Sunday, August 18, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Piper PA-22-108, N5581Z; accident occurred October 20, 2018 in Brownstown, Jackson County, Indiana



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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana

Aviation Accident Final 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/N5581Z



Location: Brownstown, IN
Accident Number: ERA19LA022
Date & Time: 10/20/2018, 0030 EDT
Registration: N5581Z
Aircraft: Piper PA22
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The student pilot was conducting a night, solo, cross-country flight, and while en route with the landing and taxi lights on, the cockpit panel lights on bright, and his cell phone and tablet charging from the electrical system, the airplane lost all electrical power, followed by the loss of all engine power. Subsequently, the student cycled both the electrical system master switch and the engine magneto switch twice, but electrical and engine power were not restored. The student navigated to a dark area below the airplane's flightpath hoping it was an open field, but the airplane subsequently impacted a heavily wooded area and then came to rest upright. The student was not injured, but the airplane was destroyed.

The airplane's electrical system was equipped with a master switch that when turned on, routed all power through either a main or spare fuse. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the when the master switch was positioned to the spare fuse position the electrical system would not turn on because spare fuse had blown. The main fuse was intact, and when the electrical system was activated by toggling the master switch to the main fuse position, the electrical components powered on normally.

Based on the student's account of the flight and the blown spare fuse, it is possible that, during the flight, the electrical load drew an excessive current through the selected spare fuse, which resulted in it blowing and interrupting electrical power. The student's reported inability to restore electrical power by selecting the main fuse with the master switch could not be duplicated during postaccident testing. Further, postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. The investigation determined that the student had not received a flight endorsement for the solo flight; thus, he should not have been conducting the flight; however, having an endorsement would not have better prepared the student to deal with the reported engine issue.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the outcome was the student pilot's improper decision to conduct a solo cross-country flight at night, which resulted in the airplane being destroyed when it impacted a wooded area that the student thought was an open field.

Findings

Personnel issues
Decision making/judgment - Student pilot (Factor)

Environmental issues
Dark - Effect on personnel (Factor)

Not determined
Not determined - Unknown/Not determined (Cause)


Factual Information

On October 20, 2018, about 0030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-108, N5581Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain during a forced landing near Brownstown, Indiana. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed from Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (UMP), Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 19, 2018, about 2230.

According to the student pilot, he departed from his home airport of Crossville Memorial Airport-Whitson Field (CSV), Crossville, Tennessee, about 0730 on October 19, 2018, destined for UMP. He reported that the flight was uneventful, and he had the fuel tank topped off when he arrived at UMP. He spent the remainder of the day in the Indianapolis area for business. About 2230, after a normal preflight inspection and run-up, he departed to return to CSV.

While enroute, about 60 miles south of UMP flying southbound at 3,000 ft mean sea level, he had just completed maneuvering around restricted airspace, and suddenly the airplane lost all electrical power. He stated in an "instant" everything went "black." Then, a few seconds later, the "engine just went quiet." He reported that he cycled the master electrical switch "up and down" from the spare fuse to the main fuse, and the engine starter switch from the both to off position a "couple of times," but power was not restored to either system. He reported that it was "very dark" when the failure occurred, and the only light he could see inside the cockpit was from his dimmed tablet computer. He subsequently navigated to a dark area below his flight path, hoping that it was an open field. The airplane impacted a heavily wooded area, and just prior to impact, he observed 68 knots groundspeed displayed on his tablet computer.

The student pilot reported that his flight instructor was not aware of his solo cross-country flights, nor had his instructor provided him with logbook endorsements for the solo cross-country flights.

An airframe and powerplant mechanic reported that the student pilot discussed the accident flight with him, two days after the event. The mechanic reported that the student pilot told him, while enroute with the landing and taxi lights on, the cockpit panel lights on bright, and his cell phone and tablet charging from the airplane's electrical system, the cockpit suddenly went black. In response, he said that he reached up and turned the magneto switch off. The student said the propeller was spinning at this time. The student said he subsequently moved the electrical master switch's position, and the magneto switch's position, but electrical power, nor engine power, were restored.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the airplane impacted a heavily wooded area and came to rest upright. The engine was co-located with the firewall, and both wings had separated from the fuselage and were found along the debris path. The empennage remained attached to the fuselage and sustained impact damage. The single fuel tank was breached, but a residual amount of fuel remained in the tank and the accident site smelled of aviation fuel. The fuel selector was found in the ON position. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat levers were all found full forward.

