Monday, January 20, 2020

Loss of Control in Flight: Lancair Evolution, N571JM; fatal accident occurred July 17, 2017 near Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ), Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona


July 17th Record

Burned Record in Wreckage

Record Edits

A dashboard camera installed in a vehicle driven east on E McDowell Road in Mesa, near the Falcon Field airport, recorded the airplane during the last 25 seconds prior to ground impact. The camera was a Polaroid PD-E53H. The recorded video had 1920x1080 resolution and frame rate of 25 fps. 

Photo of the Apple iPhone 6s.

Photo of the Garmin 900X.

Photo of the L3 Trilogy.

Photo taken at 23:03:21 UTC of a portion of the PFD screen indicating both bus 1 and 2 voltages “LOW” and “A/C ON.”

Photo taken at 23:03:26 UTC of a portion of the MFD screen indicating bus 1 and 2 voltages at 23.6V and flaps up.

Photo taken at 23:11:46 UTC of a portion of the MFD screen indicating bus 1 and 2 voltages at 23.4V and flaps up.

Photo taken at 23:27:18 UTC of a portion of the PFD screen indicating bus 1 and 2 voltages “LOW” and “A/C ON.”

Photo taken at 23:27:21 UTC of a portion of the MFD screen indicating bus 1 and 2 voltages at 22.7V and flaps up.

Photo taken at 23:41:12 UTC of a portion of the MFD screen indicating bus 1 and 2 voltages at 19.6V and flaps.

  
Krista (Evers) Buchanan 

Alan E. Ram

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

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/N571JM

Location: Mesa, AZ
Accident Number: WPR17FA155
Date & Time: 07/17/2017, 1652 MST
Registration: N571JM
Aircraft: Evolution 19 Lancair Evolution
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business 

On July 17, 2017, at 1652 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair Evolution, N571JM, was substantially damaged when it impacted a golf course while on approach for landing to Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed and activated for the flight, which departed from Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, about 1555, with a planned destination of John Wayne-Orange County Airport, Santa Ana, California.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided radar data and audio transcripts of the pilot's communications with air traffic control. After departing Deer Valley, the pilot was cleared to climb to 21,000 ft mean sea level (msl). About 1615, the pilot advised an Albuquerque Center controller that he was having "an electrical charging issue" and requested to go to Falcon Field, explaining that was where the airplane's maintenance facility was located. The airplane subsequently made a right turn and began an east-southeasterly track directly toward Falcon Field as the airplane climbed to 22,000 ft msl (see figure 1). At 1617:20, no altitude was associated with the radar return, consistent with a temporary lack of power to the airplane's transponder. The pilot overflew numerous airports on the way to Falcon Field and did not declare an emergency.

Figure 1: Flight Path

The Phoenix Approach and Falcon Field Air Traffic Controller (ATC) were in contact with the pilot. At 1633, the pilot stated to the controller, "just in case, my system is not charging," explaining that he had an incident "the other day" where the airplane's primary and multifunction flight displays (PFD and MFD, respectively) "just died on me and I don't think its going to happen before we get to Falcon, but if you could keep me on a direct heading to Falcon that would be great." At 1644, the pilot was cleared to land on runway 22L at Falcon Field and requested to cross midfield to enter the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. He then explained that he was "still having an electrical issue," and that his electrical system was "about to go dead." From 1645:56 through the remainder of the accident flight, the airplane's radar returns showed no associated altitude. The radar track indicated that the airplane crossed over the runway around 1647:27 and joined the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 22L. At 1649, the controller transmitted, "if you can hear me [your] gear appears down." Radar data indicated that the airplane flew the base and final legs of the traffic pattern and then continued over the runway, consistent with a low-level pass. The airplane then continued in a left turn and began a close downwind leg at 1650, about 1,500 ft from the runway centerline. The airplane proceeded from the downwind to the base leg; the final radar target was about 1,400 ft south of the accident site (see figure 2).

