Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Loss of Control in Fight: Cessna 140, N73000; fatal accident occurred September 08, 2019 in Lakeview, South Dakota

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Lakeview, South Dakota
Accident Number: CEN19FA307
Date and Time: September 8, 2019, 00:00 Local
Registration: N73000
Aircraft: Cessna 140
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

Analysis

The student pilot was conducting a low-level aerial observation flight with his son to determine the level of water in towers on farms nearby. The time of the student pilot’s departure from his private airstrip and the time of the accident could not be determined. The amount of fuel in the airplane at takeoff was undetermined. After contact from concerned family members, law enforcement located the wreckage the next day about 825 ft from the approach end of the pilot's airstrip.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Airplane wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with the airplane being configured for landing. Propeller signatures indicated little or no rotation at the time of impact. The impact damage was consistent with a loss of control in flight, followed by the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. The reason for the loss of control in flight could not be determined.

The student pilot was taught to fly by his grandfather. It is possible the student pilot was teaching his son to fly; however, it was undetermined if that was occurring during the accident flight. The pilot held a student pilot certificate and therefore was prohibited by regulation from carrying a passenger. Additionally, the student pilot's endorsement for flight operations was expired, and he did not hold an endorsement for the accident airplane make and model.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack, an aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with terrain, and the student pilot’s non-compliance and lack of experience.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Angle of attack - Capability exceeded
Personnel issues Monitoring equip/instruments - Student/instructed pilot
Not determined (general) - Unknown/Not determined
Personnel issues Qualification/certification - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Total experience - Student/instructed pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Enroute Aerodynamic stall/spin
Enroute Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

On September 8, 2019, at an undetermined time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N73000, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lakeview, South Dakota. The student pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 aerial observation flight.

Local law enforcement reported that according to family members, the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot and his son to fly around the local area for the aerial observation of various large water towers stationed on farms on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. It was unknown what time the airplane departed for the flight from the student pilot's private airstrip.

The student pilot would normally fly the airplane low, over the water towers, and look down into the water towers to determine the water level. He would then report the water level to the farmers. It was unknown if the pilot was compensated by the farmers for performing the aerial observation work.

After not hearing from the student pilot and his son for several hours, concerned family members contacted local law enforcement officers, who then initiated a search for the missing airplane. The wreckage was located about 0800 central daylight time on September 9, 2019.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Student 
Age: 39,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 16, 2014
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 29, 2015
Flight Time: (Estimated) 40 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 20 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) electronic airmen registry for the student pilot revealed that he held a student pilot certificate. The limitation listed on the student pilot certificate states, "carrying passengers is prohibited." Title 14 CFR 61.89 discusses the limitations for student pilots and states that a student pilot may not act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger. It was undetermined if the passenger was manipulating the flight controls during the flight.

A review of the student pilot's logbook showed that he started logging flight time in August 2007 and that the last logged flight was in November 2015. The student pilot had received an endorsement to conduct solo flights in a Cessna 150 airplane. The endorsement was dated October 29, 2015, and expired in July 2016. No further endorsements were found. No solo flight endorsements were found listed for a Cessna 140. Title 14 CFR 61.87(n) discusses the limitations for student pilots operating an aircraft in solo flight and states the following:

A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student pilot has received an endorsement in the student's logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown by an authorized instructor who gave the training within the 90 days preceding the date of the flight.

The flight instructor who provided the initial solo endorsement for the student pilot described the student pilot as a "safe pilot" except that he flew with his son and wasn’t supposed to as a student pilot. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was taught to fly by his grandfather, who was not a certificated pilot. He further reported that the student pilot knew he was not supposed to fly with passengers as a student pilot.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N73000
Model/Series: 140 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946 
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 10205
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 7, 2019 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1451 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 4 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2093.67 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: C-85-12
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 85 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The amount of fuel in the airplane before the flight departed was undetermined. The airframe and engine were modified to use automotive fuel (referred to as MOGAS) in accordance with FAA supplemental type certificates.

The airplane was not equipped with a carburetor temperature system or a stall warning indicator, nor was it required to be.

