Sunday, December 22, 2019

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser, N601FL: Fatal accident occurred December 21, 2019 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana


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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana
Piper; Wichita, Kansas

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N601FL


Location: Evansville, IN
Accident Number: CEN20FA038
Date & Time: 12/21/2019, 1514 CDT
Registration: N601FL
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On December 21, 2019, at 1514 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N601FL, impacted terrain near Evansville, Indiana, while on landing approach. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to N601FL LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local cross-country, visual flight rules (VFR) flight that departed Evansville Municipal Airport (EVV), Indiana, at 1413.

The pilot departed EVV on a local cross-country flight to conduct practice approaches at Crawford County Airport (RSV), Indiana, before returning to EVV. The pilot requested to return to EVV about 10 miles short of reaching RSV. The flight was subsequently cleared to land on runway 18 at EVV. According to EVV Tower personnel, the pilot did not report any difficulties with the airplane prior to the accident. Witnesses observed the airplane enter a right descending turn before impacting a field about 2 miles north of the approach end of runway 18. One witness reported the airplane's engine was running as it passed over him before beginning the descending turn to the west.

The initial impact was made with the right wingtip in a nearly 90 degree right bank, as identified by the green beacon lens at the initial impact point and the location of impact marks made by the main landing gear. The propeller was separated from the crankshaft propeller flange and located in the debris field. One blade exhibited leading edge polishing and aft bending. The other blade exhibited forward bending about mid span. The six propeller retention bolts were sheared at the propeller flange and several bolts exhibited torsional bending. The wreckage was recovered for additional examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration:N601FL 
Model/Series: PA28 140
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KEVV
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Evansville, IN (EVV)
Destination: Evansville, IN (EVV)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 38.095833, -87.540556 (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. 


Philip M. "Phil" Burke
April 11, 1963 ~ December 21, 2019 (age 56)

Philip M. Burke, age 56, of Newburgh, Indiana, formerly of Jasper, Indiana, went home to be with Jesus at 3:14 p.m. on Saturday, December 21st, 2019, doing what he loved, flying an airplane.

Phil was born April 11th, 1963, in Jasper, Dubois County, Indiana, to Carl F. and Betty (Gramelspacher) Burke. He graduated from Jasper High School in 1981. Phil’s passion was flying planes. He was a devoted Christian man who was loved by everyone. Phil enjoyed telling stories. If you ever had the chance to get to know him, he had the most amazing stories to tell of his adventures. Phil was a most generous man, and he will be greatly missed.

Phil is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Sarah (Bromm) Burke; mother, Betty Burke; siblings, Scott Burke, Terri Wilson (Brian), and Zack Burke; and nieces and nephews.

Phil is preceded in death by his father, Carl Burke; maternal grandparents, Claude J. and Mary Gramelspacher; and paternal grandparents, John and Catherine Burke.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 26, 2019, with visitation to follow after the service at Abundant Life Community Church at 7333 Sharon Road, Newburgh, IN with Pastor Troy Boulware officiating. Burial will be Private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Dale Begley World Outreach at PO Box 623, Atoka, OK 74525. Phone: 580-889-0613. Donations will be used to purchase a new sound system for ministry so that God’s Word will continue to plant seeds in Phil’s memory.

Arrangements are being handled by BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, Indiana.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net



EVANSVILLE, Indiana - The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office says a small plane crash on the grounds of Camp Reveal off East Boonville-New Harmony Road has killed the pilot.

The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office has identified the pilot as 56-year-old Philip M. Burke of Newburgh. The coroner’s office tells us an autopsy is scheduled for 9:00 Sunday morning.

The sheriff’s office tells us this happened around 3:14 p.m. and says the plane was only carrying one person.

They say the plane tried to make an emergency landing east of the main entrance to Camp Reveal.

According to a press release, the pilot, who was able to maneuver the plane into an open field and avoid hitting any buildings, was killed in the crash.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office tells us the plane had departed from Tri-State Aero but began losing altitude and crash-landed while traveling north.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified about the crash.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office says East Boonville New Harmony Road between Old State Road and Browning Road is back open.

Story and video ➤ https://www.14news.com



Update:

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Indiana - The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office has identified the pilot as Philip M. Burke, 56, of Newburgh.

Update:

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) – The small Cessna light aircraft had attempted an emergency landing east of the main entrance to the camp. The pilot, who was able to maneuver the aircraft into an open field and avoid striking any buildings, was killed during the crash.

The aircraft had departed from Tri-State Aero, but began losing altitude and crash-landed while traveling north.

The name of the pilot will be released by the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office once all family notifications have been made.

Indiana State Police, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified.

Original Story:

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) – Authorities are investigating a small plane crash in northern Vanderburgh County.

