Saturday, July 11, 2020

Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair, N630KS: Incident occurred July 05, 2020 at Palm Beach County Park Airport (KLNA), West Palm Beach, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft landed and ran off end of runway into grassy area.

CHG LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N630KS

Date: 05-JUL-20
Time: 17:30:00Z
Regis#: N630KS
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: T206
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: WEST PALM BEACH
State: FLORIDA

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I (L-20A), N2106K and Cessna TU206G Turbo Stationair II, N6373U: Fatal accident occurred July 05, 2020 in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho

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

Brooks Seaplane Service Inc


Echo Rental Co


Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID 
Accident Number: WPR20FA206
Date & Time: July 5, 2020, 14:22 Local
Registration: N6373U (A1); N2106K (A2)
Aircraft: Cessna TU206 (A1); De Havilland DHC-2 (A2) 
Injuries: 2 Fatal (A1); 6 Fatal (A2)
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A1); Part 91: General aviation (A2)

On July 5, 2020, about 1422 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna TU206, N6373U, and a de Havilland DHC-2, N2106K, were destroyed when they were involved in an accident near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The pilot and passenger of the Cessna and the pilot and 5 passengers of the de Havilland, were fatally injured. The Cessna was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The de Havilland was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air tour flight.

The operator of the de Havilland reported that the 20-minute local air tour flight originated from the seaplane base, located on the northern part of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Friends of the Cessna pilot reported that the flight had departed from Coeur d'Alene Airport, at an unknown time, with an intended destination of Lewiston, Idaho.

Witnesses located in the vicinity of the accident site reported that they observed the float equipped de Havilland flying on a northerly heading, and the Cessna was on a southerly heading, as seen in Figure 1. The witnesses reported that both airplanes appeared to be about 700 to 800 ft above the water surface, and that the Cessna may have been slightly lower than the de Havilland, when they collided over the lake. Following the collision, witnesses observed a fireball come from one of the airplanes as both descended into the water. 

There was no radar or automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data for either airplane. 

Figure 1: Witness photo of the de Havilland and Cessna.

Local law enforcement reported that the wreckage of both airplanes was submerged in about 130 ft of water, near the center of the lake between Half Round Bay and Black Rock Bay, as seen in Figure 2. The wreckages of both airplanes were initially documented once they were removed from the water and were then transported to a secure location where they will be examined.

Figure 2: Overview of Lake Coeur d'Alene

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A1)

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N6373U
Model/Series: TU206 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held:
Operator Designator Code:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A2)

Aircraft Make: De Havilland
Registration: N2106K
Model/Series: DHC-2
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCOE,2307 ft msl 
Observation Time: 20:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information (A1)

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 47.519165,-116.82638

Wreckage and Impact Information (A2)

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 5 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 6 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 47.519165,-116.82638

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.


Pilot Jay Cawley

Kelly Kreeger

Pilot Neil Lunt

Fredrickson Olsen Family

COEUR d’ALENE — The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office sonar team located the last two victims of Sunday’s plane accident. Their bodies, along with the main portion of the second aircraft, were recovered Wednesday evening and Thursday from Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The Sonar Team, the Dive Rescue Team and technical rescue divers were able to recover one of the victims in about 125 feet of water on Wednesday evening.

The final victim was located Wednesday night, but he was in the wrecked fuselage of the Cessna, one of two aircraft which collided on Sunday afternoon and sank to the bottom of the lake, the sheriff’s office reported. At that time, he could not be removed by divers.

“(Thursday) the airplane recovery team was able to raise the Cessna from the lake bottom, which had the last victim in it,” the sheriff’s office reported in a press release issued Thursday evening. “The victim was handed over to the Kootenai County Coroner’s Office. Again, the names of the remaining victims are not being released until approved by the coroner’s office.”

Recovery efforts will continue today to start bringing up the rest of the wrecked aircrafts. At this time, it is unknown how long this process will take. The recovery efforts will be overseen by the National Transportation Safety Board and contractors hired by the insurance company for the two aircrafts, the release said.

