Saturday, September 14, 2019

Flight Control System Malfunction / Failure: Kitfox 532, N87TJ; accident occurred August 30, 2019 at Nampa Municipal Airport (KMAN), Canyon County, Idaho

Tailwheel
Missing Nut
Bolt
Bolt Hole


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 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/N87TJ



Location: Nampa, ID
Accident Number: WPR19TA248
Date & Time: 08/30/2019, 0837 MDT
Registration: N87TJ
Aircraft: HALL Kitfox
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Flight control sys malf/fail
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 30, 2019, about 0837 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Hall Kitfox 532 airplane, N87TJ, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at the Nampa Municipal Airport (MAN), Nampa, Idaho. The private pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to an individual and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL) about 0800.

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from EUL, the airplane had a hard shimmy right before liftoff. After an uneventful flight, the pilot landed the airplane smoothly onto the main landing gear. When the tailwheel touched down, the airplane immediately became uncontrollable and unresponsive to any pilot corrections. The airplane was rolling towards the right side of the runway, so the pilot braked in an attempt to slow the airplane. The propeller contacted the runway surface before the airplane exited the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

The pilot further reported that, about 6-8 weeks before the accident, the owner put a larger tailwheel on the airplane because he was prepping the airplane for backcountry airports. The original tailwheel was about 3-4 inches in diameter and about 1 inch wide. The new tailwheel was about 6 inches in diameter and much sturdier.

An onscene examination of the airplane was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The inspector reported that the airplane was equipped with a 1 ¼ inch tailwheel leaf spring. The new tailwheel, which was designed for a Maule airplane, was designed for a 1 ½ inch tailwheel leaf spring. Therefore, a shim would have needed to be installed in between the tailwheel and tailwheel leaf spring to ensure a proper installation. In addition, a longer bolt would have needed to be installed to ensure the bolt would properly secure within the locking nut. The examination revealed that the bolt was still present in the leaf spring, but the locking nut was not present and was not located along the runway. The washer was found underneath the tail, and there were no indications that a shim was installed. The bolt was removed from the leaf spring and measured; it was not long enough to reach the locking portion of the locking nut.

The mechanic reported to the FAA inspector that during the airplane's last condition inspection, which was conducted on November 24, 2018, the original tailwheel was installed on the airplane. He never inspected the new, larger, tailwheel after it was installed, nor was he required to until the next condition inspection.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 75, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot:No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/09/2019
Flight Time: 2203 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25 hours (Total, this make and model), 10 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: HALL
Registration: N87TJ
Model/Series: Kitfox 532
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 158
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/24/2018, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 950 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 25 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 502 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Jabiru
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 2200
Registered Owner: Ken Marrs
Rated Power: 85 hp
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: MAN, 2537 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0815 MDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 15°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Caldwell, ID (EUL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Nampa, ID (MAN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0815 MDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Nampa Municipal Airport (MAN)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2537 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 11
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.575556, -116.520556 (est)


Location: Nampa, ID
Accident Number: WPR19TA248
Date & Time: 08/30/2019, 0837 MDT
Registration: N87TJ
Aircraft: HALL Kitfox
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 30, 2019, about 0837 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Hall Kitfox 532 airplane, N87TJ, lost directional control during the landing roll at the Nampa Municipal Airport (MAN), Nampa, Idaho. The private pilot was not injured and passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane exhibited substantial damage to the wings. The airplane w
as registered to an individual and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL) at about 0800.

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from EUL, the airplane had a hard shimmy right before liftoff. After an uneventful flight, the pilot landed the airplane smoothly onto the main landing gears. When the tailwheel touched down, the airplane immediately became uncontrollable and unresponsive to any pilot corrections. The airplane was rolling towards the right side of the runway, so the pilot braked to slow the airplane. The propeller contacted the runway surface before the airplane exited the runway, nosed over and came to rest inverted.

On scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed a nut was missing from the tailwheel assembly and a washer was observed on the ground below the tail. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: HALL
Registration: N87TJ
Model/Series: Kitfox 532
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: MAN, 2537 ft msl
Observation Time: 0815 MDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 15°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Caldwell, ID (EUL)
Destination: Nampa, ID (MAN) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.575556, -116.520556 (est)

Fuel Related: Piper PA-28-161, N2909U; accident occurred September 02, 2019 in Marquette, Michigan

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan

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/N2909U


Location: Sawyer, MI
Accident Number: GAA19CA534
Date & Time: 09/02/2019, 2025 EDT
Registration: N2909U
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot reported that, during preflight preparations, he filled the airplane's fuel tanks to 50 gallons total onboard and planned to switch the fuel tanks at "+1 hour and +3 hours" during the flight. He added that he departed with the fuel selector on the right tank. One hour into the flight, he switched to the left fuel tank.

