Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada Aviation Accident Final 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/N993JK Location: Reno, NV Accident Number: GAA17CA478 Date & Time: 08/08/2017, 1220 PDT Registration: N993JK Aircraft: KING JOHN E JR KITFOX Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 1 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental, amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions. He reported that, during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused the right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60 knots airspeed and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left sideload. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that he "knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions." METARs at the accident airport are issued about every 20 minutes. Ten minutes before the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6 knots. About 10 minutes after the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in variable wind conditions. Findings Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause) Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause) Environmental issues Variable wind - Effect on operation Factual Information History of Flight Landing-landing roll Other weather encounter Attempted remediation/recovery Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, he attempted to land in shifting wind conditions. He reported that during the landing flare on runway 8, a wind gust from the south caused his right wing to rise. He reported that he made the approach with full flaps applied and about 60kts airspeed, and corrected with right aileron, but the airplane landed with a left side load. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then veered to the left and sustained substantial damage to the lower left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that, "I knew the winds were swirling and should have taken another look at it or found another runway for the newer developing wind conditions." METARs at the accident airport are issued about 20 minutes apart. 10 minutes prior to the accident, the METAR indicated that the wind was from 080° at 6kts. About 10 minutes after the accident the METAR indicated that the wind was from 140° at 5kts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Pilot Information Certificate: Private Age: 50, Male Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Left Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 4-point Instrument Rating(s): None Second Pilot Present: No Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/02/2017 Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/05/2017 Flight Time: (Estimated) 209 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 209 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 55 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Manufacturer: KING JOHN E JR Registration: N993JK Model/Series: KITFOX SERIES 6 Aircraft Category: Airplane Year of Manufacture: 2002 Amateur Built: Yes Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Serial Number: S6004-024 Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel Seats: 2 Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/20/2017, Annual Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1550 lbs Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating Airframe Total Time: 824 Hours at time of accident Engine Manufacturer: Rotax ELT: C91 installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: 912-ULS Registered Owner: On file Rated Power: 100 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: RTS, 5026 ft msl Observation Time: 0710 UTC Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles Direction from Accident Site: 98° Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 11°C Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility: 10 Miles Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 240° Visibility (RVR): Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg Visibility (RVV): Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation Departure Point: Reno, NV (RTS) Type of Flight Plan Filed: None Destination: Reno, NV (RTS) Type of Clearance: None Departure Time: 0800 PDT Type of Airspace: Class G Airport Information Airport: RENO/STEAD (RTS) Runway Surface Type: Asphalt Airport Elevation: 5050 ft Runway Surface Condition: Dry Runway Used: 08 IFR Approach: None Runway Length/Width: 7608 ft / 150 ft VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 1 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: None Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 1 None Latitude, Longitude: 39.668056, -119.876389 (est)
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach Aircraft landed then veered off the runway and collapsed the nose gear. http://registry.faa.gov/N10DK Date:22-MAR-18 Time:19:50:00Z Regis#:N10DK Aircraft Make:PIPER Aircraft Model:PA-46-350P Event Type:INCIDENT Highest Injury:NONE Aircraft Missing:No Damage:MINOR Activity:PERSONAL Flight Phase:LANDING (LDG) Operation:91 City:COSTA MESA State:CALIFORNIA
