Wednesday, June 05, 2019

Titan II, N4362V: Fatal accident occurred June 04, 2019 in Summerville, Union County, Oregon

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

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


https://registry.faa.gov/N4362V

Location: Summerville, OR
Accident Number: WPR19FA159
Date & Time: 06/04/2019, 1943 PDT
Registration: N4362V
Aircraft: Titan TITAN II
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On June 4, 2019, about 1943 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Titan II airplane, N4362V, sustained substantial damage after it impacted the ground near Summerville, Oregon. The noncertificated pilot, who was the only occupant was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site about the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from the La Grande/Union County Airport (LGD) La Grande, Oregon about 1912.

According to the family members of the accident pilot, he had purchased the airplane about two weeks prior to the accident flight. The wings and empennage where disassembled to facilitate ground transport to the pilot's hangar. Reassembly of the airplane was completed by the pilot on June 1, 2019. June 2, 2019, about 1900, was the first time the pilot had flown the airplane.

The pilot's family members further reported that the airplane had been purchased without the maintenance records.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was not certificated as an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic or pilot.

Three witness located near the accident site reported seeing the airplane maneuvering at low altitude. The maneuvers were described as abrupt power changes and altitude variations close to the ground. The accident maneuver was described as a sharp pitch up nose-high attitude to about 300 ft, followed by an aerodynamic stall, spin, and impact with the ground.

The wreckage was recovered to the pilot's hangar for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Titan
Registration: N4362V
Model/Series: TITAN II Undesignated
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: KLGD, 2717 ft msl
Observation Time: 0256 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: La Grande, OR (LGD)
Destination: La Grande, OR (LGD)

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:  45.490833, -118.008889 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.


Casey William Kuiper


Casey William Kuiper, 29, of Summerville, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. A Memorial Service will be held at Island City Faith Center Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 4:00pm. 

Casey was born on April 13, 1990, in Hillsboro, Oregon to Jody Kuiper and Darcy (Hatcher) Pedro. He resided in Summerville and attended Imbler High School, where he was on the basketball and football teams. He graduated in 2007.

Casey was happily employed at B & K Auto Salvage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dirt bike riding, snowmobiling, jet skiing, camping, wheeling “Toyotaing” and aviation. His biggest hobby was his family. He loved his family and his siblings. He enjoyed his volunteer time with Island City Lions Clean Up Day through B & K Auto. 

Casey was mechanically inclined and could build or fix just about anything. Everything he did he did well and big. He was all or none. He had a heart of gold and an infectious laugh. He lit up the room whenever he was present. He was loved by so many. Psalm 55:6. 

Casey is survived by his father and step-mother, Jody and Jessica Kuiper; mother and step-father, Darcy and Mike Pedro; sisters, LeeAnn Kuiper and Hailey, Katelynn and Madison Pedro; brothers, Austin and Caleb Kuiper all of Summerville, OR; grandparents, Gary and Jackie Kuiper, and Alna Hatcher; aunts and uncles Gary and Heidi Kuiper, Natalie Leigh, Dan Hatcher, Dave and Laura Hatcher and Dana Hatcher; his nephew, Reace Harmon, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Howard Hatcher; aunt, Cinda Hatcher and cousin, Emma Hatcher.

http://www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com

SUMMERVILLE — The Union County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man who died in a plane crash last week.

Casey William Kuiper, 29, of Summerville, was flying a Titan II airplane that crashed the evening of June 4 in Summerville.

The investigation into the crash is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board. The UCSO, along with Union County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration are also investigating.

NTSB spokesman Terry Williams told The Observer last week that the airplane was an “experimental aircraft.”

UCSO, Imbler Fire Department, the Deputy Medical Examiner and Oregon State Police were the initial responders to the crash. An FAA investigator arrived within an hour or two later.

Kuiper died at the scene, according to authorities.

https://www.eastoregonian.com

A plane crash in Summerville that left one person dead Tuesday evening is under investigation, according to a press release from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.

The  Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene about 7:43 p.m. Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board and Union County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident along with the Union County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Terry Williams, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board told The Observer Wednesday afternoon the Titan II airplane, which crashed, was an “experimental aircraft.”

Williams said the National Transportation Safety Board investigator arrived on scene midday Wednesday, and has done a preliminary review of the aircraft and the engine. Three witnesses have also been identified and will be interviewed by the agency, he said.

“Right now we are in the very early stages of the investigation,” Williams said, adding that the agency will look into everything from the weather, to the aircraft, to the individual itself in its investigation.

The  Union County Sheriff’s Office press release initially called it a "single occupant, fatality plane crash."

The name of the deceased individual has not yet been released.

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

1 comment:

  1. Casey - Our hearts ache. You brought such life and laughter to everyone around you. Thank you for being the amazing brother, son and friend you were. You are so missed. We love you Bud!
    -Mom

    ReplyDelete