Eight people were killed when the Brooks Seaplane that departed from Independence Point and a Cessna that departed from Felts Field in Spokane collided in mid-air near Powderhorn Bay about 2:20 p.m. Sunday. Five passengers and the pilot were in the Seaplane, and a pilot and passenger were in the Cessna.

Neil Lunt, 58, of Liberty Lake was piloting the seaplane occupied by Sean Fredrickson, 48, of Lake Oswego, Oregon. A 16-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy were also identified as passengers, along with another adult.

In order to ensure the safety of the personnel for the recovery, a portion of the lake around the crash site will be closed to boaters and will be marked with buoys. Boaters are asked to stay close to shore.

Additionally, the Loffs Bay Boat Launch will be closed temporarily while rescue efforts are taking place.

KCSO officials thanked members of the Sonar and Dive Teams as well as Jake’s Diving for their dedication and tireless work while locating and retrieving all the victims so the family could have some closure.

https://cdapress.com


Pilot Neil Lunt

Final Flight Takeoff: de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I (L-20A), N2106K


Collisions happen even on clearest, sunniest days

It's a pilot's worst nightmare.

Soaring through the skies when all of a sudden another plane becomes too close for comfort. Going upward to 300 miles per hour with only about 12 seconds to react, a midair collision becomes a reality.

"It does happen when you get into a congested area and you're both looking at the same thing,” pilot and former Federal Aviation Administration designated pilot examiner Mike Kincaid of Hayden said Wednesday.

"If one perhaps isn’t following the procedures the other is used to, it surprises them and we all end up in the same spot."

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, most midair collisions occur in day visual meteorological conditions — the times of best visibility — within 5 miles of an airport. They can also be correlated to traffic levels: most occur between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends during the warmer months, essentially when the most traffic is in the air.

The FAA reported 42 midair collisions in the United States from January 2009 through December 2013. The majority of these midair collisions occurred in good weather and during daylight hours.

"Somebody coming straight at you is the hardest thing to see," said Frank O’Connell of Coeur d'Alene. "It's a small dot and then all of a sudden it's a big dot and it’s there.

"In the aviation community, when someone dies, a piece of us dies," he said.

O’Connell said in his more than 30 years of flying, he's had his share of close calls.

"Especially for people like me that fly low and slow, it's not uncommon to have a close encounter with other airplanes. Not very many that scared me, but I have had a few like that.

"You just never know when somebody's going to sneak up on you or when you're going to sneak up on them."

Pilots are trained to "see and avoid," a rule in the Federal Aviation Regulations that requires pilots to remain vigilant at all times while operating an aircraft, “So as to see and avoid other aircraft.” It then lays down certain “rules of the road” that govern who has the right of way when two airplanes are approaching head-on, converging, overtaking and landing.

However, pilots aren't immune to distractions from passengers, blind spots, sun glare, mechanical problems and a host of other issues that can come into play.

Kincaid and O'Connell both discussed the increased traffic in North Idaho's airspace as a cause for concern.

"The Coeur d’Alene area has seen a dramatic increase in aircraft activity in recent years, putting an extra burden on pilots entering local airspace," Kincaid said. "At the Coeur d’Alene Airport, pilots from the student level to airline pilots enter the airspace in everything from Cubs without radios to big jets.

"Most pilots are very safe and do their best to communicate and follow procedures and FAA regulations when using the airport," he said.

"Others — even those flying $30 million jets — have issues which cause conflicts," he continued. "Many pilots at the Coeur d'Alene Airport say it’s only a matter of time before there is a midair collision in the traffic pattern."

"Celebrities, Forest Service, commercial traffic, and guys like me at the airport who fly putt-putts, so far we've done pretty well mixing it up together,” O'Connell said. "With the increased traffic, there's an increased risk of a midair happening."

O'Connell said communication is paramount for pilots to alert others to their locations.

"If you use the radio enough, you're going to find out where people are and you’re going to get out of each other’s way," he said.