SANTA ANA (CBSLA) — A small plane skidded off a runway Thursday at John Wayne Airport, but no injuries were reported. Some commercial flights were delayed after the private single-engine Piper Malibu skidded off the runway around 12:50 p.m., according to officials. Only one person is believed to have been aboard the plane, but was not injured. Although the runway was visibly wet, it wasn’t clear whether rain may have played a role in the incident, or whether the plane was taking off or landing at the time. The runway was temporarily closed to remove the plane and forced inbound flights to hold or divert, according to reports. Images posted to social media appeared to show the plane in a stopped position along a grassy area between the airport’s runways with its nosegear broken. An airport spokesperson told KNX 1070 the aircraft’s nosegear had been sheared off before it landed in the so-called “safety area” between runways. The runway reopened just after 2 p.m., according to the airport. Original article can be found here ➤ http://losangeles.cbslocal.com
SANTA ANA – A small plane slid off a runway while landing at John Wayne Airport on Thursday afternoon, temporarily delaying commercial flights. The Piper Malibu, shortly before 1 p.m., skidded off of a runway, shearing off the nose gear of the aircraft and coming to rest in a “safety area” between the short runway and a long runway used for commercial aircraft, said Deanne Thompson, a John Wayne Airport spokeswoman. The pilot, who was the only person aboard, was not injured, Thompson said. Both runways were temporarily closed while airport workers removed the plane, delaying some commercial flights. The runways were re-opened by 2 p.m., Thompson said. It wasn’t immediately clear if the inclement weather or mechanical issues forced the pilot to lost control of the plane. Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.ocregister.com
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska 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/N716JP
Location: Deadhorse, PO Accident Number: ANC18LA027 Date & Time: 03/20/2018, 1942 AKD Registration: N716JP Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC 6 TWIN OTTER Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land Injuries: 1 Serious, 5 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled On March 20, 2018, about 1942 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped, twin-engine, turbine-powered de Havilland DHC-6 (Twin Otter) airplane, N716JP, struck a pedestrian after takeoff from a remote, sea ice airstrip, about 140 miles north of Deadhorse, Alaska. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The captain, first officer, and the three passengers on board the airplane were not injured. The flight was operated by Bald Mountain Air Service, Inc., Homer, Alaska, as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand commercial flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airplane's point of departure, and a VFR flight plan was on file. The flight was en route to Deadhorse at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on March 23, the accident airplane's captain said that the purpose of the flight was to provide ongoing logistical support of ICEX 2018, which involved, in part, U.S. Navy and U.K Royal Navy submarines operating beneath the frozen Arctic Ocean during a 5-week exercise. The captain stated that the flights used an airstrip on the sea ice that was lined on both sides with snow berms. The 2,500-foot-long by 75-foot-wide airstrip included one runway oriented north/south and an intersecting runway oriented east/west. He said that weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of clear skies with ice pack haze. He noted that the sun was low on the horizon, resulting in shadows on the airstrip, and that flat light conditions made it difficult to discern topographical features. The captain said that, after back-taxiing the airplane to the south end of the airstrip and just before beginning the takeoff roll to the north, both pilots saw the pedestrian standing near the departure end of the airstrip on the left side and near the intersection of the east/west runway. He said that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered slightly to the left of centerline, so he applied differential engine power to correct the veer, and the airplane returned to the centerline. As the takeoff roll continued, the airplane subsequently became airborne, so he lowered the nose to remain within ground effect and gain airspeed before initiating a climb. He said that, as the airspeed increased, he started to climb the airplane, then initiated a left turn. During the turn, both pilots said they heard a loud thump, which was immediately followed by an aileron control anomaly. The captain reported that he continued the left turn and subsequently entered a left downwind traffic pattern for an emergency landing to the north. The captain said that after landing, both pilots saw the pedestrian lying behind a snow berm on the left side of the airstrip. At the end of the telephone interview, when asked by the NTSB IIC if it had been prearranged to have the pedestrian near the departure end of the airstrip during the departure, the captain said, in part: "I don't recall." The captain also reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing and left aileron. The pedestrian sustained a serious head and neck injuries because of the collision, and he was subsequently medevacked to Anchorage, Alaska, for treatment. The accident co-pilot elected to submit a written statement in place of an interview with the NTSB IIC. Written statements from both pilots are included in the public docket for this accident. During a hospital room interview with the NTSB IIC, on March 25, the injured pedestrian, who was an employee of the Arctic Submarine Laboratory, reported that just before the two pilots boarded the airplane, he discussed with the captain that he would position himself alongside the airstrip to get a photo of the airplane's departure for his children. The pedestrian added that the purpose of taking the photo was to have two figurines in the foreground, and the departing airplane in the background, so he placed the figurines on a 3- to 4-ft tall snow berm on the left side of the airstrip. He said that, as he watched the accident airplane approach, he positioned himself behind the snow berm and well clear of the airstrip. He said that, as the airplane's takeoff progressed, it did not climb as quickly as it had during previous departures. The pedestrian said that the last thing he remembered before the collision was seeing the airplane's left wing getting lower to the ground as it began a left turn and flew toward him, as it continued to accelerate. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the medevac helicopter. The closest weather reporting facility was the Deadhorse Airport, 140 miles south of the accident site. The 1953 observation reported, in part: Wind, 270° at 12 knots; visibility, 9 statute miles with light snow; clouds and sky condition, 2,900 ft scattered, 4,600 ft overcast; temperature, minus 4° F; dew point, minus 9° F; altimeter, 30.47 inches of Mercury. The airplane was equipped with a solid-state cockpit voice recorder (CVR), and it was sent it to the NTSB vehicle recorder laboratory in Washington, D.C., for audition and review. After review, it was determined that the CVR failed to capture the events of the accident. No CVR listening group was convened, and no CVR transcript was created. The accident sequence was recorded by a security video camera mounted on one of the temporary camp structures positioned to the west of the north/south airstrip. A copy of the video was reviewed by the NTSB IIC, and it contained about 1 hour and 34 minutes of imagery. The video was recorded in low and flat light conditions making it difficult to discern topographical features on the ice. About the 14-minute time stamp, the pedestrian can be seen standing near some equipment and a snowmachine that was parked next to the airstrip. About 1 minute later, the low flying airplane enters the field of view, traveling from right-to-left, while flying in a straight and level attitude. As the low flying airplane nears the pedestrian, the airplane begins a steep left turn, and the left-wing lowers. The left wing of the airplane subsequently struck the pedestrian, and the airplane continued to the left, and out of the field of view. A clip of the accident video is included in the public docket for this accident. Pilot Information Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial Age: 32, Male Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Left Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/23/2018 Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/03/2017 Flight Time: 5724 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1024 hours (Total, this make and model) Co-Pilot Information Certificate: Commercial Age: 28, Male Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Right Other Aircraft Rating(s): Restraint Used: Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/16/2017 Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: Flight Time: 733 hours (Total, all aircraft), 117 hours (Total, this make and model), 228 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: DEHAVILLAND Registration: N716JP Model/Series: DHC 6 TWIN OTTER Aircraft Category: Airplane Year of Manufacture: 1977 Amateur Built: No Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 527 Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 2 Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/19/2018, Continuous Airworthiness Certified Max Gross Wt.: 12500 lbs Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 2 Turbo Prop Airframe Total Time: 29299.8 Hours as of last inspection Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney ELT: C126 installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: PT6A-27 Registered Owner: BALD MOUNTAIN AIR SERVICE INC Rated Power: 680 hp Operator: BALD MOUNTAIN AIR SERVICE INC Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) Meteorological Information and Flight Plan Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Dusk Observation Facility, Elevation: PASC Distance from Accident Site: 140 Nautical Miles Observation Time: 1953 AKD Direction from Accident Site: 180° Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2900 ft agl Visibility: 9 Miles Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 4600 ft agl Visibility (RVR): Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots / Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Wind Direction: 270° Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Altimeter Setting: 30.47 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: -20°C / -23°C Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Snow Departure Point: Deadhorse, AK Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR Destination: Deadhorse, AK (PASC) Type of Clearance: None Departure Time: 1940 AKD Type of Airspace: Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 2 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger Injuries: 3 None Aircraft Fire: None Ground Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 5 None Latitude, Longitude: 72.300833, -148.794722
Location: Deadhorse, AK
