Saturday, February 23, 2019

Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N224TA; fatal accident occurred February 23, 2019 at Mansfield Municipal Airport (1B9), Bristol County, Massachusetts

Sydney Miti, Flight Instructor

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Burlington, Massachusetts
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

Aviation Accident Final 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/N224TA



Location: Mansfield, MA
Accident Number: ERA19FA107
Date & Time: 02/23/2019, 1225 EST
Registration: N224TA
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis 

After practicing maneuvers during the instructional flight, the flight instructor and student pilot approached the airport for landing. Witnesses and airport surveillance video indicated that the airplane entered the landing flare, but continued to float down the runway a significant distance, touching down about 2,800 ft down the 3,503-ft-long runway. The pilots then initiated a takeoff (touch-and-go). Although the published airport traffic pattern for the runway indicated left turns, the airplane performed a climb in a steep right bank before slowing and entering a spiraling decent toward a grass area near the airport terminal building. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. It is likely that the flight instructor allowed the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack during a turning initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Although it could not be determined who was flying the airplane at the time of the accident, the flight instructor is ultimately responsible for the safety of the flight. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. 

Findings

Aircraft
Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Initial climb
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Aerodynamic stall/spin

Uncontrolled descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

On February 23, 2019, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N224TA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during the initial climb after takeoff from Mansfield Municipal Airport (1B9), Mansfield, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by New Horizon Aviation Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts, about 1125.


After performing maneuvers over the local area, the airplane approached 1B9 for landing. Witnesses and review of airport surveillance video revealed that the airplane was on approach to runway 32, a 3,503-ft-long, 75-ft-wide asphalt runway. The airplane flared over the runway and floated a significant distance before touching down about 2,800 ft down the runway. The pilots then initiated a takeoff (touch-and-go). Although the published traffic pattern for runway 32 indicated left turns, the airplane performed a climb in a steep right bank before slowing and entering a spiraling descent toward a grass area near the airport terminal building.

Sydney Miti 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 32, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/11/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/01/2018
Flight Time:  386 hours (Total, all aircraft), 150 hours (Total, this make and model), 66 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 33 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: None
Age: 18, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

The flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine, issued on November 1, 2018. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate was issued on January 11, 2019. Review of the flight instructor's logbook revealed that he had accumulated a total flight experience of about 386 hours; of which, 66 and 33 hours were flown during the 90- and 30-day periods preceding the accident, respectively.

The student pilot did not possess a student pilot certificate nor was he required to. Review of the student pilot's logbook revealed that, at that time of the accident, he had completed six lessons with the operator and had accrued a total flight experience of 7.6 hours.



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N224TA
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S9224
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/29/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5660 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: New Horizon Aviation Inc
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: New Horizon Aviation Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

The four-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle landing gear airplane was manufactured in 2002. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360, 180-horsepower engine equipped with a two-blade, fixed-pitch McCauley propeller. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 29, 2019. At that time, the airframe had accrued 5,660 total hours since new and the engine had accrued 3,358 hours since new.



Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OWD, 49 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1253 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 10°
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: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.41 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Norwood, MA (OWD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mansfield, MA (1B9)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1125 EST
Type of Airspace: 

The accident site was located about 11 miles south of OWD. The 1253 recorded weather at OWD included wind variable at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 4°C, dew point -7°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.41 inches of mercury.



Airport Information

Airport: Mansfield Municipal Airport (1B9)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 121 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 32
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3503 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around





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: 42.004444, -71.199722

The wreckage came to rest nose down in grass oriented on a magnetic heading about 270°; no debris path was observed. Fuel had leaked out of both wings and into the grass. Both wings exhibited leading edge impact damage. The cockpit was crushed, but both front seatbelts remained intact and were unlatched by rescue personnel. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to their respective wings and measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to a flaps-retracted position. The rudder and elevator remained attached to the empennage and measurement of the elevator trim actuator corresponded to a 5° tab-up (nose-down) trim position. Control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The right aileron cable had separated and both cable ends exhibited broomstraw separation consistent with overstress.