Figure 2: Last Portion of Flight

Numerous witnesses in the vicinity of the accident site reported seeing the airplane maneuvering very low and making a steep left turn. They stated that the airplane then entered a nose-low, near-vertical descent. Video footage of the accident captured by a camera mounted in a moving car showed the airplane at an altitude about 325 ft above ground level (agl) before it momentarily climbed 100 ft while making a left turn onto the base leg of the traffic pattern. The airplane remained in a left-wing low attitude at an estimated ground speed of about 83 kts and descended below the tree line. A complete video study is contained in the public docket for this accident.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 53, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/24/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 41 hours (Total, this make and model), 80 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

A review of FAA airman and medical certification records revealed that the pilot, age 53, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot's most recent third-class medical certificate was issued January 2017 with no limitations.

The pilot's personal flight records indicated that he had about 1,630 total hours of flight experience. In the 90 days preceding the accident, the pilot had accumulated about 80 hours of which 41.3 hours were in the accident airplane. These hours were accumulated during 14 flights of familiarization training at a training provider. The last flight in the accident airplane was logged on June 17, 2017.

The pilot also owned an Aviat Husky A1-200 (purchased in November 2016) and a Columbia 400. According to the pilot's logbooks, he completed a mountain flying course in the Husky and flew that airplane from June 27 through July 12, 2017, totaling 37.7 hours. According to paperwork the pilot completed as part of that class, he noted that the Husky's stall speed with the flaps retracted was 55 kts and about 48 kts with the flaps extended. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Evolution 19
Registration: N571JM
Model/Series: Lancair Evolution
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: EVO-019
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/08/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 55 Hours
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 376.2 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: P&W CANADA
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-135A
Registered Owner: Alan Ram
Rated Power: 750 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The pilot purchased the accident airplane in late May 2017. The Lancair Evolution is an experimental amateur-built airplane constructed mainly of composite materials. The high-performance, pressurized airplane was equipped with four seats, retractable tricycle landing gear, and traditional flight control surfaces. The airplane received a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category in August 2011. The last condition inspection was completed on May 8, 2017, at a total time of 376.2 hours.

The airplane was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PT6-135A engine, serial number PCE-PZ1066, rated at 750 shaft horsepower.

The Lancair Airplane Flight Manual stated that the airplane's stall speed was 76 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) and that stall speed in the landing configuration (flaps extended) was 61 KIAS. Both speeds noted that the speeds should be verified with flight testing. According to the airworthiness documentation provided to the FAA, the accident airplane was flight-tested at a gross weight of 4,246 lbs and a center-of-gravity location of 130 inches. Under these conditions, the airplane's stall speed in the landing configuration was 64 kts; cruise speed was 285 kts.

The manual's after-start procedures required that the generator switch be turned "ON" and that the pilot confirm a minimum of 28 volts. The before-landing checklist stated that the landing gear should be extended below 150 KIAS and the landing flaps extended below 140 KIAS. The minimum speeds listed for operation in the traffic pattern were 100, 90, and 85 KIAS on the downwind, base, and final legs, respectively.

Maintenance History

About 1 week before the accident, the pilot contacted the maintenance facility to repair some cosmetic cracks and to service the oxygen system, which he believed was leaking. On July 14, the pilot went to the maintenance facility to retrieve the airplane. A mechanic noticed that the left main landing gear microswitch had been damaged, presumably while they were washing the airplane, and spent about 30 minutes replacing the switch. During that time, the pilot had the radios on and was checking the weather in the area.

The pilot told the personnel at the maintenance facility that he needed to fly to Deer Valley and stated that, following his departure, he would perform one circuit in the traffic pattern to make sure that the airplane's systems were working normally. The maintenance facility stated that, before departure, the voltage had dropped to about 22.5-22.7 volts from the pilot operating the radios for a prolonged period on the ground.