Central Dispatch says the plane went down around 3:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of E. Boonville-New Harmony Rd. That is near Camp Reveal east of U.S. 41.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office says E. Boonville-New Harmony Road, between Old State Road and Browning Road is closed. Please avoid the area.

Story and video ➤ https://www.tristatehomepage.com



DATE: Saturday, December 21, 2019
SUBJECT: Fatal Light Aircraft Crash at Camp Reveal
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-NR-067
CONTACT: Major Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding

A small light aircraft has crashed on the grounds of Camp Reveal off East Boonville-New Harmony Road, killing the sole pilot.

At 3:14 PM on December 21, 2019 the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, McCutchanville Fire Department and the Scott Township Fire Department responded to Camp Reveal upon report of an aircraft crash.

A Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser aircraft had attempted an emergency landing east of the main entrance to the camp. 

The pilot, who was able to maneuver the aircraft into an open field and avoid striking any buildings, was killed during the crash. 

The aircraft had departed from Tri-State Aero, but began losing altitude and crash-landed while traveling north. 

The name of the pilot will be released by the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office once all family notifications have been made.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office






UPDATE: The Vanderburgh County Coroner has identified the pilot as Philip M. Burke, 56, of Newburgh. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A small plane crash in northern Vanderburgh County Saturday afternoon has claimed the life of the pilot who crashed on the grounds of Camp Reveal, officials said.

According to Vanderburgh Joint Central Dispatch, the first call on the crash came in about 3:15 p.m. The closest address to the crash site is in the 1000 block of East Boonville-New Harmony Road.

The Sheriff's Office said the crash was on the scene of Camp Reveal off of East Boonville-New Harmony Road. The plane reportedly was only occupied by the pilot when it crashed.

A Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser aircraft had attempted an emergency landing east of the main entrance to the camp, according to the Sheriff's Office. The pilot, who was able to maneuver the aircraft into an open field and avoid striking any buildings, was killed during the crash, the Sheriff's Office said. The plane had taken off from Tri-State Aero but began losing altitude and crash-landed while traveling north. 

There was a witness to the crash who said they heard no sputtering or engine stalling before the crash occurred. Sheriff's officials said they aren't sure why the plane crashed.

The name of the pilot will be released by the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office once all family notifications have been made, Sheriff's officials said.

Broden Peckenpaugh, a North Junior High School freshman, lives with his family on East Boonville-New Harmony Road within perhaps 100 or 200 yards of the crash site.

Peckenpaugh said he was inside when the plane went down, and he heard nothing. He said he didn’t even know something had happened until he stepped outside to take a walk.

“All of a sudden I see all kinds of police cars and stuff like that,” he said. “I had no idea.”

Indiana State Police, the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified of the crash, standard protocol in these kinds of instances.

The wreckage is visible from Boonville-New Harmony Road.

According to scanner traffic, the owner of the plane was X-Cell Aviation. X-Cell Aviation Flight Training Center is based out of Evansville Regional Airport.

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

8 comments:

  1. Wow, I wonder if he clipped a wire or tree and cartwheeled? That is one of the worst mangled planes I've ever seen on the site.

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  2. The emergency landing objective is "A slow approach near stall speed with minimal descent rate and minimal forward speed that will increase chances of survival and minimize wreckage."
    The emergency landing reality is to slow approach near stall speed with minimal descent rate and minimal forward speed will increase chances of the dreaded unrecoverable stall / spin .

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  3. Wait a second, trying to reduce the impact speed when you are in a stall/spin just isn't going to happen, you don't have that control when you are too low. Avoiding the stall/spin, and maintaining some aircraft control might be more possible, but not guaranteed. From the position of the wreckage (inverted and nose low), plus the one wing detached at impact, it is likely a stall/spin.

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  4. You can always avoid a stall/spin. It's literally the only situation where you have zero chance of survival. There's another accident on here today where a guy ran out of fuel and lawn-darted into a large, plowed field. He did the only thing he could have to ensure his own death.

    The only thing you cannot do is stall and spin.

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  5. Wonder if it was straight in long approach. Late in the day getting dark on final setup for landing engine quits catches him by surprise. He's locked into getting to the airport airspeed slows has to pushes the nose down ground gets closer hasn't looked for landing spot not much time. He realizes not going to make the runway looking for a spot but now too low options are now limited. Ground is coming up closer trees everywhere. Pulls back try find a landing spot turns engine out gets little uncoordinated ends up stall spins in. This is all hindsight for all we know he had a heart attack.

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  6. My thoughts were a medical issue ... I'm not feeling well, let me head back. Then on final, things get worse and I'm along for the ride.

    RIP

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  7. I owned that plane from 1976 to 1980. It treated me very well and had no quirks. I feel sorry for Mr Burke's family and friends.
    Frank Kingston Smith

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    Replies
    1. Ugh! I soloed in that plane in 2010! Heartbreaking and so sad for Mr. Burke and family.

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