Saturday, July 13, 2019

Unregistered Experimental, Amateur Built Hi-Max: Fatal accident occurred July 09, 2019 near Monroe-Walton County Airport (D73), Georgia

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; College Park, Georgia

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

Location: MONROE, GA
Accident Number: ERA19LA221
Date & Time: 07/09/2019, 1730 EDT
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: HI-MAX HI-MAX
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 9, 2019, about 1730 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental, amateur built Hi-Max airplane, was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Monroe-Walton County Airport (D73), Monroe, Georgia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from D73 at 1725.

According to the owner, he purchased the airplane about 1 month before the accident and stored it at D73. The owner subsequently asked the pilot if he would be willing to inspect and test fly the airplane. The pilot agreed and performed a brief inspection of the airplane before a test flight that lasted about 10 minutes. Since the owner was not a licensed pilot, he inquired about obtaining some flight training. The airplane remained parked for about 3 weeks before the owner attempted to start the airplane again; but the engine did not start. After multiple attempts to start the engine the accident pilot offered to have his mechanic troubleshoot the issue. The owner gave the keys to the accident pilot, and on the following day was notified that the airplane was involved in an accident.

According to the mechanic that assisted the pilot prior to the flight, he performed a routine oil change on the airplane prior to the accident. He witnessed the pilot install a new battery, and helped the pilot start the engine. After the engine was started the mechanic assisted the pilot with reinstalling the engine cowing and watched as the pilot taxied the airplane around the taxiway and runway. He continued to watch as the airplane took off and made a normal left turn to return to airport. During the left turn, the airplane went out of his sight due to the terrain and he heard the airplane impact the ground.

A witness reported that he saw a low flying airplane at a high rate of speed over a house make a "hard" left banking turn before it disappeared behind the trees. He heard a loud "boom" and subsequently drove to the airport, where he discovered the airplane positioned sideways between the fence and a dirt pile.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single, multi-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter. He held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate, issued June 14, 2018. At the time of the medical examination, the pilot reported 3,000 total hours of flight experience and 200 hours of flight experience within the 6 months prior to the medical application.

The experimental airplane was constructed from wood truss with plywood gussets and covered with doped aircraft fabric. It was equipped with a Subaru EA 81 automotive engine.

During an interview, a representative of the kit manufacturer stated that the Subaru EA 81 engine was "too heavy" for the HI-MAX model and required the use of 20-30 pounds of ballast in the back to offset the extra weight of the EA 81 engine. During the examination of the fuselage no ballast were discovered.

The pilot performed the most recent maintenance on the airplane which occurred on July 8 and 9, 2019. Review of the pilot's notes revealed a list of parts that were replaced, which included, "battery, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, and four quarts of 10W-40 oil." In addition, he cleaned and gapped spark plugs, inspected and lubed all flight control points and connections, packed wheel bearings, and adjusted the rudder control.

Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that it came to rest on the airport field next to the perimeter fence. All four corners of the airplane were located at the accident site and flight control continuity was established to all flight controls and surfaces.

Examination of the engine and the propeller revealed that they were impact damaged. Examination of the carburetor revealed no debris and no residual fuel found. Impact damage was observed on the throttle assembly. The sparkplugs were removed and were labeled autolite 3923; no damage or fouling was observed. The engine was hand cranked to check for compression on all four cylinders. All four cylinders attained thumb compression and no anomalies were noted. Examination of the propeller revealed all three composite blades were fragmented and sheared from the propeller hub. The aluminum spinner was impact damaged and crushed. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: HI-MAX
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: HI-MAX
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: D73, 875 ft msl
Observation Time: 1730 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 70°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 110 ft agl
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Monroe, GA (D73)
Destination: Monroe, GA (D73)

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: 33.782500, -83.692778 (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. 



MONROE, Georgia — The pilot who died in a plane crash at the Monroe-Walton County Airport was a pillar of the local aviation community.

Multiple sources have identified the victim as Jason Cyrus “Cy” Nunnally, who owned fixed-base operator Fair Weather Flights. The company handled fuel sales, hangar leasing, flight training and other services at the Monroe-Walton County Airport.

Nunnally was injured late Tuesday afternoon when the single-engine plane he was flying crashed yards from the runway at the airport. He was transported to Piedmont Walton Hospital, where he died.

Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Atlanta, confirmed the FAA is investigating the crash.

“The National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the accident, which can take a year or longer,” Bergen said.

