The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Brandon, Mississippi
Accident Number: CEN19FA211
Date & Time: July 6, 2019, 13:30 Local
Registration: N106NS
Aircraft: Grob G103
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of the accident glider and a pilot of another glider repositioned the two gliders from one airfield to another about 6 miles east of the departure airport. The purpose of the flight was to fly two gliders to a location where they conducted their glider flights. The first glider was towed to 2,000 ft agl, southeast of the departure airport. After the glider was released, the glider pilot flew towards the other airport, and the towpilot returned for the second glider. The accident pilot stated to the towpilot that he planned to release at 3,000 ft agl. When they were about 2,100 agl, the glider pilot released from the towplane. The towpilot stated that this was in same area that the first glider released and didn't see or hear from the glider pilot again.
The pilot in the first glider reported that he heard the accident pilot state via radio that he was "getting low and would probably have to land out."
The wreckage was located in a fenced field about 2.5 miles southeast of the departure airport and about 6 miles southwest of the destination airport. The glider came to rest inverted about 150 ft beyond an oak tree located at the edge of the field. A piece of the glider's right wing skin was found in a branch of the oak tree about 25 to 30 ft above the ground. Several small branches and leaves were located on the ground beneath the branch. Additionally, there were several impact signatures on parts of the tree branch near the wing skin; the signatures on the branch and ground scars are consistent with the glider's collision with a tree before impact with terrain. Examination of the glider revealed no anomalies.
Toxicology of the pilot revealed the presence of metabolites of tetrahydrocannabinol; however, since no active compounds were found in blood, it is unlikely that any effects from his use of marijuana contributed to the accident.
The field where the glider came to rest contained several wire fences across and lengthwise to the field. It is likely that these fences were not visible to the pilot until he was committed to the landing. It could not be determined if the pilot tried to avoid the fence during the approach and landing. Given the available evidence, the pilot was attempting to obtain lift in the vicinity of the departure airport but became low and chose to conduct an off-airport landing. During the subsequent off-airport landing, the right wing impacted a tree and the glider subsequently impacted terrain.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's inadequate clearance from a tree during an attempted off-field landing.
Findings
Personnel issues (general) - Pilot
Environmental issues Tree(s) - Contributed to outcome
Environmental issues Thermal lifting - Ability to respond/compensate
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute-cruise Loss of lift
Landing Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
Landing Off-field or emergency landing
On July 6, 2019, about 1330 central daylight time, a Grob G103 glider, N106NS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Brandon, Mississippi. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was registered to and operated by the Central Mississippi Soaring Society, LLC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Woodbridge Airport (6MS1), Brandon, Mississippi, about 1315, and was en route to the Harrell Field Airport (MS08), Pisgah, Mississippi.
According to the towpilot, the purpose was to move two gliders from 6MS1 to MS08, about 6 nautical miles west of MS08, from where they hangered the gliders, to where they conducted their flights. The towpilot towed the first glider to 2,000 ft above ground level (agl) southeast of 6MS1, where the glider released from the towplane. The towpilot then returned to 6MS1 for the accident glider. The accident pilot stated to the towpilot that he planned to release at 3,000 ft agl.
The towpilot added that the second tow was slow due to the glider's weight and the high density altitude at the time but was "uneventful." At an altitude of about 2,100 ft agl, the glider released from the towplane. The towpilot stated that this was in the same area that the first glider released, and the accident pilot conducted the "normal right turn" after releasing. The towpilot reported that he did not see the accident glider or hear from the accident pilot following release.
The pilot in the first glider reported that he heard the accident pilot state over the radio that he was "getting low and would probably have to land out." The wreckage was located in a fenced field about 2.5 miles southeast of 6MS1 and about 6 miles southwest of MS08.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Private
Age: 65
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider; Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 7419 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15.8 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Grob
Registration: N106NS
Model/Series: G103 Twin Astir
Aircraft Category: Glider
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Other
Serial Number: 3196
Landing Gear Type: Tandem
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 4, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMBO
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4500 ft AGL
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Brandon, MS (6MS1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pisgah, MS (MS08)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 13:15 Local
Type of Airspace:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.427501,-89.940277
The glider came to rest inverted about 150 ft beyond an oak tree located at the edge of a field. There were several wire fences across and lengthwise to the field.
A piece of the glider's right wing skin was found in a branch of the oak tree, about 25 to 30 ft up from the ground. Several small branches and leaves were located on the ground just beneath the branch. Additionally, there were several impact signatures on parts of the tree branch near the wing skin; the signatures and ground scars are consistent with the glider colliding with the tree before the impact with terrain. The glider was examined on site and all major components were accounted for at the scene.
Control continuity was established to the respective control surfaces.
No pre-impact anomalies were noted during the airframe examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office, Pearl, Mississippi, conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The autopsy noted the cause of death was determined to be "blunt force trauma."
The Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing. The specimens were not tested for cyanide. The test was negative for ethanol and carbon monoxide. The test was positive for Salicylate, Losartan and Carboxy-Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 11 hydroxy-Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH), the inactive and active metabolites, respectively, of tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, were detected in urine but not in blood.
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Location: Brandon, MS
Accident Number: CEN19FA211
Date & Time: 07/06/2019, 1330 CDT
Registration: N106NS
Aircraft: Grob G103
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On July 6, 2019, about 1330 central daylight time, a Grob G103 glider, N106NS, impacted terrain during an off-field landing near Brandon, Mississippi. The pilot and sole occupant received fatal injuries and the glider was substantially damaged. The glider was registered to the Central Mississippi Soaring Society, LLC and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The flight originated from the Woodbridge airport (6MS1) about 1315 and was en route to the Harrell Field airport (MS08).
According to the tow pilot, the purpose was to move two gliders from 6MS1 where the gliders are hangared, to MS08, where the flights are typically conducted. He towed the first glider to 2,000 ft agl southeast of 6MS1, where the glider released from the tow plane. The tow pilot then returned to 6MS1 for the second glider. The glider pilot previously stated to the tow pilot that he would release at 3,000 ft agl. The tow pilot added that the second tow was slow due to the glider's weight, high temperature, and high-density altitude at the time. About 2,100 agl, the glider released from the tow plane. The tow pilot stated that this was in same area that the first glider released. He didn't see or hear from the glider pilot again.
The pilot in the first glider reported that he heard the accident pilot on the radio, stating that, 'he was getting low, and would probably have to land out'.
The wreckage was located in a fenced field about two-and-half miles southeast of 6MS1, and about 6 miles southwest of MS08. The glider was examined on site, and all major components were accounted for at the scene. The glider came to rest inverted, about 150 ft beyond an oak tree that was in the field. A piece of the glider's right-wing skin was found in a branch of the oak tree, about 25 to 30 ft up from the ground. Several small branches and leaves were on the ground, just beneath the branch. Additionally, there were several impact signatures on parts of the branch near the wing skin; the signatures and ground scars are consistent with the glider colliding with tree, before impacting terrain.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Grob
Registration: N106NS
Model/Series: G103 TWIN ASTIR
Aircraft Category: Glider
Amateur Built:No
Operator: Central Ms Soaring Society Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMBO
Observation Time: 1315 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4500 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Brandon, MS (6MS1)
Destination: Pisgah, MS (MS08)
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: 32.427500, -89.940278
James Robert "Jim" Gately
James R. "Jim" Gately age 65, of Covington, Louisiana, died unexpectedly on July 6, 2019. Born in Boston, MA to Robert F. And Mary A. (Quinn) Gately, Jim graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in Boston and received a Bachelor of Science and Engineering degree from the University of New Orleans. He proudly served over forty years as a helicopter pilot with the U.S. Army National Guard deploying out of the country on multiple assignments. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. He was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a civil engineer for many years, and upon retirement from both, he served as a flight instructor for the U.S. Army, where he guided the next generation of Army pilots. His was a life dedicated to honor, duty and love for the country and family he so loved.
A member of the Ponchartrain Yacht Club, Jim was an avid sailor and spent much of his free time sailing. It seemed he excelled at everything he did. An experienced, skier, scuba diver, and pilot, Jim had recently earned his glider plane pilot's license and took to the sky whenever he could. His passion for the Red Sox and red wine was well known and he followed both closely, able to give stats on the Red Sox best moments and the best year for a bottle of fine wine. Jim truly lived life to the fullest. He was infinitely kind and patient and had an infectious sense of humor and a joyful laugh. It has been said that Jim never met a stranger for he was a friend to everyone he encountered.
Jim is survived by his heartbroken family—his beloved wife, Linda (Torti), his cherished sons, Nathan of Hammond, LA, and Michael of Denver, CO. He is also survived by his loving sisters—Marianne Pierson of Walpole, Susan Richard and Roberta Gately of Braintree, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who adored him.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday July 17th at 6:30 pm at St. Clare's Church on 1244 Liberty St. in Braintree.
In memory of Jim, we hope that you will look to the sky and dream your best dreams. He always did.
