The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
GHENT, New York (NEWS10) — An 87-year-old pilot crashed his Cessna 172N Skyhawk plane near Columbia County airport Wednesday afternoon, authorities say.
Just after 2 p.m., Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a reported plane crash at the Columbia County Airport on Route 9H in Ghent.
The first deputy on the scene of the crash discovered Fred DeFilippis, 87, of Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County, who climbed out of the plane unaided and walked away without any injuries.
In addition to being the pilot, DeFilippis was also the sole occupant of the Cessna 172N Skyhawk. He crashed into the wooded area east of the runway shortly after taking off from the airport, reporting that it suddenly veered left for no reason.
DeFilippis received a check-up from emergency medical personnel and refused any further treatment.
https://www.news10.com
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albany, New York
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Hudson, New York
Accident Number: ERA20CA269
Date & Time: July 29, 2020, 14:00 Local
Registration: N6705E
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot, who had not flown for the three months preceding the accident, was flying the airplane for the first time since its annual inspection had been completed. Following an uneventful preflight inspection and flight to another airport, he landed the airplane at a third airport and back-taxied for departure. After traveling a short down the distance down the runway during the takeoff, the pilot reported that the airplane began yawing to the left. The pilot attempted to compensate for the left yaw by applying right rudder, but the left yaw continued. He then applied full right rudder but was unable to center the airplane and it departed the left side of the runway. The pilot then reduced engine power as the airplane proceed over the downward sloping terrain off the side of the runway and into an area of dense vegetation and small trees. The airplane came to rest in the vegetation and both wings and the forward portion of the fuselage were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s ailerons, rudder, and brake systems revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable about the time of the accident. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff attempt, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with vegetation.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Takeoff Runway excursion
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 87, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 4, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 31, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3950 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3870 hours (Total, this make and model), 3950 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N6705E
Model/Series: 172 N
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17272053
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 27, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3967 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 160 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: PSF,1188 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 300°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 250°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 15°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hudson, NY (1B1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hudson, NY (1B1)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 14:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Columbia County 1B1
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 198 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5350 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.291389,-73.710281(est)
GHENT, New York (NEWS10) — An 87-year-old pilot crashed his Cessna 172N Skyhawk plane near Columbia County airport Wednesday afternoon, authorities say.
Just after 2 p.m., Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a reported plane crash at the Columbia County Airport on Route 9H in Ghent.
The first deputy on the scene of the crash discovered Fred DeFilippis, 87, of Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County, who climbed out of the plane unaided and walked away without any injuries.
In addition to being the pilot, DeFilippis was also the sole occupant of the Cessna 172N Skyhawk. He crashed into the wooded area east of the runway shortly after taking off from the airport, reporting that it suddenly veered left for no reason.
DeFilippis received a check-up from emergency medical personnel and refused any further treatment.
https://www.news10.com
"He crashed into the wooded area east of the runway shortly after taking off from the airport, reporting that it suddenly veered left for no reason."
ReplyDeleteAnother Geriatric crash report on KR. I'm sorry Gramps, but 172s are about as easy flying as it gets. Note the 10 degrees of flaps still set. Old timer should have hung it up long ago.
No one wants to quit, but there comes a time.....
ReplyDelete