The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Lycoming; Williamsburg, Pennsylvania
Piper; Vero Beach, Florida
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Lake City, Florida
Accident Number: ERA20FA085
Date and Time: January 25, 2020, 09:30 Local
Registration: N55455
Aircraft: Piper PA32
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
A witness described that, when the pilot arrived at the airport several days before the accident, the airplane’s engine “cut out” while on final approach to the runway. After landing uneventfully, the pilot had a mechanic service the airplane, and the engine performed normally. On the day of the accident, as the airplane departed, the witness reported that he watched the airplane turn “hard left” after it cleared trees near the runway. He later heard a loud bang, then saw smoke. He drove over to the smoke and saw that the airplane was completely engulfed in flames. The airplane came to rest in the yard of a residence about 1,000 feet left of the runway’s midpoint.
Postaccident examination of the airplane was limited due to impact and postcrash fire damage; however, no defects consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction of either the airframe or engine were observed. Additionally, a sound spectrum analysis of the audio from a video recording showed that the engine was likely running slightly below full throttle before the accident. Given this information, there was no evidence that a loss of engine power preceded the accident.
The witness’s description that the airplane was in a “hard left” turn, the location of the accident site relatively close to the runway, the lack of a discernable horizontal wreckage path, and little fragmentation of the wreckage to suggest a high-energy impact, were consistent with the airplane impacting the ground in a near-vertical descent at a relatively low speed. Thus, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the steep, low-altitude turn shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control at an altitude too low for recovery.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at low altitude.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On January 25, 2020, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA32-260, N55455, was destroyed when was involved in an accident near Lake City, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
A witness stated that the pilot flew to Cannon Creek Airpark (15FL), Lake City, Florida, the weekend before the accident. At that time, the pilot said the engine “cut out” on short final approach to the runway; however, after landing, the pilot performed an engine run-up, and the engine performed normally. The pilot and the witness subsequently opened the engine cowling and observed an oil leak. The pilot contacted a local mechanic to fix the oil leak. A couple of days later, the pilot ran the engine, and no oil leaks were noted. The night before the accident flight, the pilot and the witness taxied the airplane to the fuel tank and topped off the wing tanks and left-wing tip tank, but they did not put fuel in the right-wing tip tank because it had a fuel leak.
On the morning of the accident, the witness and pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and noted no anomalies. The witness watched the airplane take off from runway 36 and noticed that the pilot “turned hard left” after the airplane cleared the trees, which was earlier than normal. The witness returned to his vehicle when he heard a loud bang and saw smoke. He drove over to the smoke and saw that the airplane was engulfed in flames.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The airplane came to rest on the side of a house in a subdivision about 1,000 ft to the west side of the midpoint of the runway. The wreckage was oriented on a heading of 215° and there was no discernable horizontal wreckage path. A postaccident fire consumed the airplane, and only the tail section remained intact and undamaged by fire. The cockpit, instrument panel, firewall, fuselage, and wings were all destroyed by the fire, and the engine accessory case was consumed by fire; the magnetos, fuel pump, carburetor, vacuum pump, and oil filter were destroyed. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the scene. Control cable continuity was confirmed to the respective controls.
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the engine crankcase and cylinders were intact. The top spark plugs were removed, and a borescope examination of the cylinder walls, exhaust, intake valves and piston heads revealed no anomalies. The engine’s crankshaft was rotated by hand and thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Valve train continuity was established throughout the engine by observing movement of the rocker arms and rear accessory case gears.
Both propeller blades remained attached to the hub. One blade was bent aft about midblade, and both blades were twisted near the tip.
A witness near the airport captured the airplane engine noise on a video camera. The airplane was not captured by the video, and its position, ground track, speed, and therefore at what point during the accident sequence the captured audio occurred could not be determined. A sound spectrum analysis of the audio by the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory revealed that during the time audio from the accident airplane’s engine was recorded, the engine rpm was approximately 2,584 rpm, which was slightly below the maximum rated 2,700 rpm.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
An autopsy performed on the pilot by the Office of the Office of the Medical Examiner, Jacksonville, Florida, reported the cause of death as blunt force trauma.
Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory found no tested-for drugs or alcohol.
History of Flight
Initial climb Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)
Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 61,Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 15, 2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 172.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 172.5 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N55455
Model/Series: PA32 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32-7300038
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: August 1, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3554.3 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-E4B5
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 250 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGNV,123 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 35 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 144°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lake City, FL (15FL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Tyler, TX (38XA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 09:30 Local
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Cannon Creek Airpark 15FL
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 125 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3500 ft / 25 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 30.156944,-82.669166
==========
Location: Lake City, FL
Accident Number: ERA20FA085
Date & Time: 01/25/2020, 0930 EST
Registration: N55455
Aircraft: Piper PA32
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On January 25, 2020, at 0930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA32-260, N55455, was destroyed when it impacted terrain and a house after takeoff from Cannon Creek Airpark (15FL), Lake City, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight destined for Walk-Air Airport (38XA), Tyler Texas.
A witness stated that the pilot flew to 15FL from 38XA the weekend before the accident. At that time, the pilot said the engine "cut-out" on short final; however, after landing, the pilot performed an engine run-up which was normal. The pilot and the witness subsequently opened the engine cowling and observed an oil leak. The pilot contacted a local mechanic to fix the oil leak. A couple days later, the pilot ran the engine and no oil leaks were noted. The night before the accident flight, the accident pilot and the witness taxied the airplane to the fuel tank and topped off the wing tanks, and left wing tip tank but they did not put fuel in the right wing tip tank because it had a fuel leak.
The next morning, the witness and pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and no anomalies were noted. The witness watched the airplane take off from runway 36 and noticed that the pilot "turned hard left" after the airplane cleared the trees, which was earlier than normal. The witness returned to his vehicle and was getting ready to leave when he heard a loud bang and then saw smoke. He drove over to the smoke and saw that the airplane was completely engulfed in flames.
The airplane came to rest on the side of a house in a subdivision on the west side of the airport on a heading of 215°. A postaccident fire consumed the airplane, and only the tail section remained intact and undamaged by fire. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the scene. Control cable continuity was confirmed to the respective controls. The cockpit, instrument panel, firewall, fuselage, and wings were all destroyed by the fire.
The engine accessory case was consumed by fire; the magnetos, fuel pump, carburetor, vacuum pump, and oil filter were destroyed. The engine crankcase and cylinders were intact. The top spark plugs were removed, and a lighted borescope was used to examine the cylinder walls, exhaust, intake valves and piston heads. No anomalies were noted. The engine was rotated by hand and thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Valve train continuity was established throughout the engine by observing movement of the rocker arms and rear accessory case gears.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. The pilot was issued an FAA third class medical certificate on March 20, 2019. She reported 172.5 hours of total flight experience at that time.
The 0953 recorded weather observation at Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Gainesville, Florida, which was located about 35 miles south east of the accident site, included wind 330° at 7 knots, clear skies, and visibility 10 statute miles. The temperature was 13° C, the dew point was 7° C; and the altimeter setting was 30.18 inches of mercury.
The airplane was retained for further investigation.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N55455
Model/Series: PA32 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
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: KGNV, 123 ft msl
Observation Time: 1453 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 35 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 330°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Lake City, FL (15FL)
Destination: Tyler, TX (38XA)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 30.156944, -82.669167
Salena G. Short
1959 - 2020
A celebration of Salena Gail Short's life will be held at Marvin United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. on February 8, 2020. Ms. Short died in an accident on January 25, 2020.
In 2018, Ms. Short married the love of her life, Gary Buster. He preceded her in death.
Ms. Short was born in Tahoka on January 2, 1959. She was an exceptionally loving and kind child. As a young person, Ms. Short enjoyed painting and all forms of art. Her desire to create beauty in the world led her to pursue a degree in landscape design at Tyler Junior College. After graduation, she worked briefly with other landscapers and then established her own company, Arabella Gardens, in Tyler. Ms. Short won numerous awards for the gardens she designed and, with the help of her fine crew, planted and maintained.
