Saturday, February 29, 2020

Fuel Contamination: Tecnam P-2004 Bravo, N319TA, fatal accident occurred August 18, 2017 near New Kent County Airport (W96), Quinton, Virginia












The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia

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/N319TA

Location: Quinton, VA
Accident Number: ERA17LA280
Date & Time: 08/18/2017, 1100 EDT
Registration: N319TA
Aircraft: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2004 BRAVO
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel contamination
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 18, 2017, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P-2004 Bravo, N319TA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain and a fence during a forced landing near Quinton, Virginia. The flight instructor was fatally injured and the commercial pilot receiving instruction received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Mid Atlantic Air Adventures, Inc. and was operated by New Kent Flight Center as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which departed New Kent County Airport (W96), Quinton, Virginia, about 1030.

The commercial pilot reported that the accident flight was his first instructional flight in the airplane make and model. The pilots checked the weather and performed a preflight inspection using the checklists, which revealed no anomalies. Both fuel tanks were checked and were indicating 1/2 full on the left and slightly more than 1/2 full on the right. The instructor informed the pilot that they would stay in the airport traffic pattern until the weather improved. After completing a runup and pretakeoff checklist, they departed runway 29. The commercial pilot reported he "was pretty sure we did three takeoffs and touch and goes" on runway 29. Following the last takeoff, all indications appeared normal, but as the commercial pilot started a left climbing turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern about 600 ft mean sea level (msl), the "power just quit."

The flight instructor took control of the airplane and attempted to restart the engine, however, the propeller was "frozen in place" and the engine did not restart. The airport was over 1 mile away and there was no possibility of return, so they attempted a forced landing on a horse pasture. The flight instructor performed the landing to an area that was bordered by two 5 foot fences; the airplane collided with the first fence before landing in the field, then collided with an additional fence before coming to a rest on a gravel road.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land, airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane; a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and instrument airplane; and a mechanic certificate with powerplant rating. His most recent first-class FAA medical certificate was issued on December 6, 2016, with a limitation for corrective lenses. On the application for that certificate, the pilot reported 4,800 total hours of flight experience with 350 hours in the previous 6 months.

The pilot receiving instruction held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land, airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent second-class FAA medical certificate was issued on August 2, 2017, with a limitation for corrective lenses. On the application for that certificate, he reported 256 total hours civilian flight experience. He also reported over 6,050 hours of military flight experience.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was a special light sport airplane and received its airworthiness certificate on April 24, 2008. It was a two-place, internally braced, high-wing airplane, with a two-blade fixed pitch propeller that was driven by a Rotax 912 100 horsepower, four-cylinder, four-stroke liquid/air cooled engine.

Review of maintenance records indicated that, at the time of the most recent 100-hour inspection on July 10, 2017, the airplane had accumulated 1,164.5 hours total time; the engine had 599.3 hours total time and the tachometer registered 240.4 hours. During the inspection, all cylinder compressions were normal, the oil was changed, and the oil filter was inspected. In addition, the spark plugs were removed, inspected, and reinstalled; there were no discrepancies noted.

The previous 100-hour inspection was accomplished on June 15, 2016; the tachometer time and engine total time was 176.5 hours and 535.5 hours, respectively. During the inspection, the spark plugs were replaced and the carburetors were rebuilt.

The powertrain section of the airplane maintenance manual detailed interval operating hours. It stated that spark plug inspection was required every 100 hours with replacement every 200 hours unless leaded fuel was used more than 30% of the airplane's operational time, which reduced the replacement interval to 100 hours. It also stated that the engine oil must be drained and replaced every 50 hours, and the oil filter replaced every 50 hours and cut open to examine the filter for contaminants. Airplane records indicated that these maintenance actions were completed as required by the reduced intervals set forth in the maintenance manual

The owner of the airplane could not confirm if the operator was using 100LL aviation fuel on a regular basis. He did report that, in May 2017, the operator purchased 25 gallons of 100LL on two separate occasions. In addition, 100LL (blue) fuel was recovered from the airplane after the accident. Between the most recent inspection and the flight log for the day of the accident flight, 38.3 hours had elapsed; the 50-hour inspection and oil change was due in 12.3 hours.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The 1055 observation at W96, 1 mile east-northeast of the accident site, included wind from 180° at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, overcast ceiling at 1,400 ft above ground level, temperature 28°C, dewpoint 26°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.90 inches of mercury.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane impacted a wooden fence just before touchdown, which sheared off one of the landing gear. The airplane slid for about 200 ft after touchdown before striking another wooden fence, which resulted in impact damage to the fuselage, empennage, engine, and wings. The left wing fuel tank was compromised during the impact. The airplane continued another 50 ft, where it came to rest on a gravel road on a magnetic heading of 315°. A section of fence board entered the engine compartment, punctured the firewall and instrument panel, then entered the cockpit .

