Sunday, September 09, 2018

Maule M-7-235C: Fatal accident occurred May 15, 2018 in Abayt, Saudi Arabia

NTSB Identification: ERA18WA147
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Abayt, Saudi Arabia
Aircraft: MAULE M7, registration:
Injuries: 4 Fatal.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

The government of Saudi Arabia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Maule, M-7-235C, airplane that occurred on May 15, 2018 near Abayt, Saudi Arabia. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Saudi Arabia's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.

All investigative information will be released by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Piper PA-31 Navajo, ZS-LVJ: Incident occurred May 30, 2018 in Pretoria, South Africa

NTSB Identification: WPR18WA208
14 CFR Non-U.S., Commercial Menziani Technologies CC
Incident occurred Wednesday, May 30, 2018 in Pretoria, South Africa
Aircraft: Piper PA28, registration:
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

On May 30, 2018, at 1030 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-31, registration ZS-LVJ, sustained minor damage when the left main landing gear collapsed during a landing roll at Wonderboom Airport (FAWB), Pretoria, South Africa. The pilot and other crewmember were not injured. The airplane was operated under the pertinent civil regulations for the government of South Africa.

The Civil Aviation Authority of South Africa, Accident & Incident Investigation Division (AIID) is investigating the incident. As the state of manufacture of the airplane, the NTSB has designated a US accredited representative to assist the AIID in its investigation.

All inquiries concerning this incident should be directed to:

South African Civil Aviation Authority
Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division
Private Bag X 73
Halfway House 1685
South Africa
Website: http://www.caa.co.za

Piper PA28R: Accident occurred August 05, 2019 in Sligo, Ireland


NTSB Identification: GAA19WA547
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Monday, August 05, 2019 in Sligo, Ireland
Aircraft: PIPER PA28R, registration:
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

The government of Ireland has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA28R airplane that occurred on August 05, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Ireland's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.

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

Cessna 210N Centurion II, PR-RCJ: Fatal accident occurred May 16, 2018 in Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil

NTSB Identification: ERA18WA151
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Itacoatiara, Brazil
Aircraft: CESSNA 210, registration:
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 210 airplane that occurred on May 16, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.

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







Aproximadamente 9,5 kg de ouro, avaliado em quase R$ 1,5 milhão, foram encontrados dentro do avião monomotor de matrícula PR-RCJ que caiu em uma área de floresta na comunidade São Francisco do Paí, na Zona Rural de Itacoatiara, a 270 km de Manaus, na quarta-feira (16). Corpos de duas vítimas também foram localizados.

Uma equipe composta por policiais civis de Itacoatiara e do Corpo de Bombeiros acharam os destroços do avião no final da tarde quinta-feira (17).

Os corpos chegaram ao Instituto Médico-Legal (IML), em Manaus, no início da manhã desta sexta-feira (18).

Após encontrarem a aeronave, os policiais civis perceberam a atitude de um homem, que disse ter alugado a aeronave.

Segundo a polícia, ele teria retirado dos escombros uma caixa de ferramentas. Os policiais o abordaram e acharam o ouro em pequenas barras dentro da caixa.

O ouro foi apreendido e encaminhado para Delegacia de Itacoatiara e, depois, levado para Delegacia Geral da Polícia Civil na capital. A polícia investigará a origem do ouro.

A aeronave decolou de Itaituba no Pará com destino a Manaus na quarta-feira e desapareceu. O monomotor modelo C210 com capacidade para transportar cinco pessoas caiu nas proximidades do Rio Arari, em Itacoatiara. Moradores da comunidade encontraram o avião e acionaram o Corpo de Bombeiros. O avião ficou totalmente destruído.

https://g1.globo.com

Piper Seneca PA-34-220T: Fatal accident occurred July 26, 2018 in Irineopolis, Brazil

NTSB Identification: ERA18WA218
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Irineopolis, Brazil
Aircraft: Piper PA34, registration:
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Piper PA-34-220T that occurred on July 22, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.

