Friday, November 13, 2020

Cessna 182R Skylane, N7306H: Fatal accident occurred November 12, 2020 near Ralph M. Hall Rockwall Municipal Airport (F46), Rockwall County, 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 did not travel to the scene of this accident.

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


Location: Rockwall, TX 
Accident Number: CEN21LA055
Date & Time: November 12, 2020, 13:06 Local
Registration: N7306H
Aircraft: Cessna 182
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:

On November 12, 2020, about 1307 central standard time (CST), a Cessna 182, N7306H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rockwall, Texas. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane had departed the Abilene airport (ABI) about 1139 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The last communications with air traffic control occurred at 1303 when the pilot cancelled the IFR flight plan and proceeded to Rockwall Municipal Airport (F46).

A review of archived Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that as the airplane approached F46, it appeared to enter a left downwind leg for runway 35, although the traffic pattern indicators as part of the segmented circle indicated a right traffic pattern for runway 35. Other pilots already in the traffic pattern were utilizing runway 17 and did not hear the pilot of N7306H make any radio transmissions on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency.  One pilot was holding short of runway 17, about to depart, when another pilot in the pattern instructed him to hold short of the runway since there was someone else landing the opposite direction.

Multiple surveillance cameras positioned around F46 captured the accident sequence. One camera, located at a fixed-base operator on the southeast corner of the airport, adjacent to the runway 35 threshold, captured the airplane about 10 ft over the runway’s surface and it did not appear to touchdown within the video frame. A witness located on the ground about that same location stated that he never saw the airplane touchdown as it crested the peak of the sloped runway. A second camera, located on the northwest side of the runway, adjacent to the windsock, captured the airplane shortly after cresting the peak of the runway. In this video, the airplane appeared to be on the runway, but not stopping. The camera angle was limited to the displaced threshold for runway 17 and when the airplane passed from its field of view, it was still on the ground. A third and final camera captured the remaining runway and accident sequence. Shortly after the airplane passed the segmented circle, smoke could briefly be seen emitting from the main wheels. Immediately thereafter, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and descended towards lower terrain before it ascended slightly. During this time, the airplane appeared to be in a nose high pitch attitude before impacting transmission power lines with the left wing that were located about 440 ft north of the departure end of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane spiraled to the ground and out of the camera’s field of view. The pilot of an airplane holding short of runway 17 had his window open and heard an increase in engine noise, which he described as consistent with an engine developing full power.

A post-accident examination revealed free movement of both main wheels with no flat spots noted. Flight control continuity was established to the ailerons, elevators and rudder and the flaps were found in the retracted position. Cylinder compression and rotational continuity throughout the engine and valve train was confirmed at the accident site. Additionally, the left and right magnetos produced spark on connected ignition leads. No mechanical anomalies or malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7306H
Model/Series: 182
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KF46,575 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C /12°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 7000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Abilene, TX (KABI) 
Destination: Rockwall, TX

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.936653,-96.436255 (est)

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.
 
Donald L.Wehmeyer, 75, and Curtis G. Robertson Jr., 67, both from Abilene, Texas.

Obituary of Donald Lee Wehmeyer

Donald L. Wehmeyer, M.D. was born on August 9, 1945, to George and Virginia Wehmeyer and passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020.  He was raised in High Ridge, Missouri and graduated from Northwest High School in 1963.  Don attended the University of Missouri at Columbia where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.  It was there he met his future wife, Pat Morrow, and they were married on August 24, 1968.   Upon graduation from Mizzou in 1967, he attended the University of Missouri School of Medicine, graduating in 1971, and then completed his general surgery residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas in 1975.  
 
Don served his country at Dyess Air Force Base as a general surgeon from 1975 to 1977.  He then continued his medical training at the University of Florida in Gainesville doing a plastic surgery residency from 1977 to 1979.  His fascination with how the hand functions led him to complete his hand and microsurgical  fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at Denver in 1980.  
 
Don and Pat had three criteria regarding a place to settle down, begin a practice and raise their family.  Those were:  a small town, parades on holidays and no need for a snow shovel! That’s what brought them back to Abilene, Texas.  Don opened his practice in July 1980, and he continued serving Abilene and the surrounding area until his retirement in May 2018.  During his medical career, he was instrumental in organizing one of the first independent physician associations in West Texas, Premier Physicians Alliance.  Don served as President of the board directors for many years.  
 
