Friday, July 13, 2018

Incident occurred July 12, 2018 at Groton-New London Airport (KGON), New London County, Connecticut

Groton — A plane made an emergency landing at Groton-New London Airport on Thursday night due to smoke in the cockpit, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The Dassault Falcon aircraft, operated by Dumont Aircraft Charter, landed safely at the airport about 7:15 p.m. after the crew declared an emergency and reported smoke in the cockpit, according to an email from the federal agency. Pfizer fire officials assisted the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department at the scene.

The aircraft later departed from the airport and was headed to Boston's Logan International Airport, the FAA said. The agency is investigating the incident.

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

Loss of Control in Flight: Rutan Defiant, N17DR; fatal accident occurred July 12, 2018 near Robertson Field Airport (4B8), Plainville, Hartford County, Connecticut

Point of Initial Impact (National Transportation Safety Board) 

Point of Initial Ground Impact (National Transportation Safety Board)

Impact Crater (National Transportation Safety Board)

Main Wreckage (National Transportation Safety Board)

Main Wreckage (National Transportation Safety Board)

Main Wreckage (National Transportation Safety Board)

Forward Engine and Propeller (National Transportation Safety Board)

Rear Engine and Propeller (National Transportation Safety Board)

Rear Engine/Propeller and Right Wing (National Transportation Safety Board)

Cockpit Area (National Transportation Safety Board)

Fuselage (National Transportation Safety Board)


Copy - Sport Aviation Magazine Article 



Wreckage Diagrams



















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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

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/N17DR


Location: Plainville, CT
Accident Number: ERA18FA189
Date & Time: 07/12/2018, 1042 EDT
Registration: N17DR
Aircraft: RUTAN DEFIANT
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 12, 2018, about 1042 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Rutan Defiant airplane, N17DR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Robertson Field Airport (4B8), Plainville, Connecticut. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a receipt recovered from the wreckage, the pilot purchased 20 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline the day before the accident.

A GoPro camera was mounted on the left, rear wing, facing aft over the trailing edge. The camera had a view of a portion of the wing and the top of a flight control surface. Scenery behind the airplane indicated that the airplane was parked on the ramp on the west side of runway 2. About 1030, a voice was heard yelling, "clear prop," and an engine could be heard starting. About 2 minutes later, the second engine was started. The pilot began to taxi the airplane to the runway at 1033. After noises consistent with engine runup and magneto checks on both engines, the pilot taxied onto the runway and began the takeoff roll about 1037.

The airplane became airborne near the 1,000 ft markers on the runway. As the airplane climbed, its flight path moved immediately to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot then corrected back to the runway centerline, and the airplane subsequently moved to the right of the centerline. About 1 minute after takeoff, the pilot initiated a left turn onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 2. The airplane continued onto a left downwind, followed by a left base leg for runway 2. About 1041, the airplane crossed over the runway 2 threshold. At that point, the pilot initiated a go-around and the engine noise increased. The airplane was noticeably left of the runway centerline as it climbed away from the runway threshold.

The airplane continued to track more than 60° left of the runway centerline and continued in an erratic, primarily descending, left turn. Engine power was audible; engine noise was generally consistent with at least one engine producing power. The airplane continued in a steep left descending turn, at times estimated to be more than 60° of bank. Engine noise lessened as it descended over a housing development. The airplane impacted the ground about 1042. First responders arrived at the site about 6 minutes later.

A witness reported that he was on the ramp at 4B8 preparing for an instructional flight. He saw the accident airplane climb out from runway 2 and immediately veer to the left. The airplane was 150-200 ft above the ground near the fixed base operator. The airplane continued in a steep left bank until it disappeared below the horizon and crashed. He may have heard at least one engine operating at the time of the accident. There was no smoke trailing the airplane.

