Friday, April 10, 2020

Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-18A 150 Super Cub, N184WF; accident occurred April 10, 2020 at Homer Airport (PAHO), Alaska

View of accident airplane inverted

View of damaged right wing lift strut 





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Juneau, Alaska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Homer, AK
Accident Number: ANC20CA042
Date & Time: 04/10/2020, 0008 AKD
Registration: N184WF
Aircraft: Piper PA18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the wheel- and ski-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on the dry, paved runway, the airplane began to veer right, and he attempted to correct with left rudder and brake. Subsequently, the tail lifted, the tips of the skis dug into the grooved pavement, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and right-wing lift strut. The pilot added that he should have been "more aggressive" with the rudder and applied brakes sooner. He added that he had a long runway to use but got "fooled into complacency." The pilot reported that he felt his use of a flight helmet during the accident sequence was essential to the prevention of injury.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing and the subsequent loss of directional control and nose-over.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Aircraft Surface speed/braking - Not attained/maintained
Aircraft Brake - Incorrect use/operation
Personnel issues Complacency - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): 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 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/28/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/25/2019
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 1201 hours (Total, all aircraft), 750 hours (Total, this make and model), 1101 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N184WF
Model/Series: PA18 150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18-6961
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3427.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-B2C
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light:Night 
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAHO, 73 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 244°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.48 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK (MRI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Homer, AK (HOM)
Type of Clearance: Traffic Advisory
Departure Time: 2231 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class E 

Airport Information

Airport: HOMER (HOM)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 84 ft
Runway Surface Condition:Dry 
Runway Used: 22
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6701 ft / 150 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: 59.645556, -151.476389 (est)

Silvaire Luscombe 8A, N71965: Incident occurred April 09, 2020 at Flagler Executive Airport (KFIN), Palm Coast, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Aircraft experienced ground spin and ran off runway into grass.

https://registry.faa.gov/N71965

Date: 09-APR-20
Time: 17:40:00Z
Regis#: N71965
Aircraft Make: LUSCOMBE
Aircraft Model: L8
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: PALM COAST
State: FLORIDA

Kitfox, N9065F: Accident occurred April 09, 2020 in Prescott, Walla Walla County, Washington

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

Additional Participating Entity: 

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

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

 
https://registry.faa.gov/N9065F


Location: Prescott, WA
Accident Number: WPR20LA122
Date & Time: 04/09/2020, 1130 PDT
Registration: N9065F
Aircraft: Buckman Bucks Special
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On April 9, 2020, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Buckman Bucks Special airplane, N9065F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at a private grass strip near Prescott, Washington. The flight instructor and pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, during takeoff from a grass strip and shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane was not able to climb. The pilot then initiated a left turn to avoid trees and powerlines at the end of the strip. The left wing tip impacted the ground during the turn resulting in a hard landing and subsequent noseover. The pilot reported a lack of performance that would not allow the airplane to gain altitude.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and vertical stabilizer.

Figure 1-Accident Site

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Buckman
Registration: N9065F
Model/Series: Bucks Special
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:PVT 
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Prescott, WA (PVT)
Destination: Walla Walla, WA (ALW) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:None 
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:

Taylorcraft BC-12D, N96162: Incident occurred April 09, 2020 at Transylvania Community Airport (3NR3), Brevard, North Carolina

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina

Aircraft experienced gust of wind on landing forcing aircraft to wheelbarrow off runway.


https://registry.faa.gov/N96162


Date: 09-APR-20

Time: 15:33:00Z
Regis#: N96162
Aircraft Make: TAYLORCRAFT
Aircraft Model: BC12
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: BREVARD
State: NORTH CAROLINA



There were no injuries following a minor plane crash Thursday morning at the Transylvania Community Airport when a pilot ran off the runway after he was blown off by a gust of wind.

The State Highway Patrol responded to the incident at about 11:26 a.m.

The pilot, Brian Reid Leverson of Hendersonville, had just touched down in his Taylorcraft BC-12D aircraft, and was in the landing roll-out when a gust of wind lifted the left wing, according to Master Trooper Murico Stephens.

This caused the left side landing gear to lift and the aircraft was unable to maintain directional control, Stephens said.

The aircraft ran off the runway to the right and nosed over in a small stream. The aircraft sustained minimal damage and there were no injuries.

The Little River Volunteer Fire Department also responded.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified by emergency management and the aircraft was turned over to the owner at their direction.

https://www.blueridgenow.com





TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — Officials confirm, there were no injuries Thursday morning after a gust of wind caused a single-engine plane to roll off the runway at the Transylvania Community Airport.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, at approximately 11:26 a.m., troopers responded to the incident. Master Trooper Rico Stephens tells News 13, the pilot, Mr. Brian Reid Leverson of Hendersonville had just touched down in his Taylorcraft BC-12D aircraft, and was in the landing roll-out when a gust of wind lifted the left-wing. This caused the left side landing gear to lift and the aircraft was unable to maintain directional control. The aircraft ran off the runway to the right and nosed over in a small stream.

The aircraft sustained minimal damage and there were no injuries.

Federal Aviation Administration was notified by emergency management and the aircraft was turned over to the owner at their direction.

https://wlos.com

Pipistrel Sinus 912 LSA, N6263R: Fatal accident occurred April 09, 2020 near Florida Keys / Marathon International Airport (KMTH), Monroe County, Florida

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida 
Rotech Flight Safety Inc; Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N6263R

Location: Marathon, FL
Accident Number: ERA20LA149
Date & Time: 04/09/2020, 1700 EDT
Registration: N6263R
Aircraft: Pipistrel Italia SRL Sinus 912 LSA
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 10, 2020, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Pipistrel Italia SRL Sinus 912 LSA, N6263R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Marathon, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the airport manager at the Marathon International Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida, the pilot arrived at the airport and was seen on surveillance video conducting a preflight inspection of the motor glider. After the pilot completed the inspection, he taxied to the runway and departed. The manager said that the pilot was flying over the airport and in the local area most of the day. About 1600, he heard the pilot on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency reporting that he was at 7,000 ft and circling the airport. That was the last radio transmission he heard from the pilot.

Two witnesses stated that they heard an unusual loud noise and as they looked around, they saw a small airplane (the accident glider) to the south and determined that was where the noise was coming from. They could hear the engine "laboring" and saw the glider wobbling in the air. The glider then made a "sharp left turn" and then the engine started to "surge, sputter" and before it lost power completely. The nose of the glider "dropped down", and about a second before impacting a house. The glider's whole-airframe ballistic parachute deployed during the impact. The glider and house were consumed during the postimpact fire.

The wreckage was recovered for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Pipistrel Italia SRL
Registration: N6263R
Model/Series: Sinus 912 LSA
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MTH, 5 ft msl
Observation Time: 1653 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Marathon, FL (MTH)
Destination: Marathon, FL (MTH)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 24.719444, -81.058611 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.