A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed no evidence of any uncorrected mechanical discrepancies with the airframe and engine.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVTN,2590 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 00:52 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 131°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2200 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 50° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lakeview, SD (None) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Lakeview, SD (None)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class G

A review of weather data from 1652 to 2152 from the Miller Field Airport (VTN), Valentine, Nebraska, showed temperatures between 16°C (60.8°F) and 19°C (66.2°F), along with dew points between 11°C (51.8°F) and 12°C (53.6°F). The reported conditions for those times indicated a probability of serious icing at either cruise or glide power settings per the carburetor icing probability graph from the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention.

Airport Information

Airport: Private Airstrip None
Runway Surface Type: Dirt; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 2923 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

The student pilot's private airstrip, which was about 65 ft wide and 1,850 ft long, consisted of grass and dirt. The airstrip was about 5.5 miles southwest of Lakeview and was oriented about 350° and about 170° (runway 35-17, respectively). It was undetermined if the airstrip had runway lighting.

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 43.039443,-100.80555(est)

The airplane came to rest on a heading of 24° and at an elevation of 2,910 ft above mean sea level on grass. The airplane was about 825 ft to the northwest of the approach end of runway 17 at the student pilot's private airstrip.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.

Evidence was consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a near-vertical, nose-down, leftwing-low attitude. The tail was bent slightly up and over the fuselage. The left- and right-wing leading edges sustained significant impact compression damage. All components of the airframe and engine were located at the accident site. Flight control continuity was established for the airframe. 

Control continuity was established for the engine.

A flap impact-related witness mark was observed on the right side of the fuselage indicating the flaps were extended at the time of impact.

Due to impact damage, the position of the carburetor heat control at the time of the accident was not determined.

The two wing fuel tanks were breached from the accident sequence, and the fuel level at the time of impact was undetermined. A small amount of fuel was obtained from both fuel tanks.

The fuel had unknown debris in it and was a slight yellow color.

The propeller remained attached to the engine. One propeller blade remained relatively straight and exhibited paint burnishing with diagonal scratches on the cambered side. The other propeller blade was bent aft around the engine cowling at approximately midspan and did not exhibit rotational impact signatures.

The examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Medical and Pathological Information

The Sanford Health Pathology Clinic, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of the death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries.

The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on specimens from the pilot; testing was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol.

Organizational and Management Information

FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention informs pilots of the potential hazards associated with carburetor icing. This document does not include information about the probability of carburetor icing occurring with MOGAS. The FAA reported it has not published any information or disclaimers for the public about MOGAS and the formation of carburetor icing.

=========

Location: Lakeview, SD
Accident Number: CEN19FA307
Date & Time: 09/08/2019, 2000 CDT
Registration: N73000
Aircraft: Cessna 140
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation 

On September 8, 2019, about 2000 central daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 140 airplane, N73000, impacted terrain in a remote rolling prairie on the Rosebud Indian Reservation (RIR) near Lakeview, South Dakota. The student pilot and the passenger both sustained fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the student pilot under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the student pilot's private airstrip near Lakeview.

According to first responders who spoke with family members, the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot and his son to fly around the local area for aerial observation of various large water towers stationed on farms on the RIR. The student pilot would fly the airplane low, over the water towers, and look down into the water towers to determine the water level. He would then report the water level back to the farmers.

The student pilot's airstrip, which was about 65 ft wide and 1,850 long, consisted of grass and dirt. The airstrip was about 5.5 miles southwest of Lakeview on private property. The airstrip was oriented about 350° and about 170°, runway 35-17 respectively.

After not hearing from the student pilot and his son for several hours, concerned family members contacted first responders. The wreckage was discovered about 0800 by first responders on September 9, 2019. The accident site, located on private property, was about 825 ft to the northwest of the airstrip threshold for landing on runway 17.

The NTSB investigator-in-charge and an air safety investigator from Textron Aviation (the type certificate holder for the Cessna 140) responded to the accident site on September 10, 2019. The investigative team members documented the accident site and the wreckage. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 24° and at an elevation of 2,910 ft above mean sea level. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing structures, the fuselage, and the empennage as shown below in figure 1 and figure 2. All components of the airframe and the engine were located at the accident site. The two wing fuel tanks were breached from the accident sequence and the onboard fuel level at the time of the impact was undetermined.

