Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Ayres S2R-T34 Turbo Thrush, HC-CKS: Fatal accident occurred January 09, 2018 in Jaramillo, Ecuador



NTSB Identification: ERA18WA093
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Tuesday, January 09, 2018 in Jaramillo, Ecuador
Aircraft: AYRES S2R, registration:
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.


The government of Ecuador has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a AYRES S2R airplane that occurred on January 9, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Ecuador's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.


All investigative information will be released by the government of Ecuador.





La Dirección General de Aviación Civil, DGAC, informó que aproximadamente a las 11:00 de este martes 09 de enero de 2018, una aeronave tipo THRUSH S2R, de matrícula HC-CKS de la compañía "Agroaéreo", se accidentó al realizar trabajos de fumigación, en el cantón Valencia (provincia de Los Ríos).

Producto de este accidente el piloto, Capitán Jorge León, falleció. Su cuerpo fue trasladado a la morgue.

La Junta Investigadora de Accidentes (JIA) se activó de manera inmediata para realizar las investigaciones pertinentes con el objetivo de determinar sus causas, según indica la Dirección de Aviación Civil en un comunicado. 

"La Dirección General de Aviación Civil lamenta la pérdida irreparable del Capitán Jorge León y expresa la más sincera nota de pesar a la compañía AGROAÉREO y a sus familiares", sostienen en este documento. 

http://www.vistazo.com





La avioneta cumplía su rutina: fumigar por las haciendas de plátano en el recinto San Pablo 2 de Valencia, en Quevedo. Minutos después de comenzada su operación, la estructura se precipitó al suelo.

El piloto, capitán Jorge León, falleció enseguida. La avioneta quedó con su parte frontal destruida y en medio de un canal.

La nave siniestrada es de color amarilla y pertenece a la compañía Agro aéreo de placa HCCKS.

https://www.extra.ec

Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow, CC-PVR: Fatal accident occurred July 14, 2018 near Tobalaba Airport, Chile


NTSB Identification: ERA18WA196
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Santiago, Chile
Aircraft: PIPER PA28R, registration:
Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Serious.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.


The government of Chile has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA28R airplane that occurred on July 14, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Chile's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.


All investigative information will be released by the government of Chile.




Una avioneta particular capotó en la intersección de las calles Sánchez Fontecilla con Volcán Antuco en la comuna de Peñalolén.

La nave que iba dirección al aeródromo Victoria-Chacabuco en la comuna de Colina, por razones que se están investigando, el piloto habría perdido el dominio de la nave y tuvo que hacer un aterrizaje de emergencia y cayó hacia el sur de aeródromo de Tobalaba, dejando al piloto y tres pasajeros con lesiones de diversa gravedad.

El comandante Sergio Sánchez del cuerpo de Bomberos de Ñuñoa detalló a 24 horas que habrían cuatro lesionados, siendo una mujer de 45 años quién está herida de gravedad. 

Los heridos son trasladados por un helicóptero de la Fach y equipo aeropolicial hasta el Hospital Militar. 

Además las autoridades han ordenado la evacuación del lugar para evitar una nueva emergencia, debido al derrame de combustible.

Voluntarios de bomberos y personal policial trabaja en la emergencia.

https://www.latercera.com


SANTIAGO.- En horas de la tarde de este sábado, una avioneta PA-28 se estrelló en un sitio eriazo en las cercanías del aeródromo de Tobalaba, entre las calles Sánchez Fontecilla y Volcán Antuco. Carabineros informó que "una avioneta de propiedad particular, por causas que se investigan, efectuó un aterrizaje de emergencia". 

El hecho dejó a cuatro personas lesionadas, tres mujeres y un hombre, según los primeros reportes. Los uniformados también consignaron que los heridos fueron "rescatados en helicóptero de la FACh. El piloto fue llevado a la Clínica Las Condes y las tres pasajeras al Hospital Militar".

Ante la emergencia, Bomberos de diversas comunas llegaron a la comuna de Peñalolén y ya tiene controlado el accidente. 

La alcaldesa de la comuna, Carolina Leitao, pidió en redes sociales apurar la construcción del nuevo aeródromo, "por el riesgo para los vecinos". 