Accident Number: ANC18LA027 Date & Time: 03/20/2018, 1945 AKD Registration: N716JP Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC 6 TWIN OTTER Injuries: 1 Serious, 5 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled On March 20, 2018, about 1945 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped, twin-engine, turbine-powered de Havilland DHC-6 (Twin Otter) airplane, N716JP, struck a pedestrian after takeoff from a remote sea ice airstrip, about 140 miles north of Deadhorse, Alaska. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The captain, first officer, and the three passengers on board the airplane were not injured. The flight was operated by Bald Mountain Air Service, Inc., Homer, Alaska, as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand commercial flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airplane's point of departure, and a VFR flight plan was on file. The flight was en route to Deadhorse at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 23, the accident airplane's captain said that the purpose of the flight was to provide ongoing logistical support of ICEX 2018, which involves, in part, U.S. Navy and U.K Royal Navy submarines operating beneath the frozen Arctic Ocean during a 5-week exercise. The captain stated that the flights used an airstrip on the sea ice that was lined on both sides with snow berms. The airstrip included one runway oriented north/south and an intersecting runway oriented east/west. He said that weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of clear skies with ice pack haze. He noted that the sun was low on the horizon, resulting in shadows on the airstrip, and that flat light conditions made it difficult to discern topographical features. The captain said that, after back-taxiing the airplane to the south end of the airstrip and just before beginning the takeoff roll to the north, both pilots saw the pedestrian standing near the departure end of the airstrip on the left side and near the intersection of the east/west runway. He said that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered slightly to the left of centerline, so he applied differential engine power to correct the veer, and the airplane returned to the centerline. As the takeoff roll continued, the airplane subsequently became airborne, so he lowered the nose to remain within ground effect and gain airspeed before initiating a climb. He said that as the airspeed increased, he started to climb the airplane, then initiated a left turn. During the turn, both pilots said they heard a loud thump, which was immediately followed by an aileron control anomaly. The captain reported that he continued the left turn and subsequently entered a left downwind traffic pattern for an emergency landing to the north. The captain said that after landing, both pilots saw the pedestrian lying near a snow berm on the left side of the airstrip. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing and left aileron. The pedestrian sustained a serious head and neck injuries because of the collision, and he was subsequently medevacked to Anchorage, Alaska for treatment. During a hospital room interview with the NTSB IIC, on March 25, the injured pedestrian, who was an employee of the Arctic Submarine Laboratory, reported that just before the two pilots boarded the airplane, it was agreed that he would position himself alongside the airstrip to get a photo of the airplane's departure. The pedestrian noted that, as the accident airplane approached, he positioned himself behind a 3- to 4-ft tall snow berm, which was clear of the airstrip. He said that, as the airplane's takeoff progressed, it did not climb as quickly as it had during previous departures. The pedestrian said that the last thing he remembered before the collision was seeing the airplane's left wing getting lower to the ground as the airplane continued to accelerate toward him. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the medevac helicopter. The closest weather reporting facility was the Deadhorse Airport, 140 miles south of the accident site. The 1953 observation reported, in part: Wind, 270° at 12 knots; visibility, 9 statute miles with light snow; clouds and sky condition, 2,900 ft scattered, 4,600 ft overcast; temperature, minus 4° F; dew point, minus 9° F; altimeter, 30.47 inches of Mercury. The airplane was equipped with a solid-state cockpit voice recorder (CVR), and a download of the CVR data is pending.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Manufacturer: DEHAVILLAND Registration: N716JP Model/Series: DHC 6 TWIN OTTER 300 Aircraft Category: Airplane Amateur Built: No Operator: BALD MOUNTAIN AIR SERVICE INC Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) Meteorological Information and Flight Plan Conditions at Accident Site: Condition of Light: Dusk Observation Facility, Elevation: PASC Observation Time: 1953 AKD Distance from Accident Site: 140 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: -20°C / -23°C Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2900 ft agl Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 12 knots, 270° Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 4600 ft agl Visibility: 9 Miles Altimeter Setting: 30.47 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR Departure Point: Deadhorse, AK Destination: Deadhorse, AK (PASC) Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 2 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger Injuries: 3 None Aircraft Fire: None Ground Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 5 None Latitude, Longitude: (est)
