Friday, August 03, 2018

Loss of Control on Ground: American Champion 7GCBC Citabria, N57477, accident occurred August 01, 2018 at Big Creek Airport (U60), Shoshone County, Idaho

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

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/N57477


Location: Big Creek, ID
Accident Number: WPR18LA216
Date & Time: 08/01/2018, 1215 MDT
Registration: N57477
Aircraft: Champion 7GCBC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 1, 2018, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC, N57477, veered off the runway and collided with a fence during the landing roll at the Big Creek Airport (U60), Big Creek, Idaho. The airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing struts. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from Flying B Ranch, Cascade, Idaho at 1136 with a planned destination of Big Creek, Idaho.

The pilot stated that after making a normal landing on runway 19, he applied wheel brakes. The airplane immediately turned to the left, and despite application of brakes and right rudder, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane continued over a water sprinkler system, through a wood fence and came to rest in a stand of small trees. The pilot stated that he had never before had to brake as aggressively with this airplane.

The pilot believed the brakes were malfunctioning by not applying equal brake pressure to the two brake calipers. He stated he was applying equal force to both brakes when the airplane veered left. The left brake line was breached during the accident sequence. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)inspector from the Boise, Idaho Flight Standards District Office monitored the replacement of the left brake line, then tested the left brake afterwards. He reported the left brake functioned normally. A visual inspection of the left brake puck revealed normal conditions. There were no indications of brake anomalies present. The airplane was loaded onto a trailer at the time of the examination therefore, no other tests of the brakes could be applied. After the airplane was removed from the trailer, the owner, with the authorization of the IIC, checked both brakes and reported normal operation. A video of the accident sequence, as viewed from inside, shows the airplane landing, veering left and coming to a stop in the stand of small trees.

A witness stated that he observed the airplane make a normal landing remaining aligned with the runway centerline. He momentarily diverted his eyes and when he looked back, he noted the airplane was established in a gradual left turn, maneuvering at a slow speed in a 3-point attitude. The airplane then collided into an airport perimeter fence and came to rest about 600 ft past the touchdown point.

The Champion airplane was manufactured in 1993. The tandem seat, tail dragger design was equipped with provisions for flight controls in the rear seat including rudder pedals. Brake pressure can be applied from either seat.

Big Creek Airfield is an uncontrolled, public use airport. The dirt runway, 01/19, is 3,550 ft long and 110 ft wide. When landing to runway 19, there is an uphill angle of .3. Runway 19 is the recommended landing runway. The runway surface was examined and found to be in good condition with no holes or defects. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/03/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 4688 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1403 hours (Total, this make and model), 2452 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 8.4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N57477
Model/Series: 7GCBC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 517-73
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/05/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 8 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1898 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-A2B
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 150 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: U60, 5024 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 41 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1851 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 66°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  8 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Cascade, ID (N/A)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Big Creek, ID (U60)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1210 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: Big Creek (U60)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 5743 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3550 ft / 110 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.131944, -115.321111 (est)

Location: Big Creek, ID
Accident Number: WPR18LA216
Date & Time: 08/01/2018, 1215 MDT
Registration: N57477
Aircraft: CHAMPION 7GCBC
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 1, 2018, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC, N57477, veered off the runway and collided with a fence during the landing roll at the Big Creek Airport (U60), Big Creek, Idaho. The airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91. The personal cross-country flight originated from Flying B Ranch, Salmon, Idaho at 1136 with a planned destination of Big Creek. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that after making a normal landing on runway 19, he applied wheel brakes. The airplane immediately turned to the left, and despite application of brakes and right rudder, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane continued over a water sprinkler system, through a wood fence and came to rest in a stand of pine trees. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained damage to the right strut.

A witness stated that he observed the airplane make a normal landing remaining aligned with the runway centerline. He momentarily diverted his eyes and when he looked back, he noted the airplane was established in a gradual left turn, maneuvering at a slow speed in a 3-point attitude. The airplane then collided into an airport perimeter fence and came to rest about 600 feet past the touchdown point. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CHAMPION
Registration: N57477
Model/Series: 7GCBC NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Hulla Richard W
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:

Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N62085: Incident occurred August 02, 2018 at Purdue University Airport (KLAF), Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana

Crashed while landing and bounced off runway.

Purdue Aviation LLC

http://registry.faa.gov/N62085

Date: 02-AUG-18
Time: 21:33:00Z
Regis#: N62085
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172P
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: LAFAYETTE
State: INDIANA

Loss of Control on Ground: BABE-E, N142NV; accident occurred August 02, 2018 at Delta County Airport (KESC), Escanaba, Michigan

Airplane in Hangar after Recovery. 