El persecutor de turno Jorge García Sepúlveda de la Fiscalía Metropolitana Oriente instruyó diligencias periciales e investigativas a personal LABOCAR, quedando el piloto de la aeronave apercibido al Artículo 26 en calidad de imputado.

http://www.emol.com

Schweizer SGS 2-32, operated by Stowe Soaring, N17970: Fatal accident occurred August 29, 2018 in Morrisville, Lamoille County, Vermont

Suzanne and Frank Moroz, 56 and 58 respectively, of Hamden, Connecticut. The husband and wife, married in 1994, were the passengers in a glider that crashed into Sterling Mountain on August 29th, 2018.

Don Post, 70, of Stowe died in a glider accident on August 29th, 2018.


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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N17970

Location: Morrisville, VT
Accident Number: ERA18FA238
Date & Time: 08/29/2018, 1200 EDT
Registration: N17970
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2 32
Injuries: 3 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation - Sightseeing 

On August 29, 2018, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-32 glider, N17970, operated by Stowe Soaring, was substantially damaged during collision with trees and terrain while maneuvering over Sterling Mountain, Morristown, Vermont. The commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial sightseeing flight which departed Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (MVL) about 1140 and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the tow pilot, the purpose of the flight was to provide a 30-minute sightseeing tour to two passengers in the 3-place glider. After takeoff, he climbed his airplane to 4,500 feet, where he released the glider from the tow. The glider turned westbound toward Spruce Creek and Sterling Pond, Morristown, Vermont. The tow pilot returned to MVL, and he did not visually monitor the flight of the glider.

A witness who was hiking near Sterling Pond observed the tow plane and glider above the pond. He photographed both airplanes while the glider was on tow, and the glider after its release. The witness provided an interview to local police along with copies of his photographs. According to the summary, the witness watched as the tow plane made a "slingshot" turn and released the glider from the tow. He watched the glider fly away and "disappear" into the clouds.

The tow pilot stated that when the glider had not returned after 45 minutes, an attempt was made to reach the pilot by radio, without success. After numerous attempts over multiple radios and by cellular telephone, MVL personnel notified the local 911 operator of the missing glider, and an ALNOT was subsequently issued. The tow pilot and another local pilot began an aerial search, and at 1756, the glider was identified from the air near the summit of Sterling Mountain. At 2135, search and rescue crews reached the accident site about 40 feet below the summit, at 3,673 feet elevation. The accident site was 7 miles from MVL, on a 297-degree ground track.

The pilot/owner/operator held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for gliders. He held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, single engine sea, and instrument airplane. His Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 3rd class medical certificate was issued June 30, 2018. A review of the pilot's logbooks revealed he had accrued 3,103 total hours of flight experience, 1,214 hours of which were in gliders. He had accrued 406 hours of flight experience in the accident glider make and model.

According to FAA records, the glider was manufactured in 1973. Airframe logbooks revealed its most recent annual inspection was completed July 3, 2018 at 3,589 total aircraft hours. Records of the glider's most recent weight and balance were not immediately discovered.

At 1154, the weather recorded at MVL included clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and winds from 190 at 9 knots. The temperature was 29°C, and the dew point was 22°C. The altimeter setting was 29.90 inches of mercury.

When asked about weather conditions at the time of departure, during the climb, and before and after the glider release, the tow pilot said, "the air was really smooth" but that he had to "weave around the clouds." There was "plenty of room" between the clouds. According to the tow pilot, "Some of the mountaintops were partially obscured."

The wreckage was examined at the site, and all major components were accounted for at the scene. The glider came to rest in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude. The nose and leading edge of the left wing rested on the ground. The left wing was torn about 9 feet inboard of the tip but remained attached by sheet metal and control tubes. The right wing was attached and bowed slightly between the aileron attach points.

The empennage was wrinkled on the left side just aft of the wing, and the tail section, vertical fin, rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator were intact.

The nose enclosure, rudder controls, instrument panel, and front cockpit were destroyed by impact. The passenger compartment appeared largely intact. The front seat belt was released by rescue personnel. The rear seatbelt was secured at the buckle, but the right-side seat belt mount bracket was fractured. The bracket section attached at the belt was not recovered. The fracture surfaces on the bracket section attached to the airframe exhibited fracture features consistent with overstress.

Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: Schweizer
Registration: N17970
Model/Series: SGS 2 32 No Series
Aircraft Category: Glider
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: KMVL, 732 ft msl
Observation Time: 1554 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 190°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Morrisville, VT (MVL)
Destination: Morrisville, VT (MVL)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude:  44.592778, -72.745833 (est)

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 emailassistance@ntsb.gov.

Don Post

The family of Don “Postie” Post is profoundly sad to share the news that our husband, father and grandfather died in a glider accident on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018.

The loss of this vibrant man is a blow to our family, his huge circle of friends, and the community of Stowe where he lived for close to 50 years. His impact on the town and community will be felt for generations to come. Everybody knew and loved Postie.

Born to Marguerite and Robert Post on Feb. 10, 1948, Postie grew up in Madison, N.J., with his sister, Dot. He went on to excel in engineering at Clarkson University, graduating in 1970.

Postie moved to Stowe following graduation, where he joined the ranks of elite skiers, rock climbers and hang gliders. These activities gave him firsthand knowledge of every square inch of the Green Mountains and Worcester Range — knowledge he would employ years later as an observer for the Vermont Audubon Society and Vermont Center for Ecostudies to ensure the well-being of peregrine falcons and Bicknell thrush.

He brought his boundless energy to a wide array of business and community activities. After several years of competing on the freestyle skiing circuit, Postie ran the Mansfield Touring Center and is credited with reinvigorating the Stowe Derby. He was a hands-on entrepreneur who founded Black Magic Chimney Sweeps and Stowe Sky School (for hang-gliding instruction) with longtime friend and business partner Chris Curtis. These pursuits were followed by several business ventures in the fields of energy management and conservation.

His glider instruction and riding business, Stowe Soaring, continued his passion for flying and introduced thousands of customers to the joy of pure flight. The experience was best described by a friend who wrote, “The beautiful void encompassed the glider and there was nothing but soaring and silence, and it was magnificent.”

In recent years, Postie served as a consultant for the Freeman Foundation in preserving and enhancing public libraries in Vermont. He took pride in personally visiting each and every one of those libraries.

Postie dedicated himself to the Stowe community. He served from 1991 to 2014 as the longest-standing member of the Stowe School Board. Through constant transition in Vermont’s educational climate, Postie remained a steady force and tireless advocate for quality education for Stowe students.

Complementing his school board work was his service for the Stowe Education Fund and the Starr Foundation Scholarship Fund. Few things made him happier than hearing of the accomplishments of children who went through the Stowe school system.

In addition to education, he was committed to youth athletics. Stowe’s perennially successful soccer and hockey teams have Postie to thank for co-founding Stowe Youth Soccer with neighbor Alan Thorndike, and championing the new town hockey rink and sports arena.

Postie was a man for all seasons. He loved windsurfing, kite boarding, scuba diving, hockey and excelled in all forms of skiing and cycling. Obsessed with road biking, Postie set out at age 53 to ride from Seattle to Cape Cod, a journey he accomplished in 30 days.

His passion for exercise was matched only by his love of food, especially Ben and Jerry’s, “the best ice cream in the world.” Coffee, however, could not be offered without his infamous reply, “It’s unbelievable how something that smells so good can taste SO bad.”

He will always be remembered as the first person on the dance floor, especially when “Start Me Up” came on. As an avid Rolling Stones fan, he frequently attended their concerts, the most recent being this past June in Edinburgh.

Neighbors and friends will miss Postie dearly. He was always there with a helping hand when a truck got hung up on a rock, a tree was down, or a meadow needed brush-hogging. His wealth of knowledge meant that if you were willing to endure a lengthy discourse, any question could be answered.

Overarching all of his activities and accomplishments was his love for his family. He was taken far too soon from his beloved wife Linda and children Tyler, Alexi and Graham. He was known as “Po” to his grandchildren Greyson, Isla and newly arrived Evie, all of whom he adored. He loved his sister Dot Gordon, niece Casey, nephew Cole, daughter-in-law Stacie Post, and son-in-law Ryan Perryman.

A celebration of Postie’s life will be held Thursday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m. at Stowe Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate donations to Stowe Mountain Rescue, P.O. Box 291, Stowe, VT 05672.


https://www.stowetoday.com


Obituary of Frank and Suzanne Moroz

HAMDEN – Francis “Frank” “Gus” Moroz III, 58, and Suzanne J. Moroz, 56, passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at Sterling Mountain in Vermont.