The pilot departed and stayed in the traffic pattern, performing a low pass over the runway with the landing gear and flaps in the retracted position. The airplane then climbed to about 1,000 ft agl, and the pilot transmitted over the radio that something was wrong with the airplane's landing gear. He sent a text message to the president of the maintenance facility relaying the same information. According to the president, he witnessed the airplane's airspeed become slow and it appeared to be approaching a stall. The president called the pilot on his cell phone and told him to increase the power and climb to an altitude where he could troubleshoot the problem safely. The president instructed him to use the emergency landing gear dump valve, which the pilot responded was not working. The pilot stated that the PFD and MFD had gone blank and the president asked if he had turned on the generator switch. The pilot replied that he "just cycled it." The pilot then said the system came back on, and he subsequently landed the airplane without incident.

After landing, the pilot and the maintenance facility president discussed what had happened. The pilot showed the president the actions he had taken to try to use the emergency landing gear system; the president stated that he had pulled the parking brake and not the emergency landing gear system handle. Additionally, the pilot admitted that he had forgotten to turn on the generator switch, and when he did turn it on, all electrical power was restored.

The maintenance records indicated that, on the day of the accident, the pilot requested that the facility perform an "operational check of the engines and systems and verify door operations." The July 17 logbook entry noted an airframe total time of 429.9 hours. The action taken listed that the mechanic had performed a landing gear operational check and found no anomalies. The entry also stated: Performed charging system fault isolation inspections and checks. No faults found. Top charged main batteries. Operational ground checks performed with no malfunctions or defects noted.

The postinspection checklist accompanying the entry showed that the primary charging system was 27.7 volts. A partially-burned logbook entry was found in the wreckage that was not provided by the maintenance facility. It had the same airframe total time of 429.9 hours, but the date could not be determined. The entry stated that a generator switch was changed, but the maintenance facility stated that they did not do that maintenance and only provided that entry to the pilot to make his passengers feel that the airplane was safe after his electrical problems on July 14.

Electrical System

The airplane's 28-volt electrical system comprised a 300-amp starter/generator, a voltage regulator, and two 24-volt batteries. The generator provided power to the main electrical bus and the batteries. The electrical panel was located immediately in front of the pilot on the left panel and comprised battery, fuel pump, starter, ignitor, generator, and alternator switches. The generator control unit (GCU), a Hitek Inc. model 5-11-0003F, was mounted on the engine side of the firewall. The circuit breaker panel was located between the seats under the armrest. The GCU required a minimum of 18 volts to operate.

The emergency procedures checklist for a generator failure listed the following items:

1. Ammeter: Check

2. Generator Switch: OFF

3. Electrical Load: Reduce

4. Generator Circuit Breaker: Check and Reset

5. Generator: ON

If generator operation is not restored

6. Generator Switch: OFF

Land at nearest suitable airport

The following caution was listed under the checklist:

with generator inoperative, battery power should last approximately 30 minutes with all non-essential equipment off. When possible, turn battery switches OFF to conserve power and then ON for landing. If total electrical failure is experienced, it will be necessary to perform an Emergency Gear Extension and landing without flaps.

The airplane was equipped with an L3 Trilogy Electronic Standby Instrument (ESI), ESI-2000, which provided backup attitude, altitude, and airspeed information on a colored display on the panel. The instrument contained an internal battery that provided backup power for at least 1 hour.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFFZ, 1380 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1657 MST
Direction from Accident Site: 263°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 15000 ft agl
Visibility:  40 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.81 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 36°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: PHOENIX, AZ (DVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Mesa, AZ (FFZ)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1556 MST
Type of Airspace:

The automated weather observation recorded at Falcon Field about 5 minutes after the accident included scattered clouds at 15,000 ft agl; 40 statute miles visibility; wind from 210° at 5 knots; temperature 97°F; dew point 66°F; and altimeter 29.81 inches of mercury.

