Saturday, March 30, 2019

Fuel Related: Fisher Dakota Hawk, N30271; accident occurred March 26, 2019 near Little River Airport (FL10), McAlpin, Suwannee County, Florida









Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: McAlpin, Florida 
Accident Number: ERA19LA138
Date & Time: March 26, 2019, 17:10 Local
Registration: N30271
Aircraft: FISHER FLYING PRODUCTS Dakota Hawk 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot allowed the engine to idle for 8 to 10 minutes while he waited for it to warm up, then completed the engine runup and taxied the airplane for takeoff. He reported that the takeoff run was longer than usual, and because he was preoccupied watching the airspeed, he passed his previously established takeoff abort point. Upon reaching rotation speed, he determined that it was no longer safe to abort the takeoff and continued, although the engine did not seem to be producing normal power. Shortly after clearing trees at the end of the runway, "the left wing dropped," and he lowered the nose to prevent the airplane from stalling. When he determined that he had insufficient altitude to recover, he landed straight ahead in a young pine tree plantation. He managed to safely egress before a postimpact fire destroyed the airplane.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at low engine power settings. It is likely that carburetor ice developed during the time the engine was operating at idle power before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the takeoff and initial climb.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating at idle power in atmospheric conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff.

Findings

Environmental issues Conducive to carburetor icing - Effect on equipment
Personnel issues Lack of action - Pilot

Factual Information

On March 26, 2019, about 1710 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Fisher Flying Products Dakota Hawk, N30271, impacted terrain during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Little River Airport (FL10), McAlpin, Florida. The private pilot was uninjured, and the airplane was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

According to the pilot, he intended to fly in the airport traffic pattern to practice touch-and-go landings. He performed a preflight inspection, allowed the engine to idle for 5-7 minutes to warm up, and completed an engine run-up with no anomalies noted. He reported that the engine operated at low power for a total of 8-10 minutes prior to takeoff from the 2,668-ft-long by 50-ft-wide turf runway 27. He stated that the takeoff run was longer than usual, and that he passed his established abort point because he was preoccupied watching his airspeed. Upon reaching rotation speed, he determined that it was no longer safe to abort his takeoff and continued although the engine did not seem to be producing normal power. He barely cleared the trees at the end of the runway and shortly thereafter "the left wing dropped," and he lowered the nose to prevent the airplane from stalling. When he determined that he had
insufficient altitude to recover, he landed straight ahead in a young pine tree plantation. He managed to safely egress before a post-impact fire destroyed the airplane.

The airplane came to rest about 1,000 ft beyond the departure end of runway 27. Most of the airplane, except for a portion of the empennage and the engine, was destroyed by the post-impact fire.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. The pilot reported 87 total hours of flight experience of which 18 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane, serial number DH-26, was built in 2002. It was equipped with a Continental O-200-A engine, rated at 100 horsepower, that drove a ground adjustable variable-pitch propeller. According to maintenance records, the last condition inspection was performed on January 30, 2019, at a total time-in-service of 508.9 hours. The engine had accrued 4,502.1 total hours of operation; of which, 523.1 hours were since its last major overhaul.

The wreckage was recovered from the accident site for detailed examination. Examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor was fractured off the engine. Examination of the cylinders with a lighted borescope revealed no damage to the cylinder walls or pistons. The cylinders were oil soaked; however, the engine was rotated several times for transportation. The propeller was rotated by hand and thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Continuity of the power and valvetrains was established throughout the engine. The rocker covers were removed, and the rocker arms, springs, and push rods all appeared to be normal. The right magneto was removed and its input shaft was rotated by hand; spark was observed emanating from all leads. The left magneto was removed and rotated by hand. No spark was present. Examination of the magneto revealed that the post-accident fire melted the internal components.The carburetor was intact and disassembled for examination. Although the carburetor was fire-damaged, all the components appeared intact and serviceable. The inlet screen clear of debris.

The 1715 weather reported at Suwannee County Airport (24J), Live Oak, Florida, located 13 miles northwest of the accident site, included wind from 360° at 6 knots, visibility of 10 miles, few clouds at 8,000 ft, temperature 25° C, dew point 9° C, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was 36%.

According to a Carburetor Icing-Probability Chart recommended by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were "conducive to moderate icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power." FAA Advisory Circular 20-113 explains, "To prevent accidents due to induction system icing, the pilot should regularly use [carburetor] heat under conditions known to be conducive to atmospheric icing and be alert at all times for indications of icing in the fuel system."

