Marvin Monroe Casey
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota
Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board:https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
https://registry.faa.gov/N173CT
Location: Farmington, NM
Accident Number: WPR19FA103
Date & Time: 03/31/2019, 1439 MDT
Registration: N173CT
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On March 31, 2019, about 1439 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus SR-22 airplane, N173CT, collided with terrain near Farmington, New Mexico. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Casey's Aircooled Engine LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Marginal visual flight rules (VFR) weather conditions prevailed at the accident site, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The cross-country flight departed Cal Black Memorial Airport (U96), Halls Crossing, Utah, about 1345 with a planned destination of Big Spring Mc Mahon-Wrinkle Airport (BPG), Big Spring, Texas.
According to the pilot's family, he had flown from his home base in Big Spring on March 29, and had spent the weekend in the Lake Powell, Utah area. He had flown the route at least a dozen times before, and was familiar with the terrain.
Preliminary Federal Aviation Administration radar data for the day of the accident revealed a target that was believed to be the accident airplane departing the Halls Crossing area at 1351, and climbing on an eastbound track. About that time, while the target was climbing out of a transponder-reported altitude of 9,125 ft, the accident pilot made radio contact with Cedar City Flight Service Station to activate his VFR flight plan. During that communication exchange the briefer asked the pilot if he had the Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET) for icing and mountain obscuration for the planned route of flight, to which the pilot reported that he did.
About 1400, the radar target had reached 14,000 ft, and about that same time the pilot made a call to the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZDV), requesting VFR flight following. The controller accepted the request, and issued the airplane a discrete transponder code. Three minutes later, with the same, previously unidentified radar target about 30 miles southeast of U96, and at 15,000 ft, the target was positively identified as the accident airplane. The controller advised the pilot that he had established radar contact, and provided the pilot with the altimeter setting for Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), Cortez, Colorado.
By 1409, the airplane had reached its highest altitude of 17,300 ft, and was about 50 nautical miles southeast of U96. A few minutes later, the target turned left, and began to track east. For the next 7 minutes its track began to slowly transition back to the southeast, after which the pilot was provided and acknowledged a frequency change by the ZDV controller.
At 1428 the airplane was about 24 miles southwest of Farmington Airport (FMN), and the controller provided the pilot with the FMN altimeter setting. About that time, the airplane began descending, until at 1435, it had progressed another 24 miles, and descended to 9,300 ft.
The controller then provided the pilot with the frequency for Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZAB), and the pilot read it back correctly. No other radio transmissions were received by controllers from either ZAB or ZDV, and at 1438:10, the airplane had descended to 8,575 ft, and began a descending right turn. The radius of the turn was about 3,200 ft, and the last recorded radar return from the airplane occurred 16 seconds later, with the airplane at 6,850 ft, and on a southbound track.
Controllers from both ZDV and ZAB attempted to establish communications with the pilot. No responses were received, and an Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued at 1512.
A search and rescue mission was conducted by the Civil Air Patrol and the New Mexico State Police, and the airplane wreckage was discovered about 1700.
The wreckage was located in flat high desert terrain, at an elevation of about 6,185 ft, 450ft southwest of the last recorded radar target, and 30 miles south of FMN.
The first identified point of impact was a 4-ft-deep by 10-ft-wide crater which contained the nose landing gear assembly, two propeller blades, and fragmented engine and airframe components. Two matching linear impact marks, the total length of which corresponded to the airplane's wingspan, emanated from the crater on a north-south heading. The right wingtip and green navigation lens fragments were found at the tip of the northern mark, and red navigation lens fragments were located at the tip of the southern mark.
The debris field was 450 ft long, on a heading of about 210° true (See Figure 1). The engine came to rest about 30 ft beyond the crater, and the remainder of the debris was composed of fragmented pieces of composite main cabin and wing structure, fanned out to a width of about 100 ft. The aluminum ailerons, elevators, and flaps were crushed and distributed throughout the debris field, and the farthest components were the left forward seat and a wing fuel cap.
The rocket-powered airframe parachute was located in the center of the debris field. The harness cables remained attached to their respective airframe fittings, and the top of the parachute canopy remained folded evenly along its pleats, and had not unfurled. Although the canopy lines had extended to their full length, the solid-fuel rocket motor remained attached to the parachute assembly and had not been expended. These findings were consistent with the parachute system not having been activated in flight.
Officers from the New Mexico State Police observed a storm passing through the high desert area south of Farmington on the afternoon of the accident. A Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement officer who responded to the accident site that day, stated that upon his arrival skies were clear, but the ground was wet with rain from a shower that had passed through the area a few hours prior.