The propeller remained attached to the propeller hub. When visually examined, fuel was observed in the carburetor bowl. The propeller was rotated by hand, and thumb-compression was confirmed on all cylinders, with exception to the number 3 cylinder. The engine had sustained impact damage and could not rotate through a complete revolution. The top spark plugs were removed and examined, and each were consistent with normal operating wear. The bottom number 1- and 3-cylinder spark plugs appeared oil soaked, which was attributed to how the engine came to rest on its right side. The bottom 2- and 4-cylinder spark plugs were consistent with normal operating wear. Both magnetos were removed and each produced spark when rotated by hand.

None of the electrical system's resettable circuit breakers were found extended. The main and spare fuses were located under the pilot seat. The master switch was found in the down position, which coincided with a selection to the spare fuse. When examined at the accident site, the spare fuse was found to be blown, and the electrical system would not turn on when tested with the switch selected to the spare fuse. When the electrical system was operated on the main fuse, the system powered on. The main fuse was removed and placed in the location where the spare fuse was located, and when the master switch was selected to the main fuse now installed in the spare fuse location, the electrical system powered on.

According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a student pilot certificate. He was issued a third-class medical certificate in April 2018. The student pilot reported that he had about 120 hours of total flight time, all of which were in the accident make and model airplane.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the high-wing airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-235-C1 engine and had 2 seats. The most recent annual inspection was completed in January 2018.

The airplane's owner manual stated in part:

Electrical System

Electrical power for the Colt is supplied by a 12 volt, direct current system. For all normal operations, power is provided by a 12 volt, 25 ampere generator. A 12 volt, 24 ampere hour battery is used in the system to furnish power for starting and as a reserve power source in case of generator failure.

The electrical system description in the airplane owner's manual also described that the fuse block contained two 30-amp fuses. The manual did not state which fuse normal operations should be conducted with. The accident airplane was equipped with a placard located next to the master switch that stated the main fuse was in the up position, off was in the center position, and the spare fuse was in the down position. The owner's manual did not provide procedures for an electrical failure.

The weather conditions reported at 0035 at Madison Municipal Airport (IMS), Madison, Indiana, about 28 miles east of the accident site, included an overcast ceiling at 500 ft, visibility 7 statute miles, wind from 250° at 7 knots, temperature 10°C, and dew point 9°C. Weather conditions reported at 0053 at Monroe County Airport (BMG), Bloomington, Indiana, about 30 miles northwest of the accident site, included an overcast ceiling at 300 ft, visibility 6 statute miles, mist, wind from 250° at 7 knots, temperature 9°C, and dew point 9°C. The student pilot reported that the visibility was good in the area he was operating, he remained clear of clouds, and had ground contact for the entire flight.

According to FAA Advisory Circular 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors, a student pilot must have an endorsement for each solo cross-country flight. Review of the student's logbook revealed he was not endorsed for outbound or return (accident) solo cross-country flight. The student's flight instructor reported that he was not made aware of the student's solo cross-country flights until after the accident.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 31, 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 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/17/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 120 hours (Total, all aircraft), 120 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N5581Z
Model/Series: PA22 108
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 22-9383
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/18/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2524.6 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235-C1
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 135 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIMS, 790 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 28 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0035 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 100°
Lowest Cloud Condition:  / 500 ft agl
Visibility:  7 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 500 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 250°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Indianapolis, IN (UMP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Crossville, TN (CSV)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 2230 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.842778, -86.063889 (est)

Hard Landing: Flight Design GMBH CTLS, N21ZA; accident occurred November 04, 2018 at Lorain County Regional Airport (KLPR), Elyria, Ohio

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

Aviation Accident Final 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/N21ZA 


Location: ELYRIA, OH
Accident Number: GAA19CA049
Date & Time: 11/04/2018, 1330 EDT
Registration: N21ZA
Aircraft: Flight Design CTLS
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 


Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a gusting crosswind from the right. The airplane was configured with 0° flaps, and the airspeed was about 55 knots, and the airplane was about 5 ft above ground level. The airplane's airspeed was too slow for the gusting right crosswind conditions, and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane during the landing, and the airplane exited the runway to the right.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main landing gear attachment points and the cabin's monocoque structure.

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

The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing in variable gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.