Damaged Tail Wheel Steering Chain.


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

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan

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/N142NV

Location: Escanaba, MI
Accident Number:CEN18LA307 
Date & Time: 08/02/2018, 1900 EDT
Registration: N142NV
Aircraft: Gerald Dan Coppock Bade-E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries:1 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 02, 2018, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Gerald Dan Coppock BABE-E homebuilt experimental airplane, N142NV, registered to the pilot/builder, sustained substantial damage during a runway excursion following a loss of directional control while landing at the Delta County Airport (ESC), Escanaba, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from ESC about 1830.

According to the pilot, he was landing on runway 01 at ESC and the airplane touched down normally. During the rollout, the airplane veered to the left once the tailwheel contacted the runway. Both wingtips contacted the runway surface and the airplane ground-looped. The forward section of the fuselage was buckled upward and substantially damaged. The airplane came to rest, nose down and the pilot exited the airplane. According to ESC METAR weather, reported winds about the time of the accident were 330 at 5 knots.

Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right steering cable chain was broken and hanging from the tailwheel. It could not be determined if the cable break was caused prior to or during the accident sequence. NTSB Form 6120 was not received from the pilot for additional information. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1400 hours (Total, all aircraft), 55 hours (Total, this make and model), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gerald Dan Coppock
Registration: N142NV
Model/Series: Babe-E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: GDC1
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/02/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1150 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:  Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 55 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: A80
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 80 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: ESC, 609 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1856 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:N/A / N/A 
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Escanaba, MI (ESC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Escanaba, MI (ESC)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1830 EST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Delta County Airport (ESC)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 609 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 1
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 5016 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

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: 45.722778, -87.093611 (est)

Location: Escanaba, MI
Accident Number: CEN18LA307
Date & Time: 08/02/2018, 1900 EDT
Registration: N142NV
Aircraft: Gerald Dan Coppock Bade-E
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 02, 2018, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Gerald Dan Coppock BABE-E homebuilt experimental airplane, N142NV, registered to the pilot/builder, sustained substantial damage during a runway excursion following a loss of directional control while landing at the Delta County Airport (ESC), Escanaba, Michigan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from ESC about 1830..

According to the pilot, he was landing on runway 01 at ESC and the airplane touched down normally. During the rollout, the airplane veered to the left once the tailwheel contacted the runway. Both wingtips contacted the runway surface and the airplane ground-looped. The airplane came to rest, nose down and the pilot exited the airplane. According to ESC METAR weather, reported winds about the time of the accident were 330 at 5 knots.

Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right steering cable chain was broken and hanging from the tailwheel. It is undetermined if the cable break was caused prior to or during the accident sequence.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gerald Dan Coppock
Registration: N142NV
Model/Series: Bade-E
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: ESC, 609 ft msl
Observation Time: 1856 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 330°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Escanaba, MI (ESC)
Destination: Escanaba, MI (ESC) 

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:  45.722778, -87.093611 (est)

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Cessna 188 AgWagon, N5523S; accident occurred August 02, 2018 in Watkins, Minnesota

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

Additional Participating Entity:

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

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/N5523S


Location: Watkins, MN
Accident Number: CEN18LA311
Date & Time: 08/02/2018, 1035 CDT
Registration: N5523S
Aircraft: Cessna 188
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural 

On August 2, 2018, about 1035 central daylight time, a Cessna 188 airplane, N5523S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Watkins, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Classic Arrow Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Litchfield Municipal Airport (LJF), Litchfield, Minnesota, about 0945.

The pilot reported that the airplane was fully fueled before the flight. After takeoff, he flew about 20 minutes to the field to be sprayed. He proceeded to survey for hazards and completed a few spray passes. He subsequently noted a loss of engine speed (rpm) after completing an application pass. He pushed the propeller control forward in an attempt to increase the engine/propeller speed which was successful for a short period of time. However, the engine speed began to decrease again, and he observed a decrease in oil pressure combined with an increase in the oil temperature. He moved all engine controls – throttle, propeller, and mixture – full forward. As he returned for a forced landing to the corn field being sprayed, the oil pressure was about 7 psi. As the airplane came over the field, the engine was "coughing." After impacting the corn, the airplane "angled up on the nose" before coming to rest. He recalled the weather conditions as "very good," with a light wind, clear sky, and more than 10 miles visibility.

The pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the loss of engine power was not catastrophic in nature. Rather, the pilot observed the oil pressure dropping with the oil temperature rising and decided to pull the mixture to shut the engine off. He subsequently landed in the corn field just below the airplane.