Airport Information

Airport: FALCON FLD (FFZ)
Runway Surface Type:Asphalt 
Airport Elevation: 1394 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 22L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5100 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Precautionary Landing; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 33.469167, -111.713056 

The wreckage was located about 0.5 nm northeast of the end of runway 22L, in a green area of a golf course (see figure 3).


Figure 3: Wreckage in Relation to Runway

The first identified point of impact was a crater in the soft terrain in which the propeller blades were embedded. The engine and numerous portions of the airframe were located in the debris field leading from the initial impact point to the main wreckage. The main wreckage was located in an upright position about 25 ft from the initial impact point on a magnetic heading of 115°. The main wreckage sustained thermal damage and consisted of a majority of the airframe's ashen remains (see picture 4).


Figure 4: Main Wreckage

The cockpit area sustained severe thermal damage. The avionics were charred with wire bundles exposed and partially melted. The wings were consumed by fire. The wing flaps were consistent with a retracted position at the time of impact. The physical landing gear position and landing gear selector position was consistent with the gear being retracted at the time of impact.

The engine sustained major impact damage, resulting in the engine separating into three sections. The gas generator and exhaust case exhibited extensive structural deformation, and the front reduction gearbox housing was shattered.

The compressor section displayed tip rubs and bent stator vanes caused by contact with adjacent components. There was no evidence of pre-impact anomalies found on the accessed section of the compressor. The compressor turbine exhibited circular contact damage on the disk consistent with rotation at impact. The power turbine blades were fractured at various locations within the airfoils. Visual examination of the fracture surfaces showed features consistent with overload. Fragments of blades were recovered from the exhaust section of the engine, and the shroud tip portions exhibited rubbing damage from contact with the turbine shroud. These signatures were consistent with the fracture of the power turbine blades due to rotational contact at impact. The remaining components did not show any evidence of pre-impact anomalies.

The accessory gearbox housing was intact. The external surfaces were covered in dirt, debris, and soot. The external oil pump had separated from the gearbox. The starter-generator was in place. The starter-generator was removed and the drive shaft was found fractured. Visual examination of the fracture surface was consistent with overload.

The electrical system could not be examined due to extensive thermal damage of its components.

The examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The complete examination reports are contained in the public docket for this accident.

Medical And Pathological Information

The Maricopa County Coroner's Office, Phoenix, Arizona, completed an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was due to multiple blunt impact injuries.

The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing of specimens collected during the autopsy. The results of the testing were negative for ethanol and tested-for drugs.

Additional Information

The pilot's cell phone was recovered from the wreckage and investigators were additionally provided the cell phone of the president of the maintenance facility to review the text threads.

The following excerpts of text messages occurred between the maintenance facility and the pilot just before the accident:

1542: [maintenance facility]: hi there, how did the flight go?

1622: [pilot]: headed back. The system isn't charging. My voltage keeps dropping

1625: [pilot]: At 22.9v and dropping

1626: [pilot]: be there in 20

1632: [pilot]: System not charging

1644: [pilot]: This is [the pilot's first and last name]. Coming back to you. The system isn't charging. My voltage keeps dropping.

1645: [maintenance facility]: okay [the president] wants you to turn off ac to save battery life and call home if you can

Additionally, the pilot's cell phone displayed a call made to the FAA WXBrief phone number, which lasted 2 minutes 37 seconds and ended at 1650:35.

Photos were recovered from the pilot's cell phone; the associated metadata indicated the date/time of image capture, 3D GPS location (including mean sea level altitude), true heading of the device, and speed-over-ground of the device at time of capture.

At 1603, with the airplane about 13,800 ft msl, a photo showed that the PFD indicated a low voltage warning for buses 1 and 2, and the MFD showed the voltage on both buses at 23.6 volts; the air conditioning was on. At 1627, with the airplane at an altitude about 10,000 ft msl the voltage was at 22.7 volts; the air conditioner was still on. The last picture recovered was taken at 1641:12 about 14 nm west-northwest of the accident site at an altitude of about 5,300 ft msl; the MFD showed a voltage of 19.6 volts.