The engine had separated from the airframe. The propeller remained attached to the engine; one blade remained undamaged and was bent slightly forward. The other blade was bent aft and exhibited chordwise scratches. The propeller and rear accessories were removed from the engine. The top spark plugs were removed and their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. The crankshaft was rotated via an accessory drive gear. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity were confirmed and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. Fuel was found in the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel servo, flow divider, and in the fuel lines. The fuel inlet screen of the fuel servo and oil suction screen were absent of debris. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand. 

Medical And Pathological Information

The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, Massachusetts, performed autopsies on both pilots. The cause of death for both pilots was blunt force injuries.

Toxicology testing performed on both pilots by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for drugs and alcohol. The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Burlington, Massachusetts
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 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/N224TA

Location: Mansfield, MA
Accident Number: ERA19FA107
Date & Time: 02/23/2019, 1225 EST
Registration: N224TA
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On February 23, 2019, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N224TA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during the initial climb after takeoff from Mansfield Municipal Airport (1B9), Mansfield, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by New Horizon Aviation Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts, about 1125.

After performing maneuvers over the local area, the airplane approached 1B9 for landing. Witnesses and review of airport surveillance video revealed that the airplane was on approach to runway 32, a 3,503-ft-long, 75-ft-wide asphalt runway. The airplane flared over the runway and floated a significant distance before touching down about 2,800 ft down the runway. The pilots then initiated a takeoff (touch-and-go). Although the published traffic pattern for runway 32 indicated left turns, the airplane performed a climb in a steep right bank before slowing and entering a spiraling descent toward a grass area near the airport terminal building.

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 32, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/11/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/01/2018
Flight Time:  386 hours (Total, all aircraft), 150 hours (Total, this make and model), 66 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 33 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: None
Age: 18, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

The flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine, issued on November 1, 2018. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate was issued on January 11, 2019. Review of the flight instructor's logbook revealed that he had accumulated a total flight experience of about 386 hours; of which, 66 and 33 hours were flown during the 90- and 30-day periods preceding the accident, respectively.

The student pilot did not possess a student pilot certificate nor was he required to. Review of the student pilot's logbook revealed that, at that time of the accident, he had completed six lessons with the operator and had accrued a total flight experience of 7.6 hours.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N224TA
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S9224
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/29/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5660 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: New Horizon Aviation Inc
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: New Horizon Aviation Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

The four-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle landing gear airplane was manufactured in 2002. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360, 180-horsepower engine equipped with a two-blade, fixed-pitch McCauley propeller. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 29, 2019. At that time, the airframe had accrued 5,660 total hours since new and the engine had accrued 3,358 hours since new.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OWD, 49 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1253 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 10°
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: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.41 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Norwood, MA (OWD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mansfield, MA (1B9)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1125 EST
Type of Airspace: 

The accident site was located about 11 miles south of OWD. The 1253 recorded weather at OWD included wind variable at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 4°C, dew point -7°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.41 inches of mercury.

Airport Information

Airport: Mansfield Municipal Airport (1B9)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 121 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 32
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3503 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around

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: 42.004444, -71.199722

The wreckage came to rest nose down in grass oriented on a magnetic heading about 270°; no debris path was observed. Fuel had leaked out of both wings and into the grass. Both wings exhibited leading edge impact damage. The cockpit was crushed, but both front seatbelts remained intact and were unlatched by rescue personnel. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to their respective wings and measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to a flaps-retracted position. The rudder and elevator remained attached to the empennage and measurement of the elevator trim actuator corresponded to a 5° tab-up (nose-down) trim position. Control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The right aileron cable had separated and both cable ends exhibited broomstraw separation consistent with overstress.

The engine had separated from the airframe. The propeller remained attached to the engine; one blade remained undamaged and was bent slightly forward. The other blade was bent aft and exhibited chordwise scratches. The propeller and rear accessories were removed from the engine. The top spark plugs were removed and their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. The crankshaft was rotated via an accessory drive gear. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity were confirmed and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. Fuel was found in the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel servo, flow divider, and in the fuel lines. The fuel inlet screen of the fuel servo and oil suction screen were absent of debris. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand. 

