Monday, May 11, 2020

Beech V35A Bonanza, N43RH: Incident occurred May 08, 2020 at Gila Bend Municipal Airport (E63), Maricopa County, Arizona

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Aircraft landed gear up.

https://registry.faa.gov/N43RH

Date: 08-MAY-20
Time: 14:22:00Z
Regis#: N43RH
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: 35
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: GILA BEND
State: ARIZONA

Loss of Control on Ground: CCX-2000, N363EX; accident occurred May 08, 2020 at Heber Valley Airport (KHCR), Wasatch County, Utah


Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Heber City, Utah 
Accident Number: WPR20CA142
Date & Time: May 8, 2020, 10:45 Local
Registration: N363EX
Aircraft: N126C LLC CCX-2000 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The accident flight was a sales demonstration conducted by the rear seat pilot, an employee of the airplane manufacturer, for the front seat pilot. At the time, the rear seat pilot held a private pilot certificate and had accumulated 1,000 total flight hours in the accident airplane make and model. The front seat pilot held a commercial pilot certificate, but his most recent flight review had expired at the time of the accident flight. He reported that he had no experience in the airplane make and model.

The rear seat pilot reported that during their final landing attempt with the front seat pilot on the controls, the airplane touched down normally and started to veer to the left. The front seat pilot corrected to the right and the rear seat pilot then attempted to recover the airplane with left rudder and right aileron, but the airplane ground looped to the right. According to the front seat pilot, the rear seat pilot interfered with the rudder controls during the rollout, which impeded his attempts to maintain directional control after the airplane veered to the right. The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged.

According to the rear seat pilot, at the time of the accident, the company did not have a formal policy to learn a prospective buyer's qualifications prior to a sales flight. Instead, they required a conversation with the prospective buyer about their recent flight history based on "trust and judgment." He further remarked that for the accident flight there could have been better communication, as he did not formally ascertain the front seat occupant's level of proficiency and experience. The rear seat pilot further stated that both occupants were wearing face masks, which interfered with their communication.

The front seat pilot reported that they never discussed his flight experience, qualifications, or proficiency in the airplane prior to the accident flight. He was also never advised that he would assume the role of pilot-in-command.

Neither pilot reported that there were any preimpact mechanical anomalies 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 front seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and the rear seat pilot's delayed remedial control inputs that subsequently resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was a lack of communication by both pilot's to establish clearly defined pilot-in-command roles prior to the accident flight.

Findings

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Personnel issues Lack of communication - Pilot
Personnel issues Lack of communication - Passenger

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: September 27, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 22, 2019
Flight Time: 4750 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1000 hours (Total, this make and model), 4680 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 125 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 45 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot-rated passenger Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 44,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 20, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 15, 2016 
Flight Time: 1420 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model), 716 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: N126C LLC
Registration: N363EX
Model/Series: CCX-2000 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: CCX-2000-0001
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 16, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 35 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 593.7 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: YIO-360-EXP12
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 186 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: 5636 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 09:55 Local 
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.22 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Heber, UT (HCR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Heber City, UT (HCR) 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 10:00 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Heber Valley HCR 
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5636 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 22 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6898 ft / 75 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.486667,-111.421943

Powerplant System/Component Malfunction/Failure: Cessna 177 Cardinal, N9058F; accident occurred May 15, 2018 near Smith Field Airport (KSMD), Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana







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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana

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/N9058F


Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Accident Number: CEN18LA174
Date & Time: 05/15/2018, 1455 EDT
Registration: N9058F
Aircraft: CESSNA 177
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On May 15, 2018, at 1455 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N9058F, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Wayne, Indiana. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The local flight originated from the Smith Field Airport (SMD), Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 1453.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff as he leveled the airplane at 2,600 ft mean sea level, the engine rpm began decreasing and he heard a "thumping" noise in the engine. He lowered the nose of the airplane to maintain 80 mph and turned back toward the airport. The thumping noise increased, and he smelled burning oil just before the engine quit. The pilot selected a field for a forced landing and as he approached the field, he banked to the left to avoid overrunning the field. As he banked, the left wingtip contacted the ground and the airplane slid sideways collapsing the nose landing gear. Both wings sustained substantial damage.