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

Zenith CH 750 Cruzer, N217PH: Incident occurred July 11, 2020 at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (KMWA), Marion, Williamson County, Illinois

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois

Aircraft landed and gear collapsed.

https://registry.faa.gov/N217PH

Date: 11-JUL-20
Time: 12:40:00Z
Regis#: N217PH
Aircraft Make: ZENITH
Aircraft Model: CH750
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: MARION
State: ILLINOIS

Yakovlev Yak-9UM, VH-YIX: Fatal accident occurred September 07, 2018 in Victoria, Australia

NTSB Identification: WPR18WA258
14 CFR Unknown
Accident occurred Friday, September 07, 2018 in Victoria, Australia
Aircraft: YAKOVLEV YAK-9UM, registration:
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

On September 7, 2018, about 1933 coordinated universal time a Yakovlev Aircraft YAK-9UM airplane, VH-YIX, impacted terrain during a local flight that departed from the Latrobe Valley Airport, Victoria, Australia. The pilot in command was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was owned and operated by a private individual and operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of Australia.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the ATSB. Further information pertaining this accident may be obtained from: 

P.O. Box 967, Civic Square
Canverra A.C.T. 2608
Australia
Tel: (61) 2 6230-4408 
Email: atsvasir@atsb.gov.au
Fax: (61) 2 6274-6434
Website: http://www.atsb.gov.au









A pilot has died in a light plane crash in a paddock in Gippsland, in Victoria's east.

Police said the plane crashed in a paddock in Tanjil South, around 10 kilometres north of Moe, about 2:35pm.

The pilot was the only person in the plane, police said.

Police said they were assisting Recreational Aviation Australia with its investigation into the cause of the crash.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) statement said the light plane was a single-engine Yakovlev Yak-9UM warbird aircraft.

"Initial information provided to the ATSB indicates the aircraft has collided with terrain, approximately 20km west of Latrobe Valley Regional Airport," the statement said.

"Five Transport Safety Investigators from Brisbane and Canberra will travel to the accident site shortly to begin the evidence collection phase of the investigation.

"This will include the examination of the wreckage, interview witnesses, and obtain any available recorded data for analysis, amongst other activities.

"The evidence collection phase will define the size and scope of the investigation and determine the expected timeframe for the completion of a final report."

http://www.abc.net.au

Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee, N2496X: Incident occurred September 09, 2018 at Beverly Regional Airport (KBVY), Essex County, Massachusetts

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boston, Massachusetts

Reported loss of main wheel assembly on departure, landed without incident.

West Side Associates LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N2496X

Date: 09-SEP-18
Time: 23:30:00Z
Regis#: N2496X
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA 28 161
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: BEVERLY
State: MASSACHUSETTS


Student pilot Maggie Taraska, 17

BEVERLY — It was the scariest hour of Maggie Taraska's life.

With 60 flight hours under her belt, the 17-year-old student pilot taxied down the runway at Beverly Regional Airport and lifted off just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, embarking on her first solo cross-country trip, up to Portland, Maine. She was eager and ready to go.

But as she lifted off, something felt wrong, and then another pilot noticed something horribly awry — the right wheel had come off from her plane, a single-engine Piper PA28. That pilot quickly alerted air traffic control to the situation.

For the next 35 minutes or so, Maggie circled the airport as tower controllers and her flight instructor talked her through landing the plane back at the runway. They continued to assure her everything would be OK.




In a recording of the radio transmissions between Maggie and one of the tower controllers, the stress is evident in the Gloucester teen's voice as the situation unfolds.

After the call comes in about the missing wheel, the controller informs Maggie of the situation and asks what she intends to do.

"Can I circle back to land?" the teen replies as she confirms she's a student pilot and flying alone.

"Go ahead and circle the airport for now and we're going to get some people out to help you," the air controller responds. The woman continues to try and reassure Maggie.




"OK," Maggie replies in a shaky voice.

"Everything will be OK," the woman says.

Her instructor John Singleton eventually comes on the radio and continues to talk Maggie through landing the plane.

It was OK. It was even a "perfect landing" — according to dad Walt Taraska (who is also a pilot) and Singleton — given that she had one less wheel to work with.

"I was really scared at first," Maggie admitted Monday afternoon during a press conference with her family at Beverly Airport. "I just felt my heart sink."




But as Singleton and others talked her through it, her confidence and poise returned. "I just knew I had to fly the plane," she said. "I panicked a little bit, but you have to have confidence in your ability."

As she finally approached the runway and touched down, around 5:45 p.m., it was about the best approach Walt Taraska had ever seen, he told reporters Monday.

Granted, the plane veered off the runway and into a grassy area, where it finally came to a stop. As she was jostled about, Maggie recalled thinking: "It will stop, it has to stop, I will be fine." She feared the plane might flip, she said, but it didn't — she just hit some signs. She escaped the ordeal shaken but otherwise unharmed.




