Friday, August 07, 2020

Aerotek Pitts S-2B Special, N222JD: Incident occurred August 04, 2020 in Brighton, Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Aircraft lost control on landing and gear collapsed.

Acro Aviation LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N222JD

Date: 04-AUG-20
Time: 15:30:00Z
Regis#: N222JD
Aircraft Make: AEROTEK
Aircraft Model: PITTS S2B
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: BRIGHTON
State: COLORADO

Mooney M20S, N21737: Incident occurred August 05, 2020 at City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (KCOS), El Paso County, Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Aircraft appeared to lose power during go around and settled back onto runway gear up.

Blue Skys Aviation

https://registry.faa.gov/N21737

Date: 05-AUG-20
Time: 16:04:00Z
Regis#: N21737
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20S
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: COLORADO SPRINGS
State: COLORADO

Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, N223AB: Accident occurred August 05, 2020 and Incident occurred March 09, 2017

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; Miramar, Florida

https://registry.faa.gov/N223AB


Location: Miami, FL
Accident Number: ERA20LA275
Date & Time: 08/05/2020, 1333 EDT
Registration: N223AB
Aircraft: PIPER PA25
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Banner Tow

On August 5, 2020, about 1333 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N223AB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner tow flight.

The pilot stated that he performed a thorough preflight inspection and no discrepancies were reported. He departed with a full fuel tank and after takeoff threw out the first tow hook but it became draped over the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. He returned for an uneventful landing, secured the airplane and after clearing the tow hook, he inspected the airplane and noted no damage. He contacted tower, taxied to runway 10L, where he performed another engine run-up, and departed, successfully throwing out the tow hook.

He remained in the pattern, picked the banner at 1302, and climbed on an easterly heading to 1,300 ft mean sea level (msl). He leaned the mixture, then at the top of the climb he checked the carburetor heat by applying it for 15 to 30 seconds and noted a 100-rpm drop. He removed carburetor heat and according to company tracking data flew in a southeast direction to Haulover Park, then proceeded in a southerly direction. He flew over the Port of Miami at 1,100 ft msl where he checked the carburetor heat a 2nd time, applying it and leaving on for 15 to 30 seconds, again noting a 100-rpm drop. He removed carburetor heat and continued in a southerly direction. When the flight was south of Fisher Island, he made a radio call on the Watson Island Advisory air-to-air frequency that the flight was at 1,100 ft msl, turning to the north, descending to 700 ft msl. He applied carburetor heat before beginning to descend, but before he had time to adjust the throttle control, the engine rpm dropped to between 1,000 and 1,200. He checked the magnetos, full and mixture were full forward but that did not restore engine power. Aware of the hazards of dropping the banner he made sure no boats were nearby and he dropped it in the water. Company tracking data reflected a slight left turn towards a southeasterly direction followed by a right turn to a westerly heading. He maneuvered for a forced landing and when the flight was between 50 and 100 ft, the engine sputtered like it wanted to come back. He was fast at touchdown and collided with a fence during the landing roll. The airplane stopped within 40 to 50 ft of the fence impact. He secured the airplane.

According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the pilot landed to the west on a road. About 1/2 way down it, the right wing collided with a chain link fence. The airplane then turned right and went down a slight embankment before coming to rest upright. He confirmed there was no fuel contamination in the fuel tank or airframe fuel strainer, and noted only scratches to the propeller blades, though the propeller spinner was damaged. While he and the pilot were present, a company employee started the engine and briefly operated it to idle. During the short duration engine run oil leakage was noted from a damaged oil cooler; the engine was promptly shut down. The airplane was recovered for further examination of the engine and its systems, and the fuel system.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N223AB
Model/Series: PA25 235
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Aerial Banner North, Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MIA, 9 ft msl
Observation Time: 1353 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 25°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 2000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 25000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Hollywood, FL (HWO)
Destination: Hollywood, FL (HWO)

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: 25.750556, -80.152222




VIRGINIA KEY, Florida (WSVN) - A pilot seems to be OK after crashing a banner plane in Virginia Key.