The company started in 2004 as a commercial helicopter flight service, according to its website, and expanded with the fixed-wing maintenance facility at the airport.

Police Chief R.V. Watts said Nunnally had been working on a plane that belonged to someone else. Nunnally taxied down the runway and circled back to land when the plane came to earth against a bank between the runway and the fence that separates airport property from Richard Parsons Drive.

Coroner Joe Page said the FAA remained on scene Wednesday after the plane was moved to a hangar at the airport.

Page said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation would be conducting an autopsy.

Nunnally also operated Fair Weather Farms, an event space on Mount Paran Church Road in Walton County. In a Facebook post, the business issued a statement Wednesday: “This morning we woke with broken hearts, unanswered questions and an emptiness we could have never expected. We know the pain everyone is feeling and know how many lives are affected by our tragic loss.”

Original article ➤ http://www.waltontribune.com



MONROE, Georgia (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Police in Monroe, Georgia said the pilot whose plane crashed near the airport Tuesday afternoon has died.

It happened near the Monroe-Walton County Airport at around 5:27 p.m. According to the Monroe police chief, the pilot had been working on the single-engine plane and had just done a test flight when it crashed during an attempted landed.

Rescue crews rushed the pilot to Piedmont Walton Hospital, trying to revive him on the way, but police said he was dead upon arrival.

Monroe-Walton County Airport is a public-use airport located about 35 miles east of Atlanta.

The crash remains under investigation.

Story and video ➤ http://www.fox5atlanta.com


Jason Cyrus "Cy" Nunnally, age 38 of Monroe, passed away on July 9th, 2019. He was born in Atlanta on December 22, 1980. 

Surviving members of Cy's family are, wife, Nichole Hanson Nunnally of Monroe; father and mother, John and Nancy Nunnally of Monroe; sister and brother-in-law, Jessica and Paul Rosenthal of Monroe; brother, Lee Nunnally of Social Circle, grandmother, Nannette Davis of Loganville; nieces, Bella and Emma Rosenthal; nephew, Peyton Hanson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerome and Elaine Hanson of Monroe; sister-in-law, Tracy Hanson of Monroe; beloved companions, Dora, Diego, George and Smith; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Cy had a servant's heart and was giving and helpful to all he met. He was passionate about his family, his pets, his flying, his brothers at Fergus Masonic Lodge #135 and his cooking. He was also excited that he had recently become a Shriner. He was the owner and operator of Fair Weather Flights which served as the FBO at the Monroe-Walton County Airport (D73). All who knew him loved him and will miss him dearly.

Those interested are asked to make donations in Cy's honor to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday July 14th, 2019 at 3:00 PM at 1025 Church, 1025 E. Spring St, Monroe, with the Rev. Brian Krawczyk and the Rev. Brant Callaway officiating. A private interment will follow at a later date. 

Meadows Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

Visitation
July 13, 2019 From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Meadows Funeral Home

Funeral Service
July 14, 2019 at 3:00 pm
1025 Church
1025 East Spring Street
Monroe, Georgia 



The pilot who was killed in Tuesday’s single-engine plane crash in Monroe has been identified as Cy Nunnally, a native son and much-beloved member of the community. Generous Warren Lodge No. 20, shared the news on it’s Facebook page and asked for prayers for the family. He also was currently the Worshipful at Master Fergus Lodge No. 135. Walton County Sheriff’s Office also asked for prayers for the family, noting, “Our hearts are broken for this family who are our friends and are huge supporters of public safety. Please keep this family in your every thought and your continued prayers.”

An emotional Monroe Police Chief R.V. Watts, who refrained from giving the name of the pilot, said it had shaken up the police department as he was close to the department.

“One of our officers is actually related to him, so you can imagine how it’s affecting us. The majority of the law enforcement community knows him.”

The Nunnally family is well known in the community and condolences and prayers began pouring in on social media as soon as the word got out.

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) had been notified immediately and had investigators on the way. Watts said it appeared that the pilot was working on the plane for somebody else, and appeared to have taken off and was returning to land when the plane went down, crashing into a mound just before the runway.

Watts said Monroe emergency personnel were dispatched after someone called 911 and arrived on scene at about 5:41 p.m. Life-saving steps began immediately and a life-flight helicopter was called. However, at 6:09 p.m. when paramedics were unable to stabilize him at the scene, he was transported to Piedmont Walton with hopes he could be stabilized there before being flown to a trauma center. Sadly, he did not survive.

