Friday, November 16, 2018

Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Unregistered experimental amateur-built Supercat; accident occurred October 09, 2018 at Three Rivers Municipal, Dr. Haines Airport (KHAI), St. Joseph County, Michigan

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 Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


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

Location: Three Rivers, MI
Accident Number: WPR19TA009
Date & Time: 10/09/2018, 1904 EDT
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: Kreling Supercat
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The private pilot reported that he had just completed constructing the unregistered experimental, amateur-built airplane, and during takeoff for the airplane's first flight from the grass airstrip, he failed to maintain the proper pitch attitude and adequate airspeed, and the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall. The airplane struck the ground nose down just beyond the end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the forward fuselage.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper pitch attitude and adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings

Aircraft
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Pitch control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information


On October 9, 2018, at 1904 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental amateur-built Supercat airplane collided with terrain after takeoff from Three Rivers Municipal Dr Haines Airport, Three Rivers, Michigan. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The airplane was operated by the pilot/builder under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he recently completed construction of the airplane, and although he had previously performed multiple high-speed taxi tests and "crow hops", this was to be the first flight. He stated that the takeoff runway was a 1,000-ft-long grass strip, adjacent and parallel to Runway 9. After warming up the engine, he taxied the airplane into position, and initiated the takeoff roll. The airplane lifted off after traveling about 1/4 of the runway length, and he stated that during the initial climb he failed to maintain the correct pitch attitude and adequate airspeed, and the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall. The airplane struck the ground nose-down just beyond the end of the runway.

The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 447 series two-stroke engine. The pilot indicated that he planned to register the airplane with the Federal Aviation Administration once he had established that it could be flown. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  158.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0.1 hours (Total, this make and model), 120.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Kreling
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: Supercat
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2018
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate:
Serial Number: None
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 0 Hours
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 0 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 447
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 38 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: KHAI, 824 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2317 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 258°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 8500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 160°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Three Rivers, MI (HAI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Three Rivers, MI (HAI)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1904 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E 

Airport Information

Airport: THREE RIVERS MUNI DR HAINES (HAI)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 822 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1000 ft / 1000 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  41.961111, -85.586111 (est)

Cessna 182K Skylane, registered to Sacramento Aero Club and operated by the pilot, N2629R: Fatal accident occurred November 15, 2018 near Redding Municipal Airport (KRDD), Shasta County, California

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N2629R

Location: Redding, CA
Accident Number: WPR19FA025
Date & Time: 11/15/2018, 1827 PST
Registration: N2629R
Aircraft: Cessna 182
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On November 15, 2018 at 1827 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182K airplane, N2629R, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Redding Municipal Airport (RDD), Redding, California. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Sacramento Aero Club and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed within the area for the cross-country flight and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from RDD at 1825 destined for Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), Sacramento, California.

Review of preliminary information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the air traffic controller cleared the accident pilot for takeoff on runway 34. Radar data depicted a primary target consistent with the accident airplane start a gradual left turn just beyond the departure end of runway 34. The data further showed that the airplane began a right turn and started to descend from about 500 ft above ground level, about 0.43 mile north of RDD. The last radar target was located near the accident site, at an altitude of 100 ft agl.

A video obtained from a security camera located on top of a building, located about 1 mile southwest of the accident site, captured the accident airplane in a descending right turn until the airplane was lost from view behind a tree line.

A witness located about 660 ft southeast from the accident site reported that he heard a sound consistent with the engine being advanced to full power. The witness turned around and observed the airplane's red and green wingtip lights. The witness said that the airplane appeared to be in level flight based on the lights, however, he could not see the airplane due to very low visibility and the dark environment. Shortly after, the witness observed wingtip lights "flipover as the airplane was in a roll" and the airplane started descending straight towards the ground. The witness further stated that the "sound drastically decreased as if the engine power decreased", right before the airplane impacted the ground.

The initial examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain 0.75 miles north-east from the departure end of runway 34 at RDD and cartwheeled before coming to rest upright. The wreckage was spread along a 275 ft-long debris path through dry, grassy terrain on an approximate heading of 115° magnetic.

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

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2629R
Model/Series: 182 K
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRDD, 497 ft msl
Observation Time: 0153 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2800 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude:  40.526944, -122.283611 (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 email assistance@ntsb.gov.


 Pilot Dick Tak

Clay Abajian, Sac State professor of nursing.


Angel Flight West

"It is with saddened hearts we share that volunteer pilot Dick Tak and a mission assistant were involved in a fatal accident at approximately 6:30pm PST on Thursday, November 15, near Redding Municipal Airport (KRDD). The mission assistant, who also perished in the accident, has not yet been identified by authorities.

Before the accident, Mr. Tak and the mission assistant had landed at Redding with two passengers on board. Both passengers disembarked after their arrival and were not on board at the time of the accident. Mr. Tak and the mission assistant were departing Redding for the return flight to Sacramento (KSAC) when the accident occurred.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Angel Flight West will cooperate with the investigation, and we will provide any and all requested assistance.

Angel Flight West delivers health and hope to those in need of donated flights to access to health care and other compelling human needs. Its approximately 1,800 volunteer pilots throughout the 12 western states donate 100% of the costs of each flight. Founded in 1983, Angel Flight West has provided services for those in need for over 35 years, spanning over 75,000 thousand missions."

Angel Flight West



REDDING (KRON) - A pilot and a passenger volunteering for Angel Flight West have died in a plane crash in Redding on Thursday.

The fatal crash happened at around 6:30 p.m. near the Redding airport.

"It is with saddened hearts we share that volunteer pilot Dick Tak and a mission assistant were involved in a fatal accident," Angel Fight West said on Facebook.

Tak and the mission assistant had landed at the airport with two passengers onboard. After the two passengers disembarked, Tak and the assistant took off, departing from the Redding airport for a return flight to Sacramento.

That's when the accident happened, killing the two.

The mission assistant has not been identified.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.kron4.com

REDDING (CBS13) — Two people are dead after crashing their plane in Redding Thursday night.

Clay Abajian and Dick Tak died in the crash shortly after taking off from Redding in a Cessna 182K Skylane around  10 p.m. Thursday.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration accident report, the plane collided with terrain due to unknown circumstances.

Abajian worked at Sacramento State as nursing faculty, according to tweets from Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen.

"I’m sorry. Correction to my earlier tweet. We have just learned that Clay Abajian was volunteering and helping with an Angel Flight, care flights for patients, when his plane crashed and he passed away.  He will be deeply missed."

Nelsen said Clay Abajian was volunteering with an Angel Flight when the plane crashed.

A vigil was held for the victims at Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park Friday night.

Details about a funeral service are still pending, according to the church.

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

A plane crashed and killed two people shortly after taking off from the Redding Municipal Airport on Thursday night.

The Cessna 182K Skylane “collided with terrain due to unknown circumstances,” according to a Federal Aviation Administration report.

One of the two people killed in the crash was Sacramento State nursing faculty Clay Abajian, according to social media posts from university president Robert Nelsen and the school’s nursing department.

Nelsen said in a tweet Abajian was volunteering for an Angel Flight on Thursday.

Students flooded the comment section of a Facebook post made by the school’s nursing department confirming his death.

“He was an amazing clinical instructor,” Facebook user JoviEna Vaj commented. “I still remember the anxiety and fear I had going into first semester clinicals. He was so supportive and comforting and really encouraged us. 6 years out and I am working as an ICU nurse and still remember his smile and the way he made me feel like I can trust myself in this career.”

A prayer service will be held for Abajian at 7 p.m. tonight at the Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park.

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