Miami-Dade Police and Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene at the Central District Treatment Plant, at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, just after 1:30 p.m., Wednesday.

7SkyForce HD hovered over the scene as the pilot seemed to be OK, as he talked to officials.

The yellow plane stopped on a road and had sustained damage to the tail and wings.

There were no other vehicles on the road at the time the pilot landed the plane.

Witnesses who were kayaking nearby said they saw the large advertisement banner fall off before the crash.

“We turned, and we saw the advertisement,” witness Gabriella Obregon said. “It was a banner, and it was a GEICO banner, and we saw it go down. Then, the plane kind of, like, spun.”

“The guy actually spun around,” witness Jessica Botero said. “I guess he lost control, and he came very low into the trees. He passed the trees, and like she said, we waited a couple of seconds, and we heard the impact. I am pretty concerned because, obviously, there is a person in there and hearing that and crashing into the ground and since it was an advertisement plane, he could have been alone, so I could just imagine what was going through his head at the time. It’s just sad.”

Investigators said the plane originated out of North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

https://wsvn.com


MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida – A small plane landed off the Rickenbacker Causeway Wednesday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

According to FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee that was towing a banner made the landing at 1:30 p.m.

Bergen said the plane had departed from North Perry Airport in Hollywood and the pilot was the only person onboard the plane. According to Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez, the plane was on land at the Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant in Virginia Key.

“We saw the advertisement plane drop its flag, and we saw it and were like, ‘Oh, should we go get it?’” Jessica Botero said. “And the plane was spinning, so I guess the guy saw that it fell and then suddenly it kind of lost control and went over the trees. And it was super low so we didn’t know if it was going to crash.”

Botero, who was on the water with another woman on rented kayaks, said the plane crashed seconds later.

Miami-Dade police spokesman Angel Rodriguez said the pilot was able to get out of the plane and appeared to be OK.

According to Miami Fire Rescue officials, the pilot reported engine trouble and clipped a fence while trying to land.

Bergen said the FAA will investigate the incident and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the accident.

The pilot’s identity has not yet been released.

https://www.local10.com



Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Tampa, Florida 

March 09, 2017:  Aircraft during banner tow operations, banner became tangled in gear. On landing gear collapsed at Albert Whitted Airport (KSPG), St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida


Date: 09-MAR-17
Time: 17:24:00Z
Regis#: N223AB
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA25
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: BANNER TOW
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: SAINT PETERSBURG
State: FLORIDA

Slepcev Storch, N156BP: Incident occurred August 05, 2020 near Priest River Municipal Airport (1S6), Bonner County, Idaho

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

Aircraft experienced rough running engine and made an emergency landing in a soccer field.

Date: 05-AUG-20
Time: 19:47:00Z
Regis#: N156BP
Aircraft Make: EXPERIMENTAL
Aircraft Model: STORCH
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: PRIEST RIVER
State: IDAHO




PRIEST RIVER, Idaho — Witnesses say a plane made a rough emergency landing in a Priest River school baseball field.

According to the pilot, he took off from the Priest River Airport and immediately started having engine problems. He reached 100 feet above ground when his plane lost power, forcing him to put the plane down.

He ended up on the sports field of a nearby school, and survived the rough landing.

The pilot told 4 News Now that he is glad he managed to touch down, otherwise he says he likely would have hit a building.

https://www.kxly.com

Schempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6, N284BM: Incident occurred August 05, 2020

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greater Chicago

Glider landed in a field due to lack of thermals.

https://registry.faa.gov/N284BM

Date: 05-AUG-20
Time: 21:00:00Z
Regis#: N284BM
Aircraft Make: SCHEMPP HIRTH
Aircraft Model: VENTUS
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: BRIARWOOD
State: ILLINOIS

Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee, N7213W: Accident occurred August 05, 2020 in Saint Agatha, Aroostook County, Maine