Frank was born June 21, 1960 in New Haven, the son of the late Francis and Marilyn (MacAurthur) Moroz Jr. and Suzanne was born September 28, 1961 in Paterson, NJ, the daughter of the late John R. Loder and Jane (Wasmer) C. Loder of Cheshire.  They married in 1994 and made their home in Hamden.  Frank was employed as a mechanic for Sikorsky Aircraft and Suzanne was employed as an Independent Broker providing Health Insurance.  Frank enjoyed biking and airplanes, while Suzanne enjoyed working outdoors in her garden and spending time with friends and family. The couple had a love for animals especially their cats and dogs. 

In addition to her mother, Frank and Suzanne are survived by Suzanne’s sisters Janine L. Koukos and her husband John of Cheshire and Cheryl A. Miller and her husband Ray of Bradenton, FL; Frank’s brother Scott S. Moroz and his wife Tricia of Hamden; their nieces and nephews, Theodore and Alexandria Koukos, Sarah and Alison Miller and Zachary Moroz; as well as their pets Noel, Dante, Rocky and Bella.  In addition to Frank’s parents and Suzanne’s father, they are predeceased by their nephew Ryan C. Miller. 

Arrangements – Visitation will be held on Friday, September 7th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. with a service at 7 p.m.  Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family in St. Peter’s Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111. 

https://aldersonfuneralhomes.com


Three persons died Wednesday afternoon in a Stowe Soaring glider crash on Sterling Mountain in Vermont's Green Mountains.

The glider, an aircraft without an engine that's towed aloft by an airplane, was reported missing shortly before 2 p.m. by Morrisville-Stowe State Airport personnel when it became clear it hadn't returned from its flight.

After 3 1/2 hours of searching, an aerial crew spotted the downed glider late in the afternoon about 1,000 feet below the Sterling Mountain summit, not far from the Long Trail.

Search and rescue crews made their way up the Morrisvlle side of the mountain into the densely wooded remote area.

At about 9:35 p.m., they came upon the wreckage and found all three occupants of the glider dead, Vermont State Police Lt. Shawn Loan said in a 10:30 p.m. news conference at the search's command post at the airport located just south of Morrisville.

"It was pretty rough terrain, and it took several hours to get out there," Loan said.

The identities of the three persons -- a pilot and two passengers -- were not released Wednesday night pending notification of next of kin.

Family members were present at the airport command center. They asked news reporters to leave them alone as they left following the discovery of the bodies and before the deaths were announced.

Stowe Soaring has long offered glider rides from Morrisville-Stowe State Airport. A sign standing not far from the search command center Wednesday night read "Glider Rides Today!"

What's next after glider crash

* Thursday morning, rescue crews will bring the bodies down from the remote site, which is about one mile from and 1,500 feet in elevation above the nearest trailhead, state police said.

* This effort is expected to take several hours.

* Later, the bodies will be taken to the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington, where autopsies will be performed.

* Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will come to Vermont to investigate the cause of the glider crash.

Chronology of the glider accident

* 11:30 a.m.: The glider heads into the skies, towed by a plane that takes off from Morrisville-Stowe State Airport. A pilot and two passengers are on board the glider.

* 11:50 a.m.: The tow plane disconnects from the glider.

* 1:56 p.m.: Morrisville-Stowe State Airport personnel call 911 and report the Stowe Soaring glider missing. Quickly, Vermont State Police and other local authorities set up a search command center inside the Stowe Aviation building at the airport.

* 5:35 p.m: Following a 3 1/2 hour search, an airborne crew spots the glider about 1,000 feet from the top of Sterling Mountain. Rescue crews set out to the site in the densely wooded mountainous area.

* 9:35 p.m.: Search and rescue crews reach the downed glider and find all three persons aboard dead. Representatives of Vermont State Police, Stowe Mountain Rescue, Morrisville Police, Stowe Police, local fire departments and the Vermont Agency of Transportation all contribute to the search effort.

* 10:30 p.m.: State police announce the three bodies have been found.

Stowe Soaring accident occurred in 1994

National Transportation Safety Board records available online show one previous accident involving a Stowe Soaring glider.

