Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Cessna 150G, N4763X: Fatal accident occurred January 20, 2020 near Cherokee County Airport (KJSO), Jacksonville, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas

Location: Jacksonville, TX
Accident Number: WPR20FA067
Date & Time: 01/20/2020, 1220 CST
Registration: N4763X
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation

On January 20, 2020, about 1220 central standard time, a Cessna 150G airplane, N4763X was substantially damaged during a collision with guy wires about 8 miles north-east of Cherokee County Airport (JSO) Jacksonville, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from JSO at 1200.

A preliminary review of radar data revealed that the airplane's last depicted altitude at 1220:14 was about 577 ft above ground level. Physical evidence indicated that the airplane initially impacted a set of guy wires that were secured to the top of a 1,586-foot television tower, located about 1,100 ft east from the airplane wreckage. About 5 ft of the outboard section of the airplane's left wing, was located about 468 ft south of the tower. Additionally, impact marks and stripped paint found on the separated wing piece were consistent with the imprints and paint transfer from the wire. With the exception of the outboard section of the left wing and the portion of the right fuel tank, the entire wreckage was located within about a 50-ft radius of the main wreckage site. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N4763X
Model/Series: 150 G
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
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 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 31.905556, -95.086667 (est)


Keith Michael McElvain, 76, of Jacksonville, Texas 



CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - UPDATE: The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the identity of a man who was killed in a plane crash in Cherokee County.

According to DPS, around 3 p.m., they responded to the reported plane crash in a field off CR 4303. The investigators preliminary report indicates that the pilot of a Cessna 150, Keith Michael McElvain, 76, of Jacksonville had taken off from the Cherokee County Airport at approximately 12:05 PM.

DPS said it appeared the aircraft struck the guy-wires for a television tower in the Ponta area east of Jacksonville and crashed.

They said the pilot was the only occupant and was pronounced at the scene by Judge Brenda Domini and was taken to Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Troopers will continue to secure the scene until investigators with the NTSB arrive tomorrow to continue the investigation.

The crash happened near the intersection of Highway 204 and CR 4303.

Sergio Servin, Cherokee County’s emergency management coordinator, confirmed Monday afternoon that a small, private plane clipped some power lines and crashed near Ponta. Servin said Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and first responders from area volunteer fire departments are en route to the scene.

Paul Stewart, who lives near where the plane crashed, provided photos of the downed aircraft. He said the plane, which was white with yellow lettering and trim, flew over his house. Stewart, who is a pilot, estimated that the small plane was flying at an altitude of about 1,200 feet.

The plane was originally heading from northwest to southeast started turning toward a nearby tower, Stewart said. He added that as soon as the plane cleared the treeline, he heard a loud bang like a gunshot, and then the engine noise stopped.

“I’m used to hearing people duck hunting, so, at first, I thought it was a shotgun,” Stewart said.

A law enforcement officer at the scene of the crash confirmed that at least one person died in the crash.

Servin said officials from the Federal Aviation Administration are on their way to the crash site.

KLTV has reached out to public information officers for the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.kltv.com




PONTA, Texas (KETK) – One person is dead after officials responded to reports of a small plane crash southeast of Jacksonville in the unincorporated town of Ponta.

The crash occurred off CR 4303 just North of CR 204 near a large tower and power lines.

A resident nearby said he heard a large boom in which he walked outside and saw the plane in the pasture.

Officials confirmed that the pilot involved in the crash died at the scene. There was no one else in the plane at the time of the crash.

The pilot was identified as Keith Michael McElvain, 76, of Jacksonville.

According to Texas DPS, McElvain took off from the Cherokee County Airport around 12:00 p.m. when he struck guide wires from a TV tower in Ponta and crashed.

The crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

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

6 comments:

  1. That airplane looked like it had seen better days.

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    1. Don't let a little bit of underside grime fool ya. New-looking prop and optically clear windscreen says someone cared for its condition. Cowling looks like partial replacement, since color changes from cowl to fuselage. Long serving example was a credit to those who built it and kept it going!

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    2. External condition is probably irrelevant to this accident. The plane was flying, but the pilot - not so much. New planes crash, too. Just ask the boys at Boeing.

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    3. How cruel, Keith was a great pilot and that plane was his pride and joy. He lost his life doing what he loved most taking ariel photos.

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    4. I wasn't insinuating anything other than externally it had seen better days. As an airplane owner myself, I agree the outside means little in regards to airworthiness.

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  2. Keith maintained his plane impeccably. His plane that he affectionally called his Little Cyrno de Cessna that was built to teach people how to fly was his pride and joy. Your remark the plane was flying but not so much the pilot was uncalled for.

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