Gary Conklin
Sharing the love of his parents to take to the sky, Gary was an avid pilot and the family farm had its own hangar, runway, and fleet of aircraft ranging from fabric taildraggers he rebuilt by hand with his father to Cessna aircraft used to travel the county.
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.gov/N4635V
Accident Number: CEN17FA207
Date & Time: 06/01/2017, 1159 EDT
Registration: N4635V
Aircraft: VARGA AIRCRAFT CORP. 2150A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Medical event
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The private pilot was performing a visual flight rules cross-country flight after purchasing the airplane. After flying for about 1 hr 20 minutes, the airplane suddenly entered a spiraling descent from cruise flight. Witnesses observed the airplane flying erratically at low altitude before it impacted an open field; they stated that the engine was running until impact.
Toxicological testing of specimens taken from the pilot found 55% carbon monoxide saturation of blood. At carbon monoxide levels above 40%, people typically experience incapacitating symptoms such as severe confusion, agitation, seizures, loss of consciousness, and death.
Examination of the airplane's heat exchanger showed that the outside casing had either previously been repaired or had been originally constructed of metals with different properties. About one-half of the casing was discolored and exhibited varying signs of corrosion (the other half did not). Small holes were found where corrosion had occurred in the casing material. The holes from the corrosion provided a means for carbon monoxide to enter the cockpit from the exhaust system.
Federal guidelines for annual aircraft inspections require an inspection of the exhaust systems for cracks, defects, and improper attachment during each 100-hour or annual aircraft inspection. Maintenance logbooks indicated that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed less than 1 month before the accident. The available maintenance logbooks did not contain any record of repairs or replacement of the heat exchanger. However, the condition of the heat exchanger is indicative of an insufficient annual inspection that did not detect and correct the corroded heat exchanger.
It is likely that impairment caused by acute carbon monoxide poisoning led to the pilot's loss of airplane control. The corrosion in the heat exchanger allowed carbon monoxide to enter the cabin.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's loss of control due to impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the heat exchanger and the failure of maintenance personnel to adequately inspect and repair or replace the exchanger during the most recent annual inspection.
Findings
Aircraft
Engine exhaust - Fatigue/wear/corrosion (Factor)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Carbon monoxide - Pilot (Cause)
Scheduled/routine maintenance - Maintenance personnel (Factor)
Factual Information
On June 1, 2017, at 1157 eastern daylight time, a Varga 2150A airplane, N4635V, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Bowling Green, Ohio. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned by the pilot, and he was operating it under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which originated from Tri-City Airport (3G6), Sebring, Ohio, and was en route to Conklin Airport (OI92), Bowling Green, Ohio.
The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and was relocating it to a private airstrip near his home. GPS data recovered from an onboard device showed that the airplane departed 3G6 about 1034 and flew northwest toward OI92. The airplane maintained consistent groundspeeds and headings until 1156, when it entered a left-turning spiral descent. (See figure.)
Figure: Final GPS Data (oriented Northeast up, times are depicted in UTC)PERSONNEL INFORMATION
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The airplane was manufactured in 1977. The airframe maintenance logs located during the investigation were annotated "Logbook #2, 10/2/92." The first work documented in the engine log was an engine overhaul dated June 11, 1992. The first work documented in the propeller log was an annual inspection dated June 23, 2014. The aircraft log recorded 15 annual inspections between 1992 and 2017. The last annual inspection occurred on May 5, 2017.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with the fixed-tricycle gear, tandem-seat airplane impacting terrain left-wing-low in an attitude that exceeded 70° nose-low. The impact point and wreckage debris field were contained within an area about 200 ft in diameter. All airplane and engine components were accounted for at the accident location. The propeller was found separated from the engine. Leading edge gouges and chordwise scratches were present on both propeller blades. The fuel selector was found in the "BOTH" position. The left wing and fuel tank were destroyed by impact forces. The right-wing fuel tank contained an undetermined amount of fuel and the tank displayed evidence of hydraulic deformation. Fuel was present in the fuel selector valve and inside the remnants of the engine-driven fuel pump. The flap selector was found at the second notch (extended) position and the flaps were also found in an extended position. No pre-impact anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine during examination at that time.