One of the propeller blades was separated and shattered about 14 inches from the hub. The opposing propeller blade was cracked in several locations, but remained intact.

The engine was examined at a salvage facility following recovery from the accident site. The engine remained attached to its mounts, which were deformed. Several components, including the number 2 (No. 2 and No. 4 cylinder) carburetor, were found displaced; several wires and hoses, including the fuel return line, were found separated. The exhaust pipes were separated at the muffler.

The engine could not be rotated by hand and could not be operated by the starter. The ignition system was examined and was in good physical condition.

The spark plugs were removed and examined. The No. 1 cylinder top and bottom spark plugs displayed rust colored material between the insulator nose and inner bore of the thread. The bottom Nos. 1 and 2 spark plugs were filled with a rust-colored liquid. The No. 3 cylinder top and bottom spark plugs exhibited rust between the insulator nose and inner bore of the thread. The bottom No. 3 spark plug was filled with a soapy liquid. The No. 4 top and bottom spark plugs appeared normal in color and in good condition. When compared to the Champion-Aviation Check-a-Plug chart, the spark plugs exhibited signs of significant lead fouling on the Nos. 1, 2, and 3 cylinders.

The fuel pump was removed and tested by hand, and produced a liquid consistent with water when the plunger was activated. The fuel return line was found disconnected at its attachment point. No anomalies were found with the fuel lines.

The carburetor for cylinder Nos. 1 and 3 and its float bowl were removed and examined. The float bowl contained a liquid consistent with water. The top of the carburetor was disassembled and examined. The rubber diaphragm was found incorrectly installed, as the tab was protruding from the side. The diaphragm was removed and was found to be 180° from its proper location.

The carburetor for cylinder Nos. 2 and 4 and its float bowl were removed and examined. The float bowl contained a liquid consistent with water. The main jet was removed and examined for obstruction and proper size. No additional anomalies were found with the carburetor or its components.

The airframe fuel lines located forward of the firewall exhibited no anomalies. The gascolator was disassembled and inspected. The internal filter and bowl contained an unknown contaminant that lined the interior surface of the bowl, consistent with corrosion.

A clear plastic container was placed under the electric fuel pump to capture any contents. A liquid consistent with water poured out of the fuel pump upon removal. The liquid was tested with water-finding paste, which indicated the presence of water. The fuel filter was removed and found to be partially blocked (30%) with unknown sediment contamination on the filter.

The fuel from the right wing tank was drained and placed in a clear plastic container to facilitate examination. A liquid consistent with water was found sitting at the bottom of the container as seen in figure 1.

Figure 1. Drained fuel showing water.

Removal and examination of the reduction gearbox revealed no anomalies, and the internal gears easily rotated within the gearbox. Rotation of the engine was attempted following removal of the gearbox; however, the engine would not rotate.

The No. 2 cylinder head was removed, and examination of the combustion chamber revealed significant combustion residue adhering to the top of the No. 2 piston and the bottom of the No. 2 cylinder, which prevented rotation of the crankshaft. With the No. 2 cylinder head removed, the engine crankshaft could be rotated by hand.

Analysis of the spark plug and piston contamination samples revealed that the material was composed of 95% lead, 3% zinc, and 2% bismuth.

The airplane was equipped with an Advanced Flight Systems AF-3000 Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS). The memory card was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Division and read out using laboratory hardware. No accident-related data was found on the memory card.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the instructor was performed by Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of The Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. The cause of death listed injuries that were consistent with being struck by the portion of fence board that entered the cockpit.

Toxicology testing performed by the FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified ketamine and its metabolite, norketamine; etomidate; and midazolam. The identified substances were consistent with postaccident medical treatment. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 38, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/06/2016
Occupational Pilot:Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 4800 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/07/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/18/2015
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 6300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA
Registration: N319TA
Model/Series: P2004 BRAVO NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport; Normal
Serial Number: 125
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/10/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 38 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1164 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912
Registered Owner: MID-ATLANTIC AIR VENTURES INC
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: New Kent Flight Center LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: W96, 121 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1055 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 245°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:5 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 26°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Quinton, VA (W96)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Quinton, VA (W96)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1030 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: NEW KENT COUNTY (W96)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf; Gravel
Airport Elevation: 120 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Rough; Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:None 
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 37.497222, -77.149167


Andrew Jones 
 Flight Instructor
































Controlled Flight Into Object: Piper PA-28R-180, N7430J; fatal accident occurred August 31, 2018 in Kaplan, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana










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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Piper Aircraft Inc; Vero Beach, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N7430J

Location: Kaplan, LA
Accident Number: CEN18FA359
Date & Time: 08/31/2018, 0756 CDT
Registration: N7430J
Aircraft: Piper PA28R
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The airline transport pilot and his daughter departed in day visual meteorological conditions with the morning sun located behind the airplane. About 10 minutes after takeoff, the airplane impacted a charted, 1,793-ft-tall television/radio tower about 200 ft below the apex of the tower.

Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot and his wife were in the process of divorce. The pilot's wife was very concerned after the pilot and her daughter departed without notice several weeks before the accident. The pilot had become unresponsive to phone calls from his work supervisor and had been making unauthorized purchases with his work credit card before the accident. On the day before the accident, the pilot's attorney informed the pilot that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

A direct course from the departure airport to the pilot's home airport was over 5 miles south of the tower. Although a surveillance video and witness statements indicated that the tower's lighting was erratic, the tower was adequately lit, and the visibility of the tower was not a factor in the accident. 

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 clearance from a charted and illuminated television/radio tower.

Findings

Personnel issues
Flight planning/navigation - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) - Awareness of condition (Cause)
Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-cruise
Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) (Defining event)

Uncontrolled descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)


On August 31, 2018, about 0756 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R airplane, N7430J, impacted a tower near Kaplan, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Space City Aviators under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which departed without a flight plan from Abbeville Chris Crusta Memorial Airport (IYA), Abbeville, Louisiana, about 0746.

The pilot and his daughter were returning toward their home state of Texas following a vacation to Florida. They arrived to IYA on the afternoon before the accident and stayed overnight at a hotel in Abbeville. According to a hotel surveillance camera, they departed this hotel at 0708.


Following departure from IYA, an uncontrolled airport, the airplane flew about 15 miles to the northwest, where it struck a television/radio tower in a rural area. The tower's height was 1,793 ft above ground level and the airplane impacted about 200 ft below the apex of the tower. The highly fragmented wreckage was dispersed over an area about 700 ft wide. The tower collapsed and the buildings at the base of the tower, which were unoccupied, caught fire and were destroyed. No ground injuries occurred.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/27/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 6000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 100 hours (Total, this make and model) 

The pilot, age 45, held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings, as well as a flight instructor certificate with airplane single-engine land and multi-engine landing ratings. On February 27, 2017, the pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate with no restrictions and reported a total flight time of 6,000 hours. The pilot was employed as an FAA operations inspector. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N7430J
Model/Series: PA28R 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28R-30774
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/18/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 36 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3980 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-B1E
Registered Owner: Private
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Space City Aviators
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The airplane was manufactured in 1968 and was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-B1E engine, serial number L-5225-51A, and a Hartzel two-blade, all-metal propeller. The airplane underwent an annual inspection on July 18, 2018. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated 3,980 hours, with a total engine time of 4,726 hours and time since engine overhaul of 1,782 hours. The airplane was one of four in a fleet offered for rent at a flight club based at La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas. The pilot was a member of the flight club.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIYA, 50 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0755 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 104°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 50°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Abbeville, LA (IYA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0746 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G  

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 30.038889, -92.370833 

The wreckage was in four principal sections: fuselage, empennage and cabin; engine and propeller; right wing; and left wing. Near the base of the tower, which collapsed on heading of 255°, a 20 ft wide area of fuel blight was noted to the grass. The empennage remained attached to the fuselage and lay on its right side with the cabin underneath. Buckling was noted throughout the empennage skin.

The aileron control tee bar was impact damaged and the chain was displaced, with the left aileron drive cable attached to the chain. The chain was pulled down into the cabin floor tunnel and a broomstraw separation occurred inboard of the turnbuckle barrel. The rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer and rudder cables retained continuity from the pedal bar in the cockpit to the rudder. The vertical stabilizer and stabilator remained attached to the empennage, with normal cable continuity from the tee bar in the cockpit to the stabilator balance weight.

The transponder was found in the off position. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight operations.


Medical And Pathological Information

On August 31, 2018, a forensic pathologist from the Louisiana Forensic Center, Youngsville, Louisiana performed an autopsy on the pilot and passenger. The cause of death for the pilot and passenger was blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing performed at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory on the pilot was negative for drugs and alcohol.

