Stearns County, Minnesota

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota
Lycoming; Denver, Colorado

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


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

http://registry.faa.gov/N251WT


Location: Sauk Centre, MN
Accident Number: CEN18FA083
Date & Time: 01/23/2018, 1530 CST
Registration: N251WT
Aircraft: SKWIRA MATTHEW J W-10 TAILWIND
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event:Loss of control in flight 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On January 23, 2018, about 1530 central standard time, an experimental, amateur-built W-10 Tailwind airplane, N251WT, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Sauk Centre Municipal Airport (D39), Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was privately owned and was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Cambridge Municipal Airport (CBG), Cambridge, Minnesota, about 1415.

According to witness statements, fuel records, and the pilot's cell phone records, the pilot fueled the airplane with about 7 gallons of fuel and departed D39 about 1200. The pilot landed at Princeton Municipal Airport (PNM), Princeton, Minnesota, about 1244 and departed about 1324. The pilot then landed at CBG about 1341 before departing about 1415. After landing at D39 about 1515, the pilot brought the airplane to a full stop on runway 32, taxied back to the end of the runway, and subsequently departed.

The approximate total flight time from when the pilot originally departed from D39 at 1200, to the time of the accident, was 2 hours 16 minutes, and the total distance flown was about 155 miles. There were no recorded radio communications from the pilot or radar information associated with the airplane. When the pilot did not return as expected, family members contacted authorities and an ALNOT was issued. The airplane wreckage was located about 0820 the next morning about 2.7 statute miles south of D39. The search was assisted by the Air Force Forensic Cellular Team. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 50, 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: BasicMed None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/28/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 306 hours (Total, all aircraft), 19 hours (Total, this make and model), 19 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

The pilot held a private pilot certificate. According to pilot logbook information provided by family members, his total flight experience was about 306 hours. No flight time was logged between July 2012 and September 2017; 24 hours were logged between September 2017 and the accident. The pilot's most recent flight review was completed on September 7, 2017. His first flight in the accident airplane was on October 25, 2017, and he had logged about 18 hours in the airplane before the accident. The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman medical certificate but reported that he had completed the requirements for operation under BasicMed on August 28, 2017. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: SKWIRA MATTHEW J
Registration: N251WT
Model/Series: W-10 TAILWIND NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 1
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/20/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1425 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 23 Hours
Engines:1 Reciprocating 
Airframe Total Time:  as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320B1A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane, a Wittman Tailwind, was constructed of a steel tube fuselage and wooden wing structure covered with fabric. The airplane was built by the pilot and received its special airworthiness certificate from the FAA on September 20, 2017. According to FAA documents, no defects were noted during the initial airworthiness certification/inspection. The airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-320-B1A engine equipped with a wooden propeller. According to the engine manufacturer's operating manual, the engine consumed about 10 gallons of fuel per hour. Friends of the pilot stated that the pilot usually kept his fuel tank topped off. The fuel tank capacity of the airplane was 32 total gallons.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: D39, 1242 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1535 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -3°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Cambridge, MN (CBG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sauk Centre, MN (D39)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1415 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

The reported weather at D39 about the time of the accident included clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and wind from 350° at 3 knots.

Airport Information

Airport: Sauk Municipal (D39)
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1242 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Ice
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width:
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: 45.659722, -94.930278 

The accident site was located in a large plowed field. The left side of the cabin structure had been moved by first responders. There was no evidence of a postcrash fire and there was no odor of fuel at the site. There was no evidence in the surrounding area of impact with any obstructions prior to ground impact. Signatures at the site indicated that the airplane impacted the ground in an approximate 45° nose-down, wings-level attitude. The cockpit and front structure of the cabin were mostly destroyed by impact forces. The leading edges of both wings were destroyed. The empennage was bent slightly forward and crumpled along its longitudinal length. The fuel tank and fuel lines were compromised. One propeller blade was visible and was relatively undamaged. The second propeller blade was found shattered underneath the engine. The right elevator was found separated from the elevator control system and moved freely. The left elevator was in the full down position and could not be moved.

The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand and drivetrain continuity was established from the propeller to the gearbox. Thumb compression was established on all cylinders. The spark plugs exhibited normal wear patterns. The left and right magnetos were removed but could not be tested due to impact damage. The oil sump was found broken; the engine exhaust and intake pipes were crushed up and aft. The crankshaft flange was deformed, and the starter ring was broken. The oil cooler was crushed aft. The throttle and mixture cables were broken due to impact damage. The carburetor was impact damaged and could not be tested. The fuel lines were compromised by impact damage. No mechanical anomalies were found during the engine examination.