Findings

Aircraft
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Variable wind - Effect on operation (Cause)
Gusts - Effect on operation (Cause)
Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Other weather encounter
Hard landing (Defining event)
Part(s) separation from AC
Runway excursion

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/04/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 145 hours (Total, all aircraft), 81 hours (Total, this make and model), 142 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 1.8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Flight Design
Registration: N21ZA
Model/Series: CTLS Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: F-10-09-04
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/05/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2396.3 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912 ULS
Registered Owner: Ras Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: Ras Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLPR, 794 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1832 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 333°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  2 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 19 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: 
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 0°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Haze; No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ELYRIA, OH (LPR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: ELYRIA, OH (LPR)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1255 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Lorain County Rgnl (LPR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 793 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 07
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5002 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

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: 41.344167, -82.177778 (est)

Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron, N678DM: Fatal accident occurred August 18, 2019 near New Castle Airport (KILG), Delaware

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Continental Aerospace Technology; Mobile, Alabama
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N678DM 

Location: New Castle, DE
Accident Number: ERA19FA250
Date & Time: 08/18/2019, 0851 EDT
Registration: N678DM
Aircraft: Beech 95B55
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On August 18, 2019, at 0851 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N678DM, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees and terrain after departing New Castle Airport (ILG), Wilmington, Delaware. The commercial pilot and flight instructor received fatal injuries. The airplane was privately owned and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which originated at 0849.

According to air traffic control radar and radio communication data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot established communication with the tower controller at ILG, who cleared the flight for takeoff on runway 32 and instructed them to make left traffic. The airplane initiated a takeoff roll; however, the pilot reported that they had a door "pop" and needed to return. The controller instructed the pilot to make a 180-degree turn and back-taxi on runway 32 but did not cancel their takeoff clearance. The pilot advised the controller they were conducting a training flight. He then told the controller they were ready to depart runway 32, and the controller cleared them for takeoff. After departing, the pilot advised the controller that they needed to return to the runway, however he did not specify a reason and did not declare an emergency. The controller then cleared the flight to land on any runway. The controller made 4 subsequent attempts to contact the pilot, but received no responses.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was manufactured in 1965 and issued an airworthiness certificate in 2002. It was equipped with two Continental IO-470-L, 260 horsepower engines that drove McCauley two-blade constant speed propellers. According to airplane maintenance logbooks, the most recent annual inspection was performed on August 10, 2019, at an airframe total time of 3,748 hours.

Examination of the wreckage at the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted trees and then terrain in a nose-low and inverted attitude. Two sections of the right wing (approximately six-ft. long) were separated outboard of the engine nacelle and were found in a tree approximately 30 ft above the ground adjacent to the main wreckage. Flight control cable continuity was established from all control surfaces to the cockpit. The left and right aileron bellcranks were fractured consistent with overload and all cable ends remained attached to their fittings.

Both fuel selector valves were removed from the airplane. The right fuel selector valve was found in the "main/right tank" position. The left fuel selector was found between the main and crossfeed detent. When the left fuel selector valve inlet was pressurized with air, no airflow passed through the crossfeed port and restricted airflow passed through the main tank port. The right and left engines controls were found in the following positions: the throttles were set full forward, the mixture controls were set to rich, and the propeller controls were set to high RPM settings. Both ignition switches were found in the ON position. All fuel caps were found closed and secured. The four fuel tanks were breached and no fuel was present in any of the tanks.

The left engine remained partially attached to the airframe through wires, hoses, and cables. There were no signs of a catastrophic internal engine failure. The crankshaft was rotated using a hand tool and continuity was established between the crankshaft, camshaft, connecting rods, and associated components. After the cylinders were removed, the exposed portions of the crankshaft were visually inspected; the visible portions displayed normal operating and lubrication signatures. The fuel pump was functionally tested and capable of pumping fuel. The magnetos were functionally tested and were capable of producing a spark to each magneto lead in the correct order.

The left propeller remained partially attached to the propeller flange; one propeller blade displayed minor chordwise scratches and the blade tip was bent approximately 90 degrees forward. The other propeller blade was bent aft and was loose in the hub.

The right engine remained partially attached to the airframe with cables, hoses, and wires. The crankshaft was rotated using a hand tool and continuity was established between the crankshaft, camshaft, connecting rods and associated components. The fuel pump was functionally tested and capable of pumping fuel. The magnetos were functionally tested and were capable of producing a spark to each magneto lead in the correct order.

The right propeller had almost completely pulled free from the crankshaft. One propeller blade displayed minor twisting and aft bending deformation. The other propeller blade displayed S-bending deformation.

According to FAA records the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He held private privileges for airplane single-engine land. The pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate on August 17, 2017, with the limitation of "must have available glasses for near vision." At that time, he reported 536 total hours of flight experience and 60 hours in the previous 6 months. According to a flight log found in the wreckage, the pilot had recorded about 586 total hours of flight experience with 72 hours of multi-engine experience since June 22, 2019.

The flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multi-engine land, airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. In addition, he held a flight instructor certificate for airplane multi-engine and airplane single-engine. He was issued a second-class medical certificate on October 29, 2018, with the following limitation(s): Must wear corrective lenses. At that time, he reported civil flight experience that included 8,900 total hours and 115 hours in the last six months.

The 0851 recorded weather observation at ILG, located about 2 miles southeast of the accident location, included wind from 150° at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 900 ft above ground level, scattered clouds at 12,000 ft above ground level, temperature 27° C, dew point 25° C; and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N678DM
Model/Series: 95B55
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: ILG, 80 ft msl
Observation Time: 0851 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 25°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 900 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wilmington, DE (ILG)
Destination: Wilmington, DE (ILG) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 39.690556, -75.638333 (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. 

Albert W. “Al” Dohring
July 25, 1940 - August 18, 2019

Albert W. “Al” Dohring, age 79, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

 Born in Kent General Hospital, on July 25, 1940, he was a son of the late Nancy Ann (Warren) Dohring and Daniel William Dohring Sr.  Al had an accomplished aviation career spanning over many years and titles.  He served in the Delaware Air National Guard for more than 39 years, most recently as the Environmental Manager with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.  Al holds numerous licenses and type ratings, most proudly as a private flight instructor.  For the last 16 years, he worked for the Delaware River and Bay Authority in Airport Operations.  He had a passion for flying and boating.  Al’s fondest memories made were the times spent with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Dohring; son, Derek D. Dohring of Middletown; and siblings, Daniel William Dohring Jr., Virginia (Dohring) Astfalk and Kathleen (Dohring) Boyd.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 11 am on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am.  Interment will follow in St. Georges Cemetery, Kirkwood-St. Georges Road, St. Georges, DE.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Al’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

https://spicermullikin.com


Terrence D. Daniels

Dr. Terrence D. Daniels, who was a retired Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, passed away tragically on August 18, 2019. His Family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday Evening, August 27th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the PENNSYLVANIA BURIAL CO., INC., 1327-29 S. Broad St. His Interment Services with Military Honors will be on WEDNESDAY, August 28th precisely at 11:00am at The Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2645 Chesapeake City Rd., BEAR, DE 19710. Please arrive by 10:30 for Interment. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to an Educational 529 Account his family is setting up for his son Grayson. Checks can be made payable to Grayson Daniels.

https://memorials.pennsylvaniaburialcompany.com

Terrence Daniels

Two men, including one from Philadelphia, were killed Sunday morning when their small plane crashed just after taking off from New Castle Airport, Delaware State Police said.

Terrence Daniels, 52, a Mount Airy resident who works as an administrator in the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg, was identified by his wife as the pilot of the Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron. According to records, the plane is registered to Daniels.

Christina Daniels said she was notified Sunday evening about her husband’s death after several media outlets had reached out to her, based upon the name identified in the plane’s registration.

“He was an amazing man,” she said of her husband.

Albert Dohring, 79, of Middletown, Delaware, identified by Delaware State Police as an “instructor,” was also killed in the crash.

The aircraft went down at 8:53 a.m in a wooded area west of I-95 in New Castle County, according to a Delaware State Police statement. A motorist who was traveling on I-95 in the area of Churchmans Road reported seeing the crash, police said. The location is less than two miles west of the New Castle County Airport.

Police said the pilot of the plane issued a distress call moments after taking off from Runway 32 in a northwesterly direction. They said the pilot and a passenger, who was not identified, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Daniels, 52, a veteran Army air cavalry staff sergeant who received his doctoral degree in education in 2017 from Drexel University, was a devoted pilot, according to social media postings on which he described his passions as “golf and flying my plane.” His screen name on YouTube, where he posted videos of his air travels, was “Baron B55 Driver.”

Daniels posted a video recounting a close call he had last year landing his plane — an engine failure that happened near enough to the airport that he was able to “catch the runway” and land safely.

“You would think I would have enough God-given sense not to go back flying,” Daniels said in the post. “But no, that’s not me, that’s not my style.” Rather, Daniels said, he flew in another plane that day, to mark his 51st birthday.

“So, happy birthday to me,” he said. “Maybe I should be more careful since I have a new baby boy. I’ll think about it. All right. That’s it. Peace.”

Daniels lived in Mount Airy with his wife of 15 years, Christina, a SEPTA lawyer, his year-old son, Grayson, and “our three crazy pugs," according to a social media posting.

The accident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Delaware State Police, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the aircraft manufacturer. Officials declined to speculate on a cause of the crash.

