The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Piper Aircraft Inc; Vero Beach, Florida
Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
https://registry.faa.gov/N428CD
Location: Shreveport, LA
Accident Number: CEN19FA088
Date & Time: 02/28/2019, 1039 CST
Registration: N428CD
Aircraft: Piper PA46
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On February 28, 2019, about 1039 central standard time, a Piper PA46-350P airplane, N428CD, impacted a river after departing from Shreveport Downtown Airport (DTN), Shreveport, Louisiana. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Lennard Properties LLC and was being operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The airplane departed on an instrument flight rules flight plan at 1037 during day instrument meteorological conditions, with a destination of Wilbarger Country Airport (F05), Vernon, Texas.
The pilot and passenger were flying to a ranch near F05 for a hunting trip. According to preliminary air traffic control (ATC) information, after departing from Runway 32 and reaching 600 ft mean sea level (msl), ATC instructed the pilot to turn left to a heading of 270° and continue climbing to 12,000 ft msl. The airplane turned left continuously for 740 degrees. During this turn, after climbing steadily to 1,400 ft msl, the airplane's altitude began to oscillate between 725 ft and 1,900 ft msl.
The airplane subsequently made a decelerating turn to the right and quickly descended, with the last recorded ATC data indicating a groundspeed of 31 knots and an altitude of 575 ft msl. The airplane impacted the Red River and came to rest about 17 ft below the river's surface.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N428CD
Model/Series: PA46 350P
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDTN, 179 ft msl
Observation Time: 1053 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 600 ft agl
Visibility: 4 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Shreveport, LA (DTN)
Destination: Vernon, TX (F05)
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: 32.548611, -93.761389
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.
Richard Crockett Lennard
Shreveport, LA - Richard "Ricky" Crockett Lennard, 61, born January 13, 1958 to James and Edna Lennard then departed this world on February 28, 2019 to be with our Savior.
Ricky lived large and it was reflected in every aspect of his life from the way he developed businesses to the many people he helped. It was even reflected in his untimely death, the downing of his plane, has been both tragic and unforgettable. Ricky was a prominent entrepreneur and developer in Shreveport and has made a huge impact in the community for the last 40 years. He was known for tackling large impossible projects with confidence and enthusiasm. His endearing personality made you feel like you were his best friend. While being successful and a driving force in the community, he carried his jovial and mischievous personality into every situation, never letting a good joke pass him by. At age 50 years he fulfilled a childhood dream and obtained his pilot's license. He flew on a regular basis with Carolyn especially to Destin, FL and Austin, TX. He loved everything about aviation and his time flying. Those who knew Ricky well also observed his big heart of compassion. He served and gave to many people and organizations, but was especially partial to Holy Angels where his daughter Molly lives. Ricky frequently helped those who were broken hearted, struggling financially, or simply needed someone to care. This desire to help was a reflection of his Christian values and underlying love for God. Most of all Ricky was passionate about his children and loved spending time with each one. He treasured his relationship with Molly and her friends. He also experienced countless hunting and fishing trips with his sons, Ben, Cameron, and Alan. That special time with his children shaped their character and has left a lasting legacy.
Ricky leaves behind his life partner, Carolyn Templeton; four children, Ben and his wife, Tina; Cameron and his wife, Brittany; Alan and his wife, Lindsey; and Molly; eight grandchildren, Hayes, Beau, Jase, Lane Kathryn, Lawson, Ledger, Leighton, and Elodie; Carolyn's two sons, Alan and Ryan and wife Ashley; and four grandchildren, Jalee, Wilson, Knox, and Ryan-Palmer. He also leaves behind his mother, Edna Lennard Neill and her husband Gene Neill; brother, Ted Lennard and wife Suzanne and their children, Selby, Blake, Claire, Tudor, Julia, and Maura and his sister, Nancy Breaux and husband Tim, and their children, Ellie, Preston, and Carter, and Carolyn's mother, Lafon Hatfield, plus many other cousins and loved ones. He is preceded in death by his father, James Bernard Lennard.
Honoring Ricky as pallbearers will be Ben Lennard, Cameron Lennard, Alan Lennard, Ted Lennard, Alan Templeton, and Ryan Templeton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Rocky Goodwin, Max Sharp, Scott King, Eric Hatfield, Parker Perot, Wade Rich, and Shaun Ferguson.
A special thank you goes to Caddo and Bossier Parish Sheriff Departments, NTSB, FAA, Shreveport Fire Department, Cross Diving Company, Louisiana State Police, Blount Brothers Construction, Max Sharp, and all involved in the recovery process.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, with services held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport. Dr. Pat Day officiated. Interment followed at Centuries Memorial Park. The family would like to suggest in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Holy Angels School, 10450 Ellerbe Rd, Shreveport, LA. 71106 or at laholyangels.org.