Update:

Monroe Police Chief R.V Watts confirmed that the pilot of the small aircraft did not survive his injuries. His name is not being released at this time until all next of kin has been notified. Watts said the FFA and NTSB has been notified and is on route to investigate. He said the single-engine plane did not belong to the pilot.

Update: One person has been transported to Piedmont Walton in a critical condition following a single-engine airplane crash at Monroe Airport. There were no other passengers on board. The FAA has been called in and is on route to investigate.

Monroe first responders were on the scene of a plane crash near Monroe Airport just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. Monroe Police Fire and EMS are on the scene and the road has been closed off at Richard Parsons Dr. on Pannell Road.

Original article ➤ http://news.monroelocal.org

14 comments:

  1. I have never known a more courteous, genteel, or pleasant young man than Cy. Always a pleasure to be around. A lovely bright light in a wilderness of darkness. He will always be missed and never ever forgotten. My prayers go out for the family to be bathed in the love of Jesus Christ.

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  2. My heart goes out to family and friends.

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  3. Cy brought great joy into so many lives because he lived life to the fullest getting every ounce out of each day. May the Lord sustain his family as they reanchor in such a tragic loss.

    Cy will always be remembered.

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  4. My condolences to those that knew the deceased. It looks like the plane was a Bowers Fly Baby?

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  5. Such a sad deal. It is not a Bowers Fly Baby, more like a Mini Max.

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  6. Again...too young.
    May his family find closure, and time heals all wounds of the heart.

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  7. Looks like stall with very hard impact. Question why the paramedics had him for one half hour before transporting him to the ER. These paramedics are not trauma surgeons and need to stop acting as if they are hero rescuers. Their job is to get the victims into transportation and then transport to qualified medical as soon as possible. If the pilot had a ruptured spleen, he is going to bleed out while these amateur responders futz over what to do. Vietnam taught that rapid transport to the trauma surgeons was the best response to increase the odds for survival.
    Rest in Peace.

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    1. I hadn’t really added it all up myself, but you’re right. Someone played a deadly game of heroics on this one. He crashed at 5:27, paramedics arrive on scene at 5:41, and they don’t transport him to the hospital until 6:09? He was alive for almost 45 minutes while these people pussyfoot around and a life is lost. He couldn’t he “stabilized” enough for a life flight, but he was stable enough for these clowns to sit around and decide what they wanted to do? Wow.

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  8. Boy, If what I'm reading in the comments about EMS is true, then I'm totally speechless and dumbfounded. I hope we can get some truthful answers as to what happened!! I pray the family finds peace in Jesus Christ, Amen!

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  9. The comments about EMS are nothing short of ignorant. As a first responder, to hear suggestions that EMS was “pussyfooting around” or trying to play field surgeon is complete and utter foolery. More likely is the case that an extrication needed to be done in an area not easily accessed by a land vehicle and unsuitable for a helicopter landing; if the tools were not battery operated, then a portable power source (likely hydraulic, as extrication tools are often powered by hydraulic pumps) would have to be obtained to use the tools. I’ve been to car wrecks that fit this bill and taken longer than 45 minutes to extricate the first victim.

    Get a grip and think about what you are saying before you post something so foolish. My God.

    May Cy and his family find peace in the grace of the Lord. Rest well, and condolences to loved ones.

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    1. He was flying a mini max. There’s no extraction from a mini max. Get a grip. Additionally, he crashed 10 yards at maximum from the runway. Not sure how this would be less than ideal for a helicopter landing? Please know facts before commenting with your foolery.

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  10. ^^ Excellent post and commentary. Thank you!
    Please note: If you read comments from "Maening" please keep in mind he/she is a lawyer = ambulance chaser.

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  11. ^^This snarky idiot. I think the point being made is that it’s preposterous to assume EMS wasn’t doing their best and instead playing around with someone’s life when there were likely variables that the assumees didn’t understand. Is that really so hard to surmise?

    Also, the term is “extrication” which can be called for whenever someone is trapped in bent metal, even small vessels. By taking every aspect of that statement so literally, you make yourself seem like such a bitter ass.

    RIP fellow aviator

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    1. Ok so I’m not agreeing wholly with everyone here one way or another. But Mr. EMS - what’s the explanation for the call coming in and EMS dispatched at 5:27, but not arriving on scene until 5:41 - 15 minutes later? The drive from EMS to the airport is 2.1 miles or 6 minutes for a car driver. So, what took EMS so long? Had to stop for gas and cigarettes?

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