Police and fire crews had initially rushed to the scene upon learning of the situation from airport officials. As the plane circled overhead, fire crews and other first responders were positioned along Runway 9.

"I realized a lot of people thought it wasn't going to go so well," Maggie said, smiling, on Monday.

Loud cheers can be heard on the radio transmissions as she stuck the landing. Maggie said that after the plane finally stopped, she shut it down as quick as possible and got out — right into the waiting arms of her father.




"She pulled it together to do something really special," Walt Tararaska said Monday. "When I saw her (plane) approach, it was probably a better approach than I could do and I've got more (flight) hours than her."

Mom Christine drove Maggie back home to Gloucester. The two breathed a sigh of relief and just talked about what happened and some of the technical aspects of how she landed the plane. Christine said she made sure to call her mother as well to let her know Maggie was all right.

The Taraskas give high praise to Singleton, and the rest of the support crew, for their efforts.

Walt told reporters that as the plane circled overhead and he could hear Singleton and Maggie talking over the radio, coolly and calmly, he knew things would be OK. Maggie, likewise, said her confidence greatly improved once Singleton got on the radio.

"I've known John for years. He is an instructor that I would put with the best in the Air Force," said Walt, in a separate interview. "I knew that his training would get her through."

Both Walt and Christine are former Air Force intelligence officers who were stationed with fighter wings over Europe. They weren't pilots then, but they experienced a lot of different scenarios.




"A lot of this is compartmentalizing," Walt said, "putting fear to the side...and saying, 'I've done this literally hundreds of times (flying and landing).'"

Singleton, who's also the chief instructor at Beverly Flight School, said that when he heard the call Sunday evening from the other pilot, he taxied back in with his other students and hustled over to the control tower.

He said the traffic controllers did a great job as they got Maggie to circle back and maintain a safe altitude. As they all talked her through the landing, he continued to tell her to just focus on the plane and her training.

"In the recording, you can hear the stress in her voice," Singleton said. "I was telling her to keep calm and fly as normally as possible...remember her training."

In flight school, they train for emergency scenarios, although Maggie admitted there wasn't a section for when a wheel falls off the plane. "With this situation, there was nothing I could do about (that)," she said laughing. "I couldn't get the wheel back."

Maggie first started flying as a freshman in high school. She said she was partly inspired by her parents' stories and a love of flying.

The first time she did a solo flight was last year, and since then she's accumulated several hours of flight time alone in the cockpit, with a little over 60 hours total. She just turned 17 this summer and is working on getting her pilot's license.

Walt said he and Maggie actually just did the run up to the Portland International Jetport together on Labor Day. One of the requirements to get her license is to complete three solo, long-distance trips. 

"I did some of the flying but she flew most of the trip," he said. "She did great and I knew she was ready to go." Sunday was her first trip by herself.

A day later, Maggie was in high spirits as she talked to reporters. She said she even had another flight tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. Her parents noted that would depend on how she's feeling.

"I still have a few butterflies," Maggie said, "we'll see how it goes. I will do my best and try not to stress out."

As for the future, she just started her senior year at Manchester Essex Regional High School and is still figuring out what she wants to do after graduation. She said Monday that flying is a hobby right now, but she's thinking about the Air Force Academy and becoming a fighter pilot. She might be a little short though, she joked. 

As for the plane, the Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation. The aircraft was significantly damaged in the incident.

Singleton said the FAA will determine what caused the problem with the wheel. He's been doing this for four decades, yet Sunday's events were a first for him.

"In 37 years, this is the first time I had anything happen like this," he said.


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



BEVERLY, MASS. (WHDH) - A student pilot made an emergency landing in Beverly on Sunday night after the plane lost a wheel during take-off.

“I heard a pilot immediately calling the tower as a plane was taking off, telling the tower that the warrior in front of him–the wheel fell off,” Joyce Perelli, a witness, said. “At first, I don’t think it really hit her what the tower was telling her, but then she sounded really scared.”

Another witness said the airport staff jumped into action quickly.

“I guess they said they had gone out under the runway and found the part and examined it, so they knew which wheel it was and that it was hers,” Matt Newby, a witness, said. “We were praying for her and just hoping that she got down on the ground safely.”

According to the airport manager, it took less than half an hour to get the pilot safely on the ground.