Figure 1 – View of the wreckage looking to the south. The pilot's private airstrip is in the upper right corner of the photograph near the trees.

Figure 2 – View of the wreckage looking to the north.

An examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed no evidence of any uncorrected mechanical discrepancies with the airframe and engine. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site by family members on September 11, 2019.

While the airplane was conducting a low-level aerial observation flight, the airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system or angle of attack indicator system, nor was it required to be.

A review of the Federal Aviation Administration electronic airmen registry for the student pilot, revealed that he held a student pilot certificate. The limitation listed on the student pilot certificate states, "carrying passengers is prohibited." 14 CFR Part 61.89 discusses the limitations for student pilots and states that a student pilot may not act as a pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger.

The two-seat capacity airplane, serial number 10205, was manufactured in 1946. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors C-85-12 engine, serial number 23455-6-12. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N73000
Model/Series: 140 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
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: KVTN, 2590 ft msl
Observation Time: 0052 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2200 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Lakeview, SD (None)
Destination: Lakeview, SD (None)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:1 Fatal 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 43.039444, -100.805556 (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. 

Michael J. Hodges 
Investigator In Charge (IIC)
National Transportation Safety Board


Clint James VanderWey


Jedediah, “Jed”, Nathaniel VanderWey, 16, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019. His last moments were spent with his father flying. Jed was born August 22, 2019 in Valentine, Nebraska to Clint and Jennifer VanderWey.

Jed attended Zion Lutheran School through seventh grade and then went to Valentine Community Schools. He was a sophomore at Valentine High School. Jed participated in wrestling and excelled in cross-country and track.

This summer, Jed was employed by Danielski Harvesting. He worked his way from Oklahoma to Nebraska, and enjoyed a summer of “freedom”.

Hobbies included motor cross, spending time with friends, hiking, climbing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, singing, and fishing. Jed also enjoyed driving fast with Grandma Bonnie, hunting with Grandpa Jack, talking with his mom, hanging out with his sister, and flying with his dad. Jed loved dogs and rock music from the 70s. He was extremely patriotic. Adventure was important; more so than his homework.
Jed aspired to followed in his father’s footsteps and become a farmer.

Jed was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and attended Lakeview Christian Reformed Church.

Survivors include mother Jennifer VanderWey; sister Shyla Stearns; Grandparents Jack and Bonnie VanderWey, Sherri Britton, Wayne and Dona Rundback; uncles Jason VanderWey, Justin Loeffler, Cody Rundback; Aunt Kelly Loeffler: cousins Nigel and Shaun VanderWey, Isabelle and Hayden Loeffler, Roper and Stetson Rundback; Great Grandparents Joy Steel and Carl Rundback.

Father, Clint, passed away with Jed.

Preceded in death by brother James VanderWey, great grandparents Lloyd and Marjorie Tryon, Urban and Gladys VanderWey, Wes Steel, Barbara Rundback and Jo Gaites.

A memorial has been established to the Valentine Badger Booster Club.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday September 16, 2019 at the Valentine United Methodist Church.

https://www.holmesfh.com



Clint James VanderWey, 39, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019. His last moments were spent flying his airplane with his son. Clint was born October 12, 1979 in Valentine, Nebraska to Jack and Bonnie VanderWey.

Clint attended Lakeview Elementary School, and in 1998, he graduated from Cody –Kilgore Unified Schools. Clint earned an associate degree in Business Administration in May 2000.

Clint starting working at the age of 10 in the hay field. At 14, he worked two summers on the Spike Box Ranch building buffalo fence. At the age of 16, Clint began working for Danielski Farms until 2009, when he began manufacturing his inventions. He continued to work with Danielskis’ until his last days.

In 2007, Clint and Justin Loeffler, started their business L&V Innovations. Together, they invented, the Pivot Rx. In 2009, Clint built a prototype for the Pivot Flusher, which is still a success today.

