Sunday, June 21, 2020

Electrical System Malfunction/Failure: Beechcraft C90A King Air, N1551C; accident occurred February 14, 2017 in Rattan, Pushmataha County, Oklahoma

Accident Site Diagram by Pilot: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf

Statement of Fact by Pilot: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf
Statement of Fact by Pilot: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf


Statement of Fact by Pilot: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf

Statement of Fact by Pilot: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf












Medical Crew Statement:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf


Medical Crew Statement:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pdf





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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
EagleMed LLC; Birmingham, Alabama
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

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/N1551C

Location: Rattan, OK
Accident Number: CEN17LA121
Date & Time: 02/14/2017, 1145 CST
Registration: N1551C
Aircraft: BEECH C90A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Electrical system malf/failure
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Unspecified)

On February 14, 2017, about 1145 central standard time, a Beech C90A twin-engine airplane, N1551C, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing following a loss of power on one engine near Rattan, Oklahoma. The pilot and two medical crew members on board were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by EagleMed LLC under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight.

The pilot stated that the engine start and airplane power-up were normal. The engine ice vanes were lowered, and the de-icing system was activated as required for ground operations. The ice vanes were subsequently raised before takeoff. Takeoff and climb out were routine, and he subsequently leveled off the airplane at 7,000 ft. mean sea level (msl). The air traffic controller informed him of "heavy rain showers" near the destination airport and he "put the ice vanes down." Shortly afterward, the airplane experienced two "quick" electrical power fluctuation; "everything went away and then came back." "Seconds later the entire [electrical] system failed." Due to the associated loss of navigation capability while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot set a general course for better weather conditions based upon the preflight weather briefing.

During the attempt to find a suitable hole in the clouds to descend through under visual conditions, the left engine lost power. The pilot ultimately located a field through the cloud cover and executed a single engine precautionary landing. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right engine mount and firewall.

A postaccident examination was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors and operator personnel. The left propeller blades were bent aft and did not exhibit any curling of the blades. The right propeller blades were curled in the direction of rotation. The left- and right-wing fuel tanks did not contain any visible fuel. The left nacelle fuel tank did not contain any visible fuel. The right nacelle fuel tank appeared to contain about one quart of fuel. The three-position Ignition and Engine Start/Starter Only switches on the cockpit instrument panel were in the ON position. The Engine Anti-Ice switches were in the ON position. The cabin medical bed electrical switches corresponding to the inverter and accessories were in the ON position; the remaining medical bed switches were OFF. A postrecovery examination was conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and operator personnel. No anomalies consistent with an in-flight electrical system malfunction were observed. When the airplane battery was initially checked during the exam the voltmeter indicated 10.7 volts; the battery was charged and appeared to function normally thereafter.

The operator reported that 253 gallons (1,720 lbs.) of fuel were onboard at takeoff and the airplane gross weight was 7,838 lbs. The accident flight duration was 3.65 hrs. Airplane performance data indicated that at maximum cruise power, the expected fuel flow would be about 632 lbs./hr., resulting in an endurance of approximately 2.7 hrs. At maximum range power, the expected fuel consumption was about 406 lbs./hr., resulting in an endurance of approximately 4.2 hrs.

Both the pilot and medical crew described a lack of communication and coordination among crew members. The pilot reported that the medical crew became apprehensive as the emergency transpired. On three occasions, as the pilot maneuvered the airplane attempting to locate a hole in the clouds to descend, the medical crew member in the co-pilot seat grabbed the control wheel to keep the pilot from banking the airplane. He subsequently relinquished the control wheel as directed by the pilot. The medical crew attempted to locate the airplane by using cellphones to coordinate with the operator's operations center or by using the cellphone GPS capability. However, these efforts resulted in multiple course adjustments and ultimately failed to encounter visual meteorological conditions before fuel exhaustion on the left engine.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 72, 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
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/20/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/05/2016
Flight Time:  22000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 400 hours (Total, this make and model), 21500 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 41 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration:N1551C 
Model/Series: C90A A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1994
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: LJ-1365
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 7
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/20/2016, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 10485 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 75 Hours
Engines: 2 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 7862.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-21
Registered Owner: EAGLEMED LLC
Rated Power: 550 hp
Operator: EAGLEMED LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MLC, 771 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 49 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1153 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 148°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 700 ft agl
Visibility:  2 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 20°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Drizzle; Fog
Departure Point: McAlester, OK (MLC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Idabel, OK (4O4)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0806 CST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries:3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.238611, -95.253889 












Runway Excursion: Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N80374; accident occurred January 06, 2017 at Hobart Sky Ranch Airport (3HO), Lake County, Indiana























Don Niemeyer Jr helped rescue the pilot.