“She was up there until we were fairly safe and certain she was ready to land,” Gloria Bouillon, manager at the Beverly Regional Airport, said. “This was an accident, it went as well as it could and, fortunately, it was right after we had done some drills, so everyone was very well prepared, the response was excellent.”

Emergency crews were waiting on the ground at the airport.

The student was not hurt, and airport officials said she is recovering with her family.

Story and video ➤ https://whdh.com


BEVERLY, Massachusetts — A pilot in training made an emergency landing after losing a wheel during take-off. 

The Beverly Airport shut down to all other traffic to give the pilot no distractions.

A flight instructor was in constant contact with the pilot as she made her final approach.

The pilot was able to land the small plane safely.

There were no reported injuries. 

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

BEVERLY – A single-engine plane safety returned to the Beverly Airport Sunday night after losing a wheel during takeoff about almost an hour earlier.

The plane successfully landed and the pilot – described as a young woman – escaped unharmed from the harrowing experience.


Witnesses at the airport said the pilot was 17 years old and on her first solo flight. Officials did not identify the pilot.


Fire crews were positioned along Runway 9 as officials debated options for bring in the aviator and the plane she was piloting. Flight instructors were at the ready to help the novice flier land safely.


Other crews were instructed to follow the plane as soon as it touched down. 


At about 5:45 p.m., the plane set down without incident. 


Initially, police and fire crews rushed to the Beverly Airport Sunday at around 5 p.m., after airport officials reported that the plane lost a wheel on takeoff at the airport.


First responders' radio communications said the pilot had about 5 hours worth of fuel.


Officials made way for all other air traffic scheduled to use the Beverly Airport and said they were in no hurry to have the pilot attempt a one-wheeled landing.


Beverly fire crews along with those from neighboring communities, such as Peabody, Danvers, Wenham and Middleton, were on scene and deployed equipment and personnel. Ambulances from Northeast Ambulance and Hamilton were also dispatched. 


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

Starjammer, N49EW: Fatal accident occurred April 25, 2018 in HeNan Province, China

Elgin Wells, Jr.










https://registry.faa.gov/N49EW

NTSB Identification: WPR18WA126
14 CFR Unknown
Accident occurred Wednesday, April 25, 2018 in HeNan Province, China
Aircraft: WELLS ELGIN M STARJAMMER, registration: N49EW
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

The foreign authority was the source of this information.

On April 25, 2018, at 1814 local time, an experimental Wells StarJammar airplane, N49EW, crashed during the rehearsal flight for an aerobatic performance at ShangJie general aviation Airport, HeNan Province, P.R. China. The owner/pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of China.

This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:

Aircraft Accident Investigation Division, Office of Aviation Safety
155 Dongsi Street West
Beijing 100710
China
Tel: (86) 10 6409-1908 (business hours)
(86) 10 6401-2907 (24 hours / 7 days)
Email: yf_mao@caac.gov.cn
Fax: (86) 10 6405-2829




Elgin Wells was known as high-flying aerobatic entertainer to some and a showman and teacher who could play more than a dozen instruments, but Eddie Owen knew him first and foremost as a friend.

Owen had known Wells, who lived in Peachtree Corners, since the mid-1970s when they met through a mutual friend. Over the years, Wells became a popular teacher at Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Music Foundry, and he performed during Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris’ last two State of the City addresses at the Foundry.

“He was just a top notch guy,” Owen said. “They didn’t come any better as a teacher, an entertainer, a musician, a composer and as a friend. He was just top notch in all of those areas.”

The longtime friendship made the news that Wells was killed in a plane crash in China while training for an upcoming air show extra hard for Owen to hear. Wells’ wife Lisa called Owen and once they connected, she delivered the news.

XinhuaNet reported Wells’ plane — “Starjammer” — crashed at Shangjie Airport in the city of Zhengzhou in central China on Wednesday. He had been on a training flight for the Zhengzhou Air Show 2018, which is scheduled to open today, according to the news outlet.

Chinese officials are reportedly investigating the crash to determine what caused it.

“It was horrible to hear,” Owen said. “I had the opportunity to speak to Lisa, his wife, about it yesterday and I’m just devastated by it. He had such passion for flying and the acrobatics and he was very good at that. He was so excited for the China trip and for what it could lead to.”

The son of a World War II air squadron pilot turned commercial pilot, Wells told the Daily Post in 2015 that he knew he wanted to be a pilot when he was a kid and learned to fly when he was 18.