With the evolution of avionics, or electrical systems on aircrafts, he said many times pilots are watching instrument panels more than seeing what is outside the cockpit.

"You can't substitute avionics for your eyeballs,” he said. "There's no substitute for seeing what’s around you."

Kincaid said equipment can help prevent mishaps. The latest technology is what’s called Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), which basically provides electronic position reporting with air traffic control and between aircraft. It’s fairly cheap to install on an aircraft and many aircraft now have it.

It’s not known if the two planes involved in Sunday’s crash had ADS-B.

https://cdapress.com


Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ryan Higgins speaks to the media on July 8th near Lake Coeur d’Alene.


Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ryan Higgins delivers updates on plane crash in a press conference on July 9th. 




Sean Fredrickson and his three children were planning to take a boat cruise around Lake Coeur d’Alene over the Fourth of July weekend. But at the last minute, the always adventurous family decided to take a seaplane trip instead.

“They were so thrilled to be going on the plane,” said Fredrickson’s mother, Ellen Merriman Presley, of Spokane. “You’d think kids would be scared, but they were just as bright and joyful as he was.”

On Sunday afternoon, the de Havilland seaplane Fredrickson, his son Hayden, 16, and his stepchildren Quinn, 11, and Sofie, 15, were riding in collided with another plane over the lake.

Sean, his children, pilot Neil Lunt and an unidentified male passenger were killed in the crash. So were two people in the other plane, who have not yet been identified.

Presley said she got a call from Fredrickson’s wife and Quinn and Sofie’s mother, April, later that afternoon. There had been an accident, she told Presley, but nobody quite knew what had happened.

The family waited while Kootenai County officials searched for answers.

Presley later learned from a friend watching the news that there were no survivors.

A spur-of-the-moment seaplane adventure was exactly the kind of thing Fredrickson and his kids would have loved, Presley said. The family was vivacious, active and “just plain silly,” always wrestling one another and making each other laugh.

Fredrickson lived in Oregon for much of his life, but he had a deep connection to Spokane, where he was born.

He moved away when he was 7 years old, attended the University of Oregon, always remained a die-hard Ducks fan and attended every Portland Timbers game with Hayden and Quinn.

His work as a golf professional in the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego kept him away from home – he often joked he had 400 bosses throughout the industry, and he was frequently too busy to slow down. But he returned to visit Spokane whenever he could.

“He would have moved here forever if he could have,” said Presley. “He loved Spokane, absolutely loved it and missed it always.”

Fredrickson’s kids were in Spokane visiting their grandmother and her husband, Pat, last weekend, as they did every summer. Fredrickson and his wife decided to tag along this year.

Sean’s grandfather, Dr. Ed Fredrickson, was a longtime Spokane dentist and a devoted member of the Spokane Country Club. Presley said she believes he would have been tremendously proud of Sean’s contributions to the industry.

Though Fredrickson and his parents left Spokane when he was young, he was always surrounded by “so much love” from his countless family members back in the city, Presley said.

He dedicated much of his career to the world of golf, but Sean’s first love was soccer. He shared a deep passion for the game with his son, Hayden, who was a rising high school soccer star looking forward to playing for a college team in a few short years. The two “ate, slept and breathed” soccer, Presley said, and any traveling family member made sure they brought back a scarf from the local team for Hayden’s collection.

Hayden was the “light of Sean’s life,” Presley said, and a source of inspiration for his soccer teammates. He was very close to his mom, Alix, and his friends, who Presley said have been at Alix’s house keeping her company and grieving together in the days since Hayden’s death.

Sofie was a “gorgeous, stunning girl with a ton of friends,” Presley said. A lacrosse player, she kept up with her older stepbrother and stepfather without missing a beat. She was almost as tall, if not taller, than Sean and always participated in family roughhousing, often tackling her stepdad to the ground, Presley said.