The FAA inspector reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations conducted by the inspector revealed no anomalies that could be attributed to a preimpact failure or malfunction. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 21, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/11/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  566 hours (Total, all aircraft), 124 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N5523S
Model/Series: 188 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 188-0023
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/14/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2700 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-470-R
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 230 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As: Classic Arrow Inc.
Operator Designator Code: 6MTG 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LJF, 1140 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1035 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 200°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3300 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Litchfield, MN (LJF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Litchfield, MN (LJF)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0945 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Litchfield Muni (LJF)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 1140 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

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: 46.814167, -94.408611 (est)

Location: Watkins, MN
Accident Number: CEN18LA311
Date & Time: 08/02/2018, 1035 CDT
Registration: N5523S
Aircraft: Cessna 188
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural 

On August 2, 2018, about 1035 central daylight time, a Cessna 188 airplane, N5523S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Watkins, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Classic Arrow Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Litchfield Municipal Airport (LJF), Litchfield, Minnesota, about 1015.

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during the third flight of the day, and that the airplane was fully fueled before the flight. After takeoff, he flew to the field to be sprayed and proceeded to apply a fungicide. Upon pulling up after completing an application pass, he noted a loss of engine speed (rpm) and oil pressure, combined with an increase in the oil temperature. He subsequently executed a forced landing to the corn field being sprayed. The right wing was substantially damaged during the landing. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N5523S
Model/Series: 188 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:  Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As: Classic Arrow Inc.
Operator Designator Code:  6MTG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LJF, 1140 ft msl
Observation Time: 1035 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 70°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3300 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point:  Litchfield, MN (LJF)
Destination: Litchfield, MN (LJF)

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:  46.814167, -94.408611 (est)




LUXEMBURG TOWNSHIP, Minn. (KMSP) - A crop dusting plane crashed Thursday morning just north of Watkins, Minnesota after the plane’s engine stalled while preparing to make a pass on a field.

The incident occurred at 10:40 a.m. after a reporting party indicated they could see the tail of the aircraft sticking out of the standing corn. The plane was found near County Road 2 in Luxemburg Township.

Responders discovered the pilot, Jonathan Aslesen, 21, of Buffalo on the scene. He was uninjured and denied medical treatment.

Aslesen said he experienced a mechanical problem with the engine, which stalled while he was preparing to crop dust the field.

He was forced to do an emergency landing in the cornfield.

The aircraft sustained “light damage” according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office. The plane came to rest on the nose of the aircraft.

The standing corn in the field, owned by Westlund Dairy, sustained some damage, too. The aircraft was owned by Classic Arrow, Inc., a Buffalo company that does crop dusting in central Minnesota.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.fox9.com

Bell 47G-3B, registered to Dakota Rotors and operated by Black Hills Helicopters, N347BH: Accident occurred August 02, 2018 at Crazy Horse Heliport (0SD9), Custer, South Dakota

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

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


http://registry.faa.gov/N347BH

Location: Custer, SD

Accident Number: CEN18LA306
Date & Time: 08/02/2018, 0928 MDT
Registration: N347BH
Aircraft: BELL 47G 3B
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On August 2, 2018, about 0930 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G 3B helicopter, N347BH, experienced an engine power anomaly during attempted landing at Crazy Horse Heliport (0SD9), Custer, South Dakota. On approach, the pilot noticed the RPMs had dropped below normal operating range. The pilot increased throttle but was unable to recover RPMs within normal range and the helicopter descended toward the ground. The pilot executed a forced landing in a grassy area on the side of a highway. The helicopter rolled to the right after landing and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. Another passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Dakota Rotors and operated by Black Hills Helicopters under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BELL
Registration: N347BH
Model/Series: 47G 3B No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Black Hill Helicopter
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commercial Air Tour (136) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 



Custer County Sheriff's Office

Two pilots escaped injury while a third was transported to Custer Regional Hospital with unknown injuries after a training flight being conducted by the three pilots—all employees of Black Hills Aerial Adventures—went awry this morning around 9:20 a.m.

Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley said at around that time the three pilots, aboard a 1962 Bell 47 helicopter, were attempting to land at Black Hills Aerial Adventures’ Custer location just east off Hwy. 16/385 seven miles north of Custer.

The helicopter, being piloted by 32-year-old Chelsea Atwater of Arizona, reportedly began to lose engine RPMs, which the crew was unable to regain, causing the helicopter to subsequently lose power, Mechaley said.