“My dad was a real pilot: He was a P-38 squadron commander in the Pacific in World War II and after that he was a career pilot with Delta,” Wells said in a video interview. “When I turned 18, he said, ‘Do you want to learn how to fly?’ And I go, ‘Yeah,’ and so he had a friend of his teach me how to fly.

“Unfortunately, the trainer that be bought for me to fly was an aerobatic trainer and all I did was fly upside down and gauge the gyros, and when he found out I was doing that, he sold it so I didn’t fly from the time that I was 21 until I was 40.”

His “Starjammer” plane — which is covered in 255 LED lights and a 4,000-watt sound system — was flown for the first time in 2010. Over the years, his aerobatic stunts have earned him some notoriety on the air show circuit.

He chose to cover his plane in LEDs because they were a safer alternative to the flashy techniques night airshow pilots had been using.

In 2015, he said not having fireworks on his plane allowed him to do “much more aggressive aerobatics” during air shows.

“In other words, pretty much any maneuver I can do in a daytime air show, I can do in a nighttime air show,” he said. “Everybody just thinks it’s as cool as can be.”

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 690 Treasurer Randy Epstein said chapter members who gathered at their hangar at Briscoe Field for their usual Thursday night dinner were trying to process the news out of China.

Wells was “a member and good friend” of the chapter, said Epstein, who is also a former president of the chapter. His band sometimes provided entertainment at chapter events and he did several presentations at the chapter’s summer camps.

“He’s been doing aerobatics for I don’t know how long and he’s been in emergency type situations in the past that he handled very well … We’re all kind of in shock about the whole thing and don’t really understand it at this point,” Epstein said.

But Wells’ work as an aerobatic pilot was only one side of him.

Wells was also a jazz musician who released more than a dozen albums. He gave private music and songwriting lessons at Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Music Foundry.

The last time Wells was at Red Clay Music Foundry was a week ago and although he was expected to be gone for an extended period of time, Owen said his students were looking forward to his return.

“Almost every one of his students had decided to just wait until he came back to resume lessons,” Owen said. “They weren’t going to pick up other teachers.”

He led the Be Duluth Band for Harris’ talk-show style 2017 and 2018 State of the City Addresses, playing flute and guitar among other instruments.

“He was probably one of the more talented musicians I’ve ever known,” Owen said. “He plays like 14 instruments, and he’s a composer and a writer, and a good showman on stage.

“(He was also) probably one of our absolute favorite teachers. He taught many things. He taught cello and violin, he taught bass and horns — because he could play both trumpet and trombone — and stage presence. He was just one of our favorite teachers among the students. Both kids and adults liked him. He was just a total consummate professional.”

Harris said Wells was a “brilliant musician” with a charming demeanor that will be missed. She recalled him encouraging her to play piano at her State of the City Address earlier this year.

“He was a true advocate for beginning musicians in that he was insightful and experienced,” she said in an email. “He instilled confidence in many, including me when he encouraged me to play piano with the band.

“Elgin was a class act!”

https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com

American Legend AL3C-100, N654PC: Incident occurred September 09, 2018 in New River Maricopa County, Arizona

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Made emergency landing on a road and clipped a tree.

https://registry.faa.gov/N654PC

Date: 09-SEP-18
Time: 18:04:00Z
Regis#: N654PC
Aircraft Make: AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT
Aircraft Model: AL3C 100
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: EMERGENCY DESCENT (EMG)
Operation: 91
City: NEW RIVER
State: ARIZONA



PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - A plane had to make an emergency landing in north Phoenix Sunday morning.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the American Legend AL3C-100 lost oil pressure and had to make an emergency landing near Seventh Avenue and Honda Bow Road.

The plane clipped a tree and landed on the road. 

The Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical Department is responding to the incident. 

No Injuries were reported.

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




ANTHEM, ARIZONA - Daisy Mountain officials say a plane made an emergency landing near Anthem on Sunday morning. 

The incident happened before 10 a.m. in the area of 7th Avenue and Honda Bow Road, near a residential area east of Interstate 17. 

Federal Aviation Administration officials say the American Legend AL3C-100 was forced to make the landing due to a loss of oil pressure.

The aircraft reportedly clipped a tree during the incident. 

