Location: Abilene, TX Accident Number: CEN19LA070 Date & Time: 12/21/2018, 1145 CST Registration: N254RA Aircraft: Cessna 172 Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other Injuries: 1 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation On December 21, 2018, about 1145 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N254RA, registered and operated by Reynolds Aviation, Beach City, Texas, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a tower wire about 10 miles south of the Abilene Regional Airport (AB), Abilene, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The pipeline aerial observation flight was being conducted under the provisions of Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 1000 from the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), Temple, Texas, and was enroute to the Winston Field Airport (SNK), Snyder, Texas. The pilot stated that he was conducting an aerial pipeline inspection. He stated that he was looking down in the cockpit, writing down pipeline observation information. At the same time, he felt a pull to the left. The airplane struck a tower wire. The pilot stated that he did not see the tower wires. The pilot was able to control the airplane, immediately declared an emergency, and landed the airplane at ABI, which was about 10 miles north of the wire strike. Inspection of the airplane revealed a 4-foot section of the left wing was torn off the airplane, just outboard of the left aileron.
Figure 1. Overhead Image of Pipeline Route and Tower/Wire Locations
The pilot stated in NTSB Form 6120, that many pipeline patrol operations have an observer on board in addition to the pilot, one writing down information, and one looking outside the airplane. He also stated that he could have waited to write down information after passing the tower area. Pilot Information Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial Age: 39, Male Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Left Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 4-point Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: No Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine Toxicology Performed: No Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/18/2018 Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/20/2018 Flight Time: 2919 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2419 hours (Total, this make and model), 2860 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 179 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 48 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: Cessna Registration: N254RA Model/Series: 172M Aircraft Category: Airplane Year of Manufacture: 1975 Amateur Built: No Airworthiness Certificate: Serial Number: 17265910 Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 4 Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/09/2018, Annual Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs Time Since Last Inspection: 60 Hours Engines: 1 Reciprocating Airframe Total Time: 2734 Hours as of last inspection Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming ELT: Installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES Registered Owner: Reynolds Darryl G Rated Power: 150 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: , 1751 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles Observation Time: 1117 CST Direction from Accident Site: 150° 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: 200° Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / -5°C Precipitation and Obscuration: Departure Point: Temple, TX (TPL) Type of Flight Plan Filed: None Destination: Snyder, TX (SNK) Type of Clearance: None Departure Time: 1000 CST Type of Airspace: Class E Airport Information Airport: Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) Runway Surface Type: N/A Airport Elevation: 1791 ft Runway Surface Condition: Dry Runway Used: N/A IFR Approach: None Runway Length/Width: VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Precautionary Landing 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: 32.260000, -99.566389
The husband of Carley McCord, a broadcaster who was one of five people killed in a Lafayette plane crash in December, has filed a lawsuit against the plane's owners and the pilot's estate.
Steven Ensminger Jr., the son of LSU football offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, sued in Lafayette Parish court seeking damages for his wife's death. Ensminger's lawsuit claims the plane's owners and the pilot, Ian Biggs, were negligent in McCord's death, failing to properly maintain the plane and for letting Biggs fly in unfavorable weather conditions without proper training. Carley McCord, four others, killed in December crash McCord and four others died on December 28th when the small passenger plane they were traveling in crashed shortly after takeoff from the Lafayette Regional Airport. McCord and the others were traveling to the Atlanta-DeKalb Peachtree Airport, on their way to attend the Peach Bowl semifinal championship game between LSU and Oklahoma. Shortly after takeoff, the plane hit trees and power lines in front of an apartment on Verot School Road, then hit the road and continued across the U.S. Post Office parking lot before landing in a nearby field. The crash killed five of the six people on board, including the pilot, Biggs. The sixth passenger, Stephen Wade Berzas, was treated for burns that covered 75% of his body. A bystander, who was in the post office's parking lot, also was injured and suffered burns to 30% of her body. Ensminger Jr. filed the lawsuit earlier this month seeking damages from the plane's owners Global Data Systems Inc, Cheyenne Partners, LLC, Eagle Air, LLC and Southern Lifestyle Development Company LLC.; the insurance companies Sompo International Holdings and LTD, Endurance American Insurance Company; and the estate of Biggs.