The helicopter came up short of Black Hills Aerial Adventures’ helicopter pad and came down on the southbound lane of the highway, at which time the tail of the helicopter struck a van driving down the highway and broke off. The helicopter then turned over into the ditch on the west side of the highway.

One of the men aboard the helicopter, Eric Bell, 30, of Utah, was uninjured in the accident, as was Atwater. Another 30-year-old crew member from Florida was transported to the hospital. The occupants of the van, who were from Illinois, were uninjured in the accident although their van did sustain damage.

Custer County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, Custer Ambulance Service and Custer County Search and Rescue and Custer County Emergency Management all responded to the accident.


The incident is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the The National Transportation Safety Board.





CUSTER COUNTY, S.D. - The latest on a helicopter crash near Black Hills Aerial Adventures.

1:45 p.m.

One pilot is injured and two escaped safely after a training flight ended in a crash involving a van Thursday morning. 

Three employees of Black Hills Aerial Adventures were aboard a 1962 Bell 47 helicopter. In an attempt to land the aircraft, the pilot, Chelsea Atwater, 32, of Arizona, told the Custer County Sheriff's Office the aircraft began to lose engine RPMs "causing the helicopter to subsequently lose power." 

Atwater tried to land on the southbound side of Highway 16/385, just across from the Black Hills Aerial Adventure's location, and struck a van.

Upon striking the van, the tail of the helicopter broke off, and the aircraft fell into the ditch on the west side of the highway. The occupants in the van were uninjured. 

One of the uninjured crew members, Eric Bell, 30, was uninjured. The third crew member was a 30-year-old who was transported to Regional Health Custer Hospital. 

The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and The National Transportation Safety Board.
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11:45 a.m.

The Custer County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that three people were on board the helicopter. One person was transported to a hospital.
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11:30 a.m.

A Black Hills Aerial Adventures helicopter was involved in a crash during an emergency landing Thursday morning.

The crash happened around 9:20 a.m., very close to their business. Black Hills Aerial Adventures is located along Highway 385, near Crazy Horse Memorial.

The helicopter is a Bell 47, which holds a maximum of three people. There has not been confirmation on the number of people involved.

The Custer County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation and will release more information shortly. 

Story and video ➤ http://www.newscenter1.tv





CUSTER, S.D. (KEVN) - Update: Black Hills Aerial Adventure’s owner Mike Jacobs says there were three company crewmembers on the helicopter which was on a flight to train a new pilot. There were only minor injuries reported.

Jacobs says the Bell 47 helicopter lost power and the pilot made an emergency landing on the road near the company’s helipad on Highway 16/385. He wasn’t sure why the helicopter tipped onto its side.

Usually, a crash scene is not cleared until the Federal Aviation Administration investigation. However, the FAA authorized the company to remove the helicopter from the side of the road.

Original story

An aerial tour company helicopter has reportedly crashed Thursday morning in the Black Hills, near Highway 385 and Crazy Horse Memorial.

The crash happened sometime before 9:45 a.m., between Black Hills Aerial Adventures’ helipad and Crazy Horse.

The company has been contacted and we are waiting for them to release information on the crash.

We do not know the type of helicopter that crashed, the number of people on board or their conditions. Black Hills Aerial Adventures flies four types of helicopters, Bell’s 47 (pilot and passenger) and 206 (carries five people); and Robinson’s R44 Raven (seats three, plus pilot) and R-66 (seats five).

This isn’t the first time a tour helicopter has crashed in the Black Hills.

In Aug. 10, 1999, a Rapid Helicopters Bell 206B JetRanger crashed in Custer State Park, killing the pilot and a New Jersey man. Three other men from New Jersey were injured. The pilot was Darren Mallow of Black Hawk. The men were in South Dakota for that year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Story and video ➤ http://www.blackhillsfox.com

Cessna A185F, N185KB: Accident occurred August 01, 2018 at Council Airport (K29), Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Aircraft flipped over on landing.

http://registry.faa.gov/N185KB

Date: 01-AUG-18
Time: 07:00:00Z
Regis#: N185KB
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: A185F
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: COUNCIL
State: ALASKA

Piper PA-28-161, N8234A: Incident occurred August 01, 2018 at Hanford Municipal Airport (KHJO), Kings County, California

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fresno, California

Engine caught fire during engine restart after taxiing.

Registered to United States Navy

Operated by Lemoore Navy Flying Club

http://registry.faa.gov/N8234A

Date: 01-AUG-18
Time: 21:30:00Z
Regis#: N8234A
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA 28 161
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: HANFORD
State: CALIFORNIA