Monday, March 04, 2019

Cessna 401A, N386H: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 in Fairbanks, Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Landed gear up.

https://registry.faa.gov/N386H

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 06:20:00Z
Regis#: N386H
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 401A
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: FAIRBANKS
State: ALASKA

Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 172R Skyhawk, N9404F; accident occurred March 02, 2019 at Scottsdale Airport (KSDL), Maricopa County, Arizona

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N9404F

Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Accident Number: GAA19CA162
Date & Time: 03/02/2019, 1300 MST
Registration: N9404F
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The solo student pilot reported that, during the landing roll of a touch and go landing, the airplane began to veer off the runway, so he added power for a go around. He called the tower controller to inform them of the go around and he observed the left landing gear strut was bent and the tire was "missing." He told the controller that he must have hit something and was instructed to fly by the tower. After the flyby, the tower controller confirmed damage to the left landing gear and cleared him to land. The student landed and, during the landing roll, the airplane skidded off the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and left elevator.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 8 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 21.

Examination of security videos revealed that, during the first landing and go around, the airplane drifted to the left and the left main landing gear struck a runway sign.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 36, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/26/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 9.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 9.1 hours (Total, this make and model), 0.2 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 9.1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9404F
Model/Series: 172 R
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1997
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17280229
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/11/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 9451 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: Longford Aviation Inc
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: Southwest Flight Center
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSDL, 1473 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1953 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 232°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Rain
Departure Point: Scottsdale, AZ (SDL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination: Scottsdale, AZ (SDL)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time:  MST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: SCOTTSDALE (SDL)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1510 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8249 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.626389, -111.905833 (est)




SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (FOX 10) - Scottsdale Fire says the airport had to close temporarily after a plane made a belly landing and veered off the runway.

A spokesperson for Scottsdale Fire says the plane reported gear problems upon landing. We're told only one person is believed to have been on board, and they are not reporting any serious injuries. 

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.fox10phoenix.com

Delta Air Lines, Boeing 757-200: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Denver International Airport (KDEN), Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Delta Air Lines flight number 951: Non-emergency, diverted due to an injured flight attendant (smashed hand).

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 19:35:00Z
Regis#: UNK
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 757
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA
Flight Number: 952
City: DENVER
State: COLORADO

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, N384TA: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (KFLL), Broward County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Landed gear up.

Four Tango Alpha LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N384TA

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 21:52:00Z
Regis#: N384TA
Aircraft Make: TEXTRON
Aircraft Model: 208B
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMUTER
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation:
Aircraft Operator: TROPIC OCEAN AIRWAYS
Flight Number: UNK
City: FORT LAUDERDALE
State: FLORIDA

Van's RV-7A, N1277G: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Cherokee County Airport (KCNI), Canton, Georgia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Flat tire, veered off the runway, and flipped.


https://registry.faa.gov/N1277G

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 19:45:00Z
Regis#: N1277G
Aircraft Make: EXPERIMENTAL
Aircraft Model: VANS RV 7A
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: CANTON
State: GEORGIA

A small airplane landing at Cherokee County Regional Airport to refuel ran into trouble while landing Saturday and wound up upside down off the runway, according to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office.

According to a sheriff's office incident report:

On Saturday just before 2:30 p.m. pilot Wesley Greer and his wife were flying into the Cherokee County airport from an airport in Lawrenceville to get fuel.

Greer told a deputy that as the small single-engine plane was touching down a tire blew, causing the craft to careen out of control off the runway, where it flipped several times before coming to rest on its top. 

By the time a deputy arrived, both of the Greers were out of the aircraft. Greer reported that he was uninjured, and that his wife had sustained just minor injuries while exiting the plane.

A deputy notified the Federal Aviation Administration about the incident, and the FAA representative made arrangements to have the scene photographed and damage to the plane assessed for its investigation.

According to the website Flight Aware, the plane had made the trip from Lawrenceville to the Cherokee airport in 17 minutes, taking off at 2:06 p.m. Earlier in the day the plane was flown from Cartersville to Lawrenceville, according to Flight Aware.