The NTSB investigator-in-charge conducted an additional examination of the engine on November 1, 2017. Portions of the engine exhaust system, heat exchanger, and associated scat tubing were removed and examined. No nonimpact-related anomalies were identified with the exhaust system or the scat tubing.
The heat exchanger was impact-damaged. The examination also revealed that the outside casing was comprised of metals with different properties. About one-half of the casing was constructed of a material similar to stainless steel that was discolored but showed no indications of corrosion. The remainder of the casing was discolored and exhibited varying signs of corrosion. Small holes were found where corrosion had occurred in the casing material. There were cracks in the casing in areas affected by impact damage. It could not be determined if the cracks were present before impact or resulted from impact forces.
Review of the maintenance logbooks revealed no entries regarding repairs or replacement of the heat exchanger.
MEDICAL AND PATHALOGICAL INFORMATION
The Lucas County Coroner's Office, Toledo, Ohio, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of death was blunt force trauma.
The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing and identified 55% carbon monoxide in cavity blood. No other tested-for substances were identified.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless, nonirritating gas formed by hydrocarbon combustion. CO binds to hemoglobin with much greater affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin; elevated levels result in impaired oxygen transport and utilization. Nonsmokers may normally have up to 3% carboxyhemoglobin in their blood; heavy smokers may have levels of 10 to 15%. Acutely, low levels of CO may cause vague symptoms like headache and nausea but increasing levels (40% and above) lead to confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, and death.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Title 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D states, in part:
(d) Each person performing an annual or 100-hour inspection shall inspect (where applicable) components of the engine and nacelle group as follows:…
(8) Exhaust stacks - for cracks, defects, and improper attachment.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: BasicMed
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/18/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 793 hours (Total, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: VARGA AIRCRAFT CORP.
Registration: N4635V
Model/Series: 2150A A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: VAC-91-78
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/05/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4006 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 3 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2410 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-A2C
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:
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:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Sebring, OH (3G6)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Bowling Green, OH (OI92)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1034 CDT
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: CONKLIN (OI92)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 675 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.339167, -83.598611
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 01, 2017 in Bowling Green, OH
Aircraft: VARGA AIRCRAFT CORP. 2150A, registration: N4635V
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On June 1, 2017, at 1159 eastern daylight time, a Varga 2150A, N4635V, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Bowling Green, Ohio. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. No flight plan was filed and the flight was not receiving any air traffic control services. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated from Tri-City Airport (3G6), Sebring, Ohio, and was enroute to Conklin Airport (OI92), Bowling Green, Ohio.
The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and he was relocating the airplane to a private airstrip near his home. Witness observations were consistent with the airplane flying at low altitude and maneuvering erratically before it impacted. One witness stated "the airplane was flying very low to the ground and turned to the east almost turning sideways and upside down. The plane flew south and then turned … the plane was nose down, heading north." Each witness reported the engine was running prior to impact. The accident location was about six miles southeast of the destination airport.
The fixed tricycle gear, tandem seat airplane impacted terrain left wing low and greater than 70 degrees nose low pitch. The impact point and wreckage debris field was contained within an area about 200 feet in diameter. As first viewed, all airplane and engine components were accounted for at the accident location. The propeller had separated from the engine during impact. Leading edge gouges and chord wise scratches were present on both propeller blades. The fuel selector was found in the "both" position. The left-wing and fuel tank was destroyed by impact forces. The right-wing fuel tank had an undetermined amount of fuel visually present and the tank had evidence of hydraulic deformation. Fuel was present during examination at the fuel selector valve and inside the remnants of the engine driven fuel pump. The flap selector was found at the second notch position and the flaps were found in an extended position. No pre-impact anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine during examination.
God, that is terrible. CO2 poisoning. RIP.
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