According to the pilot's second wife, she and the pilot were in the process of getting a divorce following several family-related challenges. She had been very concerned when the pilot left with their daughter without notice and until the evening before the accident, she had not seen or spoke with her daughter since July 27, 2018. According to his FAA supervisor, the pilot's behavior became erratic before the accident. He was unresponsive to phone calls and made purchases for personal items with his work credit card while in Florida, which was not authorized. On the day before the accident, the pilot was informed by his attorney that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Additional Information

The impacted tower was correctly depicted on the FAA sectional chart. Surveillance video of the tower taken during the early morning hours before the accident revealed lighting anomalies. Instead of blinking in unison, the tower's lights would illuminate in a chaotic, random manner. Due to sun glare, video surveillance was not available after 0607 on the morning of the accident.

A witness who lived near the tower stated the lights were often erratic. An aerial application pilot who frequently flew near the tower stated the intensity of the tower's lights ranged from very bright to dim. This pilot flew during the morning of the accident and recalled the tower's lights as bright. A direct course from IYA to the pilot's home airport at T41 would have positioned the flight over five miles south of the tower.

Accident Number: CEN18FA359
Date & Time: 08/31/2018, 0756 CDT
Registration: N7430J
Aircraft: Piper PA28R
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 31, 2018, about 0756 central daylight time, a Piper PA28R airplane, N7430J, impacted a tower near Kaplan, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Space City Aviators under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which departed about 0746 without a flight plan from Abbeville Chris Crusta Memorial Airport (IYA), Abbeville, Louisiana.

After departing IYA, the airplane flew about 15 miles to the northwest, where it struck a television/radio tower in a rural area. The tower's height was 1,793 ft above ground level and the airplane impacted about 200 ft below the apex of the tower. The highly fragmented wreckage was dispersed over an area about 700 ft wide. The tower collapsed and the buildings at the base of the tower, which were unoccupied, caught fire and were destroyed. No ground injuries were reported. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N7430J
Model/Series: PA28R 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Space City Aviators
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIYA, 50 ft msl
Observation Time: 0755 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Abbeville, LA (IYA)
Destination: 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude:  30.038889, -92.370833

Caylee Isabella Sampson, age 6 years.

Funeral cost for Caylee:  https://www.gofundme.com


Friday’s tragic plane crash in Vermilion Parish that claimed the lives of a father and daughter from Texas, also took down the signal for a small Christian radio station in Crowley.

During one of Friday morning’s shows, the KAJN’s signal suddenly blinked off the air.

“He went out there thinking it was a problem with the transmitter,” said Barry Thompson, KAJN President.

An engineer drove out to the stations transmitter building in Kaplan in search of the problem.

“He drove up and said but there’s no tower here,” said Thompson.

It’s what he didn’t find however, that caused even more concern.

“He saw the tower was on the ground,” said Thompson.

A plane had crashed into the 1800 ft tower causing it to fall and take down almost everything in it’s path.

“Our antenna, cable and all of the transmission line. Its gone,” said Thompson.

Shockingly, the only thing the tower spared was the station’s nearby transmitter building.

“All of our transmitter equipment and broadcaster equipment was safe inside the building,” said Thompson.

An act that Thompson calls a miracle. Also, one that has left them able to reach only some of their listeners.

“We’re broadcasting to only a portion of our audience,” said Thompson.

Thompson said they’re hoping to get back on another tower that is at least 1560ft or higher.

“We want to get at least that high or higher to bring our signal back to our regular audience,”said Thompson.

Story and video ➤ https://kadn.com




The victims killed in a plane crash on August 31, 2018 in Vermilion Parish have been identified as 45-year-old Marcus Todd Sampson of Seabrook, Texas and his daughter, 6-year-old Caylee Isabella Sampson.

The National Transportation and Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the crash.

Earlier, we reported a different spelling for the child’s first name. The correct spelling of her first name is Caylee.

The plane hit an old KATC tower in the Kaplan area Friday.

According to the FAA, the plane was a Piper Cherokee (PA-28).

The tower stood at 1,800 feet and was being rented by KAJN radio.

KAJN is broadcasting on a 1500 Watts station for now while new equipment is being built, which will take a few weeks. Listeners can catch the station live streaming at www.kajn.com or by using the free Simple Radio app.  The station usually broadcasts at 100,000 watts, so some listeners may not be able to catch them right now. 

Herpin et al v. Estate of Marcus Todd Sampson et al

Plaintiff: Andrea Herpin and Christopher Herpin
Defendant: Marcus Todd Sampson Estate, David L Norman, Mackem Aviation L L C and American National Property & Casualty Co
Case Number: 6:2019cv01241
Filed: September 23, 2019
Court: US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Presiding Judge: Michael J Juneau
Referring Judge: Robert R Summerhays
2 Judge: Carol B Whitehurst
Nature of Suit: Personal Property: Other
Cause of Action: 28:1332
Jury Demanded By: None

This docket was last retrieved on November 5, 2019. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.