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; Portland, Maine

https://registry.faa.gov/N7213W


Location: St. Agatha, ME
Accident Number: ERA20LA277
Date & Time: 08/05/2020, 1245 EDT
Registration: N7213W
Aircraft: PIPER PA28
Injuries:2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

On August 5, 2020, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28-180 airplane, N7213W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. Agatha, Maine. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor reported that he and the student pilot planned to complete a "refresher flight" to continue the student's advancement to his checkride. After completing a variety of maneuvers and basic navigation procedures, the flight instructor had the student pilot demonstrate flight at less than cruise airspeed. The flight instructor believed the airplane had slowed down to about 90 to 100 mph, the engine power was reduced to about 2300 rpm, and the carburetor heat was on. The flight instructor subsequently told the student pilot to increase the power and return to normal airspeed; however, as the student did so, the engine "did not respond." The flight instructor characterized the engine power as not sufficient to maintain altitude; however, it was still "running perfectly" near idle and all engine instruments were in the normal range.

The flight instructor took over the flight controls and "checked everything." He reported that switching fuel tanks, adjusting mixture and power settings, checking the primer, and adjusting carburetor heat did not increase engine power. He subsequently identified an open field and completed a forced landing. During the landing roll through rough terrain, the airplane's landing gear collapsed which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

The airplane was retained for further investigation.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N7213W
Model/Series: PA28 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
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: PQI, 534 ft msl
Observation Time: 1256 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 28 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4800 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 15 knots / , 220°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 6000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Presque Isle, ME (PQI)
Destination: Frenchville, ME (FVE)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion:None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 47.150000, -68.180000 (est)





On August 5th, 2020 at approximately 12:52 PM the Houlton RCC received a 911 call from 35 year old Leigh Smith of Presque Isle reporting he made an emergency landing with his airplane.

Cpl. Chuck Michaud responded to the scene in T 17 R3 off the Sullivan Road along with Maine Game Warden Ryan Fitzpatrick and multiple other first responders.

Cpl. Michaud learned the following to assist the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board with their investigation.

26 year old Cody Anderson of Levant was giving flight instruction to 35 year old Leigh Smith when the engine failed and they were forced to make an emergency landing.

The plane came to rest in a clear cut and had front end and wing damage.

Both men were transported to Fort Kent Regional Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The incident remains under investigation by the Portland office of the Federal Aviation Administration and Northeast office of the National Transportation Safety Board.


https://www.wagmtv.com

Kitfox IV 1200,, N338S: Incident occurred August 04, 2020 at Elko Regional Airport (KEKO), Nevada

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Aircraft landed and ground looped.

https://registry.faa.gov/N338S

Date: 04-AUG-20
Time: 18:15:00Z
Regis#: N338S
Aircraft Make: EXPERIMENTAL
Aircraft Model: KITFOX IV
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ELKO
State: NEVADA

Van's RV-6A, N942RV: Incident occurred August 04, 2020 in Nowata, Oklahoma

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

Aircraft made a forced landing at a cattle ranch.

https://registry.faa.gov/N942RV

Date: 04-AUG-20
Time: 15:00:00Z
Regis#: N942RV
Aircraft Make: VANS
Aircraft Model: RV6
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: NOWATA
State: OKLAHOMA

Beechcraft F33A Bonanza, N6632C: Incident occurred August 05, 2020 at Hicks Airfield (T67), Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas

Aircraft landed gear up.

https://registry.faa.gov/N6632C

Date: 05-AUG-20
Time: 22:10:00Z
Regis#: N6632C
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: 33
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: FORT WORTH
State: TEXAS

Piper PA-28-161, N81713: Incident occurred August 05, 2020 at Deer Flat Airport (WA52), Stevens County, Washington

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

Aircraft porpoised during landing and nose gear collapsed.

https://registry.faa.gov/N81713

Date: 05-AUG-20
Time: 20:15:00Z
Regis#: N81713
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: DEER PARK
State: WASHINGTON

Got Rocks, N9015U: Accident occurred August 05, 2020 in Minchumina, Alaska

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.