Another witness was in his kitchen with the sliding glass door open. He heard a low-flying airplane, then went outside and saw the airplane flying directly over his condo. The airplane appeared to be in a "downward descent" about 40 ft above the ground. The airplane then banked hard to the left such that he could see the underside of the airplane. He then heard a loud crash; however, he did not see the impact.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; 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
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/06/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 765 hours (Total, all aircraft), 225 hours (Total, this make and model), 4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

The pilot's multi-engine rating was valid for the Rutan Defiant only. The pilot was listed in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness records as one of the builders of the airplane.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RUTAN
Registration: N17DR
Model/Series: DEFIANT
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 7007
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:4 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/01/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 4 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 286 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The engine service times could not be determined by the aircraft maintenance records. The forward engine was originally delivered with a carburetor; however, an aftermarket fuel injection system was added before installation on the airframe. According to the engine logbook, the engine had accumulated 4,421 hours as of September 21, 2000; no overhaul information was available. At the time of installation on the accident airplane on July 10, 2004, the logbook entry indicated 30.3 hours time in service.

The aft engine was carbureted. When installed on July 10, 2004, the logbook entry indicated 1,009 hours since major overhaul; the total time in service was not recorded.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHFD, 18 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1053 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 90°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 360°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Plainville, CT (4B8)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Plainville, CT (4B8)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1037 EDT
Type of Airspace:Class E  

According to the carburetor icing probability chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, dated June 30, 2009, the temperature/dew point at the time of the accident was conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at glide power.

Airport Information

Airport: Robertson Airport (4B8)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 201 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:02 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3665 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around; Traffic Pattern 

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: 41.683889, -72.870000 (est) 

The airplane collided with upsloping terrain inside a city-owned landfill about 0.4 mile southwest of the airport center. The wreckage path was oriented on a 150° heading and was about 105 ft long and about 25 ft wide. The airplane came to rest on a 060° heading. There was no fire.

Flight control continuity was established from the aft-mounted wing/rudder assembly control surfaces to the cockpit. The left wing spar was broken and pushed aft about 20° at the outboard junction with the left fuel tank; however, the wing remained attached by fiberglass skin. The right wing remained attached to the fuselage. Control surface continuity from the forward-mounted canards to the cockpit was not established due to postimpact damage. The left elevator was separated from the canard during the accident sequence. The right canard and elevator remained attached to the fuselage.

The nose landing gear was separated during the impact sequence. The left and right main gear struts remained attached to the fuselage. The right main gear tire remained attached to the right strut; the left main gear tire separated during the accident sequence and was located adjacent to the left wing tip.

The left and right fuel tank selector handles were in the OFF positions; however, first responders reportedly turned them off and removed the battery. Both fiberglass main fuel tanks were breached. A total of 2 gallons of clean, blue-colored fuel was recovered from the tanks. Both fuel filler caps were secure, and the seals were pliable and undamaged.

The forward engine partially separated from the fuselage, remaining attached by wires, cables, and hoses. The propeller hub remained attached to the engine. The wooden blades shredded and splintered during the impact sequence and were found in several areas of the wreckage path. The engine was not examined on scene due to the inaccessibility of the wreckage.

The aft engine remained attached to the fuselage and the engine mount was uncompromised. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. The wooden blades were undamaged except for superficial, non-rotational scratches. The engine was not examined on scene due to the inaccessibility of the wreckage.

The front left 3-point seat belt remained attached to its buckles. The anchor was pulled away from the fiberglass wall by impact forces.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure storage facility for additional examination of the engines and propellers.

Forward Engine

As first viewed, the forward engine was missing the oil filter assembly, oil dipstick, and a portion of the engine-driven fuel pump. The fuel servo was detached from its mount and hanging by its fuel-carrying lines below the engine.

The engine was equipped with an aftermarket, experimental fuel injection system. The airflow performance system was comprised of a flow divider that was securely installed to the top of the engine, fuel injection nozzles in each cylinder, and a fuel servo that was found impact-separated from the lower side of the engine but remained attached to its fluid-carrying lines.

The engine-driven fuel pump was impact-separated from the rear of the engine. The fuel pump mating flange remained securely installed with its attaching hardware; however, the lower half of the pump body was separated.

The magnetos were both found secured to the engine with some impact damage noted. After removal, both magnetos produced spark at all points when rotated manually using an electric drill. The ignition harness exhibited impact damage and was not tested.

The spark plugs for the Nos. 1 and 3 cylinders displayed carbon fouling signatures; the spark plugs for the Nos. 2 and 4 cylinders had normal signatures when compared to a Champion Check-a-Plug chart.

The oil filter and oil filter adapter were fractured from the accessory housing and missing.