That occurred June 3, 1994, when a pilot released his glider too soon from the tow plane.

"The glider pilot thought he could make Mt. Elmore so he released from the tow plane," an NTSB investigator wrote in the accident report. "He was unable to make it to Mt. Elmore, and the glider started to sink."

The pilot sought to land in a field. The glider struck tree tops and spun to the ground, with the pilot escaping injury.

The NTSB investigation determined the probable cause to be the premature release from the tow plane, a lack of lift and a downdraft.


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



Vermont State Police Lt. Shawn Loan speaks outside the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport about a glider crash that left three people dead. 


MORRISVILLE – Vermont State Police say a pilot and two passengers died Wednesday after a glider they were in went down in a heavily wooded area near the summit of Sterling Mountain outside Stowe.

Police said late Wednesday night they were not releasing the names of those who died pending notification of next of kin.

Crews are expected to begin work Thursday morning to recover the bodies and take them down from the remote crash site, which is about a mile from the nearest trailhead and 1,500 feet higher in elevation, police said.

Once the bodies are recovered, according to police, they will be taken to the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for autopsies.

The glider, belonging to the company Stowe Soaring, had left the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport late Wednesday morning, police said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and police said it’s too early to say what factors may have played in role.

“Unfortunately, sad news tonight,” State Police Lt. Shawn Loan said at a press briefing shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday outside the airport in Morrisville.

“At about 9:35, search and rescue located a glider that had gone missing on Sterling Mountain,” he added. “The search and rescue crews located the glider and there were three deceased people.”

According to police, a tow plane with the glider attached left the airport at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police said the glider detached from the tow plane over Spruce Peak about 20 minutes later.

At 1:56 p.m., the Morrisville Police Department received a report that the glider was missing, according to police.

Emergency crews from Morrisville and Stowe police departments, along with the Vermont State Police, went to the airport, establishing a command post for the search, police said.

At about 5:35 p.m., police said, the crew of an aircraft launched from the airport saw what appeared to be the glider about 1,000 feet from the summit of Sterling Mountain.

“It was pretty rough terrain and it took several hours to get out there,” Loan said late Wednesday night after rescue crews reached the downed glider. “It’s a remote area, just off the Long Trail.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are expected to join the investigation, Loan said.

He said he wasn’t aware of any safety problems with the glider company, but added the FAA was in better position to answer that question.

Stowe Soaring bills itself as the “premier soaring site in New England,” according the company’s website. The company says it offers glider tours of the Stowe region as well as instruction on how to fly the aircraft.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://vtdigger.org

Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 150F, N7990F; fatal accident occurred August 28, 2018 at Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, Shasta County, California

N7990F, Front Left View

Left Wing View

Left Side Fuselage View

Empennage View

Right Side fuselage View

Right Wing View


Right Front View


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

Additional Participating Entities:  

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

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


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N7990F 


Location: Redding, CA
Accident Number: WPR18FA244
Date & Time: 08/29/2018, 1100 PDT
Registration: N7990F
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 29, 2018, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N7990F, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, California. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.

Multiple witnesses saw the airplane during the initial climb shortly after its takeoff from runway 33; several stated that their attention was drawn to the airplane due to its abnormal engine sound. Many of the statements provided by witnesses were consistent in describing the airplane's nose-high attitude and slow airspeed before it turned left and descended to ground contact. One witness, a mechanic, stated that the engine was "misfiring" during the initial climb; the airplane stalled, and the left wing dropped "aggressively." 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/27/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/19/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 195 hours (Total, all aircraft), 161.4 hours (Total, this make and model), 136.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 0.8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

The 71-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land issued on September 21, 2017. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 27, 2017, with a limitation stating, "must have available glasses for near vision." At the time of his medical examination, he reported 110 total hours of flight experience. About 5.5 hours were logged in the previous 6 months; .8 hour in the previous 90 days and 0 hour in the previous 60 days. The pilot logged a total of 14.7 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot's most recent flight review took place on September 19, 2017.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7990F
Model/Series: 150 F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15064090
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1601 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-200 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane was manufactured in 1966 and purchased by the pilot on December 20, 2017. The airplane was equipped with a Continental O-200A engine, serial number 63876-6-A, and a two-blade, fixed-pitch propeller.