Access panels and fabric were removed to facilitate a detailed flight control examination. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all control surfaces, except the connection to the right elevator control horn. The control horn was found fractured adjacent to a weld joint. The left elevator was connected and appeared undamaged. Examination of the right elevator tubular frame revealed fractures consistent with overstress. Similar overstress fractures were found on the left elevator tubular frame. The overstress fractures were consistent with impact forces. The right elevator skin adjacent to its attachment hinges showed marks consistent with overtravel. The attachment hinges for the left elevator revealed evidence of overtravel in the downward direction. The overstress fractures and overtravel marks were consistent with impact forces. No other anomalies were found during the airframe examination.

Medical And Pathological Information


The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office, St. Paul, Minnesota, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death was blunt trauma. Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified no tested-for drugs, ethanol, or carbon monoxide.

Location: Sauk Centre, MN
Accident Number: CEN18FA083
Date & Time: 01/23/2018, 1530 CST
Registration: N251WT
Aircraft: SKWIRA MATTHEW J W-10 TAILWIND
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On January 23, 2018, about 1530 central standard time, a Whitman Tailwind experimental homebuilt airplane, N251WT, registered to the pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain about 2.7 miles south of the Sauk Centre Municipal Airport (D39), Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight was being operated under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from D39 about 1200.

After an ALNOT was issued, the airplane was located about 0820 on January 24, 2018. The ground search was assisted by the Air Force Forensic Cellular Team. The wreckage was located at grid coordinates North 45.659722 West 94.930278, about 2.7 miles south of the Sauk Centre airport.

On January 25, 2018, The NTSB arrived at the accident site and examined the wreckage. The site was a large plowed field with no obstructions. Signatures at the site showed that the airplane impacted the ground approximately 45-degrees nose down. The cockpit and front structure of the cabin were mostly destroyed by impact forces. Both wings' leading edges were destroyed. The empennage was bent slightly forward and crumpled along its longitudinal length. There were no signs of rolling at impact and it appeared that the wings were level at the time of impact. One propeller blade was visible and was relatively undamaged. The second propeller blade was found shattered underneath the engine. The right elevator was found disconnected to the elevator control system and moved freely. The left elevator was locked in the full down position and was not able to be moved. The right elevator damaged portions were removed at the site and preserved for further examination.

The left side of the cabin structure had been moved by first responders for retrieval of the pilot. There was no evidence of a post-crash fire and the smell of fuel was not present. There was no evidence in the surrounding area of impact with any obstructions prior to ground impact.

The wreckage was recovered late on January 25th and transported to a secure facility in Lakeville, Minnesota, for more detailed examinations of the airframe and engine.

On January 26, 2018, the NTSB IIC examined the aircraft at Wentworth Aviation in Lakeville, Minnesota. Access panels and fabric were removed to facilitate a detailed flight control examination. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all control surfaces, except the connection to the right elevator control horn. The control horn was found fractured at the accident site. The fracture was adjacent to a weld joint. The left elevator was connected and appeared undamaged. Also, the right elevator shows damage at the upper and lower hinge points. The left elevator did not show damage to the hinge points.

No other anomalies were found during the airframe and engine examinations. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: SKWIRA MATTHEW J
Registration: N251WT
Model/Series: W-10 TAILWIND NO SERIES
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: D39, 1242 ft msl
Observation Time: 1535 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -3°C / -9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 350°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Sauk Centre, MN (D39)
Destination:  Sauk Centre, MN (D39) 

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:  45.659722, 94.930278

Matthew James Skwira





Services celebrating the life of Matthew James Skwira, age 50 of Rice, will be 11:00 AM, Monday at the Community Church in Holdingford, burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Little Falls. Matt died from injuries in a plane accident on Tuesday. There will be a visitation from 2:00-6:00 PM, Sunday, and again after 10:00 AM Monday, at the church in Holdingford. Arrangements are being made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes.

Matt was born October 2, 1967 in St. Cloud to James and Alice (Brinkmann) Skwira. He lived his entire life in the Holdingford area, with the exception of his time in the U.S. Marine Corps. He married Charlotte "Char" Spiczka on April 26, 1997 in Sauk Rapids. The couple owned Duckwood Prefinishing and Painting in Rice and Matt worked for Talon Innovations in Sauk Rapids. He was a man of many hobbies and talents. He was a man of great patriotism. Matt took much pride in our country and was a man who stood up for what he believed was fair and honest; he would not be swayed. He loved to debate and spent many hours studying his interests. He loved the outdoors, whether he was picking mushrooms, hunting, or fishing. He enjoyed his time on the school board where he fought for what was right for the kids, even if it wasn't popular He had an avid love of flying and he even built his own plane from scratch. He was an experienced pilot with over 10 years of flying. Matt was a member of the Stearns County Community Corrections Advisory Board, and the Bowlus Legion. He served on the Holdingford School Board for over 8 years and he is an alumni of the Holdingford FFA.

