Monday, March 30, 2020

Loss of Control on Ground: Cirrus SR20, N586C; accident occurred March 27, 2020 at Minute Man Air Field (6B6), Stow, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

View of left-wing damage

View of left-wing damage 

View of engine mount damage

 View of fire wall damage

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boston, Massachusetts

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/N586C


Location: Stow, MA
Accident Number: ERA20CA142
Date & Time: 03/27/2020, 1400 EDT
Registration: N586C
Aircraft: Cirrus SR20
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, upon landing, the airplane veered sharply left and departed the runway onto adjacent grass. The pilot applied full power to go around; however, the airplane continued to veer left and impacted vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, firewall, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with vegetation.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Gusts - Effect on operation (Cause)
Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)
Tree(s) - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion

Landing-aborted after touchdown
Attempted remediation/recovery
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/01/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/23/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 458 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15 hours (Total, this make and model), 349 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cirrus
Registration:N586C 
Model/Series: SR20 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1278
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/22/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 15 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  705 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-ES
Registered Owner: Cygnus Aircraft Group Llc
Rated Power: 200 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: BED, 133 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1351 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 87°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots / 25 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.79 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Plymouth, MA (PYM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Stow, MA (6B6)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1330 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Minute Man Air Field (6B6)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation:268 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2770 ft / 48 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

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: 42.460556, -71.517778 (est)

Hard Landing: Cessna 170B, N2946D; accident occurred July 14, 2019 at Bison Municipal Airport (6V5), Perkins County, South Dakota

View of windscreen damage.
Federal Aviation Administration



View of fuselage damage. 
Federal Aviation Administration


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/N2946D

Location: Bison, SD
Accident Number: GAA19CA487
Date & Time: 07/15/2019, 1340 CDT
Registration: N2946D
Aircraft: Cessna 170
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot of a recently purchased tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, upon landing, the airplane veered left. He attempted to correct with rudder and tapping on the brakes, but the aircraft ground looped.

The pilot further reported that he believed that "the landing gear was out of alignment."

Photos of the fuselage damage, provided by the FAA inspector, are consistent with a hard landing and ground loop.

The FAA inspector further identified the last annual inspection was conducted on October 1, 2014.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wind screen.

An automated weather observation station located 31 miles to the north, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 3 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 29. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 75, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/23/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/12/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2946D
Model/Series: 170 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 26889
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/01/2014, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2990 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-300
Registered Owner: Donald Abner
Rated Power: 145 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: KHEI, 2705 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 31 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 345°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 220°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bison, SD (6V5)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:None 
Destination: Bison, SD (6V5)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0900 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Bison Muni (6V5)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2791 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 29
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3500 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and Go; Traffic Pattern

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: 45.518333, -102.467778 (est)

Silvaire Luscombe 8A, N71899: Incident occurred March 29, 2020 in Asotin County, Washington

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington

Aircraft landed, went off runway and nosed over.

https://registry.faa.gov/N71899

Date: 29-MAR-20
Time: 01:45:00Z
Regis#: N71899
Aircraft Make: LUSCOMBE
Aircraft Model: 8A
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ASOTIN
State: WASHINGTON

Abnormal Runway Contact: Aeros Skyranger II, N75561; accident occurred July 16, 2019 at Webber Jones Airport (ME03), Brownville, Piscataquis County, Maine

View of airplane’s impact with trees and damage to lower fuselage.


Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine 

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/N75561 


Location: Brownville, ME
Accident Number: GAA19CA425
Date & Time: 07/16/2019, 1300 EDT
Registration: N75561
Aircraft: AEROS LTD SKYRANGER
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane bounced. He initiated a go around, but the airplane veered left, exited the runway to the left, and impacted trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/04/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/06/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 257 hours (Total, all aircraft), 8 hours (Total, this make and model), 9 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AEROS LTD
Registration: N75561
Model/Series: SKYRANGER II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: SKR 0210262
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/15/2019, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1257 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 159.48 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 912S
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 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: KGNR, 400 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 22 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1656 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Brownville, ME (ME03)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Brownville, ME (ME03)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1240 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: Webber Jones (ME03)
Runway Surface Type: Gravel
Airport Elevation: 400 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2500 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern 

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: 45.336111, -69.050833 (est)

North American P-51D Mustang replica, N151JD: Fatal accident occurred March 29, 2020 near Mesquite Metro Airport (KHQZ), Texas -and- Incident occurred November 23, 2016 at Mesquite Metro Airport (KHQZ)