No injuries were reported, according to fire officials, and Federal Aviation Administration officials say the pilot was the only person on the aircraft. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the issue.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.abc15.com

Loss of Visual Reference: Cessna U206A Super Skywagon, N8070Z; accident occurred September 08, 2018 near Willow Airport (UUO), Alaska

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

Additional Participating Entity:

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

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


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

https://registry.faa.gov/N8070Z

Location: Willow, AK
Accident Number: ANC18TA070
Date & Time: 09/08/2018, 2353 AKD
Registration: N8070Z
Aircraft: Cessna U206
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of visual reference
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On September 8, 2018, about 2353 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna U206 airplane, N8070Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain about 1.5 miles north-northeast of the Willow Airport (UUO), Willow, Alaska. The flight instructor and the private pilot receiving instruction, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, visual flight rules, local area instructional flight. Dark, night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Talkeetna Airport (TKA), Talkeetna, Alaska, about 2230.

The private pilot receiving instruction stated that the purpose of the flight was to obtain required night training to fulfill Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 61.109 requirements. She obtained her private pilot certificate the previous month; however, she did not obtain night training, as provided for in FAR 61.110 exception for Alaska pilots. Her airmen certificate had the limitation of "night flying prohibited." She scheduled the night flight with her flight instructor who previously provided all her private pilot flight instruction. The accident flight was the pilot's first night flight.

The flight instructor stated that he had flown with the pilot many times and he characterized her as an excellent student and pilot. The flight instructor had flown to UUO at night on many occasions. He stated that he had provided a total 2,200 hours of airplane single engine instruction and 305 hours of night instruction and his last night flight was 2 to 3 weeks before the accident.

The flight departed TKA at 2230 and proceeded to multiple airports within 60 miles of TKA. The pilot receiving instruction flew from the left seat and the flight instructor sat in the right seat. The pilot conducted two full stop landings and takeoffs at Wasilla Airport (IYS) and then preceded to UUO. She performed one full stop landing on runway 31 and both she and the flight instructor agreed to perform another landing at UUO. The pilot stated that after takeoff, while maintaining runway heading, she climbed the airplane to 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl), and commenced a right, crosswind turn into a dark area with no visible horizon. She could not recall if she leveled off prior to turning or during the turn. The last event that she remembered was the flight instructor exclaiming "what is up with your attitude?"

The flight instructor stated that while the airplane was in the right crosswind turn, and as he looked out the right window, he sensed something was wrong due to the unusual sound of the wind stream and propeller rpm. He realized that the airplane was descending, and that the pilot flying was disoriented. He took command of the flight controls and attempted to recover; however, the airplane was too low, and it impacted the marsh-covered terrain right wing first in a nose down attitude. Both pilots egressed the fragmented wreckage through a tear in the fuselage. The flight instructor located the pilot's iPhone in the marsh and called the Rescue Coordination Center and a family member. They were unable to reach survival gear due to the large wreckage field and their serious injuries. They were rescued about 0150 by the Air National Guard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. Refer to figure 1.


Figure 1. N8070Z Cessna 206 wreckage, bottom of airplane.
Courtesy of aircraft owner. 


The pilot receiving instruction stated that during the flight, she could see a visible horizon for the first hour of the flight, but after an hour, it became much darker outside. She remembered seeing the lights of Wasilla and recalled that it was much darker at UUO, with few lights outside of the airport environment and no visible horizon. She also stated that she did not recall referencing the attitude indicator during the flight. The flight instructor stated that it was a clear, dark night and he did observe a visible horizon, except to the east of UUO where there were few lights. He stated that he could not see the attitude indicator from the right seat. The U.S. Naval Observatory lists sunset at 2045 and moonset at 2056 on September 8 in Willow.

The private pilot, who was also a co-owner of the airplane, reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 20, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/09/2018
Flight Time:   83.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2.7 hours (Total, this make and model), 51.8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 71.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 39.2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 29, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/01/2013
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/03/2018
Flight Time:   3500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25 hours (Total, this make and model), 2800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 300 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8070Z
Model/Series: U206 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: U206-0470
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/22/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4466 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Teledyne Continental Motors
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-F
Registered Owner: Rivers Larry R
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAUO, 205 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0556 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 189°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: 
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / 3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Willow, AK (UUO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Willow, AK (UUO)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 2345 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Willow (UUO)
Runway Surface Type: Gravel
Airport Elevation: 215 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 4400 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 61.781389, -150.043333 (est)