Matt is survived by his wife, Char, Rice; his children, Haley (fiancé Matthew Friese) Skwira, Phoenix, AZ and Gerald Skwira, Rice. He is also survived by his mother, Alice Skwira, Holdingford; his brother, Peter (Catherine) Skwira, Gilman and his sister, Donna (Tom) Check, Wisilla, AK, and his flying buddy, Ryan Eiden, Albany.


He is preceded in death by his father, and Char's parents, Rosemary and Paul Spiczka.

SAUK CENTRE, Minn. -- A 50-year-old pilot was found dead after his single-engine experimental aircraft was discovered Wednesday morning, Jan. 24, after the plane was reported missing on Tuesday, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities later Wednesday identified the pilot as  Matthew James Skwira, of Rice.  


Authorities were notified about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday that the aircraft hadn’t returned to the Sauk Centre Airport, where the pilot was to practice take-offs and landings, the sheriff’s office said. The plane was last seen around 3:30 p.m.


The sheriff’s office and Sauk Centre police began a search of the area with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration and cellular telephone carriers to try to pinpoint the aircraft’s location. Poor weather deterred an aerial search of the area, the sheriff’s office said.


With information from the FAA, Sauk Centre firefighters assisted in a ground search and located the aircraft around 8:25 a.m. Wednesday.


The FAA is conducting a crash investigation.


Sauk Centre is about 25 miles southeast of Alexandria along Interstate 94.


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


The pilot of an experimental plane was killed when the aircraft he was flying went down sometime Tuesday afternoon near Sauk Centre.

According to a release from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, the single-engine plane was located Wednesday morning after a ground search. The pilot has been identified as 50-year-old Matthew James Skwira, of Rice.

The sheriff's office says authorities were notified about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday that the Skwira had not returned after spending time at the Sauk Centre Airport during the afternoon. The release says he had planned to practice takeoffs and landings.

After attempts to reach the pilot were unsuccessful, Sauk Centre police and the sheriff's office began a search of the area, with help from the Federal Aviation Administration and cellular carriers, in an attempt to pinpoint the aircraft. 

It said poor weather Tuesday night prevented an aerial search. 

A ground search resumed Wednesday morning based on information from the FAA, and the plane's wreckage was found about 8:25 a.m. by Sauk Centre fire personnel about six miles south of the airport.

The FAA is investigating. The plane is expected to stay in the field until investigators wrap up their work at the site.

Those who know Skwira say he spent months practicing takeoffs and landings in an experimental plane he built himself.

Story and video ➤ http://kstp.com

Friedman Memorial Airport (KSUN): Cougar on runway delays flight landing; animal killed by Department of Fish and Game

Wood River Valley residents and visitors are accustomed to plane flights to Friedman Memorial Airport being diverted due to bad weather, but passengers arriving from Salt Lake City on Saturday night experienced a first—the pilot of their Delta jet had to abort landing on the initial approach due to a mountain lion on the runway.

Hailey resident Diane Cordes was on the 8:15 p.m. flight expecting a routine landing as the plane skimmed over the southern end of the valley at about 9:15 p.m.

“The weather was clear so we were all happy,” Cordes said. “We were on an approach for landing and all of a sudden the pilot pulled up. After a couple of minutes, he came on the loudspeaker and said the tower called and we had to pull up because there’s a cougar on the runway.”

Cordes said the plane did one big loop, lasting about 20 minutes, and the pilot came back on and said the tower had approved a landing because airport personnel had been able to chase the lion outside the airport fence.

She said the plane landed at about 9:45 p.m., about 20 minutes late.

Cordes said the passenger sitting next to her was a man from Virginia making his first visit to the area.

“Does this happen all the time?” she said he asked her.

Cordes said she told him that mountain lion sightings are common, but she had never known of one on the airport runway.

Airport Manager Chris Pomeroy said the cougar was first reported by Atlantic Aviation, which serves private planes, at the southern end of the airport. He said observations Sunday of tracks on the outside of the perimeter fence, which surrounds the airport, indicated that the animal had been roaming around the fence for a couple of days. Pomeroy said the lion apparently saw something interesting inside the airfield and climbed on a wheel line irrigation device to jump over the fence.

Pomeroy said the airport has a wildlife management plan in place, and airport personnel went out to try to corral the cougar.

“We thought we had it contained but it did spring loose and walk across the runway when the Delta flight was several miles out,” he said.

Pomeroy said he used an airport car to chase the lion into a fenced-off area surrounding the air traffic control tower. He said he had contacted the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and a conservation officer was on the scene when the lion was trapped within the fence.

Fish and Game spokesman Kelton Hatch said the officer shot the lion to protect public safety, including the safety of the people exiting the plane.

“There was no way to get ahold of it and trap it in a timely manner,” Hatch said. “If we had let it out of the gate, it would have run out onto Highway 75.”