The Beechcraft 55 Baron is a popular early version of the Beechcraft Baron series; the B-55 was introduced in 1964 and produced through 1982, when it was replaced by updated models.

Daniels, who received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree from St. Joseph’s University, wrote his dissertation for his doctorate on the impact of student loan debt on African American students in Philadelphia who attended the University of Phoenix. He worked as an education administration associate in the state education department’s division of federal programs.

“He was a lifelong learner,” said Penny Hammrich, the dean of Drexel’s education school, who served on Daniels’ dissertation committee in 2017. “I’m in shock.

“He had a passion for giving a voice to those who couldn’t speak,” Hammrich said, referring to low-income students saddled with debt from a private for-profit university, the subject of his dissertation.

Sunday’s accident is the second fatal plane crash in the area this month. On the morning of Aug. 8, physician researchers Jasvir and Divya Khurana of Lower Merion died along with their daughter Kiran, 19, when their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza F33A crashed into backyards in Upper Moreland within minutes after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

The pilot, Jasvir Khurana, 60, was a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Temple University’s Katz School of Medicine. His wife, 54, was a pediatric neurologist at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and a professor at Drexel University College of Medicine. Kiran Khurana graduated last year from Harriton High School, where she was on a nationally ranked squash team.

https://www.inquirer.com





NEWARK, Delaware (WPVI) -- Officials said two people are dead following a plane crash in Newark, Delaware Sunday morning.

The incident occurred in the area of 550 Stanton Christiana Road around 9 a.m.

The plane's pilot radioed in that he needed to land and then officials lost communication with the pilot.

The twin-engine aircraft was found in a heavily wooded area off of Route 7, approximately two miles north of Runway 32 of New Castle Airport a short time later.

Officials said the Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron, registered to a Philadelphia resident, took off at approximately 8:50 a.m.

Two occupants were in the aircraft and both died in the crash.

At least 1 dead following plane crash in New Castle County, officials say: as seen on Action News Mornings, August 18, 2019

Officials said positive identification of the victims is pending.

The National Transportation Safety Board is on the scene and has begun their investigation.

"We're going to be looking at three areas: the pilot, we'll be looking at their certification, their medical background, and their training. We'll be looking at the aircraft. We'll be looking at the log books, the control surfaces and the engines. Thirdly, we'll be looking at the environment," said NTSB Investigator Pete Wentz.

Delaware state police said while there are no road closures at this time, motorists should expect delays due to heavy police activity in the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration released the following information concerning the crash:

A Beechcraft BE-55 crashed into trees around one mile northwest of Wilmington Airport in Delaware at 9 a.m. today. The aircraft just departed from Runway 32 at the airport.

Local authorities will release the number of people aboard, their names and conditions. The FAA does not release names of people aboard aircraft.

The FAA will release the aircraft registration after officials release the names.

This information is preliminary and may change during the investigation.

The FAA will investigate along with the National Transportation Safety Board will be tasked with determining the probable cause of the accident

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UPDATE: 12:15 P.M. — Two people are dead after a small airplane crashed in the woods near I-95 at Churchmans Road on Sunday morning, the Delaware River and Bay Authority said.

Delaware River and Bay Authority said the aircraft, which is registered to a Philadelphia resident, took off from Runway 32 at the New Castle Airport about 8:50 a.m. The pilot then immediately notified the air-traffic control tower of an urgent need to return to the airport, Delaware River and Bay Authority said. 

The aircraft crashed about two miles north of the runway in a wooded area off I-95 and Route 7 near the White Clay Medical Center, said Delaware River and Bay Authority, which operates the airport. 

There were two people — the pilot and a passenger — in the aircraft and both died, Delaware River and Bay Authority and State Police said. Their names are being withheld pending notification of kin.  

The Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron sustained significant damage, Delaware River and Bay Authority said. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and were en route, Delaware River and Bay Authority said. 

 National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, Delaware River and Bay Authority said.

State Police Master Cpl. Melissa Jaffe said troopers were on the scene of the crash Sunday morning. There were no road closures, but motorists were warned to expect delays due to the heavy presence of first responders in the area. 

A driver on I-95 called in the crash, according to radio traffic and State Police. The tower at the New Castle Airport told dispatchers that they had lost contact with an aircraft after it requested permission to land. 

First responders, which included Airport Rescue and Firefighting units, New Castle County EMS and several local fire departments, staged at White Clay Medical Center.

They were using Gators, small off-road utility vehicles, to get to the downed plane, according to radio traffic. 

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, which deals with hazardous chemicals and substances, was also on scene. 

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