Saturday's was the second accident involving an airplane in Cherokee County in the past four months.

On Nov. 4 at about 10 a.m. a small plane taking off from a private airstrip - Air Acres - near Woodstock crashed, leaving the two people inside with minor injuries. The occupants in that incident were taken to the hospital, but they did not sustain serious injuries, authorities said. 

According to its website, Air Acres is a private airport three miles east of the city of Woodstock, and requires permission to land on its runways. The airport currently is the base for 26 aircraft.

On Aug. 15, 2017 a flight instructor and his student suffered only minor injuries when the Piper Cherokee 140 they were flying out of the Cherokee County Regional Airport lost power and crashed soon after take-off. The single-engine plane went down near Runway 5 at the airport located off Interstate 575 between Canton and Ball Ground.

In March of that year a Woodstock man was killed when his single-engine plane crashed near the end of the runway at the Cherokee County Regional Airport. That fatal accident occurred around midnight and was reported by a nearby resident who saw the plane go down and then called 911.

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

Cessna 172N Skyhawk, registered to an individual and operated by Avcenter Inc under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight, N6486J: Accident occurred March 01, 2019 in Melba, Canyon County, Idaho

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N6486J

Location: Melba, ID
Accident Number: WPR19LA092
Date & Time: 03/01/2019, 1345 MST
Registration: N6486J
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On March 1, 2019, about 1345 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N6486J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Melba, Idaho. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to an individual and operated by Avcenter Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed Nampa Municipal Airport (MAN), Nampa, Idaho about 1310.

The flight instructor reported that they had performed about 12 power-off and power-on stalls, while maintaining an altitude between 4,500 ft and 2,000 ft msl during the maneuvers. While performing the last power-off stall, with the nose of the airplane pitched up, the engine stopped without warning. During the maneuver the throttle lever was in the closed position, and the carburetor heat was in the 'ON' position. The flight instructor pitched the nose of the airplane down and asked the student pilot to restart the engine. The student pilot was unable to rotate the engine using the starter, and the flight instructor verified that the master switch was in the 'ON' position. The flight instructor tried to start the engine himself and was unsuccessful; the engine would not rotate. While looking for a place to land, the flight instructor tried several times to rotate the engine using the starter and was still unsuccessful. The flight instructor performed a forced landing in a field about 12 miles southwest of MAN.

During the landing roll, the right wing impacted the ground and the right wing spar sustained substantial damage.

The initial examination of the airplane at the accident site was performed by the operator's mechanic. The examination revealed that the idle adjustment screw and spring assembly had separated from the carburetor and was found in the lower cowling area. While on site, the flight instructor told the mechanic about the inability to rotate the engine with the starter after the power loss. The airplane was moved to a nearby road and the mechanic was able to rotate the engine via the starter. The airplane was recovered to MAN for further examination.

The examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no other anomalies, and the airplane was released back to its owner.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N6486J
Model/Series: 172 N
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Avcenter Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMAN, 2537 ft msl
Observation Time: 1305 MST
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Nampa, ID (KMAN)
Destination: Nampa, ID (KMAN) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  43.426944, -116.621111 (est)

Cessna 210L Centurion, N5400V: Incident occurred March 01, 2019 at Elkhart Municipal Airport (KEKM), Indiana

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids

Gear collapsed.

https://registry.faa.gov/N5400V

Date: 01-MAR-19
Time: 22:20:00Z
Regis#: N5400V
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 210L
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ELKHART
State: INDIANA

Southwest Airlines, Boeing 737-700, N493WN and N918WN: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR), New Jersey

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Teterboro, New Jersey

Southwest Airlines flight number 3133 was deicing at the gate and the tail was clipped by Southwest flight number 6 which was taxiing out for departure. Both aircraft taken out of service.

https://registry.faa.gov/N493WN

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 11:30:00Z
Regis#: N493WN
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 737
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: STANDING (STD)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Flight Number: 3133
City: NEWARK
State: NEW JERSEY

Southwest Airlines flight number 6 was taxiing out for departure and the left wing clipped the tail of Southwest flight 3133 which was deicing at the gate. Both aircraft were taken out of service.

https://registry.faa.gov/N918WN

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 11:30:00Z
Regis#: N918WN
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 737
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Flight Number: 6
City: NEWARK
State: NEW JERSEY

Horizon Air, Embraer ERJ-175, N627QX: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), King County, Washington

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Seattle, Washington

Horizon Air on behalf of Alaska Airlines, flight number 2204: Flight crew may have suffered a seizure, flight landed without further incident.

