Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ground Collision: Bell 407GX, N450AM; accident occurred March 03, 2019 in Union Center, Meade County, South Dakota

Bell 407GX, N450AM
Federal Aviation Administration

Tail Boom 
Federal Aviation Administration

Ambulance 
Federal Aviation Administration

Bell 407GX, N450AM
Air Methods Corp


Air Methods Corp


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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota

Aviation Accident Factual 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/N450AM

Location: Union Center, SD
Accident Number: CEN19LA092
Date & Time: 03/03/2019, 0013 MST
Registration: N450AM
Aircraft: Bell 407
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Unspecified)

On March 3, 2019, about 0013 mountain standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N450AM, was substantially damaged after landing near Union Center, South Dakota. The pilot and flight nurse were not injured. The flight paramedic sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was owned by Air Methods and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed and activated for the flight. The on-demand air medical flight departed Spearfish, South Dakota, about 2337, and was en route to Union Center to pick up a patient.

The helicopter had arrived at the landing zone at Union Center to pick up a patient. After landing, the pilot rolled the engine throttle to idle and briefed the flight crew that they were clear to depart the helicopter. About 20 seconds into the "cool down" process the ground ambulance drove towards the helicopter and subsequently the main rotor blades impacted the top of the ambulance. The flight paramedic was thrown to the ground during the collision. The main rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The ground ambulance driver saw the crew open the doors and get out of the helicopter, so he moved the ambulance forward to get closer to the helicopter. The ground ambulance driver stated that he did not realize "that the helicopter blades were still rotating."

Air Methods confirmed that the ambulance driver had received their training. A review of that training indicated that ground personnel are not to approach the aircraft until the blades had stopped rotation. The training also indicated that ground vehicle lights should be turned off while the helicopter is landing. An excerpt from the Air Methods General Operations Manual stated that ground personnel "will not come beneath the rotor disk until directed to do so by the pilot in command; the pilot will use appropriate hand signals to do so."

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Private
Age: 36
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/02/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/27/2018
Flight Time:  2138 hours (Total, all aircraft), 130 hours (Total, this make and model), 2138 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N450AM
Model/Series: 407
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 54435
Landing Gear Type: High Skid; Skid;
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/01/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 2105 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 250-C47B
Registered Owner: Air Methods Corp
Rated Power: 650 hp
Operator: Air Methods Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As: Black Hills Life Flight
Operator Designator Code: QMLA

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRAP, 3203 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0052 MST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.42 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -24°C / -29°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Spearfish, SD (KSPF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Union Center, SD
Type of Clearance: Traffic Advisory; None
Departure Time: 2337 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.564722, -102.661389 (est)

Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC, N599ST: Accident occurred March 11, 2020 near Jasper County Airport (KRZL), Rensselaer, Indiana

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 Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greater Chicago, Illinois
Piper Aircraft Inc; Vero Beach, Florida

https://registry.faa.gov/N599ST

Location: Rensselaer, IN
Accident Number: CEN20LA118
Date & Time: 03/11/2020, 0635 CDT
Registration: N599ST
Aircraft: Piper PA32R
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 11, 2020, about 0635 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R airplane, N599ST, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jasper County Airport (RZL), Rensselaer, Indiana. The pilot, sole occupant, was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.

When the airplane did not arrive at its destination an ALNOT (alert notification) was issued. A preliminary review of air traffic control services revealed the pilot had requested an instrument approach to RZL.

The airplane wreckage was located in a field about one mile east of RZL.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N599ST
Model/Series: PA32R 301T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Not Reported
Observation Facility, Elevation: RZL
Observation Time: 0635 CDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility:  0.5 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: LaFayette, IN (LAF)
Destination: Rensselaer, IN (RZL) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 40.948333, -87.178889

Lafayette resident Matt Jonkman talks June 10th, 2015, about the plans he has for the historic Fowler House. The Tippecanoe County Historical Association sold the Fowler House to Jonkman's nonprofit 1852 Foundation. Jonkman said he will reopen the Fowler House for wedding receptions, reunions, catered events, tours and corporate meetings. He said the Fowler House will not be a residence.