Alan Ram and his fiancée Melissa Brown

17 comments:

  1. Leaving the air conditioning load going with no charging amps and the earlier errors of forgetting the generator switch and pulling parking brake thinking it was the emergency landing gear system handle suggests unfamiliarity with the plane and its POH instructions. Probably had not practiced flying by just using the standby display, either.

    With only 30 minutes of battery depletion time available in best power conservation configuration, should have been aviating to the nearest field as soon as charging stopped (Per POH), not taking panel photos and texting.

    You would expect a pilot with that many hours experience would not take passengers until familiar with the new aircraft. RIP pilot and passenger...

    ReplyDelete
  2. That L3 standby ESI has an internal battery rated at one hour of stand alone power for attitude, airspeed, and altitude reference. He was in total VFR conditions so if that instrument was operational, the question is was the bus power to that instrument cut off at some point and it went to internal battery.It has a battery meter just like a mobile phone or hand held GPS unit. I'm just really at a loss how he could lose control like that. The aircraft is perfectly capable of controlled flight even being dead sticked as at least one accident report from the piston version is reported on here on this website.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Agreed with both of the above comments. This makes zero sense. This dude was well trained, had the time and was on his best game with the amount of airmanship he dedicated here.

    The only take away I can speak about, is that he should've landed, instead of a go-around the first time. Imo, he was a bit too confident, then screwed up.
    So sad!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good comments. Glass probably went dark and he didn't/couldn't judge airspeed giving the stall/spin, maybe thought he had a stronger headwind than he actually did and got slow on turn to final with flaps in transit or still somewhat clean.

    I've had alt go out in a G1000 182, and just like this case the panel went dark when I put in full flaps on final - the electrical load from the flap motor was enough to drop the system voltage where the glass panel gave up the ghost.

    It is quite trivial to land a small plane without any instruments as long as familiar, but the lancair is high performance and could easily get slow if distracted for a moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That L3 Trilogy ESI is 4x3 inches overall bezel dimension. Will a busy pilot on final be able to glance at and understand that airspeed presentation as easily as a traditional analog airspeed instrument with needle and color bands?

      See the display on sheet three of this document:
      https://cdn.l3commercialaviation.com/media/2933/trilogy-brochure.pdf

      It's not difficult to have some non-electric backup for when/if both the main and backup glass is inoperative. A simple magnetic compass mounted along the upper windscreen (put the GoPro somewhere else) and a traditional pitot driven analog airspeed instrument would have been enough to stay in control and get down in VFR if the ESI battery was done.

      Or be a responsible pilot and follow the POH instructions. Don't keep flying when you expect full electrical depletion that will make you a test pilot.

      Delete
    2. Example Lanceair Evolution panel with traditional instruments in top eyebrow:

      https://youtu.be/YBM3G24nAbo?t=89

      Delete
  5. What killed this pilot was his attempt to make a 180 deg, 750 foot radius, nearly level turn to final. From his base position a few hundred feet above the ground displaced 1500' from the R/W, the downwind picture looked the same as a 1000' AGL pattern displaced 4-5000' feet from the runway but the turn needed was considerably tighter and nearly level. A simple lack of airmanship.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct. And he had been flying his Aviat Husky bush plane a bunch, including while the Lanceair was in the shop. Maybe he thought the views out the windows looked about right based on familiar Husky flying and having made the same low slow flyby past the tower the week before. Would have stalled and spun into the ground that first time if the PO President cell phone call had not restored the glass panel by turning on gen switch. The full records of conversation document is an eye opener.