On November 27, 1999, Clint married his best friend and soul mate, Jennifer Rundback. With this matrimony, Clint gained his daughter, Shyla. On October 28, 2001, Jenny and Clint welcomed the birth of their first son, James Dylan VanderWey. Sadly, on February 14, 2002, James passed away. On August 22, 2003, Clint and Jenny were blessed with the birth of their second son, Jedediah Nathaniel VanderWey.

Clint lived life fully. He liked hunting and fishing with his father as a child. His grandpa, Urban, taught him the family passion of flying, which Clint passed on to his son. Clint enjoyed wakeboarding, water skiing, scuba diving, and boating. He was practically born in the water. Other hobbies included bowling, organic farming, and golfing with his wife. He loved experimenting and creating. His latest interest was perfecting chili rellenos. Clint was a life-long learner, teaching himself through text books and the internet how to do everything he took an interest in.

Clint was a caring man who patiently and kindly taught his children and other youth the things he loved. For the past two summers, he mentored Jeremiah Smith in farming.

Clint was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and attended Lakeview Christian Reformed Church.

Surviors include Jenny VanderWey (wife); Shyla Stearns (daughter); Jack and Bonnie VanderWey (parents); Jason VanderWey (brother); Sherri Britton (mother-in-law); Wayne (father-in-law) and Dona Rundback; Kelly (sister-in-law) and Justin Loeffler; Cody Rundback (brother-in-law); nephews Nigel and Shaun VanderWey, Hayden Loeffler, Roper and Stetson Rundback, and niece Isabelle Loeffler.

Son, Jedediah, passed away with Clint.

Preceded in death by son James VanderWey, grandparents Lloyd and Marjorie Tryon, Urban and Gladys VanderWey.

A memorial has been established to the Cody-Kilgore Ag Program.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday September 16, 2019 at the Valentine United Methodist Church.

https://www.holmesfh.com

Late Sunday night of September 8th, Todd County Search and Rescue were called in to the rural Lakeview area with the report of a missing son and father. 

Clint VanderWey and his son, Jed, left the farm around 6:00 p.m. in Clint’s Cessna 140 to check pivots. The last time family heard from the father and son was around 8:00 p.m., close to sundown. Now a worried family was forced to call for help, said a family spokesman.

Todd County Search and Rescue arrived in the area around 10:00 p.m., but due to the weather and lack of sunlight, a search and rescue plane could not get off the ground to look for Clint and Jed. A foot and vehicle search continued. The Federal Aviation Administration was called in as well.

September 9, early Monday morning, the Search and Rescue, Todd County Sheriff’s Department, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Emergency Preparedness Program, Rosebud Volunteer Fire Department, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement, Game Fish and Parks, family and neighbors continued the search. 

Clint and Jed VanderWey were found not too far from their family farm, with two confirmed fatalities. Clint’s Cessna 140 plane went down less than a football field away from the farm. According to Mike Hodges with the National Transportation Safety Board out of Denver, Colo., who is the lead agency in what will be an ongoing investigation, the reason the plane crashed is unknown at this time. 

National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and plane manufacturer Textron Aviation are working hand in hand with the Todd County Sheriff on site to assess the situation and investigate the plane crash thoroughly. 

A preliminary report will be published on the National Transportation Safety Board’s website within seven days; however, with these cases it takes one to two years for a final report. All three agencies investigate a variety of things when a plane goes down: the maintenance of the aircraft, the pilot’s training, weather conditions and Air traffic Control Services.

Clint VanderWey was born and raised in the Lakeview, S.D., area, just 15 miles southeast of St. Francis. He and his wife were local farmers who owned Lakeview Irrigation as well as L & V Innovations. 

Jed VanderWey, a sophomore at Valentine High School, was a cross country and track star. Jed is a young man who will be greatly missed by his peers and community.

Updated information: Visitation will be held Sunday, September 15, 2019, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., at Holmes Funeral Home, Valentine, Neb.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 16, 2:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church, Valentine.

In lieu of plants and flowers, the family has requested memorials be sent in care of the family for the Cody/Kigore School Shop class.

Arrangements by Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine, Nebraska.