Medical And Pathological Information

The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, Massachusetts, performed autopsies on both pilots. The cause of death for both pilots was blunt force injuries.

Toxicology testing performed on both pilots by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for drugs and alcohol. 

Location: Mansfield, MA
Accident Number: ERA19FA107
Date & Time: 02/23/2019, 1225 EST
Registration: N224TA
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On February 23, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N244TA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, during a go-around at Mansfield Municipal Airport (1B9), Mansfield, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by New Horizon Aviation Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight that originated from Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts, about 1020.

After performing maneuvers over the local area, the airplane approached 1B9 for landing. Witnesses and review of airport surveillance video revealed that the airplane was on approach to runway 32, a 3,503-ft-long, 75-ft-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane remained in the landing flare over approximately 2,800 ft of runway before a go-around was initiated. Although the airport traffic pattern for runway 32 required left turns, the airplane performed a climb in a steep right bank, before slowing and descending in a spiral toward a grass area near the terminal building.

The wreckage came to rest nose down in grass, oriented about a magnetic heading of 270°, and no debris path was observed. Fuel had leaked out of both wings and into the grass. Both wings exhibited leading edge impact damage. The cockpit was crushed, but both front seatbelts remained intact and were unlatched by rescue personnel. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to their respective wing and measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to a flaps retracted position. The rudder and elevator remained attached to the empennage and measurement of the elevator trim actuator corresponded to a 5° tab up (nose down) trim position. Control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The right aileron cable had separated and both cable ends exhibited broomstraw separation.

The engine had separated from the airframe. The propeller remained attached to the engine and one blade remained undamaged and was bent slightly forward. The other propeller blade was bent aft and exhibited chordwise scratches. The propeller and rear accessories were removed from the engine. The top spark plugs were removed and their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. The crankshaft was rotated via an accessory drive gear. Crankshaft, camshaft and valve train continuity were confirmed and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. Fuel was found in the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel servo, flow divider, and in the fuel lines between. The fuel inlet screen of the fuel servo and oil suction screen were absent of debris. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand.

The four-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle landing gear airplane, was manufactured in 2002. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360, 180-hp engine equipped with a two-blade, fixed-pitch, McCauley propeller. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 29, 2019. At that time, the airframe had accrued 5,660 total hours since new and the engine had accrued 3,358 hours since major new.

The flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate, with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine, which was obtained on November 1, 2018. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration first-class medical certificate was issued on January 11, 2019. At that time, the flight instructor reported a total flight experience of 325 hours.

The student pilot did not possess a student pilot certificate, nor was he required to. At that time of the accident, the student pilot had completed six lessons with the operator and had accrued a total flight experience of 7.6 hours.

The accident site was about 11 miles south of OWD. The recorded weather at OWD, at 1253, was: wind variable at 3 knots; visibility 10 miles; clear sky; temperature 4° C; dew point -7° C; altimeter 30.41 inches of mercury. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N224TA
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: New Horizon Aviation Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OWD, 49 ft msl
Observation Time: 1253 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.41 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Norwood, MA (OWD)
Destination:  Mansfield, MA (1B9)

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: 42.004444, -71.199722

Sydney Miti, Flight Instructor





MANSFIELD — Pilots and others waiting to be seated for breakfast Sunday at the Mansfield Municipal Airport restaurant expressed sadness over a plane crash that killed an instructor and his student at the airport the day before.

The crash, which was reported around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, killed 31-year-old Sydney Miti of Waltham who was the instructor pilot, and his student, 18-year-old Julian Lattermann of Dover, according to Mansfield Police.

One experienced pilot, David Middleton of Attleboro, who was waiting for a seat at the restaurant Sunday morning, said he was working on his plane, preparing it for an afternoon flight, when he saw the distressed Cessna 172 fly overhead the hanger where he was working on Saturday.