November 5, 2019 Opinion or Order Filing 13 ORDER granting #12 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply ; granting #12 Motion for Jurisdictional Discovery. The deadlines for Plaintiffs to respond to Defendants' #5 Motion to Dismiss are continued without date. Counsel shall contact the Court upon completion of discovery to advise if and when the Motion to Dismiss deadlines should be reset. Signed by Judge Robert R Summerhays on 11/5/2019. (crt,Crick, S)

October 31, 2019 Motions Transferred regarding #12 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response re #5 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction MOTION for Jurisdictional Discovery. Motions referred to Judge Robert R Summerhays. (crt,Crick, S)

October 31, 2019 Filing 12 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to #5 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction, Motion for Jurisdictional Discovery with consent by Andrea Herpin, Christopher Herpin. Motions referred to Carol B Whitehurst. (Attachments: #1 Proposed order)(aty,Duhon, Gabe). Added MOTION for Discovery and modified docket text on 11/1/2019 (Crick, S).

October 22, 2019 Opinion or Order Filing 11 ORDER granting #10 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response to #5 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction Responses due by 10/31/2019. Signed by Judge Robert R Summerhays on 10/22/2019. (crt,Crick, S)

October 17, 2019 Motions Transferred regarding #10 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to #5 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction. Motions referred to Judge Robert R Summerhays. (crt,Crick, S)

October 16, 2019 Filing 10 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to #5 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by Andrea Herpin, Christopher Herpin. Motions referred to Carol B Whitehurst. (Attachments: #1 Proposed order)(aty,Duhon, Gabe) Modified on 10/17/2019 to modify docket text. (Crick, S).

October 4, 2019 Filing 9 RESPONSE TO REMOVAL ORDER by American National Property & Casualty Co, Mackem Aviation L L C, David L Norman . (aty,Bergeron, Nicholas)

September 24, 2019 Filing 8 NOTICE of Motion Setting regarding: #5 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction . Motions referred to Judge Robert R Summerhays. (crt,Crick, S)

September 24, 2019 CASE Reassigned to Robert S Summerhays as related case. See #7 Transfer Order. (crt,Crick, S)

September 24, 2019 Opinion or Order Filing 7 TRANSFER ORDER. IT IS ORDERED that this case is hereby transferred to Judge Robert R Summerhays as a related case for all further proceedings. Signed by Judge Michael J Juneau on 9/24/2019. (crt,Crick, S)

September 24, 2019 Opinion or Order Filing 6 REMOVAL ORDER regarding state court documents, pending motions, registry funds, and admission status of counsel. Signed by Magistrate Judge Carol B Whitehurst on 9/24/2019. (crt,Chicola, C)

September 24, 2019 Filing 5 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by American National Property & Casualty Co, Mackem Aviation L L C, David L Norman. Motions referred to Carol B Whitehurst. (Attachments: #1 Memorandum / Brief, #2 Exhibit A - David. L. Norman Affidavit, #3 Exhibit B - David Jones Affidavit)(aty,McAloon, Leo)

September 23, 2019 Filing 4 PROPOSED REMOVAL ORDER referred to Magistrate Judge Carol B Whitehurst. (Public entry, but no electronic notice). (crt,Thigpen, M)

September 23, 2019 CASE Assigned to Judge Michael J Juneau and Magistrate Judge Carol B Whitehurst. (crt,Thigpen, M)

September 23, 2019 Filing 3 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Mackem Aviation L L C identifying Other Affiliate David and Bonnie Norman for Mackem Aviation L L C. (aty,McAloon, Leo)

September 23, 2019 Filing 2 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by American National Property and Casualty Company identifying Corporate Parent American National Holdings, Other Affiliate American National Insurance Company for American National Property and Casualty Company. (aty,McAloon, Leo)

September 23, 2019 Filing 1 NOTICE of Removal from 15th JDC, Vermilion Parish, Case Number 107214 (Filing fee $400, receipt number 0536-4055992) filed by David L Norman, American National Property and Casualty Company, Mackem Aviation L L C. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A - State Court Pleadings, #2 Civil cover sheet)(Attorney Leo R McAloon, III added to party American National Property and Casualty Company(pty:dft), Attorney Leo R McAloon, III added to party Mackem Aviation L L C(pty:dft), Attorney Leo R McAloon, III added to party David L Norman(pty:dft))(aty,McAloon, Leo)

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