Minor impact damage was noted on the rocker box covers and induction and exhaust pipes. The airbox was crushed upwards and into cylinder No. 2.

Thumb compression was confirmed on all cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated by hand with the top spark plugs removed. Continuity was confirmed throughout the engine, including the valve train and accessory sections. A lighted borescope inspection of all cylinders was unremarkable.

Fuel injection nozzles were found installed in each cylinder with corresponding injection lines securely installed. The nozzles were removed, inspected, and found to be unobstructed.

Aft Engine

As first viewed, the aft engine was found attached to its engine mount, which was attached to the rear firewall. The engine mount showed signs of impact damage with various bends. The engine mount was cut to allow engine separation for examination purposes.

The carburetor was found secured to the engine and attached to the engine's airbox. Upon disassembly, a trace amount of fuel was found within the float bowl. The brass floats did not reveal any signatures of hydraulic crushing. No other anomalies were noted with the carburetor. The fuel pump was actuated by hand and produced suction and compression at its corresponding inlet and outlet ports.

The magnetos were both found securely installed to the engine at the time of the examination. Timing was checked and left magneto was found at 26-degrees and the right magneto at 28-degrees before top dead center.

The aft engine spark plugs did not exhibit the same carbon fouled/rich condition signatures as the forward engine. The Nos. 2, 3, and 4 plugs were heavily corroded at the time of the exam. No damage to the electrodes were noted.

The ignition harness exhibited minor impact damage to some of the lower plug connections. The harness was not tested or retained for further examination.

There were no signs of metal particulates found in the engine. The oil suction screen was removed and found to be clean and unobstructed. The oil filter was present, but was not cut open and inspected. The oil cooler was found attached with lines secured, and no anomalies were noted.

The exhaust pipes for cylinder Nos. 1 and 3 showed signs of impact damage. All four intake pipes were removed and found to be unobstructed.

A lighted borescope inspection revealed lead deposits on all piston faces; no other anomalies were noted.

Thumb compression and valve train continuity were confirmed on all four cylinders by manually rotating the propeller with the top spark plugs removed.

Signs of a preexisting oil leak were present on cylinder Nos. 3 and 4 at the top side of the cylinder around the spark plug hole and cooling fins. The shroud tubes on these cylinders had an orange RTV-type sealant applied between the crankcase and cylinder heads.

Medical And Pathological Information

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Connecticut performed the autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death was blunt impact injuries of the head and torso.

The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. Testing was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs of abuse. Testing for cyanide was not performed. 

Additional Information

Engine Data Monitor

The airplane was equipped with a J.P. Instruments Engine Data Monitor 760 (EDM-760) mounted in the cockpit. The EDM-760 was removed from the wreckage and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for examination.

The EDM-760 was damaged from impact and would not power up. The device was then disassembled and five memory chips were read. The retrieved data contained 18 flights, including the accident flight. The duration of the data on the accident flight was 12 minutes 18 seconds. Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and cylinder head temperature (CHT) were recorded for each cylinder on both engines. The EDM-760 was configured to record a new set of data every 6 seconds. A final set of data would have been recorded about 2 seconds before ground impact; however, these data could not be recovered, and the last data set was recorded about 8 seconds before ground impact.

The EGT and CHT values showed that, while in flight, cylinder No. 2 on the forward engine tracked lower than other cylinders; however, observations of the previous 17 flights showed the same trend.

The EGT and CHT values during the 25-second time period between the go-around and ground impact were also examined. The values indicated no significant drop in either CHT or EGT for either engine during this period. The EGT for the aft engine showed a slight increase during the final 10 seconds of recorded data, while the CHT remained generally stable. The CHT for the forward engine increased slightly during the last 10 seconds, while its corresponding EGT remained generally stable.

Sound Spectrum Study of GoPro Video


The audio portion of the GoPro video was evaluated in an attempt to determine engine operating speeds during flight. It was noted that, while the airplane was in the traffic pattern, wind noise often obfuscated propeller blade passage frequency (BPF). In two portions of the sound spectrum, BPF reached about 78 Hertz (Hz), which equated to an engine speed of 2,340 rpm. It was not possible to individually isolate the sound of each engine's noise during the accident flight; however, there were no audio indications from the study that one engine lost power relative to the other during the flight.