When the family came to visit this summer, Sofie was eager to show off her new learning permit and the driving skills she’d learned. Presley said she was nervous getting into the car with Sofie behind the wheel at first, then quickly saw she really was as good as she said she was. She was about to turn 16 in August and had “so much to look forward to,” Presley said.

Quinn, the youngest of the three, looked up to his older siblings immensely. A bright, happy kid who was always smiling, his passion was building complex creations with Legos. Presley said his room was always full of the tiny, colorful bricks, and it was a challenge not to step on any when you entered.

He loved biking – he had just gotten a new mountain bike for his 11th birthday. During a long walk with Presley and her husband this summer, she asked Quinn what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“He told me, ‘a forensic specialist,’” Presley said. “What kind of 11-year-old knows that? He was incredible.”

Fredrickson was a man who fiercely loved his family and was fiercely loved by them, Presley said. That was never more apparent to her than after his death, as the outpouring of love and grief rolled in from all over.

“It’s overwhelming, and it’s just awful that it takes something like this to bring that out,” Presley said. “But that outpouring is what’s going to pull this family through.”

Presley said she is comforted knowing that whatever happened in that plane, the family was together and still full of joy.

“And I know they’re all playing soccer together in heaven, too,” Presley said.

https://www.spokesman.com

Kolb Twinstar, N72DE: Incident occurred July 05, 2020 in Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana

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

Aircraft departed and made a forced landing in a field.

https://registry.faa.gov/N72DE

Date: 05-JUL-20
Time: 16:35:00Z
Regis#: N72DE
Aircraft Make: KOLB
Aircraft Model: TWINSTAR
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: GREENCASTLE
State: INDIANA

Enstrom 280FX Shark, N282SH: Accident occurred July 03, 2020 near Des Moines International Airport (KDSM), Iowa

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; Des Moines, Iowa

https://registry.faa.gov/N282SH

Location: Des Moines, IA
Accident Number: CEN20LA261
Date & Time: 07/03/2020, 1937 CDT
Registration: N282SH
Aircraft: Enstrom 280
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 3, 2020, at 1920 central daylight time, an Enstrom 280FX, N282SH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Des Moines, Iowa. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated during final approach for landing, both the rotor speed and engine speed descended below the green arc, and the low speed alarm sounded. The rotor speed and engine speed remained in synchronization and decreased at the same rate. The pilot stated he added throttle but neither the rotor speed nor the engine speed increased. He thought that the helicopter lost engine power and performed an autorotation. The helicopter impacted terrain about one mile south of Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines, Iowa.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Enstrom
Registration: N282SH
Model/Series: 280 FX
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Pilot
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Burlington, IA (BRL)
Destination: Des Moines, IA (DSM)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  41.518333, -93.682500 (est)



DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - A helicopter crash near the Des Moines International Airport resulted in injuries to one person, fire department officials said.

According to television station KCCI, the crash took place at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3. The Des Moines Fire Department said that the sole occupant of the private helicopter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The crash occurred near the corner of Army Post Road and Iowa Highway 28, outside of the airport’s security fence. There were no disruptions to airport operations as a result of the incident.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

https://www.weareiowa.com

Piper PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga, N321MA: Incident occurred July 02, 2020 in Galliano, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana


Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Aircraft experienced engine failure and landed on highway.

Almost Heaven Holdings LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N321MA

Date: 02-JUL-20
Time: 13:10:00Z
Regis#: N321MA
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA32R
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: GALLIANO
State: LOUISIANA





A small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday morning on a highway in south Lafourche.

No injuries were reported.

According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the single-engine aircraft experienced mechanical problems around 8 a.m. and came in for a sudden landing on La. 3235 in Galliano.

“I think the aircraft was on a test flight after having some mechanical work done,” said Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. “It later developed engine problems, causing the pilot to have to use the four-way highway in Galliano for an emergency landing.”

A Breaux Petroleum truck driver’s dash cam captured the impromptu landing on video.

The successful landing resulted in no injuries or property damage, Webre said. In addition to the pilot, the plane was carrying a mechanic onboard.