History of Flight

Takeoff Fuel related (Defining event)
Takeoff Loss of engine power (partial)
Emergency descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Post-impact Fire/smoke (post-impact)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 63,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 25, 2017
Flight Time: 87 hours (Total, all aircraft), 18 hours (Total, this make and model), 53 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 28 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: FISHER FLYING PRODUCTS
Registration: N30271
Model/Series: Dakota Hawk
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002 
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental light sport (Special)
Serial Number: DH-26
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 30, 2019 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 523.1 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series: O-200
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 100 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: K24J,1033 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 17:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 315°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 8000 ft AGL 
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / None
Wind Direction: 360°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: McAlpin, FL (FL10) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: McAlpin, FL (FL10)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 17:00 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Little River FL10
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 90 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2668 ft / 50 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 30.118055,-82.915275(est)

=========

Location: McAlpin, FL
Accident Number: ERA19LA138
Date & Time: 03/26/2019, 1710 EDT
Registration: N30271
Aircraft: FISHER FLYING PRODUCTS Dakota Hawk
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 26, 2019, about 1710 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Fisher Flying Products Dakota Hawk, N30271, impacted terrain during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Little River Airport (FL10), McAlpin, Florida. The private pilot was uninjured, and the airplane was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

According to the pilot, he intended to fly in the airport traffic pattern to practice touch-and-go landings. He completed a preflight inspection and an engine run-up with no anomalies noted prior to taking off from the 2,668 x 50 ft turf runway 27. He stated that the takeoff run was longer than usual, and that after liftoff the engine did not seem to be producing normal power. He barely cleared the trees at the end of the runway and shortly thereafter "the left wing dropped," and he lowered the nose to prevent the airplane from stalling. When he determined that he had insufficient altitude to recover, he landed straight ahead in a young pine tree planation. He managed to safely egress before a post-impact fire destroyed the airplane.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. The pilot reported 87 total hours of flight experience of which 18 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was manufactured in 2002. It was equipped with a Continental O-200 series, 100-horsepower engine that drove a fixed-pitch propeller.

The airplane came to rest about 1,000 ft beyond the departure end of runway 27. Most of the airplane, except for a portion of the empennage and the engine, was destroyed by the post-impact fire. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

The 1715 weather reported at Suwannee County Airport (24J), Live Oak, Florida, located 13 miles northwest of the accident site, included wind from 360° at 6 knots, visibility of 10 miles, few clouds at 8,000 ft, temperature 25° C, dew point 9° C, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: FISHER FLYING PRODUCTS
Registration: N30271
Model/Series: Dakota Hawk
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: K24J, 1033 ft msl
Observation Time: 1715 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 8000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 360°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: McAlpin, FL (FL10)
Destination:  McAlpin, FL (FL10) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  30.118056, -82.915278 (est)


McALPIN, Florida  — A small plane crash in southern Suwannee County on Tuesday caused a fire but no injuries.

Douglas Eugene Fox, the 63-year-old-pilot from Sodus, New York, had just taken off from the Little River Airport off 81st Road near McAlpin around 5 p.m. when his
Fisher Dakota Hawk plane began having engine trouble, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.

The plane reached an altitude of around 75 feet, before the engine began to stall and Fox had to put the plane down in a pine tree field near 81st Road and 180th Street without being injured, Sheriff Sam St. John said.

Shortly after Fox got out of the plane, it caught fire.

“It burnt completely up,” St. John said. “Wasn’t much left at all.”

Suwannee County Fire Rescue responded to reports of the plane going down followed by plumes of smoke.

SCFR arrived to find the plane in flames as well as a brush fire caused by the crash.

Original article ➤ https://www.suwanneedemocrat.com



SUWANNEE COUNTY, Florida (WCJB)-- In Suwannee County, there was a small plane crash on 81st Road near 180th Street.

A local pilot was practicing flight techniques when the plane's engine malfunctioned and he lost control.

"Crews arrived on scene to find a local pilot there's a grass private runway located in that area and the pilot was just practicing some flight techniques and everything in that area and his engine malfunctioned and he lost all control of his engine and then he lost lift," said James Sommers, the Suwannee Fire Rescue Public Safety Director.

First responders say the pilot was the only passenger on board and was not injured from the crash.

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



SUWANNEE COUNTY, Florida (WTXL) — Crews have responded to a brush fire caused by a crashed plane in Suwannee County.

Suwannee Fire Rescue says crews are on scene on 81st Road near 180th Street for a small plane crash. They say reports came in that a small plane was seen going down, followed by a plume of smoke.

Crews then arrived to find the plane actively burning and a brush fire caused by the crash spreading.

Luckily, the single occupant inside the plane was not injured in the incident.

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

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