A man survived being struck by a plane that was taking off from sea ice 140 miles north of Deadhorse on the Beaufort Sea, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The man, whose name has not been released, worked at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory supporting exercises during which U.S. and British navy submarines surface through the sea ice north of Alaska. That’s according to a preliminary report from the NTSB, which continues to investigate the March 20 plane strike. NTSB investigator Clint Johnson said the man was trying to snap a photo for his kids and was standing behind a snow berm next to an ice runway as the de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter took off. “He was going to be leaving the ice within the next couple of days,” Johnson said. “He did want to get a picture of these small Lego figurines with the airplane in the background.” The man told Johnson he talked to the pilot about taking the photo beforehand, though Johnson said the pilot, in a separate interview, did not recall the conversation. Johnson described what the man says he saw as the plane started taking off: “The airplane accelerated toward him. It didn’t climb as he anticipated,” Johnson said. “The airplane started a turn to the left, which means the left wing got closer to the ground. The next thing he knew is he saw the wing, and that’s all that he remembers. He remembered waking up in the medivac helicopter on the way to Deadhorse.” According to the NTSB report, the pilot and co-pilot heard a loud thump, and they had trouble with the plane’s controls. They made an emergency landing back on the airstrip and found the man with serious head and neck injuries. While the rest of the camp has since been removed from the ice, Johnson said the plane was not flyable and was left behind. He said the Twin Otter was still there as of Tuesday morning, a week later, with substantial damage to its left wing, and there were plans to use a heavy-lift helicopter to retrieve it from the drifting and deteriorating sea ice. The plane’s owner, Homer-based Bald Mountain Air Service, released a written statement about the incident Tuesday but did not answer questions about the plane’s status.
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
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 — Scott Gebert had just stepped outside of his physical therapist's office Thursday morning to take a break when he heard an airplane. "The engine sounded rough. I heard a backfire. I thought maybe they were stall training, but the plane was very low," Gebert said Friday. While he isn't certain the airplane he saw was the airplane which crashed at the Porter County Regional Airport Thursday morning killing Azam J. Zayed, 40, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Gebert said it looked like the airplane in photographs and the timing was about right. Gebert said he heard the airplane about 10:30 a.m. and the time of the crash was reported at 10:46 a.m. Gebert, of Valparaiso, said he's a bit of a "gear head" who enjoys watching airplanes and knew the airplane he spotted just didn't sound right. He said he also saw a flash from the exhaust and heard the engine cut out. The last time he saw the airplane, Gebert said it was banking as if it was returning to the airport. Gebert has reported what he saw Thursday to the National Safety Transportation Board and is awaiting to be interviewed by the investigator. Terry Williams, a spokesman for the NTSB, said an investigator will be on scene through Saturday, interviewing witnesses, gathering data and examining the airplane and crash site. Williams said the airplane has been moved to a secure location for the investigation. It could be up to 18 months before a report on the final cause is released, said Williams. In a week to 10 days the NTSB will post preliminary information on its web site. "The plane is kept as long as it is needed for the investigation. Sometimes, pieces are sent back to the manufacturer for testing, including the engine or critical components of different on-board navigation systems," said Elizabeth Cory, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. "The process focuses on determining what happened and why, with the goal of preventing such an accident from happening again," Cory said. According to FAA records, the Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, a fixed-wing single-engine airplane, was manufactured in 1960. Its most recent certification was issued on Jan. 12, 2018. Cory said investigators will look at a variety of issues, including the pilot’s training, medical history, autopsy. They’ll also talk to associates of the pilot, the doctor who issued the pilot’s medical certificate, family, the plane’s mechanic, people who knew the pilot and his or her flying history, and reconstruct the activities that led to the accident. They look at the maintenance records of the aircraft. They pull air traffic records, including radar. Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said an autopsy was conducted on Zayed Friday morning. Toxicology reports will be completed in about two weeks. Zayed suffered multiple blunt force injuries, said Harris, adding the cause and manner of death are still pending further investigation. Kyle Kubler, airport director, said he had no information as to why Zayed was at the airport, how long he was there, where he was coming from or where he was going. That information gathering is up to the NTSB and FAA, said Kubler. "We're really only involved in getting the response started and getting the airport back into safe order," said Kubler.