Original article ➤ https://bennettcountyboostersd.com

Jedediah Nathaniel VanderWey 

CROOKSTON, Nebraska (KNOP) - A father and son killed were killed in plane crash north of Valentine in South Dakota on Sunday, September 8th.

Officials say they do not have a cause of the crash yet, and they do not know exactly when the Cessna 140 went down in the rolling prairie between St. Francis, South Dakota and North of Crookston, Nebraska.

39-year old Clint and his son, 16-year old Jed Vanderwey of north of Crookston died in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is looking for answers. 

Investigator Mike Hodges saying that preliminary findings will be posted in 5-7 days on the NTSB website, but it will take 1-3 years before a final report can be made.

The Vanderway family farms near the border of South Dakota and Nebraska.

Wayne Rundback was Clint Vanderwey's father-in-law and Jed's grandfather.

Rundback says Clint Vanderwey would fly to monitor his irrigation service.

Rundback says the two left in the plane Sunday evening, and a search-and-rescue mission began around 10 p.m.

Jed VanderWey had just started school as a sophomore. 

KVSH Radio reports Valentine Community School made counselors available.

Funeral services will be held Monday at United Methodist Church in Valentine.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.knopnews2.com

43 comments:

  1. This report was hard to read. So sad. The 140 is a good stable platform. I can't imagine what must being going through his wife's head right now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm thinking spatial disorientation as a possible cause. He went up near dark and the area looks to be a sparsely-lit. He probably lost reference to the horizon and lost control. Sad.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not again. According to the FAA site, this guy only had a Student Pilot's license dated 10/06/2014 and was prohibited taking passengers along for a ride. Third class medical expired on 10/31/2016. A Cessna 140 does not qualify as a Light Sport aircraft due to it weighing 130 lbs over the maximum allowable for an LSA. One would need a valid FAA Private Pilot license to operate this aircraft legally.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This case and the Cirrus SR22 are so similar. Both were successful businessmen who made money and started flying lessons in their mid 30's. Both never pass their PPL check rides. Both illegally carried passengers. Both killed themselves and their 16 year old sons before their 40th birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am going to "guess" that if the above is true (no PPL and expired medical) that everyone thought he was a certified pilot with a current medical.

    Flies off personal field only, and this flight was a dusk, with night coming in quickly- misjudged the landing area, if he saw it at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a spiral dive judging by how the right wing was bent back more than the left wing. He was a very trusted pilot and he's landed a plane in pitch dark any times before this.

      Delete
  6. The aircraft was registered to him since 2011 --- which corresponds to his father-in-law saying that he had been flying for nearly a decade. So from 2011 to 2014, he was flying without a student certificate nor a medical.

    ReplyDelete
  7. His plane, his field....how are you going to keep him from flying? Confiscate his airplane?
    Too bad his son was with him but when I was 16 if my dad had a plane I would have been in it at every opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What difference would having a Private Pilot ticket have made given the type flying he was doing? Stop hunting someone to blame. I'm sure the family isn't. A horrific accident. RIP

    ReplyDelete
  9. Honoring a fallen farmer pilot and his sons.

    On November 27, 1999, Clint married his best friend and soulmate, Jennifer Rundback. On October 28, 2001, Jennifer and Clint welcomed the birth of their first son, James Dylan VanderWey. Sadly, on February 14, 2002, James passed away. On August 22, 2003, Clint and Jennifer were blessed with the birth of their second son, Jedediah Nathaniel VanderWey. Sadly, on September 8, 2019, Clint and Jedediah passed away. Jedediah was the spitting image of his father.

    ReplyDelete
  10. According to the preliminary report, he was flying to various water towers in the area and observed in the air the water levels and reported them to the farmers. The report didn't mention whether he was charging local farmers for this.

    Spatial disorientation is most likely the reason. The wreckage was facing away from his landing strip. He was flying around water towers north of his landing strip. The wreckage was located north of his landing strip and facing north.

    ReplyDelete
  11. He could have used an Ultralight such as a Quicksilver which has side-by-side seating and been totally legal for his mission. Sad story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope. No Ultralight is two place. Only single seat. Two seats and you have a FAA legal airplane. Not that this would have mattered here. Obviously the pilot/Owner was not concerned with regulations.