Location: Plainville, CT
Accident Number: ERA18FA189
Date & Time: 07/12/2018, 1042 EDT
Registration: N17DR
Aircraft: RUTAN DEFIANT
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 12, 2018, about 1042 eastern daylight time, a experimental, amateur-built Rutan Defiant, N17DR, impacted terrain while in the traffic pattern at Robertson Field Airport (4B8), Plainville, Connecticut. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated about 1037.

A witness reported that he was on the ramp at 4B8, preparing for an instructional flight. He observed the accident airplane climb out from runway 2 and immediately veer to the left. The airplane was 150-200 feet above the ground near the fixed base operator. The airplane continued in a steep (80-90°) left bank until it disappeared below the horizon and crashed. He may have heard at least one engine operating at the time of the accident. There was no smoke trailing the airplane.

The airplane collided with upsloping terrain inside a city-owned landfill, about 0.4 miles southwest of the airport center. The wreckage path was oriented on a 150° heading and was about 105 feet in length and about 25 feet wide. The airplane came to rest on a 060° heading. There was no fire. The forward engine, firewall, and instrument panel partially broken away from the fuselage and remained attached by cables and wires. The aft engine and wooden propeller remained attached to the fuselage; they were generally undamaged with the exception of minor non-rotational surface scratches on the propeller blades. Flight control continuity was established from the aft-mounted wing/vertical fin assembly control surfaces to the cockpit. Control surface continuity from the forward-mounted canards to the cockpit was not established due to postimpact damage to those components.

The nose landing gear was separated during the impact sequence. The left and right main gear struts remained attached to the fuselage. The right main gear tire remained attached to the right strut and the left main gear tire separated during the accident sequence and was located adjacent to the left wing tip.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine and multi-engine land ratings. The multi-engine rating was valid for the Rutan Defiant only. According to his pilot logbook, he recorded 765 hours total time prior to the accident. The pilot was listed in Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness records as one of the builders of the airplane.

The fiberglass-construction, four-seat airplane was equipped with two Lycoming O-320 series engines in a push-pull configuration. According to the airplane logbooks, a condition inspection was completed on December 1, 2017. The airplane had accrued about 286 hours of total time at the time of the accident.

Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD) was located about 10 miles east of the accident site. The 1053 weather observation at HFD included wind from 010º at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 28°C, dew point 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.17 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RUTAN
Registration: N17DR
Model/Series: DEFIANT
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: KHFD, 18 ft msl
Observation Time: 1053 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 360°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Plainville, CT (4B8)
Destination: Plainville, CT (4B8) 

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: 41.683889, -72.870000 (est)

Donald Eckberg


















PLAINVILLE, CT (WFSB) -  Plainville police identified the 67-year-old pilot who was killed in a plane crash near Robertson Airport on Thursday.

The twin-engine aircraft crashed just after 10:30 a.m., in a landfill near the airport. 


The Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot was the only person on board when the plane crashed, and that he died on impact.


He was identified as 67-year-old Donald Eckberg, of Burlington. 


The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will be taking over the investigation. They identified the aircraft as a Rutan Defiant, and lists the victim as the plane's co-owner.


Police said the surrounding area will be closed to the public during the investigation. 


Richard Marr, who helped Eckberg building the plane, said his friend was a great pilot, and a great man.


"We were like brothers. He was one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever known," Marr said in a statement to Channel 3 on Thursday.


Marr says he plans to speak to the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigators on Friday morning at the crash site. He said because Eckberg was such an impeccable pilot, he believes a medical issue may have led to the crash. 


Robertson Airport is located off of Johnson Avenue, however, neighbors on Julie Road said the plane was flying awfully close to the ground before it crashed on Thursday morning, just several hundred feet from a nearby condo complex.


"Seeing it pass the tree like that and it being that low, I figured something was going to happen, something was wrong," said Ashley Wolak, of Plainville.


Dr. Michael Teiger, who is an aviation medical examiner says the FAA designates Rutan Defiants as experimental aircraft, which means the plane was built by individuals, not in a factory, but that doesn't mean it wasn't safe. 


"These are experienced engineers and people who are in the trade, who know how to build planes. It takes several years to actually get a plane from the kit to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration" said Teiger. 