1960 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche 250 N-Number: N6785P S/N: 24-1916 Rock solid performer, this Comanche 250 trims easy and true. Great flying aircraft with super comfortable interior for long legs - 90 gallons with Tip Tanks. Enjoy a full IFR Panel with Garmin 300XL. This is a great flying aircraft! Airframe: 6,027 Hours Engine: 481 Hours SMOH PROP: 1,784 HOURS SPOH New fuel bladders April 2017 Engine: O/H by Western Skyways 12/2007 Lycoming 0-540-A1B5 s/n L-2947-40 2000 hr TBO Propeller Hartzell HC-AZXK-1 s/n J326 1990 Form 337 - repairs to fuselage and left wing.
VALPARAISO — The identity of the man who died in a plane crash Thursday morning at the Porter County Regional Airport has been identified by police. Azam J. Zayed, 40, of Oak Lawn, Ill., was the sole occupant of the plane, according to the Porter County Sheriff's Office. "Complications" after takeoff may have led to the crash. "According to witness statements shortly after the plane took off there were complications and the pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft," Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said in a written statement Thursday afternoon. At 10:46 a.m. the Porter County Sheriff's Office, Washington Township Fire Department and Porter Regional EMS were called to the crash, according to police. Members of a Federal Aviation Administration investigation team arrived at the Porter County Regional Airport about 1:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate the single-plane crash which claimed one life earlier in the day. Porter County Sheriff's department spokeswoman Sgt. Jamie Erow said the FAA was expected to be on the scene for two to three hours to conduct the investigation, but would not release any information. FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory confirmed a single-engine Piper Comanche departing the airport Thursday morning crashed under unknown circumstances and the FAA will be investigating. Cory said the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be in charge of the investigation. Any updates will be through the NTSB and the investigation could take 12 to 14 months to complete. The plane crashed at 10:46 a.m. at the airport, which is north of U.S. 30 and east of Ind. 49 near Valparaiso. The plane landed nose first in a swale between two runways. A flight restriction is in place for the area until midnight Thursday, Erow said. The Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Township Fire Department and Morgan Township Fire Department responded to the scene.
Witnesses to a fatal plane crash Thursday morning at Porter County Regional Airport said there were “complications” shortly before the plane crashed, according to a release from Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris. “The pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft,” Harris said in the release. His office was dispatched to the crash scene at 1:20 p.m. Authorities identified the victim and sole occupant of the plane as Azam J. Zayed of Oak Lawn, Illinois, and said Zayed owned the plane as well. Next of kin was notified through the Oak Lawn Police Department, according to Sgt. Jamie Erow, public information officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. The crash occurred at 10:46 a.m. Thursday at the airport, east of Indiana 49 and north of U.S. 30 in Valparaiso, Erow said, adding investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the scene around 1:30 p.m. and were there for a few hours. The Piper PA-24-250 Comanche was departing the airport and crashed under unknown circumstances, said Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman with the FAA’s Great Lakes regional office in Des Plaines, Ill. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be in charge of the investigation, Isham Cory said, adding that agency will release any further information about the plane crash. A flight restriction remained in place by the FAA for the area until midnight Thursday, Erow said. Also assisting at the scene after the crash were the Washington and Morgan Township fire departments. Original article ➤ https://www.chicagotribune.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)