Figure 1 – Accident Site Viewed to the West
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cirrus
Registration: N173CT
Model/Series: SR22 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:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFMN, 5502 ft msl
Observation Time: 2053 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 33 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / -3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Halls Crossing, UT (U96)
Destination: Big Spring, TX (BPG)
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: 36.218333, -108.016389
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.
Marvin Monroe Casey
April 7, 1959 - March 31, 2019
Marvin Monroe Casey, age 59, from Big Spring, Texas died on March 31, 2019 in New Mexico doing what he loved, flying his Cirrus SR22.
Marvin was a longtime resident of Big Spring, Texas. He was born on April 7, 1959 in Houston, Texas. He was the owner of Casey’s Campers, which has been family owned since 1975. Marvin loved life to the fullest. He loved flying, hunting, camping, boating, spending time with his family and always was looking for new adventures. He worked hard so he could play hard. Marvin was always willing to help others and touched many lives. Marvin’s personality was always outgoing and fun-loving. He never met a stranger and everybody that knew him, loved him. Marvin will be truly missed and never forgotten.
Marvin is survived by his wife Debra Casey of Big Spring; children: Johnathan Casey, Trista Hubbard and husband Brandy; grandchildren: Cassidy Casey, Aeris Casey, Kenna Bennett, McKenzie Hubbard, Addison Hubbard and Casey Hubbard, all Big Spring. Marvin is also survived by his parents: Monroe Casey and wife Renee of Big Spring and Jackie Curtis and husband Ray of Palisade, Colorado; one sister: Kimberly Blossom and husband Larry of Clifton, Colorado and one brother: Kyle Casey of Big Spring.
Arrangements are by Myers & Smith Funeral Home. Pay your respects online at www.myersandsmith.com
https://www.myersandsmith.com
FARMINGTON, New Mexico (KOSA) -- UPDATED AT 8:00 P.M.
A plane that crashed in northeast New Mexico left one West Texas man dead on Sunday.
New Mexico State Police said 59-year-old Marvin Monroe Casey of Big Spring was pronounced dead on the scene.
“You couldn’t ask for a better man than Marvin. He would give you the shirt off his back. Just an awesome guy," said Danny Eagle, a long-time friend of Casey's. "I have a sour stomach. I just can’t believe it. When I heard it- I’m in awe.”
The Federal Aviation Association told us a Cirrus SR22 GTS X G3 Turbo was reported missing by Denver Air Traffic Control around 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
State police said the call came in about the downed aircraft around 4:15 p.m.
Federal Aviation Administration said it's last known position was about 50 miles south of Farmington.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Lynn Lundsford said the plane was en route to Big Spring.
On Monday, Casey's two stores, Casey's Aircooled Engine LLC and Casey's Campers, were closed. Instead, purple memorial wreaths were left behind.
A friend of Marvin said his memory will stay alive in the community of Big Spring.
"Everybody in town knew Marvin. Funny. Always cracking jokes. You couldn't ask for a better man," Eagle said.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation.
“I’m just so heartbroken. I can’t believe it," Eagle said.
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National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a downed aircraft in northwest New Mexico.
According the FAA, the airplane was en route to Big Spring when it crashed.
The pilot, 59-year-old Marvin Monroe Casey, died in the crash according to New Mexico State Police.
The plane's tail number is registered to Casey's Aircooled Engine LLC in Big Spring.
The Federal Aviation Administration told us a Cirrus SR22 GTS X G3 Turbo was reported missing by Denver Air Traffic Control around 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
State police said the call came in about the downed aircraft around 4:15 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it's last known position was about 50 miles south of Farmington.
Story and video ➤ https://www.cbs7.com
FARMINGTON — State police and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating an aircraft crash that occurred Sunday between Farmington and Crownpoint.
According to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford, a Cirrus SR22 GTS X G3 Turbo crashed under unknown circumstances with one person on board.
The small plane was headed to Big Spring, Texas when it was reported missing at approximately 3:15 p.m. Lunsford said the plane disappeared from air traffic radar about 50 miles south of Farmington. The wreckage was discovered Sunday evening.
State Police Spokesman Ray Wilson said in an email that police received a call about the crash shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday. Wilson said the pilot, Marvin Monroe Casey, 59, of Big Spring, was pronounced dead on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The single-engine plane was owned by Casey’s Aircooled Engine LLC, located in Big Spring.
The tracking service FlightAware reports that the plane landed in Halls Crossing, Utah, Friday morning after leaving Big Spring. Halls Crossing is located near Lake Powell in San Juan County. According to the flight tracking service's website, AirNav RadarBox, the plane left Halls Crossing shortly before 2 p.m.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.daily-times.com