“I saw the plane fly by at a 45 degree angle at about 200 feet,” Middleton estimated.

He said that the angle and the altitude were his best guess.

Middleton had noticed the plane as it practiced take-offs and landings.

He said the engine sounded fine, and then as it flew over the hangar, referred to as the “shanty town” due to the rust color of the hangar, the plane struck the ground, nose first.

Middleton said he was one of the first on the scene, running towards the wreckage, but then had to stay back when he saw how much fuel was spilling from the plane and the extent of the damage.

He said he immediately had those with him call for an ambulance and firefighters.

Middleton said he has been flying for 30 years, and earlier in the day, he and another pilot flew to Nashua, N.H. for breakfast. He said it was a perfect day for flying and until the crash he planned to take his plane out for a flight. The Mansfield Municipal Airport was closed immediately after the crash.

He and other pilots all said the crash was very unfortunate.

Police said the plane, a Cessna 172S, was owned and operated by Horizon Aviation of Norwood.

Police, in a press release issued late Saturday, said the plane left Norwood airport around 11:26 a.m. There was a radio transmission at around 12:30 p.m. from the plane that it missed an approach as it maneuvered away from runway 32. The plane then flew past the airport administration building and crashed into a turf landing area.

Mansfield Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini said the first responding fire crews and a Boston Med Flight, which is stationed at the airport, quickly determined the two occupants of the plane had perished in the crash.

The chief said firefighters poured foam over the wreckage as a precaution because vapors from aviation gas is volatile. He said the plane never caught fire.

A crane was called to the site and was used to pull the plane out of the ground and then assisted fire crews to remove the aircraft’s engine and propeller before the victims could be removed.

Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board officials are investigating the crash along with Massachusetts State Police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s office.

A state police helicopter and drone took pictures of the crash site.

Paul Bjoukman, a resident of Mansfield and a pilot for the last 14 years, went to the airport with family members to view the crash scene on Saturday.

He quickly identified the aircraft as a Cessna and said that it seats four people.

Bjoukman talked about taking his initial flight training in Mansfield, and then speculated how the plane ended up where it did, because he didn’t think it was near either the paved or the grass runway.

Local police said Saturday the crashed plane would remain at the airport overnight and that federal authorities will take over the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board will determine a probable cause for the accident, according to the FAA.

The last aviation fatality in the Attleboro area took place in June 2015 in Plainville when a single-engine Beechcraft crashed into a home on Bridle Path and burst into flames, killing a Tennessee couple and their daughter in the plane. Residents of the home escaped unharmed. That plane was headed to the Norwood airport.

There have been a few accidents the past several years at the Mansfield airport, including in February 2014 when a student pilot escaped injury when a Cessna 172 made what was described as a hard landing at the airport. The plane’s wheel hit a snowbank and went into a skid off the runway, causing an estimated $45,000 damage. The pilot had been practicing landings.

In October 2013, a plane crashed into a group of trees about 25 feet off the ground, but the pilot and a student pilot managed to get out of the wreckage on their own. The two were reportedly practicing take-offs and landings.

And in December 2011, a North Attleboro man escaped with minor injuries after a plane he built himself veered off the runway and flipped over.

Also, in April 2008, another student pilot’s plane cruised off the runway and flipped over, but no injuries were reported.

The worst accident at Mansfield Airport took place in September 2007 when two people from Maine were killed and two others injured, including a Mansfield resident, when a plane crashed after takeoff. Federal investigators attributed the crash to pilot error and an overweight plane.

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


 January 15th, 2019:  Sydney Miti has joined the instructor team at Horizon Aviation. He brings expertise, experience, and a warm smile to our staff at the Norwood Memorial Airport (KOWD).










A flight instructor and his student were killed Saturday when a single-engine airplane crashed nose-first into the ground at Mansfield Municipal Airport.  

Mansfield police say Sydney Miti, 31, of Waltham, and Julian Lattermann, 18, of Dover, were both killed upon impact.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this tragic time," Mansfield police said in a statement.