Throughout his thirty-eight year career as a hand surgeon, he developed a love of travel, a sense of adventure and giving of his time.  Don and Pat enjoyed traveling all over the world with family and friends. From attending the Winter Olympics in Yugoslavia, France and Norway to exploring the depths of the oceans around the world as a certified scuba diver to enjoying the beauty of South Africa on safaris, Don savored every trip.   
 
Don was a dedicated Boy Scout and had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Throughout his adult life he gave of his time by serving on the staff of several National and World Scout Jamborees.  He was very proud of his two grandsons in their involvement in scouting as they earned their way through the scouting ranks.  He certainly lived up to the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared”.   
 
Don was a talented photographer and captured priceless photos of his life’s adventures that will be treasured by his family and friends for years to come.  
 
Don was preceded in death by his parents, George and Virginia Wehmeyer and his sister, Brenda Wehmeyer.
 
He is survived by his wife, Pat, his son Michael Wehmeyer and wife Melissa of Abilene, Texas, his daughter Wendy Wehmeyer of Rockwall, Texas, his son Jeff Wehmeyer and wife Julie and grandsons Andy and Nick all of Lake Bluff, Illinois.  He is also survived by numerous cousins, friends and colleagues.  
 
Visitation will be on Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home at 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels or the charity of your choice.  


Obituary of Curtis Grady Robertson

Curtis Grady Robertson, 64, of Abilene, passed away on November 12 in Rockwall, TX. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 18 from 6-8 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Thursday, November 19 at First Baptist Church with C.V. Blake officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of the Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Curtis was born in Abilene to Grady and Sibyl Robertson on August 18, 1956. He attended school at Abilene High and graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He married Susie Price on October 22, 2004 in Abilene. He started Underwater Connection in 1984 which eventually became Abilene Sports Connection. He attained the highest level of scuba certification (Instructor Certifier) and traveled the world scuba diving. He competed in Artistic Pool (trick shots on the pool table) and retired with a 5th World Ranking. He went on a mission trip with Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman to Honduras for the Gospel Trick Shot Ministries. He was accepted into the American Cuemakers Association (one of only 44 at the time). He was a U.S. Representative of Lategan Safaris of South Africa.  He was a world traveler, visiting five continents, 31 countries, and 48 states.  

Curtis was preceded in death by his father and mother, Grady and Sibyl Robertson.  

Curtis is survived by his wife Susie Robertson and stepson Brandon Price, along with several cousins.  

Pallbearers will be David Jackson, John Jackson, Andy Reeder, Stan Chapman, John Dearing, and Derral Reed. Honorary Pallbearers are Buddy Warren, Mark Odom, and Grady McNabb.

The family of Curtis Robertson wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Wehmeyer family for a lifetime of friendship and memories.




 






ROCKWALL, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – Two people aboard a Cessna 182R Skylane were killed when the plane crashed after striking a power line near Ralph M. Hall Rockwall Municipal Airport, sources confirmed.

It happened around 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12th, near the 1900 Block of State Highway 66 the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The victims identities have not been released.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

21 comments:

  1. beyond Rwy 17 "Power-Line, Both-Sides, 33 ft high, 430 ft from end, 6:1 clearance slope"
    Last pings appear as an approach to rwy 35. Wonder, was this a touch and go?
    7/25/15
    STEVEN K.
    "Great airport. Really nice person working in the office. Nice crew car. Hilton Rockwall is really great place on the lake with a great pool just a few miles away. I expected the powerlines after reading the other post, I just expected a few more orange balls on them. Non-locals take note.

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  2. That's a 3,374' runway with two sets of power lines on each side of Hwy 66 off the end of runway 35. The set on the airport side is a lower 30' older classic wood pole set of 3 wires and on the opposite side that is a many line 50' high set that is massive metal poled. The apparently hit that.

    However the lines start at about 700' beyond the displaced threshold of 35 so they should have been well above them on a go around. The question is did the pilot wait too late to initiate one or did he not have the proper engine configuration (throttle/prop RPM) in a panic and the engine wasn't producing full thrust. Or was there some other mechanical problem? We'll just have to wait. So sorry for the friends and families.

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    1. Sources I know who have knowledge of the accident say the pilot attempted to land 35 with a tailwind, landed long and attempted to take off again too late. Apparently snagged the power lines just north of the 17 thresh hold. Flightaware shows him coming in from SW,swinging north over Wylie & Lavon, then back south to apparently enter a left DW for 35. Winds are sometimes screwy at the airport because of terrain & hump in the middle of the runway. 35 is RT pattern. Like a lot of transients, pilot may not have checked out the FacDir for airport pattern info. Sources also said pilot wasn't on CTAF - he may not have even listened to WX. The power lines are well marked with orange balls. I'm based here for along time and have been expecting something like this because of the near field of the power lines to the threshold. So sad. Prayers for the families.