Horizon Air Industries Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N627QX

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 18:01:00Z
Regis#: UNK
Aircraft Make: EMBRAER
Aircraft Model: E170
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: HORIZON AIR
Flight Number: 2204
City: SEATTLE
State: WASHINGTON

Tecnam P-2002 Sierra, N118LS: Fatal accident occurred April 08, 2019 (and) Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Santa Fe Municipal Airport (KSAF), New Mexico

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Crashed due to unknown circumstances.

Volare LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N118LS

Date: 08-APR-19
Time: 19:20:00Z
Regis#: N118LS
Aircraft Make: COSTRUZIONI
Aircraft Model: P2002 SIERRA
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: SANTA FE
State: NEW MEXICO

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. 






The pilot and passenger in a light sport aircraft (LSA) died following a Monday afternoon crash at Santa Fe Municipal Airport, New Mexico State Police said.

City officials said occupants of the aircraft, whose identities were not immediately made public, were practicing landing techniques when the plane crashed and burned on airport property shortly after 3:30 p.m.

“They were practicing, doing touch-and-goes,” airport manager Mark Baca said in a phone interview. “They were practicing landing. You come in, touch down and take off.”

The Tecnam P-2002 Sierra was destroyed by fire, an Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.

Santa Fe Fire Department assistant Chief Carlos Nava told The New Mexican that members of a crash rescue unit stationed at the airport responded to the incident, which occurred on a secondary runway just south of a National Guard complex.

Baca said officials from the FAA’s Flight Standards District Office in Albuquerque were at the scene on Monday and that officials with the National Transportation Safety Board, which has taken over the investigation, will be at the airport on Tuesday.

State police initially said on social media that the pilot was the only occupant of the aircraft. Spokesman Mark Soriano later said two people died.

Chuck Grosvenor, an instructor with Sierra Aviation, a business based at Santa Fe airport that has a fleet of aircraft available for training and rental, said the leased aircraft was a Tecnam P-2002 Sierra.

However, he said he could not discuss any further details. “We’ve been instructed by state police not to talk while this is investigated.”

Monday’s fatal crash is the second at the airport in the past five months. In late November, Larry Nelson, 73, of Wheat Ridge, Colo., crashed just short of the runway while on a trip from Arizona to Akron, Colo. Family members believe he was making an emergency diversion to the Santa Fe airport.

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

March 02, 2019:  Went off the runway into the grass.

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 17:30:00Z
Regis#: N118LS
Aircraft Make: COSTRUZIONI
Aircraft Model: P2002 SIERRA
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: SANTA FE
State: NEW MEXICO

Cessna 172R Skyhawk, N1033A: Incident occurred March 02, 2019 at Plant City Airport (KPCM), Hillsborough County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Fishtailed and wingtip hit runway, went into the grass with a ground prop strike.

Atlas Aviation Tampa Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N1033A

Date: 02-MAR-19
Time: 19:45:00Z
Regis#: N1033A
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172R
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: PLANT CITY
State: FLORIDA

Ground Collision: Bell 407GX, N450AM; accident occurred March 03, 2019 in Union Center, Meade County, South Dakota

Helicopter
Federal Aviation Administration

Tail Boom 
Federal Aviation Administration

Ambulance 
Federal Aviation Administration

Helicopter 
Air Methods Corp





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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota

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


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N450AM

Location: Union Center, SD
Accident Number: CEN19LA092
Date & Time: 03/03/2019, 0013 MST
Registration: N450AM
Aircraft: Bell 407
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Unspecified)

On March 3, 2019, about 0013 mountain standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N450AM, was substantially damaged after landing near Union Center, South Dakota. The pilot and flight nurse were not injured. The flight paramedic sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was owned by Air Methods and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed and activated for the flight. The on-demand air medical flight departed Spearfish, South Dakota, about 2337, and was en route to Union Center to pick up a patient.