Michael Scott Hollis
Bossier City, La - Michael Scott Hollis, 56, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019 after a tragic plane crash.
Funeral Services for Scott Hollis were at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019 at First Baptist Bossier, with Pastor Brad Jurkovich officiating. Interment followed at Rose-Neath Cemetery. Visitation was 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at First Baptist Bossier.
Scott was born on July 2, 1962 in Ruston, LA to Brooks and Ollie Tucker Hollis. He was a graduate of Minden High School and attended Louisiana Tech University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Scott was the President and CEO of Trailer Equipment Mfg. Co., which his father started in 1969. He loved designing and manufacturing and was so proud that he was able to continue his father's legacy.
He loved to hunt and was an avid outdoorsman. Scott enjoyed appearing in numerous movies, in particular he enjoyed his role in "Steel Magnolias". Scott had a smile that would light up a room. He greeted you with a big hug and never left you without telling you he loved you.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Hollis.
Left to cherish Scott's memory is his soulmate and love of his life, wife of 15 years, Melissa; son Tyler Shaw and grandson, Bryson Shaw. He is also survived by sisters, Rosalin Driver, Judy Steeland and husband, Larry; brother, Bill Hollis; numerous nieces, nephews, mother-in-law, Charlotte Lepp and husband, Walter and an overwhelming number of friends.
Honoring Scott as pallbearers were, Chris Bates, David Botzong, Tim Carlson, Tim Hollis, Merlin House, Mark Jamroz, Mike Kelly, Pat Pool, Rowdy Prince, Jeff Reynolds, and Thomas Sally. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Calvin Green and his employees at Trailer Equipment Mfg. Co.
The family wants to thank all of the first responders, the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, NTSB, FAA, Blount Brothers Construction, Cross Diving Co., Dr. Todd Thoma and team, Shreveport Fire Department, and Shreveport Downtown Airport for their tireless recovery efforts and to all who brought food and those who covered our family in prayers.
The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Rev. 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
Ricky Lennard and Scott Hollis
A Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office marine unit used sonar to detect debris in the river believed to be the wreckage of the downed plane.
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KTAL) - Multiple sources and FAA records indicate the owner of the small plane believed to have gone down in the Red River Thursday morning was one of the two presumed killed in the crash, along with his friend.
According to an FAA accident report, there are two confirmed deceased, the pilot and one passenger, but officials have not released their names.
Based on the aircraft registration information provided by law enforcement authorities, the plane is a 1999 Piper Malibu Mirage registered to Lennard Properties out of Shreveport. Richard Lennard is the owner and pilot of the aircraft.
The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office says they will not identify the pilot until divers confirm they've found the plane first, but friends and neighbors have confirmed to KTAL that Ricky Lennard and his friend Scott Hollis were the two who boarded the plane Thursday morning and never returned.
According to the flight plan filed for the aircraft, they were headed to Wilbarger County Airport in Vernon, TX. An early FAA crash report states the crash was due to unknown circumstances.
Plans are in the works for the recovery of the plane, which is believed to have crashed shortly after taking off from the Shreveport Downtown Airport around 10:30 a.m.
The single-engine Piper Malibu Mirage took off around 10:30 a.m. and made a quick turn around before losing contact with the airport traffic control tower, prompting them to call 911 and setting off a search on both sides of the river involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including sheriff's marine units.
A command post has been set up to help coordinate multiple agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts, including federal aviation and transportation investigators.
Search crews were able to narrow down the likely location of the wreckage Thursday by tracking beacon signals from the aircraft. Patches of oil and spoilage floating on the surface of the water led marine units to a location where sonar equipment detected debris in the river that Sheriff Julian Whittington said is "most likely, probably, what we've been looking for."
As of Friday morning, however, there was still no visual confirmation of the objects in the water being the wreckage. Still, officials say they are confident they are in the right location.
That area is just south of I-220 not far from Wells Island Road, and not far from the end of the runway at the downtown airport.
Whittington said Thursday the depth and swift currents at that location present logistical issues for recovery efforts that he says are still being worked out.
"It's about 17 feet deep, we believe it's on the bottom. So, the river's fast and swift and dangerous, so exactly how we're gonna get it up is another question."
Caddo and Bossier agencies expect to coordinate with federal aviation and NTSB investigators in that effort.
"Exactly how you go about raising a plane off the bottom with, we believe, bodies in it is not a thing we do every day, and so it's gonna take some expertise that probably will have to be contracted out."
According to Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick, much of the day is expected to be spent gathering resources, heavy equipment, and divers in an effort that is expected to take all weekend.
Commercial divers are coming in from Morgan City and are expected to arrive Friday evening.
Blount Brothers Construction is bringing a 100-foot barge for the divers to use and put equipment on.
Once the commercial divers arrive, they'll begin a search at first light Saturday morning and begin diving.
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