James Robert "Jim" Gately
James Gately, “Jim”, of Covington, Louisiana, age 65, died unexpectedly on July 6, 2019. Born in Boston to the late Robert and Mary Gately, Jim is survived by his wife Linda and his two sons, Nathanial of Hammond, LA and Michael, of Denver, CO, three sisters, Marianne Pierson of Walpole, MA, Susan Richard and Roberta Gately of Braintree, MA, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim graduated from Catholic Memorial High School, joined the military, completed flight school at Ft. Rucker in Alabama, and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree from The University of New Orleans. If all of Jim’s interests, passions, and skills were mentioned, this would be a tome but here we go with the first page and maybe into page two of that tome. Jim loved Louisiana and all it has to offer; music, food, sailing, fishing, and it goes without saying, the people. Such glorious friends, dear friends, crazy friends. Shall we have some boudin, some crawfish, some sac au lait, maybe a po’boy? Oh yes, he relished and embraced it all. He loved New England and the family and friends residing there. Boston never left his heart and this love extended to Mount Washington Valley in New Hampshire. He loved hiking and skiing in the mountains with his sons and his cousin. He had scaled Mt. Washington and skied Tuckerman’s and was planning another go at both down the line. He LOVED the Red Sox and rarely missed watching a game even down here in Louisiana. For Jim, going to Fenway never lost its boyhood thrill. And sailing, well, everyone who knows him knew how he felt about sailing. In community boating classes, so many years ago, Jim learned to sail on the Charles River in Boston. He perfected his skills and embraced the beauty and freedom of the sport over the years both competitively and recreationally. He was never far from and never got enough time on the water. He loved sailing his latest beauty Bourré and crewing on Whiskers was always exciting and a challenge but more so, it was an absolute joy. Those in his nautical circle, and so many people at Pontchartrain Yacht Club, in Mandeville, LA were a second family to him. The yacht club is a place where he felt at home and very connected. He would never miss a Wednesday night bourré game with his buddies….NEVER! Jim loved to travel and fell in love with Tucson, AZ. Hiking in those desert mountains was a challenge and adventure and the desert beauty drew him in. So, given the freedom of retirement, a condo in Tucson was on the horizon. He loved radios, was a Ham radio operator and hoped to utilize this skill in search and rescue in the mountains of New Hampshire during extended winter stays there. He was immersed into learning the endlessly challenging game of duplicate bridge. He loved good food and sought out new culinary adventures everywhere he went. Happy hours with friends, and grilling….this was his idea of a great time. That man could grill, and his crawfish boils were legendary. Pinot Noir anyone? He was proud of his work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in New Orleans and did a stint with the Corps in Fallujah, Iraq. He enjoyed being out on the worksite best, working in that capacity. He made some close enduring friendships there but was ready to leave when retirement came; cubicles were not Jim’s thing. But most of all, Jim loved to fly. This was closest to his heart, how he defined himself and how others did too. He was an amazing aviator. There are not enough words to describe what aviation meant to him. His eyes were always up, day or night. He knew where satellites were passing and when. He could (and did!) point out constellations everywhere he traveled in the world. And weather… call Jim if you questioned anything, forget about TV or apps. His military service was long and proud and this was one retirement he did not relish. He loved his Hueys until he fell in love with his Blackhawks. When retirement ended flying helicopters, he stayed as close as possible to his Hammond National Guard Unit as an instructor with the Blackhawk simulator. He loved his fellow soldiers. From Ft. Rucker to Central America, to Louisiana and all the TDY/Deployments, his skills and dedication were evident and highly valued. We all witnessed his bravery, commitment to duty, and integrity. His sons learned serious character and life lessons watching him. He was a man of honor. He was funny and loved a joke. He saw the good in most everyone, gave room to faults in others, and tried always to show others they mattered. Jim loved his family dearly, he showed it, and we are eternally grateful. Time with his sons was pure joy for him. He demonstrated how to live life with enthusiasm, curiosity, and adventure; what is meant by living to the fullest, I guess. How we all will miss that generous spirit, sense of humor, and big smile. You’re a hard act to follow Jim, but you were an excellent teacher so we’ll give it a go. A Military Funeral Honors ceremony followed by a remembrance/celebration of life gathering will be held at Pontchartrain Yacht Club, 140 Jackson Avenue, Mandeville, on Saturday, September 21, 2019 beginning at 11:30 in the morning. An online guestbook is available at www.gracenorthshore.com.
UPDATE: 7/6/2019 5:23 P.M. The man killed in the glider has been identified as 66-year-old James Gately. The crash happened around 1:40 p.m. Deputies say the plane was upside down, and the pilot was trapped.
The pilot died on scene.
Deputies will secure the scene until National Transportation Safety Board completes its investigation.
UPDATE: 7/6/2019 3:31 P.M. The Rankin County coroner confirms the pilot has died in the glider crash.
A glider has crashed in Rankin County.
Medical units and sheriff’s deputies have responded to Kitty Hawk Circle.
Story and video ➤ https://www.wjtv.com
RANKIN COUNTY, Mississippi (WLBT) - One person has died after an airplane glider crashed in Rankin County.
It happened Saturday afternoon near Kitty Hawk Circle in northern Rankin County.
According to Sheriff Bryan Bailey initial reports said that plane had gone down behind houses and that the pilot inside was entrapped.
When deputies arrived on scene they found that the pilot was deceased.
He has been identified as 65-year-old James Gately from Covington, Louisiana.
The National Transportation Safety Board is taking over the investigation.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.wlbt.com
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