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    2. the high tension power lines on steel transmission towers parallel the south side of east/west Texas state highway 66, and are located beyond runway 17s displaced threshold. No transmission power line obstacles beyond runway 35s threshold.

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    3. Like I said ^ : "power lines just north of the 17 thresh hold".

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    4. I guess I wasn't clear. He was using 35 and at the end of 35 (beginning of 17) is where Hwy 66 is. The end of 17 is obstacle free.

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  3. beyond Rwy 17 "Power-Line, Both-Sides, 33 ft high, 430 ft from end, 6:1 clearance slope"
    Last pings appear as an approach to rwy 35.  Wonder, was this a touch and go?  
    "7/25/15 STEVEN K. Great airport. Really nice person working in the office. Nice crew car. Hilton Rockwall is really great place on the lake with a great pool just a few miles away. I expected the powerlines after reading the other post, I just expected a few more orange balls on them. Non-locals take note." https://www.aopa.org/destinations/airports/F46/details

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    1. Not touch & go - landing 35 with a tailwind and tried to correct too late.

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  4. maybe just purchased!
    "Last Action Date 2020-08-07" on registration, and recent flight history starts 25 Aug 2020 per flightaware..

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  5. That Donald guy looks to be Simon Metz's son or "Schlitzie" Remember Pinhead? I had no idea anyone with Microcephaly could fly an aircraft! I am pretty sure KR won't post this, this site has turned into another politically correct typical liberal media news outlet that will only allow what they want to publish silencing just some fun Jerry Seinfeld type humor.

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    1. With all due respect, long-standing conservative Republicans....

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    2. Christ... people thinking as you do should go fly a metal kite, on a dog chain, next to power lines while standing in water.

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    3. "...fun Jerry Seinfeld type humor".
      Two men died here and you're interjecting humor from Seinfeld ?
      You are either still in high school or you don't have the adult mental faculties to engage in serious adult conversations. Please go elsewhere and nauseate someone else.

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    4. Yeah, you're absolutely hilarious Jeff. I didn't know human decency was a liberal trait, but from your comment, it appears as though it is.

      Prayers for the souls lost and those who loved them. They seemed like very good men.

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    5. ApacheJeff = "Peaceful Protester"

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  6. >I am pretty sure KR won't post this, this site has turned into another
    >politically correct typical liberal media news outlet that will only
    >allow what they want to publish

    Your thoughts are not normal, nor grounded in reality. Take a deep breath, stop surfing conspiracy websites, and go flying.

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    Replies
    1. no,please don't tell him to go flying. No one should be in the same airspace with him this side of the moon.

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  7. I've looked at the at news reports, and comments, but it's still unclear to me who was actually flying the plane? Just mentions two people were lost. Seems like it might have been Mr. Wehmeyer, but just not sure? Anyone know
    JW?

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  8. Here are the circumstances from a reliable source. Prayers for the gentlemen in the plane and their families.

    - Flight initiated in Abilene (ABI). The plane had flown the pattern at Abilene the day before. The runway is over 2x longer at Abilene than Rockwall (F46).
    https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N7306H/history/20201111/2105Z/KABI/KABI

    - When aircraft reached the vicinity of Rockwall airport, the tracking information shows it turned North while still West of the airport, toward Lake Lavon and Wylie. It then looped clockwise and headed back to the South, and flew diagonally over the airport from Northeast to Southwest, setting up for a landing on Rwy 35 from the West side of the runway (Left traffic).
    https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N7306H

    - There was an approximately 8 knot tailwind when landing on Rwy 35.

    - The pilot was not heard on CTAF.

    - The aircraft landed fast and past the mid-point of the runway. The brakes smoked. They smoked again near the end of the runway.

    - This was not a touch-and-go.

    - The plane was still at power and attempted a go-around near the end of the runway.

    - The pilot pulled up hard, the plane stalled, and pitched sideways.

    - The tip of the wing struck the wires that are past the runway.

    - The plane came to a rest, inverted, in the field beyond the wires.

    - There was not a fire.

    - The pilot and the passenger lost their lives upon impact.


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    Replies
    1. Tragic accident. Your description seems to make the most sense based on the information we have now.

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