Sunday, October 27, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Waco UPF-7, N29909; accident occurred September 28, 2017 near Woods and Lakes Airpark (FA38), Ocklawaha, Marion County, Florida



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

Additional Participating Entity:

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

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

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


http://registry.faa.gov/N29909


Location: Ocklawaha, FL
Accident Number: ERA17LA340
Date & Time: 09/28/2017, 1921 EDT
Registration: N29909
Aircraft: WACO UPF 7
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On September 28, 2017, about 1921 eastern daylight time, an experimental Waco UPF 7, N29909, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to wooded terrain after a total loss of engine power about 1.5 miles south of the Woods and Lakes Airpark (FA38), near Ocklawaha, Florida. The commercial pilot/owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at the Hobby Hill Airport (2FD1), Weirsdale, Florida, about 1855.

The pilot stated that while maneuvering, the engine magneto indicator illuminated and one of the engine's magnetos failed followed shortly after by the other magneto, resulting in a total loss of engine power. He said that he tried to reach FA38, but realized he was not going to make it so he "surfed" the airplane into the treetops. The pilot said he made a successful landing and the airplane came to rest gently in the trees before it nosed over and fell 60 ft to the ground and came to rest on its nose with the tail section sticking straight up in the air. There was damage to the top and bottom wings and the firewall.

A friend of the pilot, who was also a pilot and an airframe and powerplant mechanic, heard the airplane fly over his home. He said the airplane's engine hesitated, then stopped, and tried to re-start before it went silent. The friend drove to FA38 and saw that the airplane did not land, so he drove in the direction he last saw the airplane and found it had landed in heavily wooded terrain about a mile from the airport. After calling 911, the friend approached the airplane and later advised the fire department to turn the master switch off to prevent a fire due to the presence of gasoline fumes.

The airplane was equipped with an experimental Vedeneyev M14-P radial engine. Examination of the magnetos by M-14P, Inc. in Kingman, Arizona, revealed that both magnetos had "bad (out of range on impedance)" secondary windings on the coil. The points exhibited a white powder, consistent with the capacitor in the secondary windings of each magneto failing or had failed. Both rotors were cracked and the pencil springs in both distributor caps were rusted. Damage was also noted to several of the ignition leads (left magneto had 3 faulty leads, and the right magneto had 1 faulty lead). An automotive ignition harness was installed on the magnetos as part of an approved automotive conversion kit. According to a representative of M14-P, Inc., the auto ignition wire has a higher amount of resistance that the magnetos were not designed to handle.

The last engine, airframe, and propeller conditional inspection was conducted on October 13, 2016. At the time of the accident, the airplane, engine, and propeller had accrued a total of 331 since new. The magnetos were installed new and had a total of 331 hours.

The pilot held a commercial certificate for airplane single-engine land and sea, and instrument airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical was issued on October 6, 2016. The pilot reported a total of 2,725 flight hours, of which, 723 hours were in the same make/model as the accident airplane.

Weather at The Villages (VVG), The Villages, Florida, about 11 miles south of the accident site, at 1930, was reported as calm wind, visibility 10 miles, and clear skies.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Center
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/06/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/16/2016
Flight Time: 2725 hours (Total, all aircraft), 723 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: WACO
Registration: N29909
Model/Series: UPF 7 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category:Airplane 
Year of Manufacture:1942 
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number:5406 
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/13/2016, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3095 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4431.2 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Vedeneyev
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: M-14P
Registered Owner: HOBBY HILL FARMS INC
Rated Power: 360 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: VVG, 89 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1730 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 180°
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: 29.78 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hobby Hill, FL (2FD1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:Oklawaha, FL (FA38) 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:1855 EDT 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 29.000000, -81.000000 (est)

Part(s) Separation From Aircraft: Cessna Ector 305A, N1834; accident occurred August 27, 2017 at Wurtsboro–Sullivan County Airport (N82), New York

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

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albany, New York

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


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

http://registry.faa.gov/N1834

Location: Wurtsboro, NY
Accident Number: ERA17LA298
Date & Time: 08/27/2017, 1530 EDT
Registration: N1834
Aircraft: CESSNA 305
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Part(s) separation from AC
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use 

On August 27, 2017, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305A, N1834, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at Wurtsboro- Sullivan County Airport (N82), Wurtsboro, New York. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a corporation as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

According to the pilot, he completed five glider tow flights prior to the accident flight. After he landed on a turf runway, during the landing roll, the pilot noticed a "severe vibration." Next, the airplane stopped, nosed over, and came to rest inverted on the turf runway.

During the accident sequence, the wings and rudder were substantially damaged.

In addition, the left main landing gear wheel had separated from the axle.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the airplane was manufactured in 1964. It was equipped with a Continental Motors Inc. O-470 series engine, a 213-hp, engine. According to the airframe maintenance logbook, the most recent annual inspection was performed on September 3, 2016, at a total time of 4,677.8 hours. At that time, it was "found to be in airworthy condition."

An examination of the left main landing gear wheel axle by the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory revealed that the axle of the left main landing gear assembly was fractured near the end that would have been attached to the landing gear strut. Examination of the fracture surface using a stereo microscope revealed fracture features consistent with a fatigue fracture. There were two opposing fatigue regions on the fracture surface separated by an overstress region. The first fatigue region had a shiny appearance consistent with recontact of the fracture surfaces. The second fatigue region exhibited a more matte appearance and covered a larger area than the first region. In addition, the tread of the rubber tire exhibited a wear pattern that was not centered but instead had shifted towards the shoulder.

According to Part 43 Appendix D – Scope and Detail of Items (as Applicable to Particular Aircraft) To Be Included in Annual and 100-Hour inspections, "each person performing an annual or 100-hour inspection shall inspect (where applicable) the following components of the landing gear group:
1) All units – for poor condition and insecurity of attachment.
3) Linkages, trusses, and members – for undue or excessive wear fatigue, and distortion.
7) Wheels – for cracks, defects, and condition of bearings.
8) Tires – for wear and cuts."

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 78, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N1834
Model/Series:305 A 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 2006
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/03/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2101 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4677.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-470 SERIES
Registered Owner: WACO TRANSPORT BUSINESS TRUST
Rated Power: 213 hp
Operator: WACO TRANSPORT BUSINESS TRUST
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MGJ, 365 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1554 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 121°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 40°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wurtsboro, NY (N82)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Wurtsboro, NY (N82)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  EDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: WURTSBORO-SULLIVAN COUNTY (N82)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation:548 ft 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: 05
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3591 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 41.596667, -74.461389 (est)

Lindstrand 105A, N7172D: Accident occurred August 23, 2019 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N7172D

Location: Lawton, OK
Accident Number: CEN19LA328
Date & Time: 08/23/2019, 0800 CDT
Registration: N7172D
Aircraft: Lindstrand 105A
Injuries: 1 Serious, 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business - Sightseeing

On August 23, 2019, about 0800 central daylight time, a Lindstrand 105A balloon, N7172D, had a hard landing in a pasture near Lawton, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and 3 of his passengers were not injured, 1 passenger sustained a broken leg/ankle, and the balloon was not damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 business flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the sight-seeing balloon flight that departed a field located about 6 miles southwest of the accident site at 0730. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Lindstrand
Registration: N7172D
Model/Series: 105A No Series
Aircraft Category: Balloon
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: LAW, 1110 ft msl
Observation Time: 0753 CDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 130°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Lawton, OK
Destination: Lawton, OK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: None
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 3 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 4 None
Latitude, Longitude:  34.604167, -98.395556 (est)