Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Cessna 182F Skylane, N6327F: Accident occurred December 29, 2020 at Pottstown Municipal Airport (N47), Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

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; Allentown, Pennsylvania 
 
Baldrick Aviation Partnership LLC


Location: Stowe, PA
Accident Number: ERA21LA094
Date & Time: December 29, 2020, 11:30 Local
Registration: N6327F
Aircraft: Cessna 182P
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
  
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
  
Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N6327F
Model/Series: 182P 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
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: KPTW,288 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C /-11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / 23 knots, 310°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.46 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
  
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: 40.258777,-75.673808

Hughes 369D, N103SU: Fatal accident occurred December 29, 2020 in Tuckers Crossing, Jones County, Mississippi


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 Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi
MD Helicopters; Mesa, Arizona 
Rolls Royce; Indianapolis, Indiana 
Signature Utility Services; Mountain Brook, Alabama 

Signature Property Holdings LLC
Signature Utility Services LLC


Location: Tuckers Crossing, MS 
Accident Number: CEN21LA102
Date & Time: December 29, 2020, 08:35 Local
Registration: N103SU
Aircraft: Hughes 369D
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 133: Rotorcraft ext. load

On December 29, 2020, about 0835 central standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N103SU, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Tuckers Crossing, Mississippi. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight.

According to the operator, the pilot departed for the first flight of the day from a private landing zone to begin aerial tree trimming operations along a transmission line, which was about 2.7 miles from the departure location. The helicopter contained about 400 lbs. of fuel and was equipped with an external saw assembly that was about 120 ft in length. The mission’s ground support specialist (GSS), who was in communication with the pilot via radio, observed the helicopter approach the trimming zone from the south and it flew northbound to the east of the transmission line; the external saw was about 40 to 50 ft above the trees. The GSS advised the pilot on hazards located in the trimming zone. Shortly thereafter, the pilot announced via the radio that he was making an emergency landing. The GSS reported the helicopter made a quick forward descent until the saw disappeared into the tree line. The helicopter impacted trees and the terrain, and a postimpact fire ensued.

The accident site was located in wooded terrain to the east of the transmission line. The external saw was found connected to the helicopter and entangled in the trees. The main wreckage, which consisted of the fuselage, engine, main transmission, and rotor assembly, was consumed by the postimpact fire. The tail rotor assembly was separated from the tail boom near the tail rotor gearbox and found adjacent to the main wreckage.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Hughes
Registration: N103SU
Model/Series: 369D
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Rotorcraft external load (133)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLUL,238 ft msl
Observation Time: 08:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C /11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 80°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Tuckers Crossing, MS
Destination: Tuckers Crossing, MS

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 31.611861,-89.086611 
 
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.

Jason Krakowiak

The Krakowiak's are one of the most phenomenal families that you will ever meet.  They are a spiritual, fun-loving, easy-going, adventurous family, whose personalities and smiles light up people's lives.  They share their love with everyone they come across, friends, family, or strangers. 

Jason's profession was a helicopter pilot, where he was a flight instructor, performed aerial firefighting, oil and gas support, government and private charters, and most recently, he was an aerial saw pilot.  Jason tragically lost his life a week after his 40th birthday, on December 29, 2020, attempting an emergency landing while flying for work.  Jyl is a full-time mom and teacher for their two boys, Parker (6 yo) and August (4 yo).

Jyl, Parker, and August have been devastated by the loss of their husband, father, and hero.  In these poignant times, Jyl is still trying to process the loss of her soulmate, while being the anchor for her children.  She has to provide for her and her family, manage bills, finances, and plan for their altered future.

Due to the nature of this tragedy, the Nation Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are involved in an investigation of the helicopter accident, as is standard protocol for aviation disasters.  This investigation currently lasts, on average, 2+ years for a final report to be generated that could begin to provide closure to the family.

Read more here:  https://www.gofundme.com

Jason Krakowiak

A Florida pilot died Tuesday morning in Glade after his helicopter crashed and burst into flames.

Just before 9 a.m. emergency teams lined Highway 15 South as a plume of smoke could be seen emerging from the property of pastor Dan Atkinson, at Tuckers Crossing. Ronny Cooley, the sole witness, said he heard an explosion before rescue personnel raced in. Jason Krakowiak, 40, of Ormond Beach, Florida, was pronounced dead on the scene.