      Delete
  12. He was doing a commercial operation (Lakeview Irrigation) charging money on local farmers for irrigation service without a commercial pilot certificate. He would still be breaking various laws if he had flown an ultralight.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Basically the son had to die because the son was the spotter looking at the water levels while the father was flying the plane for his irrigation service business (without a commercial pilot certificate).

    ReplyDelete
  14. His son was not a passenger. His son was a crew member.

    ReplyDelete
  15. sad, but really nothing to learn here. If a person decides to use an aircraft like it's a four-wheeler or some other piece of farm equipment, you really can't stop them. It's sad that this poor judgement over a period of years finally bore the severe consequences that were foreseeable from years away.

    What can pilots learn from this non-pilot's behavior? that flying is dangerous? that corners shouldn't be cut? There is no "chain" to break here. He was lucky for awhile, then he wasn't. It never killed him until it did.

    I don't think anyone who bothers to become a pilot can identify with this person's hubris. Certainly plenty of careful and conscientious pilots do get killed. It's no guarantee, but it certainly is more successful strategy and leads to many more hours aloft and happy landings. Too bad the son didn't have a better example to learn from.

    Just a shame.

    ReplyDelete
  16. To whoever mentioned the 2 seat Quicksilver as "legal" alternative is wrong. That version is an LSA and requires at least a sport pilot license to fly. To guarantee to your passenger you won't kill them to the largest extent possible by training. In fact anything with more than 1 seat does require some kind of certification. To protect the passengers riding with you and the people below who you can crash over.

    Indeed for part 103 i.e ultralights, the rules require you to fly ALONE over unpopulated areas, which virtually guarantees you will only kill yourself if you are careless, and the FAA in its wisdom assumes if you abide by the part 103 rules you will not kill someone else. This is why you are FREE to fly any ultralight with no pilot's license and no medical. Almost impossible to kill anyone else.

    Sadly this example here has proven why certification is needed as an unlicensed pilot is a dangerous person to the general public, be them being a passenger or whoever is where he might crash.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This could have happened to an ATP flying any properly certificated airplane. In the last few days we had the Debonair in Montana that hit the power pole (or wire). The closer you are to ground, the more likely you are to hit it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Debonair was piloted by a PPL ASEL who, according to the NTSB preliminary report, routinely buzzed the destination ranch to alert the ranch to get a car out there they can get a car ride.

    These accidents don't just "happen to an ATP flying any properly certificates airplane".

    ReplyDelete
  19. "What difference would having a Private Pilot ticket have made given the type flying he was doing? Stop hunting someone to blame."

    A lot, actually. For one thing it would have at the least said, he had passed all examinations and that he was a competently qualified pilot. The other thing it would have enabled him to do legally, is carry passengers, in this case, his 16yo son.

    So yes, the "pilot" is fully to blame. The way he saw it, regulations don't apply to him. It ended up costing him his life, but more importantly, the life of his 16yo son.

    I know the prevailing attitude is that rules and and regulations are an inconvenience, but they are in place to prevent incidents like this, from happening on a large scale. It's not some "Nanny State Conspiracy".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Having his PPL would have prevented keyboard warriors from coming on KR after his death and saying he was incompetent to fly the plane because he didn't have a license, and thereby prevented his family from having to read such comments. This alone would have been sufficient reason to complete the PPL, in my book. Dying is hard enough without a bunch of people calling you a moron.

      Delete
  20. "What difference would having a Private Pilot ticket have made given the type flying he was doing? Stop hunting someone to blame."

    Actually, it is even worst than that.

    The type of flying he was doing is called commercial flying.

    He created a company to charge local farmers for irrigation service which included monitoring local farmers' water towers' water level.

    So he flew his plane and looked at the water level in the air. But he could not do the job alone, so his son became the spotter.

    His son was NOT a passenger. His son was an integral air crew of this illegal flying operation.

    A PPL ticket would not be enough. He needed a commercial ticket.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think ADBS-Out will resolve a lot of these issues... any airplane not broadcasting the name/company info of its owner as well as position will become suspect and will let the FAA do a more thorough investigation.