RENSSELAER, Indiana – A Lafayette pilot was injured on the morning of March 11th when his plane went down behind a Dollar General store in Rensselaer.

According to a report from Rensselaer police, the pilot, Matt Jonkman of Lafayette, was taken to an Indianapolis hospital Wednesday, March 11th  after his plane crashed. Friends say he was on his way to pick up his father at the Jasper County Airport.

According to the report, a witness called police about a plane flying low in the area of Indiana 114, also known as Clark Street on the western edge of the city.

Jonkman and Ann Jonkman, a doctor in Lafayette, created the 1852 Foundation, a nonprofit group that purchased and renovated the Fowler House mansion near the corner of 10th and South streets in Lafayette. Their foundation operates the Fowler House – built by Lafayette businessman Moses Fowler and later Tippecanoe County historical museum – as an events venue.

According to FlightAware, Jonkman took off in the Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC aircraft from Purdue Airport at 7:07 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday and was scheduled to arrive at Jasper County Airport, less than a mile from the crash scene, at 6:17 a.m. Central time.

A Facebook post from the Jasper County Airport reported that it had received a call at 6:52 a.m. Central time from Chicago air traffic controllers asking about whether an aircraft had made it to the airport. At 7:04 a.m. Central time, the airport received a call about a plane that had crashed with one person onboard.

Colby Bartlett, a member of the 1852 Foundation board, said Jonkman was flying to Rensselaer to pick up his father and then planned to fly somewhere else from there. He said Jonkman was in critical, but stable, condition with burns Wednesday night at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis.

“We’re all just very, very thankful that he survived and is getting great care,” Bartlett said.

The Federal Aviation Administration was investigating, though no cause for the crash was immediately available.

Original article can be found here ➤  https://www.jconline.com

Matt Jonkman



RENSSELAER — Jasper County Airport officials are on the scene of a plane crash in Rensselaer.


According to the Jasper County Airport’s Facebook page, emergency rescue personnel are behind the Dollar General store, 930 W. Clark St., Rensselaer, investigation a “possible crash” of an aircraft in which one person was confirmed to be on board. That person, according to Jasper County Airport Manager Ray Seif, has been transported to a hospital.

Seif said the airport received a call at 6:52 a.m. CT from the Chicago Air Traffic Control Center asking if an aircraft had made it on the ground. He said Chicago had cleared an aircraft to make an instrument approach — a procedure in which pilots use aircraft instruments to determine its position and navigate between points.

“We did not have the aircraft on the ground at the airport,” Seif wrote in an email to the Rensselaer Republican.

Just after 7 a.m. CT, a call from 911 Dispatch asked if the airport was expecting an aircraft and that a crash may have happened behind the Dollar General store.

The crash location is about 1 mile east of the airport.

According to Seif, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been contacted.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.newsbug.info

Aviat A-1B Husky, N812MA: Incident occurred March 11, 2020 at Danbury Municipal Airport (KDXR), Fairfield County, Connecticut

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Bradley

Aircraft made a hard landing and veered off runway striking a taxiway light.

https://registry.faa.gov/N812MA

Date: 11-MAR-20
Time: 19:01:00Z
Regis#: N812MA
Aircraft Make: AVIAT
Aircraft Model: A1
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: DANBURY
State: CONNECTICUT

Piper PA-28-180, N7108W: Incident occurred March 11, 2020 in Manhattan, Kansas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas

Aircraft landed and was forced off runway due to a wind gust, damaged runway sign.

VersaAir Services LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N7108W

Date: 11-MAR-20
Time: 16:30:00Z
Regis#: N7108W
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: MANHATTAN
State: KANSAS

Low Altitude Operation/Event: American Legend AL18, N23TN; accident occurred March 10, 2020 in Social Circle, Georgia










Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://registry.faa.gov/N23TN

Location: Social Circle, GA
Accident Number: ERA20CA131
Date & Time: 03/10/2020, 1645 EDT
Registration: N23TN
Aircraft: American Legend Aircraft AL18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was conducting a low pass through an abandoned power line easement on a small lake peninsula. He was flying directly into the wind, and as the airplane approached hilly terrain, the wind changed. The airplane then encountered turbulence and impacted terrain. The airplane subsequently bounced, and the pilot applied "heavy braking, The airplane then nosed over and came to
rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