      Delete
    2. Scary enough, none of the 13 commenting pilots talk about flight mechanics about overpowered aircraft (700HP) with 21ft lenth (limited control). Imagine the follwing situation: Pilot is highly distracted with a beautiful woman, unfamiliar with the aircraft, unfamiliar with electric schema, incapable to tackle a fairly simple electrical shut-off, focusing on non-essential battery rather than flying, gets low, overshoots the base leg and jerks the plane left (no lift), perhaps adding 700HP accelerating miserable Left Turning Tendencies through:
      1) Spiraling Slip Stream, 2) Torque Effect, 3) P-Factor, 4) Gyroscopic precession. All 4 dependent forces jerk you into death spiral. The spiraling slip stream blocks rudder function to counter, all forces roll you into death. Never forget, there are not many Mustangs in the air: Short airplanes with lots of power have this very dangerous point to be aware of: "You cannot use the power!" Small super fast planes have little stability (little weathervaning). From the description, the pilot should not have flown an experimental without minimal mechanical knowledge having to relay is life on outside checks of simple things like door mechanism. Buy a certified aircraft if you are like this.
      Some guys might think that adding a turbine is a simple thing, but for certified aircraft it means endless testing. Why? Because a turbine causes high frequencies that loosen up the whole aircraft much faster than a piston engine. Having worked at Pilatus as an mechanical engineer, I know that they have dreamed about the new jet for years, but could not affort the testing till a Grob crash and bankruptcy enabled them to take over their test hours and add the proven elevator from the PPC-12.

      Please review the following:

      Flight mechanics video:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py7kLsp8u2s

      AOPA Yaw killer: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2011/december/flight-training-magazine/yaw-killer

      Delete
  6. Guy was unfamiliar with the plane and operating systems, evidenced by
    1) leaving batteries on to use radios without a cart
    2) almost stalling aircraft when a simple problem arose
    3) pulling the parking brake handle instead of gear
    4) not turning Gen switch on.

    Passenger was so worried about flying with him that he had a fake entry made up to prove his competence in the plane.
    ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
    Some people, know matter how much training you give them, are just not the right ass for the seat. This crash helped kill the entire EVO company. what a shame.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sure sounds like Mr. Ram was a *toxic client/customer*. A client who is so toxic doesn’t have to be kept on my books. I’ve fired plenty of aviation clients for a range of reasons.

      Delete
    2. One person alleges this crash helped kill the company. Sure hope that's NOT true. I'm a pilot & retired attorney. Have owned two Lancairs...but never an Evolution. Clearly this mishap was due to pilot error by an inexperienced & apparently ill-prepared operator. Nothing to do with the airplane.

      Delete
  7. Alan E Ram reviewed Performance One Aviation
    5 star
    July 14, 2017
    "Excellent shop. I have had 3 planes serviced at Performance One and give them my highest recommendation. My most recent plane is an Evolution that they had maintained for several years prior to me buying it. The plane is impeccable. Heath and Tammy always go above and beyond and I would not hesitate for a minute in suggesting to anyone to strongly consider having them build your next plane."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Providing your customer with real time flight evaluation and correcting pilot mistakes by radio and cell phone while observing from the maintenance hangar is definitely above and beyond. Really did save the pilots life the first time: got generator on, speed and altitude raised and ended the panic. Had to be frustrating to know the Pilot resisted learning the POH instructions, poor checklist usage and disregarded required speeds.

      Delete
  8. The two batteries installed in this aircraft 6/9/2016 described in "Excerpts of Logbooks" PDF sheet 5 are type RG24-20 which manufacturer's description says:
    "NOTE: This aircraft battery is not designed or intended for turbine aircraft engine starting applications."

    http://concordebattery.com/flyer.php?id=43

    They are rated 19 amp-hours each. Did turbine starting duty degrade their capacity/capability?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After posting the question above, looked up a Cessna 208 turbine-service battery and realized that the IPR (15 seconds) current rating for combining two RG24-20's in the Lanceair exceeds the IPR current rating of a single turbine-service battery, like this one:
      http://concordebattery.com/flyer.php?id=75

      It would appear that the note is related to not asking a single RG24-20 to hump the PT6 starting amps, supposedly 800 amps peak. Two batteries in parallel = no problem.

      Delete