Friday, May 17, 2019
Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Just JA30 SuperSTOL, N825PW; fatal accident occurred May 06, 2019; Landing Area Undershoot; accident occurred July 22, 2018
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Chelan, Washington
Accident Number: WPR19FA133
Date & Time: May 6, 2019, 06:29 Local
Registration: N825PW
Aircraft: Just JA30 SUPERSTOL
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot was conducting a local flight. An airport surveillance camera captured the accident airplane departing from the runway and entering a nose high left turn. Shortly thereafter, the airplane's bank angle decreased, and its left yaw increased, and the airplane began to descend. A few seconds later, the airplane banked to the left, and entered a nose-low attitude just before impact with the ground.
Examination of the engine and the airframe revealed no preaccident anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin at an altitude too low to recover.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.
Findings
Aircraft Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Initial climb Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)
Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Post-impact Fire/smoke (post-impact)
On May 6, 2019, at 0629 Pacific daylight time, a Just Aircraft LLC JA30 Superstol airplane, N825PW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chelan, Washington. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
A Lake Chelan Airport (S10), Chelan, Washington, airport surveillance camera captured the accident airplane departing from runway 20. As the airplane started to accelerate, the left main landing gear briefly lifted off the runway surface, then contacted the runway again. Shortly thereafter, the airplane became airborne, and entered a nose-high left turn. About 8 seconds after takeoff, the airplane's bank angle decreased; however, its left yaw increased, and the airplane began to descend. About 3 seconds later, the airplane banked to the left and entered a nose-low attitude just before impact with the ground.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 69,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Sport pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 119.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 44.6 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Just
Registration: N825PW
Model/Series: JA30 SUPERSTOL Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: JA 308-07-13
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 15, 2019 Continuous airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 156.53 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 914UL
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 115 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: KEAT,1229 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 30 Nautical Miles
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site: 201°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10.6°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Chelan, WA
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Chelan, WA
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Lake Chelan Airport S10
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1263 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 20
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3506 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: On-ground
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 47.866489,-119.94173(est)
The accident site was located about 550 ft from the approach end of runway 20 on a heading of 157°. The airplane impacted terrain in a vertical nose-down attitude. Most of the airplane was consumed by the postcrash fire. The left and right wings, horizontal stabilizers, elevators, vertical stabilizer, and rudder remained secure to their respective attach points. Flight control cable continuity was established from the control surfaces to the cockpit area.
Examination of the engine and the airframe revealed no pre-accident anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
About 10 months earlier, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a dock while the pilot was landing on an airstrip next to a river (NTSB Accident No. GAA18CA443). A friend of the pilot reported that the accident flight was the first flight since the airplane had been repaired.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Chelan County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy of the pilot. The autopsy report stated that the pilot's cause of death was inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration's Forensic Sciences Laboratory conducted toxicology tests on specimens from the pilot. The results were negative for all tests performed.
Kenneth William VanAssche
CHELAN — The pilot killed Monday in a plane crash is remembered by loved ones as full of life and a passion for understanding how things worked.
Kenneth W. Van Assche, 68, of Chelan Falls died when his plane crashed into an orchard about 6:30 a.m. on the 500 block of Howard Flats Road next to Lake Chelan Airport.
Van Assche had one daughter, his nephew David Van Assche told The Wenatchee World Wednesday.
Van Assche was “always willing to go out of his way to help people” and “excited and passionate about his work and play,” David Van Assche said.
Semi-retired after operating a tractor company for years, Van Assche pursued his dream of getting his pilot’s license last year, David Van Assche said.
Van Assche was a longtime member of the Cascade Drift Skippers snowmobile club. Club members mourned his death on the group’s Facebook page, recounting his kind ways, snowmobiling trips and the gatherings he hosted at his home on the Columbia River.
Rebecca H. wrote: Kenny had so many friends for good reason. "I remember the time Kenny was awarded the 'Sir Helpsalot' trophy designed especially and only for him. Kenny was one of a kind and will be missed by many friends.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Original article ➤ https://www.wenatcheeworld.com
UPDATE: The Chelan County Coroner has identified the victim of a Monday morning plane crash near the Chelan Airport as 68-year-old Kenneth William Van Assche of Chelan Falls. Positive identification was made from dental records. The Coroner listed the cause of death as asphyxia due to the inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries. The cause of the plane crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
=====
The pilot of a fixed-wing aircraft was killed early this morning in a crash near the Chelan Airport.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Chelan Fire and Rescue responded to the crash scene to find the plane nose down in the orchard and completely engulfed in flames.
As Zimmerman mentioned, the investigation into the early morning plane crash has now been turned over to the Chelan County Coroner’s office and to investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://lakechelannow.com
Family, friends, planes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, heavy equipment and epic parties at the river ... these were a few of Ken's great loves in life. It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we say goodbye. On May 6th, 2019, Kenneth W. VanAssche, 69, of Chelan, Washington, died shortly after take-off at the Chelan Airport in his Just JA30 SuperSTOL experimental aircraft. It was a beautiful day and he was ready to soar. After learning to fly recently, he wanted to check flying off his "bucket list of life". His list was long, exciting and filled with adventures. The stories of his life were great and we have lost a true legend among us.
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
Landing Area Undershoot: Just JA30 SuperSTOL, N825PW, accident occurred July 22, 2018 in Chelan Falls, Washington
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington
Landing Area Undershoot: Just JA30 SuperSTOL, N825PW, accident occurred July 22, 2018 in Chelan Falls, Washington
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Accident Number: GAA18CA443
Date & Time: 07/22/2018, 0730 PDT
Registration: N825PW
Aircraft: Just JA30 SUPERSTOL
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing area undershoot
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that as he made the approach over a river to land at his private airstrip, he "came in too low and hit a dock," that was moored to the side of the river. The airplane's propeller struck the dock and the landing gear separated from the airplane which slid about 25ft on the airstrip and came to a stop.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that as he made the approach over a river to land at his private airstrip, he "came in too low and hit a dock," that was moored to the side of the river. The airplane's propeller struck the dock and the landing gear separated from the airplane which slid about 25ft on the airstrip and came to a stop.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were 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 improper approach over a river, which resulted in a collision with a dock.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues (general) - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Landing area undershoot (Defining event)
Landing Part(s) separation from AC
Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
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 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 119.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 44.6 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Just
Registration: N825PW
Model/Series: JA30 SUPERSTOL Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: JA 308-07-13
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/06/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 156.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 914UL
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 115 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: KEAT, 1229 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1455 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 200°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:/
Wind Direction:290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Chelan, WA (S10)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Chelan, WA (S10)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0730 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: PVT AIRSTRIP (PVT)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 732 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: NW
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:490 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries:1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 47.786944, -119.993056 (est)
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STOL on a 490 foot strip??? Yup, he ran out of TO room, yanked it into the air, stalled it into a wing-over, and it did a vertical nose-dive into the orchard. So sad. This man's little toy got him killed. Sport Pilots are not pilots.
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