According to the responding Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, an examination of the engine revealed no oil on the engine oil dip stick. Oil was visible on the right side of the cowling and oil was coming from the oil cooler. According to the maintenance records, the engine, including the oil cooler, was new and had been installed about 8 hours prior to the accident flight.

The oil cooler was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC, for further examination. Examination of the oil cooler revealed that the leak came from between the plates forming the third oil circuit from the bottom. There was no evidence of mechanical damage from an external source and no evidence of bulging or other distortions.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
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: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/19/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/26/2016
Flight Time: 3255 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1405 hours (Total, this make and model), 3193 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N9058F
Model/Series: 177
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17700304
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:4 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/21/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2350 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 8 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3844 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 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: SMD, 836 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1454 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 135°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 10000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Thunderstorms - Rain
Departure Point: FORT WAYNE, IN (SMD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: FORT WAYNE, IN (SMD)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1453 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Smith Field (SMD)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 834 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Rough
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion:None 
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 1.170000, -85.180000

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Stinson V77 Reliant, N715FB; accident occurred September 14, 2016 in Jordan, Scott County, Minnesota

Airplane Wreckage 
Federal Aviation Administration

Damaged Rudder
Federal Aviation Administration

Engine and Propeller
Federal Aviation Administration


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

Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota

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/N715FB

Location: Jordan, MN
Accident Number: CEN16LA369
Date & Time: 09/14/2016, 0910 CDT
Registration: N715FB
Aircraft: STINSON V77
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 14, 2016 about 0910 central daylight time (CDT), a Stinson V-77 airplane, N715FB, was substantially damaged during an accident near East Jordan, Minnesota. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was privately registered and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed South St. Paul Municipal Airport-Richard E Fleming Field (SGS), Minnesota, about 0820.

The pilot was conducting the flight to put additional break-in hours on a newly-installed engine. The engine had about 10 total hrs since overhaul and 2 hrs since the last inspection at the time of the accident. About 30 minutes after take off, and at 2,000 ft above the ground (AGL), the engine started to constantly backfire and lost power. The airplane was unable to maintain level flight due to the power loss. The pilot attempted to regain engine power; he switched fuel tanks, adjusted the engine throttle, fuel/ air mixture, and propeller controls, and selected the individual magneto positions. There was no subsequent increase of engine power or reduction of backfiring. The pilot performed an emergency landing to a soft field where the airplane nosed over during landing. The rudder sustained substantial damage.

An on-scene examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuel selector was in the left tank position, the magneto switch was in the "BOTH" position, the primer was in and locked, the mixture was in the "RICH" position, the throttle was in the "CLOSED" position, and the propeller control was approximately ¼ back from the full-forward position.

An additional examination was conducted by the FAA inspector on October 5, 2016. The Bendix dual magneto timing was 34º before top-dead center (BTC) on the left and 30º BTC on the right. All spark plug leads were tight and in like-new condition. The magneto switch was checked and appeared to operate normally. Magneto lead continuity was confirmed. The magneto points were checked while rotating the propeller and they opened normally. Both magnetos sparked. Both coils appeared to have a good spark. The magneto was removed and bench tested. No anomalies were noted with the magneto.

The fuel system was examined and small amounts of liquid consistent with 100LL fuel were recovered from the carburetor bowl and the airframe gascolator. The carburetor was examined and no anomalies were noted. No pre-impact anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine that would have contributed to a partial loss of power.

The pilot reported a temperature of 50° F at the time of the accident. He did not know the dewpoint at the accident location. At 0853, the temperature and dewpoint at Minneapolis-St. Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport (MSP), Minneapolis, Minnesota, located 25 miles northeast of the accident site, were reported as 54° F and 45° F respectfully at 0853. According to the carburetor icing probability chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, these conditions were conducive to serious icing at cruise power.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial; Flight Engineer
Age: 60, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
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: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/03/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/28/2015
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 16000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 281 hours (Total, this make and model), 10800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: STINSON
Registration: N715FB
Model/Series: V77 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 77-443
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/24/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3999 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 158 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R680-13
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 300 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: MSP
Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 53°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 11000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 30°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.34 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SOUTH ST PAUL, MN (SGS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: SOUTH ST PAUL, MN (SGS)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0820 CDT
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: 44.668333, -93.632500 (est)