The sheriff commended the pilot for his quick thinking that allowed him to land the aircraft safely and avoid a potentially tragic situation.

“I certainly want to congratulate the pilot, whoever he is, for having the wherewithal to recognize the situation and to act quickly,” Webre said. “I’m no pilot, but I know that’s one of the things pilots train for when they have to make emergency landings or when they have compromised engines or lose power.”

The plane was pulled off the roadway shortly afterward and all lanes on La. 3235 were opened to traffic, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and State Police are handling the investigation, Webre said.

“It’s going to be a function for the State Police and FAA to determine what occurs with the aircraft,” he said.

https://www.houmatoday.com

Dassault Falcon 50, N850FJ: Incident occurred July 03, 2020 at Laurence G. Hanscom Field (KBED), Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boston, Massachusetts

Aircraft struck a bird on takeoff.

Allied Discount Tire Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N850FJ

Date: 03-JUL-20
Time: 14:20:00Z
Regis#: N850FJ
Aircraft Make: DASSAULT
Aircraft Model: MYSTERE FALCON 50
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
City: BEDFORD
State: MASSACHUSETTS

Alliant Destiny XLT: Incident occurred July 02, 2020 in Gladwin, Michigan

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aircraft has engine issues and made a precautionary landing on highway striking a power line.

Date: 02-JUL-20
Time: 20:45:00Z
Aircraft Make: ALLIANT
Aircraft Model: DESTINY XLT
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: GLADWIN
State: MICHIGAN

Piper PA-28R-200, N16566: Incidents occurred July 02, 2020 and June 16, 2018

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; East Michigan

July 02, 2020:  Aircraft landed gear up.

Skyview Aviation Aviation Services LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N16566

Date: 02-JUL-20
Time: 20:40:00Z
Regis#: N16566
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28R
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TROY
State: MICHIGAN

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 16, 2018:  Aircraft landed with nose gear partially retracted.

Date: 16-JUN-18
Time: 14:30:00Z
Regis#: N16566
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA 28R 200
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: COATESVILLE
State: PENNSYLVANIA

Mooney M20J 201, N4055H: Incident occurred at Kalispell City Airport (S27), Flathead County, Montana

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana

Aircraft landed gear up.

https://registry.faa.gov/N4055H

Regis#: N4055H
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20J
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: KALISPELL
State: MONTANA

Eurocopter EC 145 (BK 117C-2), N263MH: Accident occurred July 04, 2020 at Wayne County Airport (KBJJ), Wooster, Ohio

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; Cleveland, Ohio

https://registry.faa.gov/N263MH

Location: Wooster, OH
Accident Number: CEN20LA264
Date & Time: 07/04/2020, 1357 EDT
Registration: N263MH
Aircraft: Mbb BK117
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Medical Emergency)

On July 4, 2020, about 1357 eastern daylight time (EDT), an Airbus Helicopter BK117, N263MH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Wayne County Airport (KBJJ), Wooster, Ohio. The two commercial pilots, the flight nurse, and flight paramedic sustained no injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 helicopter air ambulance flight.

Surveillance video showed that after lifting off a portable dolly, the helicopter, operated by Metro Aviation, turned right and briefly hovered. As the helicopter began to take off following the hover, it traversed a grassy area adjacent to the ramp about 10 ft above ground level (AGL), where a silt construction fence was obscured by tall grass. As the helicopter overflew, the fence became unsecured and blew up and into the main and tail rotor system as shown in the photo below. The crew then performed a forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and tail rotor blades.

Photo showing the silt construction fence entangled in the main rotor blades.