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; Irving, Texas


https://registry.faa.gov/N151JD

Location: Mesquite, TX
Accident Number: CEN20LA134
Date & Time: 03/29/2020, 1518 CDT
Registration:N151JD 
Aircraft: MUSE P51D
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 29, 2020, at 1518 central daylight time, an amateur-built Muse P51D airplane, N151JD, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Mesquite Metro Airport (HQZ), Mesquite, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A witness recalled seeing the airplane during takeoff as it was about halfway down the runway. It appeared to be maintaining the runway heading in a "steep, aggressive climb out." Just past the departure end of the runway, the airplane entered a "steep, climbing right turn." The engine sound decreased slightly for a short time before increasing again. As the airplane appeared to be turning to downwind, it "seemed to enter a stall and rapidly began losing altitude. Midway through the stall, the airplane repositioned to an almost direct nose down position." He subsequently lost sight of the airplane behind a tree line. During the final portion of the descent, he "heard the throttle being manipulated, followed by the impact and explosion."

A second witness reported the takeoff appeared normal and the engine sounded good at that time. The airplane entered a right turn and became established on a right crosswind. The airplane subsequently entered a right turn to downwind and rolled wings level for about 5 to 10 seconds before it entered another right turn. The turn appeared to be controlled at first but gradually got steeper as it progressed. About 90° through that turn, the bank angle was about 65° (right wing down) and by the time the airplane reached 180° through the turn, the nose of the airplane was oriented "nearly straight down." During the descent, the elevator appeared to be deflected trailing edge up and the airplane appeared to pitch up "just a little bit." The airframe appeared to be intact during the entire flight.

Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed the airplane departed from runway 36 at 1517 and appeared to enter a right traffic pattern. The airplane leveled about 1,800 ft. mean sea level (msl) on a crosswind before beginning a turn from crosswind to downwind about 1518:44. About 3 seconds later, the airplane entered a descending right turn from about 1,700 ft. msl. The final data point was recorded at 1518:53; the altitude was about 900 ft. The average descent rate over the last 6 seconds of data was about 8,000 ft per minute.

Figure 1 -- Plot of Airplane Position Data

The accident site was located in an agricultural field about 0.80 miles northwest from the departure end of runway 36 at HQZ. The airplane was fragmented. The engine and propeller came to rest in the ground impact crater. Portions the wings, empennage, and flight controls were observed at the site.

Figure 2 -- Accident Site


Figure 3 -- Main Wreckage at the Accident Site

The wreckage was recovered from the accident site. Airframe and engine examinations will be conducted at a later date. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MUSE
Registration: N151JD
Model/Series: P51D
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: HQZ, 447 ft msl
Observation Time: 2019 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.17 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Mesquite, TX (HQZ)
Destination: Mesquite, TX (HQZ)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.761944, -96.515556

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.

KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE [March 30] — The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified the pilot killed in a plane crash yesterday afternoon as 72-year-old James Ireland of Fort Worth, Texas.

Ireland, according to FAA records, was a certified private pilot with a single-engine, fixed-wing, land aircraft rating — or Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL).

ORIGINAL [March 29] — The Texas Department of Public Safety is confirming one person has died as a result of a single-occupant plane crash near the Kaufman-Dallas County line.

The crash occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the 15000 block of U.S. Highway 80, Texas Department of Public Safety Staff Sergeant Kyle Bradford told inForney.com.

A single-engine P-51D Mustang, with one person onboard, crashed under unknown circumstances shortly after departing from Mesquite Municipal Airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Lynn Lunsford told inForney.com.

Bradford says witnesses reported seeing the plane, further described as a home-built replica, take a nosedive.

Emergency personnel were initially dispatched to the area of Lawson Road and East Scyene Road — which is located adjacent the Mesquite Municipal Airport — on reports of a possible plane down in the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were called to investigate the cause of the crash.

https://www.inforney.com

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

November 23, 2016:  Aircraft on taxi went off the taxiway and the gear collapsed. 

Date: 23-NOV-16

Time: 16:54:00Z
Regis#: N151JD
Aircraft Make:
Aircraft Model: P51
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Minor
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
City: MESQUITE
State: Texas

Loss of Control in Flight: Solo Wings Windlass; fatal accident occurred September 28, 2019 near Pratermill Flight Park Airport (GA72), Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia

  
Michael Lynn Green
May 1st, 1958 - September 28th, 2019


View of Aircraft from Front. 
Federal Aviation Administration 


 View of Aircraft from Front.
Federal Aviation Administration


View of Aircraft from Left Wingtip. 
Federal Aviation Administration 


 View of Aircraft from Left Rear. 
Federal Aviation Administration

Engine and Propeller Assembly.