A review of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed that the most recent annual inspection was completed on October 20, 2017, at an airframe total time of 4,814.54 hours. The engine was last overhauled on August 7, 1998, at a tachometer time of 4,304.11 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 27.39 hours since the most recent annual inspection, and the engine had accumulated 537.82 hours since major overhaul. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RDD, 739 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 127°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Redding, CA (O85)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Redding, CA (O85)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1055 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

At 1053, the automated weather observation station at Redding Municipal Airport (RDD), Redding, California, about 7.5 miles southeast of the accident site, reported wind from 150° at 4 knots, clear sky, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 25°C, dew point 13°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury. Using the reported weather conditions and field elevation, the calculated density altitude about the time of the accident was about 2,343 ft.

Airport Information

Airport: Benton Field Airport (O85)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 723 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2420 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 40.578056, -122.409722 (est) 

The airplane came to rest upright on a magnetic heading about 125° on a generally level, wooded area of private property about 500 ft northwest of the runway 33 centerline and 680 ft from the departure end of the runway. The wreckage was contained in an approximate 30-square-ft area. All major components of the airplane were found at the site. The first point of impact was about 20 ft above the ground on a tree about 7 ft to the left and behind the wreckage.

The fuselage displayed damage from underneath the engine nacelle extending upward and aft. The fuselage was buckled and fractured open just aft of the main landing gear. The wings displayed four concave dents in which traces of tree bark were embedded, consistent with tree impact. A portion of the left wing, about 15 inches from the wing tip inboard, was separated near a large concave dent on the leading edge. The left wing and cabin ceiling separated from the fuselage and was displaced forward about 15°. The right wing separated from the fuselage, was displaced forward about 5°, and came to rest against a tree near the wing root. The main landing gear remained intact and attached to the fuselage. The nose landing gear was displaced aft.

The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft propeller flange. The spinner was crushed aft around the propeller. One blade displayed moderate aft bending along with leading edge gouging and chordwise striations along the blade face; the other displayed minor aft bending, some leading edge gouging, and few striations along the blade face.

The fuel selector was found in the ON position. About 2 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing tank and 6 gallons were drained from the right wing tank. The fuel tested negative for water. The last fuel receipt discovered was dated August 15, 2018, for 17.0 gallons.

Flight control continuity was established from all flight control surfaces to the cabin flight controls. The flap selector was found in the down position, the flap actuator was at 3.25 inches, consistent with the flaps being between 10° to 20°. The flaps were extended about 20°. Elevator trim continuity was established and was found 1.44 inches, consistent with a neutral setting. The engine was examined at the accident site.

The engine remained attached to the firewall. The rear of the engine was pushed up towards the pilot's glare shield. The engine sustained impact damage, which had fractured the intake manifold allowing the carburetor to separate. The mixture control arm and the throttle control arm moved freely throughout their full range. The carburetor bowl was removed to examine the floats. The float bowls were brass in appearance and moved through their full travel. The floats displayed hydraulic damage. The airframe fuel strainer was damaged and there was no presence of fuel. No contaminations were found on the carburetor fuel finger strainer. The accelerator pump functioned normally. A blue fluid with the appearance and smell of aviation gasoline was found in the carburetor bowl. This fluid tested negative for water and was free of debris. The upper spark plugs were removed at the scene and appeared undamaged. Spark plugs number 1, 2, and 3 appeared dark in color and dry. Sparkplug number 4, appeared darker in color and wet. Thumb compression was obtained on all four cylinders. All rocker arms moved freely when the engine was rotated. The carburetor had a red Precision Airmotive Corporation data tag riveted to it. The data tag displayed the following information: Model: MA-35PA, Part No.: 10-4894, Serial Number: 3E-0-231 or BE-0-231. The vacuum pump had separated but remained attached via hoses. The oil filter was examined, and the filtering medium exhibited no foreign or metal material.