Miti's family tells NBC10 Boston it was his dream to fly, and all of his nephews wanted to be like him. The pilot's grieving family celebrated his life at a vigil Saturday night where his mother and wife described his contagious positivity and kindness.

"I was so worried," Gertrude Miti said of her son's profession. "I said Sydney, 'why did you take this job?' It's too risky for you, it's too risky."

Miti's mother describes him as a loving, friendly, and kind father, son, husband, uncle, and brother.

"Everybody loved you Sydney, everybody loved you. You know that," Gertrude Miti said.

An initial investigation shows Miti was giving Lattermann a lesson aboard a 2002 Cessna 172S aircraft on Saturday. It was in the Mansfield area after having taken off from the Norwood Airport around 11:26 a.m. 

The Mansfield Police Department communications center received multiple 911 calls reporting the accident around 12:30 p.m. When emergency crews responded, they found the plane had crashed into the ground at runway 4, the turf landing strip located on the north side of the airport adjacent to Fruit Street.

Police say a radio transmission from the aircraft indicated a missed approach as it maneuvered away from Mansfield runway 32. Moments later, the Cessna flew past the Municipal Airport administration building and crashed into the turf landing area

"I just came by and saw all the commotion so I stopped," said Mansfield resident Ginnie Boucher, whose husband is a private pilot. "If they had mechanical trouble, they did a good job getting back to the airport and staying away from all the residents and the bikes."

Miti and Lattermann were the only ones on board when the aircraft crashed nose-first into the ground, crushing the cockpit.

"It's really not good," said Boucher who lives near the airport. "Nose-first, and it seems to be buried all the way up to the seats."

"It's shocking," adds Paul Bjorkman, who rents a small plane and flies out of the Mansfield Airport all the time. 

Bjorkman says he can't figure out what happened.

Federal investigators used a drone to help them piece together how it all unfolded.

Mansfield firefighters responded to the scene and sprayed the plane with foam to mitigate the dangers of leaking fuel while the victims were extricated from the wreckage.

The scene was cleared around 6 p.m. and the aircraft was turned over to investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The FAA is investigating, and the NTSB will determine the probable cause of the crash.

Mansfield and Massachusetts State Police detectives are assisting in the investigation.

The aircraft was owned and operated by Horizon Aviation, of Norwood. The company declined to comment Saturday night.

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

41 comments:

  1. Looking at the damage I'm guessing they were climbing out after takeoff, exceeded critical AOA ,stalled & spun in. Plane impacted at a pretty steep angle.

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  2. Reminds me of the fatal 172 crash at KCRW when the CFI's seat slid back on takeoff and she instinctively grabbed the yoke causing the plane to abruptly pitch up, stall and impact the ground killing the CFI and injuring the student pilot.

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  3. CFI and a Student died, it appears the plane was based out of R.I, ( KPVD )

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  4. The plane was based out of Norwood MA. The flight school has two locations. This airport has both paved and grass runway. This airplane is just off the grass runway. Not sure if they had an emergency and tried to land on the grass runway or if they were practicing soft field landings and sunk into the ground.

    Here is some aerial video footage. You can see the grass runway when the video is zoomed out at about the 5 min mark.

    https://www.boston25news.com/news/plane-crash-in-mansfield-leaves-two-with-life-threatening-injuries/924455303

    There is a restaurant just about 200 feet away with a good view. Sadly it is a very popular place for families to bring kids to eat and watch the planes.

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  5. Should not have been softfield landing practice. A CFI out of Norwood would realize 22 is closed under bad field conditions. And the degree of damage to the nose, would speak to more energy on impact than a nose over. But very unfortunate and sad in any case.