Story and video ➤ http://www.wfsb.com





PLAINVILLE - One person was killed Thursday morning when he was ejected from a twin-engine airplane after crashing it near Robertson Airport.

The pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was identified as 67-year-old Burlington resident Donald Eckberg.

The impact occurred in the town’s landfill that sits just southwest of the airport, behind an apartment complex off of Julie Road. It was just before 10:24 a.m., when authorities received a 911 call about the crash. The first officer on scene had to hop a fence and run to the top of a hill, where the wreckage sat, and call out for any survivors of the crash.

“The officer tried performing life-saving techniques on Eckberg, but he had died on impact,” said police Lt. Nicholas Mullins.

Roger Knapp, who lives in an apartment about 100 yards from where the crash occurred, said he was working at home behind a glass sliding door when he could hear the plane coming.

“I heard it was too low - that’s for sure,” Knapp said.

Knapp, looking through the sliding door, said the plane first appeared as though it were heading directly for his home before it banked left and ended up in a wooded area.

“Oh, it was a huge crash,” Knapp said of the sound.

Mullins said both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have taken over the investigation. The agencies will determine what caused the crash.

“I know people saw the plane flying low in this area,” Mullins said. “I can’t tell you how exactly the dynamic of the crash occurred - that’s under investigation as we speak.”

When asked if he had any idea what caused the crash, Mullins said, “That would just be speculation at this point.”

On its Twitter page, the NTSB identified the aircraft as a Rutan Defiant - a four-seat, home-built aircraft. Mullins said the aircraft had taken off from Robertson Airport, but he was not sure where it was headed.

This is not the first time a plane has crashed near Robertson Airport. Just last September, an 80-year-old man, flying a single-engine aircraft, crashed into a tree and spun around before the aircraft settled into a parking lot adjacent to the airport. He walked away with minor injuries.

Mullins said there also was a crash several years ago near Northwest Drive.

When asked if authorities had any concern about the number of accidents in the area, Mullins said, “I’d rather not comment on that. Unfortunately, these things do occasionally happen. And we have seen plane crashes in Plainville over the years, due to the fact that we do have an airport in town.”

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











A plane crashed in a landfill in Plainville Thursday morning and Plainville police said the pilot has died.

The pilot, identified by police as 67-year-old Donald Eckberg, of Burlington, was the only person on the twin-engine plane that crashed on Granger Lane at 10:24 a.m., near Robertson Airport and he was thrown from the aircraft.

A friend told NBC Connecticut he and Eckberg built the plane he was flying, which was classified as an experimental aircraft.

Richard Marr, who is the co-owner of the plane and Eckberg's best friend, said Eckberg was always very careful and took precautions while flying, so he's not sure what could have gone wrong.

A Tweet from the National Transportation Safety Board said the plane is a Rutan Defiant and the federal agency is investigating. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.

The plane crash is near condos and several residents reported hearing a plane flying very low then a boom.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call police.

The area surrounding the crash will be closed to the public during the investigation. 

The last fatal plane crash in Connecticut was on Sept. 16, 2017 in North Branford, according to NTSB records. NASCAR champion Ted Christopher, 59, and the pilot, 81-year-old Charles Dundas, were killed in that crash. 

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

Beech 95-B55 (T42A), N2844W: Incident occurred July 12, 2018 at Glendale Municipal Airport (KGEU), Maricopa County, Arizona

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale

While conducting touch and go landings, the nose gear fell off the aircraft. The pilot elected to execute a gear up landing.

http://registry.faa.gov/N2844W

Date: 12-JUL-18
Time: 18:33:00Z
Regis#: N2844W
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: BE55
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: GLENDALE
State: ARIZONA

SkyWest Airlines, Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-700, N703SK: Incident occurred July 12, 2018 at The Eastern Iowa Airport (KCID), Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines

Aircraft notified tower that they may have struck a bird on landing. While doing a runway inspection, operations found that a LAHSO imbedded light had become dislodged and damaged the tire on aircraft.

http://registry.faa.gov/N703SK

Date: 12-JUL-18
Time: 23:35:00Z
Regis#: N703SK
Aircraft Make: BOMBARDIER
Aircraft Model: CR7
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: SKYWEST
City: CEDAR RAPIDS
State: IOWA