At the time of the accident, there were no notices to airmen (NOTAMS) for the construction fence and the presence of the fence was not contained within any publications or notices available to pilots.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:Mbb
Registration: N263MH
Model/Series: BK117 C2
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Metrohealth System
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 4 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.873611, -81.883889 (est)

AviPro RB-4 Bearhawk, N94RT: Incident occurred July 04, 2020 at Akron-Canton Regional Airport (KCAK), Summit County, Ohio

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

Aircraft on landing lost control and veered off runway.

https://registry.faa.gov/N94RT

Date: 04-JUL-20
Time: 12:50:00Z
Regis#: N94RT
Aircraft Make: AVIPRO AIRCRAFT
Aircraft Model: BEARHAWK
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: AKRON
State: OHIO

Eclipse EA500, N23VA: Incident occurred July 02, 2020 at Richard L. Jones Jr Airport (KRVS), Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Aircraft on landing veered off runway striking a runway sign.

Victor Alpha LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N23VA

Date: 02-JUL-20
Time: 14:15:00Z
Regis#: N23VA
Aircraft Make: ECLIPSE
Aircraft Model: EA500
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TULSA
State: OKLAHOMA

Beech F35 Bonanza, N4219B: Accident occurred July 03, 2020 in Ravenna, Fannin County, Texas

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; North Texas

https://registry.faa.gov/N4219B

Location: Ravenna, TX
Accident Number: CEN20LA262
Date & Time: 07/04/2020, 2200 CDT
Registration:N4219B 
Aircraft:Beech 35 
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 4, 2020, about 2200 central daylight time, a Beech BE35 airplane, N4219B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Ravenna, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries and pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The flight originated at Stan Stamper Municipal Airport (HHW), Hugo, Oklahoma, at 1915. According to the pilot, the run-up and departure were normal with no anomalies with the airplane in the beginning of the flight.

Shortly after reaching cruising altitude and engaging the autopilot, the pilot instructed the passenger to plug in the "Icebox cooler" they had brought along for in-flight air conditioning. He explained they had used the cooler on the flight to Oklahoma from its built-in battery, but the battery was now low, so it would require 12 volts from the aircraft system to operate. When the 12-volt plug was inserted into the aircraft 12-volt outlet, he heard a loud pop from what sounded like it came from under the engine cowling. He stated it sounded like "a firecracker."

The autopilot disengaged causing the airplane to pitch up. The pilot instructed the passenger to push the nose down to avoid a stall while he completed the "Electrical System Failure" checklist. He noted no breakers were popped. As the nose was lowered, the pilot reached under the dash to manually re-trim the pitch wheel to a more nose-down position. As the airplane regained airspeed, he noticed a drop in RPM. He increased the throttle, changed to the left main tank, and selected each magneto on and off with no change noted.

The pilot used the GPS to find the nearest field, which was a private grass airstrip of 3000 ft located about 4.5 miles away. The pilot waited until they were closer to the field to begin the manual extension of the landing gear. With the landing gear down and locked, he entered the traffic pattern for a right downwind to the north runway. As he approached the runway, he noticed a stack of about 10 large round hay bales stacked 8ft tall on the edge of the runway. The pilot felt that trying to pull up over the bales would induce a stall, so he turned to the right just as the airplane touched down. About 100 ft after the airplane touched down, the left wing impacted the stack of hay bales, causing the airplane to spin to its left and come to a sudden stop.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Photograph of Damage to the Left Wing. (Courtesy of FAA) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N4219B
Model/Series: 35 F35
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light:Night
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Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:

Sopwith 1½ Strutter, N5539: Accident occurred July 03, 2020 in Van Alstyne, Texas

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; Dallas, Texas

   
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Accident Number: CEN20LA259
Date & Time: 07/03/2020, 1000 CDT
Registration: N5539
Aircraft: LANKENAU Sopwith 9400
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Flight Test 

On July 3, 2020, a Sopwith 9400 experimental airplane, N5539, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Van Alstyne, Texas. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight.

According to the pilot this was the 23rd test flight of the airplane, which was built following original design drawings. The flight was scheduled to be a short flight to confirm flying and landing wire deflections, flight control synchronization while under air loading, and to perform an aerial reconnoiter for potential obstacles at the approach end of the runway. A second crewmember was also on-board, responsible for monitoring cable deflections and vibrations, control surface positions during flight (ie; drooping aileron, elevator or etc.), and communicating with the ground crew via cell phone text.