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  6. Here is link to the statement from Mansfield police. Stating a missed approach to runway 32. Question. If they had a missed approach to runway 32 and the traffic pattern is left how did they end up going right and flying over the municipal building. I'm only a student going for VFR so not sure if missed approach is an IFR term. But when we practice go around on that run way it s a left traffic pattern that would not bring you anywhere near the spot of the crash.

    https://mansfieldpolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Aircraft-Accident-Press-Release.pdf

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  7. Yeah 32 is left traffic. Really hard to say how they got over there. Guessing we’ll learn more. Missed Approach is an IFR term and if they were doing a practice approach the missed procedure on 32 is a climbing right turn. I did my training at Horizon so this has shaken me a bit. RIP to the 2 victims.

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  8. Yes, “missed approach” is an IFR term, and according to the approach plate for 1B9, the missed approach procedure for Rwy 32 RNAV, is a climbimg right turn to 3000 direct WHYBE

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    1. Ha we basically just said the same thing. They’re way over by the threshold to 22 though...that’s a very steep turn...

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  9. Flew that plane at EF out of BED several times. Once with my daughter who is also a pilot. Very stable...

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  10. Maybe we can get some more "expert analysis" on what happened here.

    For example, how does that remind you of the crash at CRW... other than that an airplane crashed? Really??

    Or maybe "Plane impacted at a pretty steep angle". Apparently, you're a Master of the Obvious.

    Thanks for the insight.

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  11. This is true about the missed approach, but Sydney, the CFI, did not have his double I. I do not think that they were doing instrument stuff.

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  12. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2016/03/cessna-172-skyhawk-accident-occurred.html Mr. Obvious posted this for those that forgot this accident due to pot usage.

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  13. Mr. Obvious says Google N6238D. You'll find the expert analysis from the NTSB final report.

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  14. Not authoritative info, just an observation. Police said missed approach, did they just mean a go around? I was taught on a go around to side step to the right to avoid the downwind traffic. That could put them over the 22 threshold, but either way, if it turns out fo be a departure stall, and they rolled to the right, that’s where they’d wind up.

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  15. Don't the flaps look like they're down? I thought they were so then that would mean landing which just makes this so much foggier.

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  16. ATP/CFI. Not a mysterious situation at all. Initiates a go-around, adds full power and retracts too much flap, too soon. Flaps are up. The combination results in a full stall break at low altitude. If in a turn, even worse to to increasing stall speed with increasing bank angle. If that airplane is on a go around and still over the airport, they should not have gotten far enough into the procedure where flaps would be fully retracted. Go-arounds result in a lot of changes over a short period of time and must be smooth and gentle while being deliberate. A stall break at low altitude is almost always unsalvageable.

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  17. To the ATP/CFI, I acknowledge that this is true, but don't the flaps look like they are down in the pictures?

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  18. Agree on the flaps. Also, if they were using 32 they ended up pretty far away.

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  19. No CFII, still could have been doing approaches. Just need forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed in FAR 61.65 of which 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor (CFII) who holds an instrument-airplane rating to qualify for the instrument rating.

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  20. Left wing's flaps seem up, while the right wing flaps seem down. If they faced an asymmetric flap retractation that could have been quite bad on a go around. If the right wing flaps just collapsed on impact then the theory of too quickly retracting flaps could also apply.

    Definitely not a mystery based on those 2 assumptions. Botched go around, a second of distraction, cross controlled stall, low altitude.

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    1. Both flaps appear to be down in the pictures.... are you sure you are not looking at the ailerons?

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  21. My take-go around initiated over runway 32,low altitude, full power, I bet too much nose up trim set for anticipated landing,power on stall set up and commenced,unable to recover.Flaps BTW are definitely deployed in pix, either at 20 or 30 degrees

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  22. Student pilot here. 1B9 Mansfield is left pattern, and there is no way anyone has ever taken a right turn on the R32. From pics, left wing flap is extended, and right wing is not. Wouldn't this make the drag on left wing higher, and turn plane to left at full power?

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  23. In an asymetric flap condition the wing with the lesser degree of flap will stall first causing the plane to roll in that direction.

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  24. My instructor pounded into my head keeping the ball centered especially during a go around which requires full power/high angle of attack,so if you do start to enter a stall you won't drop a wing.