Global Data Systems is owned by Charles Vincent. His wife and son, 51-year-old Gretchen Vincent; and 15-year-old Michael Walker Vincent, also died in the crash. Robert Vaughn Crisp II, another victim, was the vice president of business development and field services at the company. Berzas was the vice president of sales. Lawsuit claims owners, pilot did not properly inspect aircraft In the lawsuit, Ensminger claims the owners and pilot owed McCord a “duty of care to inspect, service, repair, maintain and control the aircraft in a safe and airworthy condition so as not to cause injury or death to passengers.” However, Ensminger alleges the owners and pilot breached those duties by failing to properly inspect and maintain the aircraft; failing to supervise the pilot; failing to protect its passengers against unreasonable risk of injury and death; and were negligent in the selection, operation, maintenance, custody, control and use of the plane. The morning of the crash, there was low visibility — about three-fourths of a mile — and the cloud base began at about 200 feet, according to the National Transportation and Safety Board. Biggs “lacked the experience and/or training to operate (the plane) in less than ideal meteorological conditions, as was the case on the date of the crash," Ensminger wrote in his lawsuit. Ensminger also claims the owners of the plane knew Biggs lacked the experience or training. Biggs obtained his commercial pilot's license in 2005, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. The plane had its last maintenance check in October. It was last flown December 18th from Houston, which is about a 40-minute flight. Biggs was the pilot on that flight. Biggs had 1,531 hours of flight time, according to his last license update, the NTSB said. McCord had a fear of flying, Ensminger wrote in the lawsuit. He said she knew when the plane was crashing, which caused her to experience severe emotional trauma and panic and caused damage to her nervous system and psyche. “Upon information and belief, Carley McCord Ensminger sustained severely painful and debilitating bodily injuries when (the plane) contacted the ground and when the aircraft caught fire," according to the filing. "Said bodily injuries caused Carley McCord Ensminger to experience virtually unimaginable pain and suffering until the moment of her untimely death.” Ensminger also claims he has suffered “extreme mental and emotional distress as a direct result of the death of this wife." Other damages as a result of the plane crash and McCord's death include the "loss of love, affection, companionship and consortium of his wife;" mental anguish; loss of economic and financial support; and funeral expenses, according to the lawsuit. Ensminger does not say how much he is seeking in damages, but rather that he is seeking "an amount fair and reasonable under the premises of this mater." He also asks for a trial by jury. The National Transportation and Safety Board has not released its final report about the fatal crash. But it has said there were no distress calls made from the plane and the landing gear was not out at the time of the crash. There was no flight data recorder, commonly known as a black box, the NTSB said. Not having one is common on planes like the eight-passenger Piper Cheyenne that crashed. As part of its investigation, the NTSB will assess the pilot's training, qualifications and medical certifications. It will look into the aircraft's maintenance history and the airframe. It also will assess if or how the weather affected the flight. https://www.theadvertiser.com
Dr. Jennifer Rodi Investigator In Charge and Senior Air Safety Investigator National Transportation Safety Board
B-Roll
Dr. Jennifer Rodi and Bruce Landsberg
Air Safety Investigators
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. Additional Participating Entities: Federal Aviation Administration; Washington, District of Columbia Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana Piper Aircraft; Phoenix, Arizona Hartzell Propeller; Piqua, Ohio Transportation Safety Board of Canada Pratt and Whitney Canada
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: LAFAYETTE, LA Accident Number: CEN20MA044 Date & Time: 12/28/2019, 0921 CST Registration: N42CV Aircraft: Piper PA 31T Injuries: 5 Fatal, 2 Serious, 2 Minor Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Executive/Corporate On December 28, 2019, about 0921 central standard time, a Piper PA 31T airplane, N42CV, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Lafayette Regional Airport/Paul Fournet Field (LFT), Lafayette, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and four passengers were fatally injured; one passenger sustained serious injuries. Two individuals inside a nearby building sustained minor injuries and one individual in a car sustained serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. The airplane was owned by Cheyenne Partners LLC and was piloted by an employee of Global Data Systems. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to the Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot contacted the LFT ground controller and requested a clearance to PDK. The controller issued the IFR clearance to the pilot with an initial heading of 240° and an altitude of 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl). The controller then instructed the pilot to taxi the airplane to runway 22L. As the airplane approached the holdshort line for the runway, the pilot advised that the airplane was ready for takeoff and the controller cleared the airplane to depart from runway 22L. After takeoff the pilot was given a frequency change and successfully established communications with the next air traffic controller. The pilot was instructed to climb the airplane to 10,000 ft and to turn right to a heading of 330°. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the FAA identified and depicted the accident flight. The ADS-B data started at 09:20:05 as the airplane climbed through 150 ft. msl, or 110 ft. above ground level (agl). The peak altitude recorded was 925 ft msl, from about 09:20:37 to 09:20:40, after which, the airplane entered a continuous descent to the ground. The last ADS-B data point was at 09:20:59, as the airplane descended through 175 ft msl in a steep dive. Preliminary analysis of this data indicates that after departing runway 22L, the airplane turned slightly to the right toward the assigned heading of 240° and climbed at a rate that varied between 1,000 and 1,900 feet per minute. At 09:20:13, the airplane started rolling back towards wings level. At 09:20:20, the airplane rolled through wings level in a continued roll towards the left. At this time, the airplane was tracking 232°, the altitude was 475 ft msl, and the speed accelerated through 165 kts. calibrated airspeed. The airplane continued to roll steadily to the left, at an average rate of about 2 degrees per second. At the peak altitude of 925 ft msl at 09:20:40, the roll angle was about 35° left, the track angle was about 200°, and the airspeed was about 172 knots. The airplane then started to descend while the left roll continued, and the airplane reached a roll angle of 70° left at 09:20:52, while it descended through 600 ft msl, between 2,000 and 3,000 feet per minute. According to the FAA, as the airplane descended through 700 ft msl, a low altitude alert was issued by the air traffic controller to the pilot; the pilot did not respond. No mayday or emergency transmission was recorded from the accident airplane. According to multiple witnesses on the ground, they first heard an airplane flying overhead, at a low altitude. Several witnesses stated that it sounded as if both engines were at a high rpm. Multiple witnesses observed the airplane appear out of the low cloud bank in a steep, left-bank turn. One witness stated that the airplane rolled wings level just before it struck the trees and transmission lines on the south edge of Verot School Road. The airplane then struck the road and continued across the United States Postal Service (USPS) parking lot. Two USPS employees received minor injuries from flying glass inside of the building. One individual was seriously injured after the airplane struck the car she was parked in. The car rolled several times before it came to rest inverted; a postimpact fire consumed the car. The wreckage path included fragmented and burned pieces of the airplane and tree debris, and extended from the trees and transmission line, along an approximate bearing of 315°, for 789 ft. The right wing, the outboard left wing, both engines, both elevator controls, the rudder, the instrument panel, and forward cabin separated from the main fuselage and pieces were located in the debris field. The main wreckage consisted of the main fuselage and the inboard left wing. Before the accident the Automated Surface Observing System at LFT reported at 0853, a wind from 120° at 5 knots, overcast clouds with a vertical visibility of 200 ft and ¾ statute mile ground visibility. The temperature was 19° C, the dew point was 19°C, and the altimeter was 29.97 inches of mercury. Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: Piper Registration: N42CV Model/Series: PA 31T Aircraft Category: Airplane Amateur Built: No Operator: Cheyenne Partners Llc Operating Certificate(s) Held: None Meteorological Information and Flight Plan Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions Condition of Light: Day Observation Facility, Elevation: KLFT, 42 ft msl Observation Time: 0853 UTC Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 19°C Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 120° Lowest Ceiling: Indefinite (V V) / 200 ft agl Visibility: 0.75 Miles Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR Departure Point: Lafayette, LA (LFT) Destination: Atlanta, GA (PDK) Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed Passenger Injuries: 4 Fatal, 1 Serious Aircraft Fire: On-Ground Ground Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 Minor Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 5 Fatal, 2 Serious, 2 Minor Latitude, Longitude: 30.176111, -92.007500
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.
Bruce Landsberg Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board Media Briefing
Ian Edward Biggs
May 29, 1968 ~ December 28, 2019 (age 51)
Friends and family gathered Saturday to celebrate the life of Ian Biggs, the 51-year-old pilot who died last week in a crash along with four others just minutes after taking off from Lafayette Regional Airport. Hundreds packed the Walters Funeral Home chapel — and along the hallway and in the lobby — to honor Biggs, hailed on social media and during the service as a hero who saved lives by avoiding populated areas when his crashing plane was coming down near a residential area and a shopping center. "The lives lost were precious, families and friends will be devastated for a very long time," Pamela Stella Flyte wrote on Facebook. "But I believe the person Ian was led him to the path he chose making this tragic accident that much less devastating." The service included a final salute ceremony from the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard and several other veterans in attendance, honoring Biggs' service in the U.S. Army Reserves. The Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II slid across a U.S. Post Office parking lot near Verot School Road and made a fiery stop in an adjacent field. Chuck Vincent, whose daughter-in-law and grandchild were killed in the crash, spoke about Biggs' love of his family, friends and his hobbies — hunting, fishing, camping and flying, among others. Several attendees of the service wore