The helicopter had arrived at the landing zone at Union Center to pick up a patient. After landing, the pilot rolled the engine throttle to idle and briefed the flight crew that they were clear to depart the helicopter. About 20 seconds into the "cool down" process the ground ambulance drove towards the helicopter and subsequently the main rotor blades impacted the top of the ambulance. The flight paramedic was thrown to the ground during the collision. The main rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The ground ambulance driver saw the crew open the doors and get out of the helicopter, so he moved the ambulance forward to get closer to the helicopter. The ground ambulance driver stated that he did not realize "that the helicopter blades were still rotating."

Air Methods confirmed that the ambulance driver had received their training. A review of that training indicated that ground personnel are not to approach the aircraft until the blades had stopped rotation. The training also indicated that ground vehicle lights should be turned off while the helicopter is landing. An excerpt from the Air Methods General Operations Manual stated that ground personnel "will not come beneath the rotor disk until directed to do so by the pilot in command; the pilot will use appropriate hand signals to do so."

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Private
Age: 36
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/02/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/27/2018
Flight Time:  2138 hours (Total, all aircraft), 130 hours (Total, this make and model), 2138 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N450AM
Model/Series: 407
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 54435
Landing Gear Type: High Skid; Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/01/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 2105 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 250-C47B
Registered Owner: Air Methods Corp
Rated Power: 650 hp
Operator: Air Methods Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As: Black Hills Life Flight
Operator Designator Code: QMLA

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRAP, 3203 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0052 MST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.42 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -24°C / -29°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Spearfish, SD (KSPF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Union Center, SD
Type of Clearance: Traffic Advisory; None
Departure Time: 2337 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.564722, -102.661389 (est)

Location: Union Center, SD
Accident Number: CEN19LA092
Date & Time: 03/03/2019, 0013 MST
Registration: N450AM
Aircraft: Bell 407
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Unspecified) 

On March 3, 2019, about 0013 mountain standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N450AM, was substantially damaged on the ground near Union Center, South Dakota. The pilot and one crew member were not injured. One crew member sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and it is unknown if a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The helicopter had arrived at the landing zone at Union Center to pick up a patient.

According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the helicopter had just landed and the pilot was conducting the routine engine cool down segment before shutting the helicopter down. The flight paramedic disembarked from the helicopter and the ambulance drove towards the helicopter. The main rotor blades of the helicopter impacted the top of the ambulance resulting in substantial damaged to the main rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage, of the helicopter.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N450AM
Model/Series: 407
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Air Methods Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRAP, 3203 ft msl
Observation Time: 0052 MST
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: -24°C / -29°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / , 330°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.42 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: , SD
Destination: Union Center, SD (None)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:

Loss of Control on Ground: Champion 8GCBC, N53910, accident occurred March 02, 2019 in Palmer, Alaska

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

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


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


https://registry.faa.gov/N53910


Location: Palmer, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA155
Date & Time: 03/02/2019, 1230 AKS
Registration: N53910
Aircraft: Champion 8GCBC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot in the snow ski-equipped airplane reported that during landing, just before touchdown, he noticed a rock sticking out of the snow near the intended touch down point. He tried to change the airplane's course to the left, but the left ski contacted the snow when the airplane was not straight with the direction of travel, and the airplane bounced. The right ski the contacted the snow and the right main landing gear strut failed. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/08/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1035 hours (Total, all aircraft), 488 hours (Total, this make and model), 1035 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N53910
Model/Series: 8GCBC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 192-76
Landing Gear Type: Ski; Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2161 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360 C2E
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:  Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:  -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point:  Wasilla, AK (4AK6)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Palmer, AK
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1130 AKS
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 61.798056, -149.503333 (est)