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 airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Other weather encounter
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Other Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None 
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/03/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/21/2019
Flight Time:  4553 hours (Total, all aircraft), 158 hours (Total, this make and model), 4125 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 62 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: American Legend Aircraft
Registration: N23TN
Model/Series: AL18
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Light Sport
Serial Number: AL-1206
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats:2 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 101 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: YO-233-B2A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 115 hp
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: D73, 867 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1635 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 339°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Terrain-Induced
Wind Direction: 290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Altimeter Setting: 30.27 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Monroe, GA (1GA9)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Monroe, GA (1GA9)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1600 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.685833, -83.648333 (est)

Aero L-29 Delphin, N3159Y: Incident occurred March 11, 2020 at Santa Fe Municipal Airport (KSAF), New Mexico

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Aircraft right main tire blew and shredded on rollout.

Aviation Museum Consultants Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N3159Y

Date: 11-MAR-20
Time: 16:25:00Z
Regis#: N3159Y
Aircraft Make: AERO VODOCHODY
Aircraft Model: L29
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: SANTA FE
State: NEW MEXICO

Robinson R44, N4386W: Incident occurred March 12, 2020 in Big Lake, Reagan County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

Rotorcraft struck a power line and was forced to land.

Concho Aviation LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N4386W

Date: 12-MAR-20
Time: 00:15:00Z
Regis#: N4386W
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Aircraft Model: R44
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: BIG LAKE
State: TEXAS

Cessna 177RG Cardinal RG, N1572H: Fatal accident occurred March 11, 2020 near Sterling Airport (3B3), Worcester County, Massachusetts

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 traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Enfield, Connecticut 
Textron Aviation Inc; Wichita, Kansas 
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 


https://registry.faa.gov/N1572H

Location: Sterling, MA
Accident Number: ERA20FA124
Date & Time: 03/11/2020, 1430 EDT
Registration: N1572H
Aircraft: Cessna 177RG
Injuries:1 Fatal 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 11, 2020, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N1572H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Sterling, Massachusetts. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Several witness reported that the airplane taxied to the start of runway 34 at Sterling Airport (3B3), Sterling, Massachusetts, for a full-length takeoff. The takeoff roll and initial climb appeared and sounded normal. One of the witnesses described that as the airplane reached midfield it was, "really high" above the treetops and the engine "coughed." The engine noise then decreased and sounded as if it was "running rough." The airplane's nose lowered slightly, and the engine noise briefly increased, before decreasing and running rough again. The cycle of decreased then increased engine noise occurred 2 or 3 times, during which the landing gear retracted into the fuselage. Another witness, who was a pilot, said the airplane was too high to land on the remaining runway when the engine nose first decreased. As the airplane crossed over the departure end of the runway, it appeared to be in control, and the wings rocked back and forth slightly in a "very nose high" attitude. The left wing then "dipped" and the airplane began a turn toward the left. One of the witness further described that it looked like the airplane "started a cartwheel, and then just fell."

The airplane impacted a wooded bog about 200 yards from the departure end of runway 34, about 25 yards to the right of an extended runway centerline. All major components of the airplane were present at the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a 60° nose down attitude with the horizontal stabilizer leaning against trees. The fuselage was oriented on a 170° magnetic heading. The engine and forward section of the airplane in front of the windscreen were immersed in mud and water. The fuselage was bent upward and buckled just aft of the baggage door. Broken branches and damaged trees were found all within about a wingspan distance from the wreckage, consistent with a near vertical descent.

Examination of the wreckage revealed continuity of the flight controls from the cockpit controls to the rudder, elevator and ailerons. The flaps were in the UP position, and the landing gear were retracted.

Both the left and right fuel filler caps were secure and intact. Both fuel tanks were undamaged, each tank contained about 3 oz of fuel. The electric fuel pump switch was found in the ON position, and the pump operated when electrical power was applied. The fuel selector valve was in the BOTH position. The throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were all in the at or near the full forward positions.