Ms. Short was an active member of Marvin United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir. She was a true servant of God, sharing the love of Christ with everyone she met. Ms. Short was kindhearted, positive and industrious. Known for her compassion and caring, she worked tirelessly in many Christian ministries.
Ms. Short is survived by her mother and stepfather, Linda and Jerry Bach; her parents-in-law, C.A. and Joyce Buster; stepson and his wife, Aaron and Rachel Buster; siblings and their spouses, Staci and Gilbert Ramos, Sheri Short, Bert and Paulette Short, Sharla Short, Chris and Kristy Bach, and Samantha Bach; and nephews and nieces and their spouses, Trent and Stacey Short, Jake and Megan Short, Travis and Sidney McQueary, Chloe Jones, Calder Jones, and Dakota Bach; and her life-long friend Ilene Bentley. Ms. Short's father, Harry Lee Short, preceded her in death.
Memorials in Ms. Short's memory may be made to Marvin United Methodist Church Choir, 300 West Erwin Street, Tyler, Texas 75702, or to the charity of your choice.
Salena Short
The pilot was Salena Short, according to Bill Jennings, who purchased a home in the Cannon Creek Airpark about three months ago. Short was visiting Jennings from Texas. Jennings said Short's family had been notified of her death.
"In November, Salena sold me a gyrocopter," Jennings said. "We've been friends ever since."
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Short took off in a single-engine plane from the airpark, crashing into the home of Shane Renee Thomson not long after being airborne. Thomson and her son Ethan, 7, escaped injury.
Short, who was 61 years old, had flown into Lake City on Tuesday and was returning to her home in Tyler, Texas, on Saturday when she crashed. On Friday, her plane had undergone some maintenance, mainly to clean out its rocker covers; however, the plane was otherwise sound, Jennings said.
Short had a childhood love of flying and when she started dating her future husband, Gary Buster, a pilot himself, she got to experience flying in small planes first hand. It wouldn't be long before she would be piloting planes herself.
Buster died of a heart attack in July 2018 while visiting London, less than two months after he and Short married. Short used flying to cope with the loss.
"Oh how I’ve missed flying, truly the best therapy ever for me," she wrote in a Facebook post in November.
Murray Smith, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office public information officer, was at the scene of the crash. He told the Reporter that the National Transportation Safety Board, out of Cocoa Beach, would be leading the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration out of Orlando. The Florida Highway Patrol will also be part of the investigation because the wreckage partly littered a public road. The NTSB arrived on the scene within hours of the accident.
Rhonda and Jack Russell of Lake City were on their way to the home of Thomson, their daughter, to pick up Ethan for a basketball game at Parkview Baptist Saturday morning when they got word a plane had crashed into the house.
“Our daughter said a plane had just hit their house,” Rhonda said at the scene about a half-hour after the crash. “We didn’t know what to expect.”
They got there a few minutes later to find their daughter and grandson outside and unharmed.
“It is a miracle,” Rhonda said.
Shane Renee was standing by the front window of the home when the plane struck and Ethan was playing his keyboard just a few feet away.
“Then all of the sudden it hit,” Rhonda said. “She saw a flash of orange as it exploded.”
The plane struck the roof above a bay window on the front of the home in an apparent glancing blow then disintegrated and burned.
Shane Renee and Ethan escaped through the garage. “There were flames but they ducked down and got out,” Rhonda said.
On the way out they grabbed Ethan’s toy Chewbacca of Star Wars fame from the laundry room.
“It stunk of smoke,” Rhonda said. “We’re going to get him a new one.”
Shane Renee is upset and Ethan is “pretty scared,” Jack Russell said. “It’s almost like he’s in shock.”
Jack and Rhonda were grateful their daughter and grandson were safe, but their hearts went out to the family of the pilot.
“It’s an awful thing,” Jack said.
The Red Cross is poised to offer aid to Shane Renee and Ethan but Rhonda said she and Jack were there to take care of them.
Along with all their neighbors.
“They have wonderful neighbors here,” Rhonda said.
The home is damaged with a hole in the roof but appears structurally intact from the outside.
Original article ➤ https://www.lakecityreporter.com
Clean out rocker covers??? That raises a few questions.
ReplyDeleteSad loss.