    Preppers and stupid ranchers thinking they stick it up to the government while only endangering the public and killing family members be damned.

    A socialist democratic pilot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must be kidding about ADSB. First off, it isn't required. Second, this 'pilot' wouldn't have had it on anyway.

      Delete
    2. There would have been zero receivers within range at the altitudes they were flying.

      Delete
  22. Is "socialist democratic pilot" your job title? Does it pay well? Asking for a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I thought ADS-B is only required in class B & C airspace. Just how would it resolve a situation such as this out in the middle of nowhere?

    ReplyDelete
  24. It won't solve anything. The other student pilot dad who killed himself and his 16 yo son was flying a glass cockpit sr22 with the latest transponders in a major towered airport with one 9500 ft runway and another 8000+ ft runway.

    Think about that for a moment. 99% of PPL won't even try to land at a major airport and the other student pilot dad used MAF as his home airport.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My guess he or his son just wanted to go flying and figured he had enough hours to do a few circuits around the field. Not enough information to know what happend sounds like it was right after take off maybe engine quit he tried to turn back stalled it. The student pilot thing is a problem it's unknown how much training he had in the accident airplane.

    ReplyDelete
  26. ^^^^ Had he lived he would go to jail and the feds would throw the book at him for flying an aircraft unlicensed. Plus probably a charge of reckless and dangerous operation of an aircraft plus running an illegal aerial commercial operation.

    His estates better have a good lawyer as the FAA will probably slap a huge fine and civil lawsuit. If his family knew about him just being a student pilot other charges might rain down.

    Flying an aircraft unlicensed in the NAS is a big deal, especially after 911.

    ReplyDelete
  27. So...it looks like they hit pretty vertically, presumably just after takeoff. One can only speculate what would cause a C-140 too get to such an attitude. And what good does speculation do?

    A lot of weird crap goes on in general aviation out in the boondocks away from controlled airports and the prying, critical eyes of the FAA. Having a license may or may not have made any difference here. Clint was obviously good enough to fly his taildragger off his grass strip. Probably wasn't his first time. This time something went horribly wrong, fast. What went wrong? And who was actually flying the plane at the time? We'll never know. Sometimes we just don't get answers to the questions we demand.

    And to those who righteously claim that Clint was performing a service for which he needed at least a Commercial certificate...well...not necessarily. If his *primary* business was irrigation and the checking of water levels by air was only incidental, then no Commercial cert would be necessary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But if the business model couldn't exist without using an aircraft, then it is not incidental.

      Fedex can use a ship to deliver mail. They just can't have overnight delivery.

      His irrigation business couldn't exist if he were to drive with a truck and spending hours on the road. If it was so easy, the farmers could have driven to the water towers themselves.

      Same thing with agricultural flying to spray pesticide. You can spray pesticide in a truck. You just can't do it cheaply.

      Delete
  28. A classic example of a stall/spin accident. A very slow airplane in steep turns can suddenly go into what the bureaucrats of the FAA call an accelerated stall. The difference between cruise speeds and stall speeds in this airplane are never more than about thirty knots. Big deal. This stuff happens. But the scumbag lawyers will come out of the woodwork to hoover any money from the family; all in the name of aviation education/safety.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I read a lot of accident reports, hoping I can learn from them. Others, like this, I just say a prayer for their family and thank God for the times he has allowed me to survive ‘close’ calls, especially one with my dad in 1983. Hopefully all will hold up his wife and daughter, and not be too quick with the ‘stones’, there but for the grace of God I could be, multiple times I know, and even more times I do not know.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Surprised that the Sept 18th @ 4:42 comment about "nothing really to learn here" actually came from a pilot.

    The only hubris present in such a comment is the presumption that a situation offers "nothing to learn" based only on the frequency of occurrence or license status of the pilo-- oh I'm sorry, "non-pilot" as the poster specifies. See, in their logic, this guy's actions fall so far outside the definition of "pilot" and "learning opportunity" that we might as well ignore it entirely.

    I won't play e-measure of my certs vs. others, but I'd venture that most pilots view ANY event involving a human controlling an airborne machine gone wrong as a potential learning experience. The moment we start shunting off information as not relevant or helpful based on our own frail egos, its a slippery slope to looking very isolated and very foolish.