The engine was largely undamaged. One propeller blade was bent slightly aft, about mid span. Neither blade exhibited any leading edge damage nor chordwise scratches. The spinner was undamaged. A ½" wide rub mark was found on the spinner back plate, just forward of the starter ring gear, extending about 180° around its circumference. The top spark plugs were removed, all electrodes were light gray in color. The Nos. 1 and 2 plugs appeared "worn normal" and the Nos. 3 and 4 plugs appeared "normal" when compared to a Champion Check-a-Plug chart. The No. 3 plug was oil soaked. While rotating the propeller by hand, thumb compression and suction was confirmed on all cylinders. The single-drive dual magneto produced spark on all leads when its input drive shaft was rotated. About 1-2 oz of fuel was found in the fuel strainer. The screen inside the strainer was absent of debris. The fuel lines leading to and from the strainer were disconnected and no fuel was found in either line. The fuel lines leading to and from the engine driven fuel pump were disconnected and no fuel was found in either line. The fuel line between the flow divider and the fuel flow gauge was disconnected at the firewall, and fuel was present in the line.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N1572H
Model/Series: 177RG No Series
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: KFIT, 348 ft msl
Observation Time: 1452 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / -7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Sterling, MA (3B3)
Destination: Sterling, MA (3B3)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 42.430278, -71.797500

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.

Steven M. Staudaher
April 19, 1953 - March 11, 2020

STERLING - Steven M. Staudaher, 66, of Sterling, beloved husband of Susan (Norlin) Staudaher, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Steven was born on April 19, 1953 in Patuxent River, Maryland, the son of Frederick and Marilyn (Semmler) Staudaher. He graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and went on to further his education at WPI where he received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in electrical engineering. He began his career working for Data General, retiring from Cognex in 2016.

Steve was vice chair of the Sterling Finance Committee. In his spare time he enjoyed skiing in New Hampshire and Vermont, gardening, museum visits with Sue, reading, flying his Cessna Cardinal airplane, and collecting downed trees to cut and split for firewood. He could often be found fixing cars, electronics, appliances, his backhoe, and anything else around the house that was broken.


He leaves his devoted family, his wife of 34 years, Sue, two sons, Shawn Staudaher and his wife, Ginger of Lawrenceville, GA and Nick Staudaher of Madison, WI; his mother, Marilyn, of Bradenton, FL; two sisters, Kathy Staudaher and her husband, Joe Esposito of Bethesda, MD and Sue Petitt and her husband, Brian of Springfield, VA; a sister-in-law, Karen Norlin of Sutton, MA; a granddaughter whom he adored, Lulu; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his father, Fred; brothers, Eric and Robert; and brother-in-law, Richard Norlin.  An announcement will be made when plans for calling hours and a service are available.  Donations in Steve's memory may be made to the Town of Sterling Fire Department Ambulance Fund, PO Box 515, Sterling, MA 01564 or to the Conant Public Library, 4 Meetinghouse Hill Road, Sterling, MA 01564.










Joseph D. Early, Jr. announces the death of a pilot at the Sterling Airport on March 11th, 2020. 


Husband and father Steven Staudaher has been identified by the Worcester district attorney as the pilot of the Cessna 177RG Cardinal RG that crashed 100 yards north of runway 16 at the Sterling Airport Wednesday.

Authorities informed Staudaher’s wife of the news on Wednesday but Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. didn’t want to make Staudaher’s name public until all his children were notified. Stadaher was 66.

“This afternoon at 2:30 p.m. the single-engine plane took off from Sterling Airport and shortly after takeoff, the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the plane, died as a result of a plane crash not too far from the runway,” Early said Wednesday. “The cause of the crash remains under investigation right now. It’s being investigated by the Sterling police, fire department and state police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.”

The area was difficult to access, and investigators from the Massachusetts State Police and the FAA remained at the scene after dark on Wednesday evening. Early said that once the FAA completed its investigation the body of the victim could be removed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

The FAA said the plane clipped some trees and landed in a swampy area about 100 yards north of runway 16. The FAA will investigate and the NTSB will determine the cause of the crash.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.masslive.com