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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; DuPage County, Illinois

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/N80374

Location: Hobart, IN
Accident Number: CEN17LA082
Date & Time: 01/06/2017, 1305 CST
Registration: N80374
Aircraft: CESSNA 172M
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Runway excursion
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On January 6, 2017, about 1305 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N80374, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Hobart Sky Ranch Airport (3HO), Hobart, Indiana. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot told a law enforcement officer that he approached the runway to land from the north and when the landing gear contacted the runway the airplane "skipped" and overshot the runway. The airport owner saw the airplane approach the runway to land and noticed that the airplane was traveling at a high speed. As the airplane touched down it "skipped" off of the runway and then crashed into a wooded area off the departure end of the runway. The pilot could not recall what happened between the time the airplane "skipped" off the runway and when emergency personnel arrived.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident the pilot stated that the wind was from the west and he chose to land to the south. He stated that he noticed that his groundspeed "picked up" and he thought he had a tailwind. He elected to put the airplane on the runway and try to get it stopped.

The airplane came to rest about 150 ft beyond the departure end of the 3,125 ft. long runway in a thickly wooded area. Both wings, the engine, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The carburetor heat was "hot", the throttle and mixture were full forward, and the wing flaps were retracted. Chordwise scratches and leading-edge polishing were visible on one propeller blade. The condition of the second propeller blade was not documented. Scuff marks were present on each main landing gear. No skid marks or tire markings were evident on the last 450 ft of the runway. Tree limbs and brush were broken off about 3 ft above the ground along the path of travel from the runway to the wreckage. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 59, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
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 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/10/2016
Occupational Pilot: 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 170 hours (Total, all aircraft), 150 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N80374
Model/Series: 172M M
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 17266557
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/28/2016, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4968 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
Registered Owner: GREAT NORTHERN AIRCRAFT INC
Rated Power: 0 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:
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1245 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 300°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.64 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -12°C / -22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination:
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Hobart Sky Ranch (3HO)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 644 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width: 3125 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 41.551667, -87.263889 (est)

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Flying Flea HM14/360, N83165; accident occurred October 06, 2016 near Waterbury Airport (N41), New Haven County, Connecticut



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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Enfield, Connecticut 

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/N83165

Location: Plymouth, CT
Accident Number: ERA17LA007
Date & Time: 10/06/2016, 1700 EDT
Registration: N83165
Aircraft: James Bruton FLYING FLEA
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On October 6, 2016, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Flying Flea HM14/360, N83165, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Waterbury Airport (N41), Plymouth, Connecticut. The private pilot was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from N41, about 1630.

According to witnesses, the pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings. After about 30 minutes, the engine "sputtered" multiple times and the airplane subsequently descended into trees. The pilot was hospitalized, and according to his wife, he did not recall the accident.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both wings separated from the fuselage. The airplane was equipped with a BMW R100 motorcycle engine. An undetermined amount of fuel was observed in the fuel tank and examination of the fuel system did not reveal any fuel contamination. An examination of the airframe did not reveal any anomalies and no further examination of the engine was performed.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Unknown
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: 10/16/2012
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 130 hours (Total, all aircraft), 130 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: James Bruton
Registration: N83165
Model/Series: FLYING FLEA HM14/360
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: HM14/360-JB-1
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 700 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: McCulloch
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 72 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: OXC, 726 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1715 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 23°
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: 30.31 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Plymouth, CT (N41)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Plymouth, CT (N41)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1630 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: WATERBURY (N41)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 850 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2005 ft / 135 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 41.633333, -73.046667 (est)

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Cirrus SR22, N927DS; accident occurred March 23, 2016 near Alexandria International Airport (KAEX), Rapides Parish, Louisiana













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


Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota 
Continental Motors Inc; Mobile, Alabama 

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/N927DS


Location: Alexandria, LA
Accident Number: CEN16LA143
Date & Time: 03/23/2016, 1600 CDT
Registration: N927DS
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 23, 2016, about 1600 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N927DS, impacted terrain following the deployment of the ballistic recovery system (BRS) parachute near Alexandria International Airport (AEX), Alexandria, Louisiana. The pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered to Rucks Aviation, LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

According to the pilot, he and the flight instructor departed Dallas Executive Airport, Dallas, Texas, and were en route to AEX. The flight was uneventful until the descent into AEX. During the descent, he reduced the engine throttle and noticed some "shaking from the engine." After some brief troubleshooting, he realized the engine would not make sufficient power for a landing at AEX. Due to the unsuitable terrain for an off-airport landing, the pilot elected to activate the BRS. The airplane descended to the ground under the parachute canopy sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the impact.

Seven gallons of fuel were drained from the right wing fuel tank, and 23 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing fuel tank. The fuel selector was found in the right fuel tank position.

The engine was placed in a manufacturer's test cell for a functional test. According to the manufacturer, the engine experienced a normal start on the first attempt without hesitation or stumbling in observed RPM. The engine was tested at various power settings for about 25 minutes including rapid throttle applications. Throughout the test phase, the engine accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power and demonstrated the ability to produced rated horsepower. Postaccident examination revealed no airframe or engine anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 43, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/09/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/14/2015
Flight Time: 90 hours (Total, all aircraft), 11 hours (Total, this make and model), 90 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: , Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP
Registration: N927DS
Model/Series: SR22 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 0497
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/23/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1246.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-N
Registered Owner: Rucks Aviation, LLC
Rated Power: 310 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:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5500 ft agl
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Dallas, TX (RBD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Alexandria, LA
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace:Class E 

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: 31.480556, -92.731667 (est)