Location: Willow, AK
Accident Number: ANC18TA070
Date & Time: 09/08/2018, 2353 AKD
Registration: N8070Z
Aircraft: Cessna U206
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

On September 8, 2018, about 2353 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna U206 airplane, N8070Z, sustained substantial damage after impacting tundra and marsh-covered terrain about 1.5 miles north-northeast of the Willow Airport (UUO), Willow, Alaska. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) in the right seat, and the private pilot in the left seat, each sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, visual flight rules, local area instructional flight. Dark, night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Talkeetna Airport (TKA), Talkeetna, Alaska, about 2030.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the private pilot reported that the accident flight was her first night training flight since receiving her private pilot certificate on August 9, 2018. The flight was planned for stop-and-go landings at multiple airports in the area. She stated that the CFI had also provided most of her initial private pilot training.

The private pilot said that after completing one full stop landing on Runway 31 at UUO, both pilots agreed to conduct another takeoff and landing. She said that after takeoff, while maintaining runway heading and climbing the airplane to 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl), she started a right, crosswind turn into a dark area with no visible horizon. The last event that she remembered, was the CFI saying, in part: "what's wrong with your attitude indicator?" The airplane subsequently descended and collided with the ground. Both pilots egressed the fragmented wreckage through a large tear in the fuselage and could not access survival gear due to their injuries and the wreckage debris. The pilot's cell phone was located outside of the airplane and she called a family member who contacted the Alaska State Troopers.

In a separate interview with the NTSB IIC, the CFI related that when the private pilot started her right turn over the dark, unlit terrain, he felt something was wrong and noted that the horizon was no longer visible, and the sound of the wind stream was unusual. He stated that he took the control of the airplane, but it impacted terrain before he could recover.

About 2358, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a signal from a 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) that was registered to N8070Z. An Air National Guard HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter rescued both pilots about 0150 on September 9.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage during the impact.

The U.S. Naval Observatory lists sunset at 2045 and moonset at 2056 on September 8 in Willow. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8070Z
Model/Series: U206 A
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: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAUO, 205 ft msl
Observation Time: 2156 AKD
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / 3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 70°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wasilla, AK (IYS)
Destination: Talkeetna, AK (TKA)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 61.781389, -150.043333 (est)

A pilot and his trainer crashed west of the Willow Airport on Saturday and were rescued by the Rescue Coordination Center and taken to a local for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries troopers reported. 

According to the report, 20-year-old Robin C. Spaulding and 29-year-old John P. Cabaud were practicing night flight operations when their aircraft crashed. Cabaud had been teaching night flight operations to Spaulding when the aircraft went down during a training maneuver at just before midnight.

AST, after receiving a report of the crash, in turn contacted Rescue Coordination Center as the crash location was inaccessible from the ground. A Rescue Coordination Center helicopter was launched and flew to the location where they lifted to two victims to medical facilities.

The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the incident and will conduct their investigation.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://alaska-native-news.com

A late-night small-plane crash near the Willow Airport left a pilot and an instructor to an area hospital Saturday, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Word of the crash, west of the airport, reached troopers just before midnight according to an online dispatch. The plane’s pilot, 20-year-old Robin Spaulding, and 29-year-old passenger John Cabaud are both Talkeetna residents.

The wreck occurred while Cabaud was teaching Spaulding “night flight operations,” troopers said.

“While performing a training maneuver the plane crashed,” troopers wrote. “Robin and John suffered injuries which are not considered life-threatening.”

Troopers and Willow firefighters were unable to reach the crash site, but an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter rescued Spaulding and Cabaud. They were taken to an area hospital.

Staff at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage listed Spaulding in fair condition Sunday afternoon, but didn't have a listing for Cabaud.

Clint Johnson, chief of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska office, said the crashed plane was a Cessna 206. Investigators haven't yet been able to speak with either of its occupants as they receive treatment.

"Both of them are classified as serious injuries for us," Johnson said.

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

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska State Troopers say two people were injured in a plane crash west of the Willow Airport Saturday night.

According to a daily dispatch, the 20-year-old pilot, identified as Robin C Spaulding, of Talkeetna, was learning night flight operations from the passenger, John P Cabaud, 29, of Talkeetna. “While performing a training maneuver the plane crashed,” troopers wrote.

Both Cabaud and Spaulding were injured and taken to a hospital with injuries troopers said are “not considered life threatening.”

Alaska State Troopers wrote the National Transport Safety Board has been notified about the crash. 

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