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska


Location: Minchumina, AK
Accident Number: ANC20CA078
Date & Time: August 5, 2020
Registration: N9015U
Aircraft: GREG MILLER GOT ROCKS
Injuries: N/A
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: GREG MILLER
Registration: N9015U
Model/Series: GOT ROCKS No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / 20 knots,
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK (PAMR)
Destination: Minchumina, AK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: N/A 
Latitude, Longitude: 63.526668,-150.795272 (est)

Rockwell International 114 Commander, N14SG: Incident occurred August 06, 2020 at Camarillo Airport (KCMA), Ventura County, California

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Van Nuys, California

Aircraft landed and gear collapsed.

https://registry.faa.gov/N14SG

Date: 06-AUG-20
Time: 21:56:00Z
Regis#: N14SG
Aircraft Make: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL
Aircraft Model: 114
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: CAMARILLO
State: CALIFORNIA





VENTURA, California - Ventura County Fire responded to reports of a plane down at the Camarillo airport Thursday afternoon.

The call went out around 2:56 p.m.

Upon arriving at the airport, firefighters found a plane that had landed on its belly but was still fully intact.

Officials said there were three people on board the plane when it crashed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

During their investigation, fire officials discovered that the plane's landing gear had malfunctioned causing the gear to remain in the up position while the plane made contact with the ground.

County Fire helped airport security raise the plane back onto its wheels and move it to the hangar.

The crash did not spark any fires.

https://keyt.com

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N55231: Accident occurred August 02, 2020 at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV), San Jose, Santa Clara County, California

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.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Jose, California

Golf November Aero LLC


Location: San Jose, CA 
Accident Number: WPR20LA256
Date & Time: August 2, 2020, 10:17 Local
Registration: N55231
Aircraft: Cessna 172 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 2, 2020, about 1017 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N55231, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near San Jose, California. The pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot was returning to Reid-Hillview (RHV) airport and was on right downwind for runway 31, approximately abeam the numbers, when the airplane collided with an object. The airplane yawed to the right dramatically and lost altitude. The pilot notified the tower and immediately executed a precautionary landing to runway 31. He landed safely without further incident.

It was later determined that the airplane likely collided with a bird. Debris and biological samples have been retained for testing.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N55231
Model/Series: 172
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRHV,135 ft msl
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C /7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 7 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Carson City, NV (CXP)
Destination: San Jose, CA (RHV)

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: 37.337776,-121.800277

Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey, N813GP: Incident occurred August 06, 2020 at Punta Gorda Airport (KPGD), Charlotte County, Florida

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

Aircraft on landing gear collapsed and veered off runway.

https://registry.faa.gov/N813GP

Date: 06-AUG-20
Time: 20:05:00Z
Regis#: N813GP
Aircraft Make: PROGRESSIVE AERODYNE
Aircraft Model: SEAREY
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: PUNTA GORDA
State: FLORIDA

Robinson R44 II, N61MX: Incident occurred August 07, 2020 in Ashton, Fremont County, Idaho

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Rotorcraft made an emergency landing on a highway.

TJ Aviation LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N61MX

Date: 07-AUG-20
Time: 02:55:00Z
Regis#: N61MX
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Aircraft Model: R44
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: ASHTON
State: IDAHO

Hard Landing: Hughes OH-6A, N911EP; accident occurred August 06, 2020 at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS), Chesterfield, Missouri





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St. Louis, Missouri

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

St. Louis County Police Department


Location: St Louis, MO
Accident Number: CEN20CA326
Date & Time: 08/06/2020, 1515 CDT
Registration:N911EP
Aircraft: Hughes 369A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Public Aircraft

Analysis

The instructor reported that during the instructional flight, he was manipulating the controls and accepted the option to land on the taxiway; he decreased the throttle for a full touchdown auto rotation. About 50 ft above the ground (agl), he flared the helicopter and leveled off about 5 to 10 ft agl. The instructor reported that everything seemed "normal" at this point. He then raised the collective, but the descent was not arrested, so he raised the collective full up. The helicopter landed hard and shook violently. The instructor closed the throttle to which stopped the fuel supply. The tailboom was substantially damaged.