Fractured Propeller Blades – Notes Chordwise Scratching.

Weight-Shift Aircraft Wing and Frame.



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

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

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

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


Location: Dalton, GA
Accident Number: ERA19LA286
Date & Time: 09/28/2019, 1909 EDT
Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: SOLO WINGS WINDLASS
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 28, 2019, at 1909 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built experimental light-sport Solo Wings Windlass weight-shift control aircraft was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Pratermill Flight Park, Dalton, Georgia. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was privately owned and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

According to the aircraft owner, he purchased the aircraft in 1998 and had flown it about 200 hours before putting it into storage for about 10 years. When the accident pilot expressed an interest in flying the aircraft and started taking lessons in weight-shift control aircraft, the owner took the aircraft out of storage and replaced the fuel lines, fuel filter, tires, tubes, wing spar bungee cord, primer, throttle cable, and battery. He then flew the aircraft a total of 4 to 5 hours since those repairs, with no anomalies noted. On the day of the accident, the owner completed a 30-minute flight and noted no anomalies. The pilot, who had not previously flown the accident aircraft, asked if he could fly it. The owner questioned if he was ready, to which the pilot responded, "yes," and the owner agreed.

The owner witnessed the accident flight and stated that the aircraft rotated about 300 ft down the turf runway and then climbed to an altitude above tree level. The aircraft then turned left and seemed to "falter in the turn" before falling to the ground.

A witness located on the property adjacent to the airport observed the aircraft fly south before making an easterly turn toward his property. He stated that the aircraft "lost lift in the turn and seemed to stall" then made an uncontrolled, turning descent toward the ground. He stated that the engine "revved higher than normal" at the time of the turn.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen records, the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, with commercial pilot privileges for glider and airplane single-engine land. He also held a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. He was issued an FAA first-class medical certificate on August 28, 2018. At that time, the pilot reported 18,870 total hours of flight experience.

The pilot's flight instructor reported that he had provided the accident pilot about 14 to 16 hours of flight instruction in the 2 months preceding the accident. He considered the pilot one of his better students and stated that he had a good piloting sense. He stated that the pilot was ready for a check ride with another flight instructor to demonstrate proficiency for a weight-shift category endorsement. However, the pilot had not performed such a check ride and did not hold a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for weight-shift-control-land aircraft. Review of the pilot's logbook showed 13 hours of instruction. The pilot had not logged any flight experience in the accident aircraft.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The two-seat weight-shift control aircraft was equipped with a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, tricycle landing gear, and a single Rotax 503, 50-horsepower engine in a pusher configuration.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the aircraft came to rest beyond a tree line and in a fenced pasture located about 450 ft east of runway 17. The wing remained largely intact; however, the structural tubes were bent and fractured in several locations. The landing gear was separated from the fuselage. The aircraft was equipped with an airframe parachute; however, it had not been deployed. Grass along the debris field from the main wreckage displayed blighting consistent with fuel spillage. The 10-gallon fuel tank was separated from the aircraft and punctured and came to rest about 25 ft from the fuselage. Continuity of the throttle cable, wing brace cables, and control bar linkage was confirmed.

The composite, ground-adjustable propeller blades were fractured and fragmented near the blade roots; the propeller hub remained attached to the engine. Examination of the blades revealed chordwise scratching and leading edge damage on the surfaces. The leading edge strip on one blade was deformed from impact. The fibers on the fractured areas near the hub were bent in the direction opposite of rotation.

The engine case was free of cracks or holes. One of the two carburetors was missing. The owner reported that it was not found during the wreckage recovery. The recovered carburetor was separated from the engine during impact. It was normal in appearance. The fuel pump was normal in appearance. The in-line fuel filter was clean and unobstructed. Spark plugs were removed and showed normal wear. The engine rotated freely through several rotations with thumb compression observed and no other damage noted.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Whitfield County, Georgia Coroner did not perform an autopsy or toxicological testing.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/18/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 18870 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: SOLO WINGS
Registration: UNREG
Model/Series: WINDLASS
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate:
Serial Number: None
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/08/1999, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 772 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 100 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 207.6 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 503
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 53 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: DNN, 708 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1915 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Dalton, GA (GA72)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Dalton, GA (GA72)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1909 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Pratermill Flight Park (GA72)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 780 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1500 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

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: 34.883333, -84.888889 (est)