The airplane performed normally through the first overflight of the airfield and a series of turns. As the pilot conducted a left turn he moved the control stick to the right to bring the wings level. There was no noticeable resistance and the control stick continued until it had reached its maximum travel. The pilot recognized this as a failure in the lower aileron circuit. Not knowing the exact location or cause of the failure, the pilot maintained the control stick at it's far right extent and waited for the effects of the dihedral to slowly bring the wings back to level, all the while maintaining marginal control with back pressure on the elevator and right rudder to keep the nose from falling off. The airplane eventually settled wings level with a slight nose down attitude on a northeasterly heading about 350' AGL and 75 IAS.

The pilot elected to perform an emergency landing in the cornfield in front of the airplane. The pilot cut power to the engine during approach, and after cutting the engine power he was unable to clear trees during the emergency descent. The airplane brushed a tree and descended into the ground nose down and in a turn.

The pilot examined the wreckage and determined the cause of the failure. There is a rocking tube that connects the front of the front cockpit to the rear control stick. The aileron cables connect to a horn which is affixed to this tube. The tube had worked its' way rearward about 1", which was sufficient for the front part of the tube to come loose from its' socket. The pilot found a flaw in the design of the original dual control configuration that allowed the tube to move rearward and cause the separation.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: LANKENAU
Registration: N5539
Model/Series: Sopwith 9400
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
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Destination: 

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:




VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (KTEN) -- A World War I military aircraft replica with two people onboard crashed in a corn field near Van Alstyne Friday morning, and its pilot was being treated for injuries.

The call for help went out about 9:45 a.m. at the crash site along Milam Road.

"I heard the plane come over my shop," said Jamie Marion. "It was just spitting and sputtering, and it looked like it was already starting to go down."

The single-engine plane appeared to clip a tree before going down.

"Luckily, a Frisco off-duty police officer lives around here," said Van Alstyne police Officer Jeremy Bigler. "He took me on the Gator. We went into the middle of the corn field. We were able to see plane tip in the cornfield and we located the plane."

First responders searched the field for about an hour before finding the pilot, later identified by the FAA as Kip Lankenau. He was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of a compound ankle fracture. Passenger Bruce Kimme was not seriously hurt; he told us off-camera he just suffered a few bruises.

In a Facebook post last month, Lankenau identified the biplane as a replica of a Sopwith 1½ Strutter, which was originally developed in Britain and was first placed in service 114 years ago.

Lankenau's company, Kip Aero, sells kits of this aircraft to aviation enthusiasts. Its fuselage is made of wood; the wings are covered in fabric.

The reproduction is classified by the FAA as "experimental." It received its airworthiness certificate about one year ago.

According to Wikipedia, very few examples of the original Sopwith 1½ Strutter have survived.

https://www.kten.com



A World War I-era replica airplane crashed in a corn field near Milam Road outside of Van Alstyne on July 3.

Witnesses say the plane appeared to clip a tree before going down.

There were two people on board the aircraft. The pilot, later identified as Kip Lankenau, was transported by helicopter to a local hospital with a broken leg. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The other person in the plane was Bruce Kimme. He reportedly only sustained minor injuries.

The crash occurred in a remote corn field that was inaccessible by car.

Van Alstyne Police Officer Jeremy Bigler was one of the initial first responders on the scene. He told a local television station that an off-duty Frisco firefighter who lived nearby used his off-road vehicle to help reach the scene of the crash.

It reportedly took first responders nearly an hour before they were able to locate Lankenau.

The plane Lankenau was flying was a replica of a Sopwith 1½ Strutter. The original plane was developed by British Engineers nearly 115 years ago. Lankenau’s company, Kip Aero in Dallas, manufactures replicas, which the FFA has classified as “experimental.”

According to the company’s website, buyers can purchase replica aircraft as a complete kit or a series of sub-kits.

https://www.waxahachietx.com