The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The instructor added that he felt a slight tailwind after exiting the helicopter and that the tail wind caused a "vortex ring state" which stalled the main rotor blades.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control which resulted in a hard landing while preforming a practice autorotation.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot
Aircraft Descent rate - Capability exceeded
Environmental issues Tailwind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Other weather encounter
Landing Attempted remediation/recovery

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 51
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/22/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 6814 hours (Total, all aircraft), 6814 hours (Total, this make and model), 6338 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 39
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/29/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/18/2020
Flight Time: 635 hours (Total, all aircraft), 91 hours (Total, this make and model), 585 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Hughes
Registration: N911EP
Model/Series: 369A No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built:No
Airworthiness Certificate:
Serial Number: 591176
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/04/2020, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 1229.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 250-c20C
Registered Owner: St Louis County Police Department
Rated Power:
Operator: St Louis County Police Department
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: 1454 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 25000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: St Louis, MO (KSUS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: St Louis, MO (KSUS)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Spirit of St Louis Airport (KSUS)
Runway Surface Type: Unknown
Airport Elevation: 463 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Simulated Forced Landing

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: 38.663611, -90.644722 (est)



St. Louis County Police Department

On August 6, 2020, members of the Metro Air Support Unit were training at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport.

At around 3:15 PM, in the course of an exercise, one of the main rotor blades of the helicopter bowed and struck the tail boom. As a result, the tail rotor was cut from the rest of the helicopter.

The rotorcraft was occupied by two St. Louis County Police officers at the time of the accident. They were able to successfully land. Both are uninjured.

The helicopter was manufactured in 1968 and flew in Vietnam. Following that, it was given as a military surplus rotorcraft, free from the State of Missouri.

The Metro Air Support Unit has an additional four helicopters; therefore, their service to the region will remain unaffected.

Cessna A188B, N9278G: Accident occurred July 27, 2020 near Hartington Municipal Airport (0B4), Cedar County, Nebraska













Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Skyview Applicators LLC


Location: Hartington, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN20CA331
Date & Time: July 27, 2020, 07:45 Local
Registration: N9278G
Aircraft: Cessna A188 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that, before conducting a local, aerial application flight, he changed the engine oil. After refueling and loading the airplane with chemicals, the pilot departed. Shortly after takeoff, the windshield became covered with oil, which limited the pilot's visibility. He turned the airplane left toward a grass runway. The pilot did not dump the chemical load, and the airplane had a low airspeed and began to lose altitude. The pilot was not able to attain a climb, so he chose to conduct a forced landing in a cornfield near the end of the runway, during which the wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the reason the oil covered the windshield was that he had not reinstalled the oil cap after changing the oil. He added that he “had gotten out of …[his] routine” while performing the oil change and that ”complacency” and being in a “hurry were also some factors" in the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to ensure that the engine oil cap was installed before takeoff, which resulted in the oil obscuring the pilot’s view through the windshield and necessitated a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s complacency and self-induced pressure to complete the flight.

Findings

Aircraft Oil - Inadequate inspection
Aircraft Oil - Fluid level
Personnel issues Preflight inspection - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight Aircraft inspection event
Takeoff Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision during takeoff/land

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 15, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 11, 2020
Flight Time: 2211.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 143.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 2050 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 170 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 127 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9278G
Model/Series: A188 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)
Serial Number: 18801444
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 1, 2020 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4954.4 Hrs 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-D112
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 300 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: PTNG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KYKN,1172 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 07:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 344°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 330° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hartington, NE (0B4)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Hartington, NE (0B4) 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 07:45 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: HARTINGTON MUNI/ BUD BECKER FL 0B4
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1388 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 42.603054,-97.253608(est)