While descending to land at the destination airport, 3 hours and 10 minutes into the flight, he set the mixture at full rich and turned the fuel pump on. The engine "immediately lost power" and the "RPM's fell to 1000-1200 and ran smooth until [the] engine quit." He then began an emergency checklist and began to troubleshoot to no avail. He navigated to an area to make an off-airport landing on a road. Upon landing, the right wing impacted brush and weeds, the airplane veered right and came to rest in a ditch.

The pilot reported that each fuel tank contained 24 gallons of usable fuel and his estimated fuel burn was 10 gallons per hour.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that the fuel selector valve was set to the left fuel tank. Magnetos were found off with no key in the ignition switch. The propeller and engine cowl showed minimal damage and no fuel was found in the engine fuel sump. The left wing appeared undamaged with less than a quart of fuel remaining in the tank. The right wing exhibited extensive aft crushing damaged to the outboard leading edge and the fuel line was crimped and broken by impact forces with no fuel remaining in the wing tank.

The airplane manufacturer's pilot's operating handbook, provided information and guidance in a section titled " ENGINE POWER LOSS IN FLIGHT" which stated in part:

Fuel selector: switch to tank containing fuel

Electric fuel pump: ON

Mixture: RICH

Carburetor heat: ON

Engine gauges: check for indication of cause of power loss

Primer: check locked. If no fuel pressure is indicated check tank selector position to be sure it is on a tank containing fuel.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 46, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/03/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/28/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 139 hours (Total, all aircraft), 79 hours (Total, this make and model), 89 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:Piper 
Registration: N2909U
Model/Series: PA28 161
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 28-7916534
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2440 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 10000 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: Marquette County Flying Club Inc
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: Marquette County Flying Club Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSAW, 1221 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0025 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 291°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1600 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 80°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Howell, MI (OZW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marquette, MI (SAW)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1715 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 46.318889, -87.281944 (est)

Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III, N19TV: Accident occurred September 09, 2019 in Walkerton, St. Joseph 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; Chicago, Illinois

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




Location: WALKERTON, IN
Accident Number: CEN19LA309
Date & Time: 09/09/2019, 1330 EDT
Registration: N19TV
Aircraft: Bell 206
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural 

On September 9, 2019, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206 helicopter, N19TV, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Walkerton, Indiana. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Abbett Farms LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan.

According to information obtained by the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot reported a partial loss of engine power. He conducted a forced landing near a residence where the helicopter touched down and rolled on its right side.

The helicopter was retained for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N19TV
Model/Series: 206 B
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Abbett Farms Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSBN, 773 ft msl
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

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:  41.505000, -86.515556




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) Officials are investigating a Monday helicopter crash in Walkerton.

Police were called to the scene around 2:15 p.m.

The pilot, who has been identified as 41-year-old Nathan Schrock, was the only one in the rotorcraft. Police said he was spraying a nearby field when the engine failed.

In a Facebook message, Schrock said, "My only thought was to get it safely on the ground without hurting anyone else. I salvaged the best possible outcome I could with the scenario I was given."

The agricultural Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III landed and crashed into a driveway, damaging a parked pickup truck and livestock trailer as the helicopter fell down onto its side.

Schrock also said he was uninjured.

"[I] was able to crawl from the rotorcraft under my own power," he said.

Linda Roush, who said she lives about 3 miles away, heard about this crash on Facebook.

"I'm thinking, 'Oh, my gosh!' I am just glad nobody got hurt, because that's a mess," Roush said.

The Federal Aviation Administration collected facts on scene Monday evening and will start its investigation soon.

"We will find out hopefully here once we get the rotorcraft to a facility where we can actually do an inspection of the engine to find out what’s going on. ...We look at certain signatures -- how the rotorcraft may have landed, whether it was a hard landing, whether it was a soft landing. …There’s a lot of things that go into the investigation," Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector Dwayne Hudson said.

Police said Schrock refused medical treatment.

The National Transportation Safety Board will also be investigating.

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