The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
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
Location: Moriarty, NM
Accident Number: CEN18LA218
Date & Time: 06/08/2018, 0753 MDT
Registration: N4323N
Aircraft: AEROVODOCHODY L 29 DELFIN
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The commercial pilot was receiving his second training flight after purchasing the vintage single-engine, turbine-powered airplane. While on a visual approach, the pilot flew below the glidepath with a slow airspeed and allowed a sink rate to develop. Subsequently, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and applied full engine power; however, the airplane continued to settle and impacted terrain 1/2 mile short of the runway. The flight instructor stated that he had "let his guard down" during the final approach and had not intervened quickly enough because the airplane descended below the glidepath. The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action allowed the airplane to descend and hit terrain short of the runway.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a visual approach and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in ground impact before the runway.
Findings
Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
On June 8, 2018, about 0753 mountain daylight time, an Aerovodochody L29 Deflin airplane, N4323N, was substantially damaged during a visual approach to Moriarty Airport (0E0), Moriarty, New Mexico. The pilot and flight instructor suffered minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which departed about 0745 without a flight plan.
Following his recent purchase of the vintage, single-engine, turbine powered trainer airplane, the pilot was receiving his second training flight and accomplished a takeoff and traffic pattern for Runway 26. While on final approach, the flight instructor told the pilot to increase engine power after the airplane descended below glide path with a slow airspeed. After the engine did not respond as the flight instructor expected, he assumed control of the airplane and applied full power. The airplane continued to settle and impacted the ground about ½ mile short of the Runway 26 threshold, damaging both wings.
The flight instructor stated that he had "let his guard down" during the final approach and had not intervened quick enough as the airplane descended below the glide path. He was aware of the engine's "slow spool up" characteristic and viewed this issue, as well as the high-density altitude conditions, as contributors to his inability to counteract the airplane's sink rate after applying full power.
The pilot did not recall details of the final approach due to a concussion that he suffered during the accident. Although a previous military navigator, the pilot was not experienced piloting a turbine powered airplane. The flight instructor did not realize the pilot's military flight experience occurred as a navigator.
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final
Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial; Flight Engineer
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/25/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/15/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 25000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 900 hours (Total, this make and model)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 75, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/14/2009
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/09/2006
Flight Time: 2878 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2 hours (Total, this make and model), 878 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: AEROVODOCHODY
Registration: N4323N
Model/Series: L 29 DELFIN NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 194145
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/01/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 6000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Jet
Airframe Total Time: 739 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Motorlet
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: M701-500C
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 1960 lbs
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: KCQC, 7086 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0753 MDT
Direction from Accident Site: 85°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.32 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Moriarty, NM (0E0)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Moriarty, NM (0E0)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0745 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: MORIARTY (0E0)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 6204 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7702 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 34.982222, -105.990833 (est)
So, you have a 25,000 hr ATP/instructor, 65 yrs old, with 900 hrs in L-29, giving dual instruction to a 75 yr old, 2000 hr private pilot who just bought the plane.
ReplyDeleteThe instructor "let his guard down", and crashed the plane a 1/2 mile from the end of the runway and this instructor was working on cutting this guy loose in an L-29??
The report shows the new owner with a reported medical in 2009 and a flight review in 2006. What is wrong with this picture?
I question the sanity of even selling a 75 yr old private pilot a turbine powered military trainer, with no current medical or flight review listed.
Sometimes you have to say "no".
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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