    Always learn, always observe, pilot or, excuse me "non pilot".


    ReplyDelete
  31. There is actually something to learn here. Flying an aircraft without a proper license or certification is ILLEGAL. You can say what you want about this person, "He was a great guy", "Everybody liked him", "He was a good businessman", "He had been flying for years, Etc, but, the fact of the matter is that This "stunt" was an egregious and total disregard for the life of not only himself, but his son, and, anyone on the ground that could have been killed by this "illegal" flight. And to the person that said a commercial cert was not required, (which is not true) If you get paid for a flying service you need a commercial ticket this guy didn't even have a private license. LOOK AT THE LAST LINE!

    FAA
    CLINT JAMES VANDERWEY



    Personal Information

    CLINT JAMES VANDERWEY

    26626 302ND ST
    CROOKSTON NE 69212-7010
    County: GAGE
    Country: USA


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Medical Information:
    Medical Class: Third Medical Date: 10/2014
    BasicMed Course Date: None BasicMed CMEC Date: None

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Certificates
    STUDENT PILOT

    Certificates Description
    Certificate: STUDENT PILOT
    Date of Issue: 10/6/2014



    Limits:
    CARRYING PASSENGERS IS PROHIBITED.


    ReplyDelete
  32. You have to play by the rules as they are written in blood.

    ReplyDelete
  33. ENOUGH EVERYONE!!! I know this family personally. In fact, my dad, who is the pastor of our tight-knit community (Lakeview), was involved with the search party. I was there at the fellowship hall next to our small white church as they were figuring out things like cell phone pings, possibilities of where they might be, etc. IT ALL FELT LIKE A DREAM. Reading these comments makes me extremely sad. If you don't live in a rural area, then you wouldn't know what it's like out. I can't stress enough how many illegal things and stuff that, to city slickers, is not normal happens out here. No, Lakeview is not a crime-ridden place. Rather, it's called being behind the times. His family knew what kind of pilot he was and flying has been present for many generations. You do not know what it was like to find out that they were dead and gone forever, the crying, the broken hearts, the shock, the immense grief that followed such a sudden and too soon death. Just because Clint did not have the proper license does not mean that he was not a good pilot. By all means, he was! It's just that, out here, things are slower and a lot of times out of date. If you want to come out here and say all these mean things to our faces, you can, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to. Being a part of one big happy family in a community is a special thing and we all miss Clint and Jed terribly. Please, think about what you're saying before you post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sorry for your loss. But, Clint WAS NOT a good pilot. A good pilot would have been a properly trained legal pilot. Clint knew this. Just as much as he knew to drive a car or truck with a legal license. Clint took short cuts, and paid the ultimate price. Unfortunately, he killed his son too. And now all the Community grieves.

      Delete
  34. You are wrong in many respects.

    Having family members who were REAL pilots (the actual real pilots were Clint's grandparents who were long dead) means that the rest of family (who are still alive) should have known better. They should have known about things like going to the doctors every few years for a pilot physical examination.

    "He does not have the proper license" actually means completely different to the the flying community. Improper license would have meant that he had a single engine license but he flew an aircraft with 2 engines or that he had a license that allows him to fly in bright sunny days only but he flew in a cloudy foggy day.

    He does not have any license at all. He is the equivalent of a 16 year old with a learner's permit for driving a car --- and he got his learner's permit by answering a few basic multiple choice questions like red light means you stop the car and you should put your hand in the 2 and 10 o'clock position.

    No living family member has a pilot's license which means that no living family member can accurately judge whether he is a good pilot or not.

    ReplyDelete
  35. The final report (and the supporting docs) are wild.

    He was "anti-government" type.

    He was taught flying by his grand-father (who was not certificated himself).

    The whole family knew that he was not licensed and not allowed to fly passengers.

    The whole town swept the whole thing under the rug by not telling the NTSB investigators whether or not he took compensation to fly to look at the water towers.

    The NTSB report never touched the subject whether the son was part of the commercial "crew" as a water tower spotter.

    ReplyDelete