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  25. I’m a cfi and to me it looks like they were approaching the runway long with the full 30 degrees of flaps on that late model Cessna, called a go around “missed approach”, full power, carb heat off but didn’t retract half the flaps and wait for the establishment of positive rate of climb which could result in a stall at that low altitude without enough space between the plane and ground to recover. It does however appear that the instructor did try recovering because of the angle of impact, it seems to have come straight down as both wings look to have pretty much the same impact damage but the plane did not break apart or finally flip on it’s back indicating low speed and had the plane remained in the stall without a recovery attempt it would probably have impacted on it’s belly.

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  26. They were doing touch and gos ... Maybe they forgot to retract the flaps before the "go" ... Has caused more than one accident.

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  27. I’m the cfi in the previous long winded comment, what I meant by approaching the runway long is short and high which put them far down the runway at their go around decision point which is how they could have ended up in the midfield location.

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  28. I attend the flight school, and I really do not think they were doing a missed approach. If they did not retract the flaps, this still does not explain why they ended up to the right of the runway for a runway with a left hand traffic pattern.

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  29. I don't think the traffic pattern had much to do with where they ended up. It had more to do with which wing dropped when the stall broke and developed into a spin. Once that happened they were just along for the ride. I remember one instance when I was with my CFII working towards my PPL when we were doing touch & go's. I landed then hit full power, took out 1 notch of flap, rotated @ 60 kts and was climbing out at Vy of 80 kts and it took all my strength to push the yoke forward. I must of had too much nose up trim and I quickly took it out but it happened so fast it scared the hell out of me. I was also taught not to take the flaps out until you're 500 agl and do it SLOWLY. RIP fellow aviators

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  30. the C172N I fly POH is very simple; on an O/S: Full Pwr/Carb Heat Cold/Immediately Flap 20, 55 KIAS Flap 10, Above 60 KIAS (obstacles cleared) select Flap up...this is a C172 we're talking about not a swept wing high-performance jet.

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  31. Does anyone know how do you check the flight time for a CFI ?

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  32. I'm really down and sad when I see something like this....This aircraft just wants to FLY and with a big engine and light load it should jump back in the air ... wow... something that should not have happened did, I'll have to point at the CFI, ....... God be with these two,.....R.I.P

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  33. Quote from local paper

    “Although the airport traffic pattern for runway 32 required left turns,” an NTSB investigator wrote, “the airplane performed a climb in a steep right bank, before slowing and descending in a spiral toward a grass area near the terminal building.”

    Does the public have access to CFI flight time and license issuance?

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  34. Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Information

    FOIA requests may be submitted for a wider range of subjects taken from the Accident/Incident/Enforcement data systems, the Service Difficulty Reporting system, or the PTRS tracking system.

    Please be specific concerning the information you need.

    Email FOIA requests: 9-amc-afs620-foia@faa.gov

    https://www.faa.gov/pilots/lic_cert/pria/

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  35. Right wing appears displaced but looking closely it appears both flap segments are about 10 degrees.

    RIP

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  36. I went to Horizon and had one conversation with Sydney Miti. Based only on speculation, I believe he lied about his hours. He said he was from Africa, but recieved his training elsewhere. If he got his training in America, like myself, it would have cost $30,000. Being a pilot is rare in America because people can not afford it. For that reason, it is even more rare from an overall poorer region, like Africa... Again, this is all speculation. The NTSB should have investigated his hours and instructor. RIP.

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    1. Sorry, I didn't mean to post this twice.^

      I have nothing bad to say about Sydney. He was nice. I am just trying to understand what happened. May he rest on peace.

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  37. I went to Horizon and had one conversation with Sydney Miti. Based only on speculation, I believe he lied about his hours. He said he was from Africa, but recieved his training elsewhere. If he got his training in America, like myself, it would have cost $30,000. Being a pilot is becoming more rare in America because people can not afford it. For that reason, it would be even more rare from an overall poorer region, like Africa... The NTSB should have investigated his hours and instructor. RIP.

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