Mike McDonald, the department’s regional wildlife manager, said the conservation officer on the scene did not have access to a tranquilizer dart gun.

“Those folks [who do have them] are pretty highly trained to administer drugs for wildlife restraint purposes,” he said. “Currently, we are a little understaffed in that area.”

In any case, he said, the department does not normally relocate large predators such as mountain lions or bears that have become accustomed to being near humans.

“The risk isn’t worth the reward,” he said.

Hatch said the lion was a juvenile, less than a year old.

“They’re typically the ones that get into trouble,” he said. “They don’t have the full skill set that an adult animal does.”

The lion was the second one recently killed in the area. On Dec. 31, a lion was trapped and killed by personnel from the federal Wildlife Services after it apparently killed a goat and critically injured another one on private property along Broadford Road south of Hailey.

Pomeroy said animals occasionally get into the airport, but this was the first time he knows of that a cougar has done so. He said deer got in a couple of times last winter when the snow was so deep that they could jump over the fence.

Story and comments ➤ http://www.mtexpress.com

Clinton County formally supports Sky West bid

PLATTSBURGH — Clinton County legislators affirmed their support for a new airline service at Plattsburgh International Airport by unanimously backing a bid from Sky West to fly to and from Washington, D.C.

Sky West was selected by legislators Wednesday night from six bids to obtain federal Essential Air Service funding to fly out of Plattsburgh.

The airline, which is a partner of United Airlines, plans to fly from Plattsburgh to Dulles International Airport twice each weekday and once each Saturday and Sunday.

Sky West will receive about $6 million in federal money to provide the service, if it is selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation next month.

Legislators said they were elated to have the Sky West bid, which will give passengers more options for connecting flights out of Dulles.

Pen Air has been serving the Plattsburgh airport the past six years, providing daily flights to Logan International Airport in Boston.

Some passengers have complained about the difficulty in making connections out of Logan and the fact that they have to leave one terminal and re-enter another for connections, which means they would have to clear security again.

If DOT backs the county choice, Pen Air service to Boston will halt at the end of June and the new service to Washington will begin.

'GO ANYWHERE'

Connections with United, which has a code-share agreement with American, Delta and Alaska Airlines, will be more convenient for travelers, legislators say.

"You can go anywhere from Dulles," said former County Legislator Robert Heins, who chaired the Airport Committee.

He was leading the Airport Committee in 2003 when the county opted to move the airport from its small Route 3 location to the flight line of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

The new airport opened for business in the summer of 2007.

Heins told legislators Wednesday night that he was proud of their efforts to secure the Washington route.

"To have six bids is incredible," he said.

"It is a dream come true, and I thank you guys for taking a leap of faith."

'WISE CHOICE'

James McCartney, principal of the CV-TEC satellite campus that operates Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute, said he was also pleased to see the legislature back the Sky West bid.

"It is a very wise choice going with Sky West, and a lot of people in my circles are very excited," McCartney said.

Legislator Simon Conroy (D-Area 4, Town of Plattsburgh) said the county is riding a wave of success.

"I feel we are in a very good spot," he said. "And the airport is in an especially good spot." 

MORE PASSENGERS

Conroy said the Washington destination will bring many more travelers to Plattsburgh's airport.

"We will be looking at thousands of more enplanements, and that will be great for the economy," he said.

Legislator Chris Rosenquest (D-Area 9, City of Plattsburgh) said some people will miss the service to Boston.

"But this will serve the growth of our area," he said.

Legislator Mark Dame (R-Area 8, City and Town of Plattsburgh) said that making the switch is not about getting a bigger name, like United.

"It's about the data, and it shows that there are thousands more in our area that will fly to Washington from here," Dame said.

"The more passengers we have, the better it will be for our taxpayers, and it will help our economy grow even more." 

PEN AIR PRESSURE

DOT will make its final selection in mid February, and the public has until Feb. 7 to submit comments in support of Pen Air or Sky West.

Pen Air officials are urging residents to send letters of support for their service to Boston, citing its established presence and local employees.

Legislature Chairman Harry McManus said the county will be sending a "very strong" letter of support for the Sky West bid to DOT, as will the City and Town of Plattsburgh.

Local businesses and community organizations are also being asked to send letters in support of Sky West, McManus said.

He said Heins and his colleagues deserve a lot of the credit for the airport's success.

"The community will be forever indebted to that group from 2003 to 2007," McManus said.

Legislator Robert Hall (D-Area 10, City of Plattsburgh), who chairs the Airport Committee, said Heins and his colleagues were instrumental in the airport's success, which has carried on to the current legislature.

"It took all 10 of us and Michael (County Administrator Zurlo) and Rodney (Deputy Administrator) Brown to get this done," Hall said.

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