camouflage. "He was truly a part of our family," said Vincent, who is founder and chairman of Global Data Systems, where Biggs worked for the last 20 years. Gretchen Vincent, the chairman's 51-year-old daughter-in-law, and her son Michael "Walker" Vincent, killed the day before his 16th birthday, were also killed in the crash. Friends and family mourned the mother and son at a joint funeral service Thursday. Biggs was born in Franklin, Louisiana, on May 29, 1968 to Sharon and Donald Biggs. He graduated from Acadiana High School, and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves before marrying Shannon Webb in 1990. He worked in the oil industry for many years, before becoming employed as a pilot with Global Data Systems. Known as "Country Rat" to friends and family, Biggs lived a life "full of adventure," his family noted in his obituary. "As an avid outdoorsman and true Southern boy, Ian enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, frogging, and making memories at the camp. "His friends knew him as a jack-of-all-trades, he could fix just about anything and cook just about anything, too. His family will fondly remember him prancing around the kitchen in his robe while he cooked and listened to music. He'll also be remembered for his sand art skills he inherited from his parents." Biggs is survived by his wife, Shannon Webb Biggs of Lafayette; two children, Madison and Ethan Biggs of Lafayette; his parents, the former Sharon Richard and Donald Lester Biggs of Lafayette; four sisters, Shadon Hannie (Edward) Shaleen Biggs Pellerin (Ben Huval), Shauna Price (Troy), and Shanette Cormier (Todd), all of Lafayette; and one brother, Donald Biggs II (Candace) of Clinton, La. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Richard and Mr. & Mrs. Basal Edward Biggs; his wife's grandparents, Emily "Mim" & Lannie Webb, and Martin & Aline Stutes; and several aunts and uncles. Robert Vaughn Crisp, another Global Data Services executive killed in the crash, had a service Friday in Mamou. Carley McCord, a well-known Louisiana sports reporter, had a funeral and burial service Saturday in Baton Rouge Stephen "Wade" Berzas was transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center after the plane headed for Atlanta crashed Saturday. He is recovering from injuries. According to Dr. Joey Barrios, Chief of Medical Staff at Our Lady of Lourdes, Berzas arrived at the emergency room Saturday morning conscious, with burns on 75% of his body, and with a shoulder dislocation. Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.theadvertiser.com
Ian Edward Biggs
May 29, 1968 ~ December 28, 2019 (age 51)
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home for Ian Edward Biggs, 51, who passed away December 28, 2019. Dr. Rick Smith will conduct the services. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shannon Webb Biggs of Lafayette; two children, Madison and Ethan Biggs of Lafayette; his parents, the former Sharon Richard and Donald Lester Biggs of Lafayette; four sisters, Shadon Hannie (Edward) Shaleen Biggs Pellerin (Ben Huval), Shauna Price (Troy), and Shanette Cormier (Todd), all of Lafayette; one brother, Donald Biggs II (Candace) of Clinton, La.; his in-laws, Glenn and Madeline Webb; two godchildren, Regan Price and Kati LeBlanc; and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Richard and Mr. & Mrs. Basal Edward Biggs; his wife's grandparents, Emily "Mim" & Lannie Webb, and Martin & Aline Stutes; and several aunts and uncles. Ian was born in Franklin, Louisiana on May 29, 1968 to Sharon and Donald Biggs. He graduated from Acadiana High School, and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves before marrying his high school sweetheart, Shannon Webb, in 1990. He worked in the oil field industry for many years. Most recently he was employed as a corporate pilot with Global Data Systems. Ian will be remembered for being the life of any party he attended. His piercing blue eyes and heartwarming smile captivated others and instantly drew people to him-- and that's when his fun-loving and infectious personality would make you his friend forever. Ian, a.k.a. "Country Rat", was a patriot. He loved his country, and loved watching episodes of "M.A.S.H.", Nascar, and "Naked and Afraid." His life was one full of adventure. As an avid outdoorsman and true Southern boy, Ian enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, frogging, and making memories at the camp. His friends knew him as a jack-of-all-trades, he could fix just about anything and cook just about anything, too. His family will fondly remember him prancing around the kitchen in his robe while he cooked and listened to music. He'll also be remembered for his sand art skills he inherited from his parents. Most importantly, Ian was a devoted and loving husband and father. He took good care of his family, physically, emotionally, and spiritually providing for their needs. Whether it was dancing in the kitchen or playing tug-of-war with Sammy the family pup; having family game night and staying up late to work on a jigsaw puzzle with his beautiful baby girl, or bonding with his son over "Forged in Fire," his joie de vivre was there for all to witness and enjoy. He lived his life out loud, and inspired others to do the same. His love for life was fierce, and he will be deeply missed. Visiting hours will be observed Saturday from 9:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be led by Glynn Stutes and Harold Lee Stutes at 1:00 pm on Saturday afternoon. The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Ian's name to the Wounded Warrior Project at http://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Sign the virtual register book and leave online condolences at www.waltersfh.com. Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana 70507; 337.706.8941 is in charge of arrangements.