On November 26, 2018, the engine was further examined at Continental Motors, Mobile, AL. During this examination the engine could be rotated freely by turning the propeller mounting flange. All cylinders appeared intact without damage. The lower spark plugs were removed. Spark plugs number 1, 2, and 3 appeared dark in color, dry and undamaged. Spark plug number 4, appeared darker in color and wet. Various shields and non-system items were removed. The starter motor appeared normal. The oil filter attachment bracket had a mounting tab broken. The other tab was cracked. Deposits were found trapped in the oil screen but estimated to be less than 10% blockage. The oil pump attachment bolts did not have safety wire but appeared to retain their torque. The oil pump gears appeared normal. The engine was verified to be timed correctly at 24°. The left magneto, Left, S/N: A58836, was test run and verified to function correctly. The right magneto, S/N: A58837, was test run and verified to function correctly. The generator appeared normal. The exhaust mufflers appeared normal. The intake manifold was broken at the carburetor mount, otherwise it appeared normal. Cylinders 1, 3, and 4 were standard nitrated steel cylinders. Cylinder 2 had been channel-chrome plated. All cylinders, valves, valve lifter bodies, connecting rods, rod end bearings, wrist pins, cam, and cam bearing surfaces exhibited normal wear patterns. All pistons exhibited normal wear patterns with light to medium combustion deposits on all four piston domes. The pistons were a standard bore size. The number 2 intake and number 3 exhaust valve lifter faces exhibited spalling where the cam lobes meet the lifter face. The number 2 intake and number 3 exhaust guides were pitting at the point where the cam lobes meet the guide. The crank case and bearing surfaces exhibited normal wear patterns.

Medical And Pathological Information

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the Shasta County Sheriff-Coroner, Redding, California. The cause of death was blunt trauma.

Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified Tamsulosin in blood and in urine, Delta-9-THC in blood (cavity) and urine, Carboxy-Delta-9-THC in blood (cavity) and urine, and 11-Hydroxy-Delta-9-THC in urine.

Tamsulosin is an a1a-selective alpha blocker used in the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is not generally considered impairing.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) has mood-altering effects, including euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, disorientation, image distortion, and psychosis. In addition, THC is lipophilic and stored in liver and lung for long periods after smoking. The cavity blood taken from the chest was in close proximity to the liver and lung, and postmortem levels may therefore be significantly elevated compared with antemortem levels.

Additional Information

The Cessna 150 Owner's Manual stated that normal and obstacle clearance takeoffs should be performed with flaps retracted. A flap extension setting of 10° would shorten the airplane's ground roll during takeoff by about 10% but reduces the climb to a 50-ft obstacle.

The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B), Chapter 8, Approaches and Landings, stated:

Flap extension has a definite effect on the airplane's pitch behavior. The increased camber from flap deflection produces lift primarily on the rear portion of the wing. This produces a nose-down pitching moment; however, the change in tail loads from the downwash deflected by the flaps over the horizontal tail has a significant influence on the pitching moment. Consequently, pitch behavior depends on the design features of the particular airplane.


Flap deflection of up to 15° primarily produces lift with minimal drag… Flap deflection beyond 15° produces a large increase in drag. Also, deflection beyond 15° produces a significant nose-up pitching moment in high-wing airplanes because the resulting downwash increases the airflow over the horizontal tail.

===========

Location: Redding, CA
Accident Number: WPR18FA244
Date & Time: 08/28/2018, 1100 PDT
Registration: N7990F
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 28, 2018, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N7990F, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, California. The private pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. 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, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

Multiple witnesses located near the accident site reported that after takeoff, the airplane appeared to be slow and continued to pitch upward before it rolled to the left and descended toward the ground in a nose low attitude.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted generally flat terrain about 700 ft northwest of the departure end runway 33. The wreckage was contained within a 20 foot area of the initial impact point (IIP). The IIP was identified by a tree strike about 20 ft above the ground near the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest upright on a magnetic heading of about 130°. All major structural components were located at the accident site.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7990F
Model/Series: 150 F
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: RDD, 739 ft msl
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Redding, CA (O85)
Destination: Redding, CA (O85)

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: 40.578056, -122.409722 (est)

Richard Joseph Engel and Frodo





The pilot who was killed in a plane crash Wednesday near Benton Airpark in Redding was identified Thursday by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office as Richard Joseph Engel, 71, of Shingletown.

Engel, along with his dog, were killed when his two-seat Cessna 150 crashed shortly after taking off from the airport shortly after 11 a.m.

It crashed in a ravine-like backyard of a home off Highland Avenue across Placer Street from the airport after hitting an unknown number of trees.

Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna and Continental Motors were on scene at the crash site Thursday to inspect the wreckage as they began work to try to discover what caused the crash.

Fabian Salazar, an air safety investigator with the NTSB, said the aircraft was to be removed Thursday and then transported by commercial truck to a facility in Arizona where it will undergo a thorough inspection.

A preliminary report will be issued in about seven to 10 days, but it could about a year to determine what actually caused the crash, he said.

He said the investigation will generally focus on the pilot's performance and background, as well as the mechanical condition of the plane's engine and maintenance.

While inspectors extensively went over the rumpled aircraft Thursday, Salazar said it was not obvious what might have caused it to crash.

He noted that eyewitnesses reported hearing a sputtering sound coming from the plane before it crash and asked those who might has seen the crash to contact the NTSB at eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov.

"Witnesses can help," Salazar said.

Salazar, who noted that NTSB investigates about 1,400 aviation crashes a year, said he and air safety investigator Debra Eckrote arrived in Redding Wednesday night from Federal Way, Washington to begin the probe into the wreck.

And, he said, it's quite common nowadays for pilots to fly with their pets.

"It's not unusual at all," he said.

The aircraft, which remained at the scene overnight on Wednesday, was secured by Redding Police until a private security company took over the job.

And Salazar said he was very impressed how the first-responders were able to protect the aircraft and crash site.

"They did just a fabulous job helping us out," he said.

https://www.redding.com







A man and his dog were killed late Wednesday morning when his aircraft crashed in a canyon just north of Benton Airpark in Redding.

The fatal crash forced a closure of Placer Street near the scene until late that afternoon as emergency personnel arrived to secure the area and remove the man's body.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were called to investigate the tragic crash, but they are not expected to arrive until Thursday, said Redding Airports Manager Bryant Garrett.

Garrettt said witnesses reported the plane, a Cessna 150, had taken off into the wind in a northbound direction when they heard an unusual sound coming from its engine.

Those witnesses said the pilot apparently pulled up the nose of the aircraft and it stalled and crashed.

But, Garrett said, it's remains unclear what exactly went wrong..

He and others he had spoken to about the crash said it was the first they could recall in years there.

Garrett had not heard whether the pilot radioed a distress call before the wreck.

The small, single-engine plane went down in a gully just north of the airfield shortly after 11 a.m., narrowly missing a home off Highland Avenue, which intersects with Placer Street.

Forty-year-old Nathaniel Pritchard, who lives at that house with its owners and their two 11-year-old children, said he heard the crash and went outside to investigate.

After seeing the wreckage, Pritchard said he, as well as other neighbors, ran to the plane to try to assist those inside, but it was too late.

The pilot, who has not yet been identified, was unconscious and not moving, he said, adding he also saw the body of a small dog inside the plane.

The plane apparently clipped a tree before it crashed and came to rest against another tree and near a children's trampoline.

But, Pritchard said, the sound of the plane crash did not initially frighten him.

"It sounded a little bit like a car crash, really quick, or something falling from the back of a truck," he said. "It didn't sound very alarming."

Chris Thrift, 51, and Calvin Johansen, 63, who both live on the north side of Placer Street across from the crash site, said they also thought it was a car crash at first.

"It almost sounded like a gigantic tin can being crushed," Johansen said.

But, they said, they also heard a "sputtering" sound before the plane went down, leading them to believe the pilot may have experienced engine problems.

"I heard a putter, putter and then a boom," Johansen said.

"It sounded like the engine went out," Thrift said.

Placer Road was shut down as a result of the crash, but it was fully reopened around 4 p.m.


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





REDDING, Calif. — Update at 12:40 p.m.:

Placer Street is closed down to one lane for both east and westbound traffic near the Benton Airpark. Drivers should expect traffic control and delays. The closure is expected to remain in effect for about three hours.

Original Article:

Redding Fire has confirmed at least one person is dead after a plane crashed in a field near Benton Airpark.

SHASCOM dispatchers say they got the report of the crash at 11:18 a.m.

First responders say the plane crashed in the field on the north side of Placer Street across from the runway.

Placer Street is closed to westbound traffic at Airpark Drive. Eastbound traffic is being permitted to pass through. 

Original article can be found here ➤ https://krcrtv.com