At the time of the crash the Hughes 369D burst into flames, said Jones County Fire Council spokeswoman Dana Bumgardner. Krakowiak, the sole occupant, had been clearing tree limbs along power-line rights-of-way under the employ of Signature Utility Services, believed to be under contract with Mississippi Power. Krakowiak had declared an emergency landing before the helicopter crashed in a wooded area, a source close to the investigation said, and the location was difficult for vehicles to access.

Standing near a pond on his neighbor’s property, Cooley said he’d seen the helicopter in the area.

“It was loud,” he said. “I heard an explosion. I turned to my wife and said, ‘I think that helicopter just went down.’”

The fire that ensued was a magnesium fire, Bumgardner said, which is difficult to extinguish. A series of popping noises could be heard coming from the wreckage after the fire was put out, so the immediate area wasn’t safe for non-emergency personnel for a time.

Messages to those who knew Krakowiak weren’t immediately returned.

Bumgardner said the pilot was on his first flight of the day, as the company had been sawing limbs in the area the two previous days. The helicopters that do the trimming fly low and have a long series of blades protruding from under it that trim branches they come in contact with.

The Jones County Sheriff’s Department assisted Glade, Powers, Calhoun, M & M and Sandersville fire departments. The Jones County Coroner’s Office, EMServ, Mississippi Power, International Fire & Safety, MEMA and the Jones County Emergency Operations Center also responded. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is taking over the investigation, said EOC director Paul Sheffield.

Ernest Hollingsworth of the coroner’s office said Krakowiak died of blunt-force trauma.

Cessna P210R Pressurized Centurion, N210LA: Incident occurred December 29, 2020 at Atlanta Regional Airport (KFFC), Fayette County, Georgia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aircraft landed with landing gear retracted. 

Joyo LLC


Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 18:48:00Z
Regis#: N210LA
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 210
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ATLANTA
State: GEORGIA

Cessna 172K, N78112: Incident occurred December 29, 2020 at Stennis International Airport (KHSA), Bay St. Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi 

Aircraft struck runway end light while landing. 

Cool Breeze Aviation LLC 


Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 18:30:00Z
Regis#: N78112
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: BAY ST LOUIS
State: MISSISSIPPI

Cessna 172N Skyhawk, N106GT: Incident occurred December 29, 2020 in Dania Beach, Broward County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft made forced landing in field due to rough running engine. 

Andros Marketing LLC


Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 19:11:00Z
Regis#: N106GT
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EMERGENCY DESCENT (EMG)
Operation: 91
City: DANIA BEACH
State: FLORIDA

Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron, N916MT: Accident occurred December 29, 2020 at Westfield-Barnes Airport (KBAF), Hampden County, Massachusetts

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; Bradley


Location: Westfield, MA
Accident Number: ERA21LA093
Date & Time: December 29, 2020, 15:00 Local 
Registration: N916MT
Aircraft: Beech 95-B55 (T42A)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted
Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech 
Registration: N916MT
Model/Series: 95-B55 (T42A)
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
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: KBAF,271 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 0°C /-14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 19 knots / 29 knots, 300°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

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: 42.158288,-72.716048 (est)

Boeing 757-200, N686DA: Incident occurred December 28, 2020 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), New York

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; New York, New York

December 28, 2020:  Aircraft  #1 engine was on fire after landing. 

Delta Air Lines Inc

Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 01:12:00Z
Regis#: N686DA
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 757-200
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA
Flight Number: DAL1886
City: NEW YORK
State: NEW YORK

Beech 95-B55 (T42A) Baron, N9417Q: Incident occurred December 29, 2020 at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI), Sullivan County, Tennessee

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

Aircraft reported electrical failure, hand cranked landing gear but upon landing gear collapsed.


Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 17:54:00Z
Regis#: N9417Q
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: 55
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TRI-CITY
State: TENNESSEE

Airbus A330-941, N403DX: Incident occurred December 29, 2020 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), Washington

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

Aircraft (N403DX) clipped wings with another aircraft (N405DX) while on pushback.

Delta Air Lines Inc


Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 23:23:00Z
Regis#: N403DX
Aircraft Make: AIRBUS
Aircraft Model: 330
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: PUSHBACK/TOWING (PBT)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA
Flight Number: DAL142
City: SEATTLE
State: WASHINGTON

Colt Balloon 240A, N647CB: Incident occurred December 29, 2020 in Gilbert, Maricopa County, Arizona

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

Balloon encountered gust of wind while tethered, breaking cable and sending it through fence. 

Aerogelic Ballooning LLC


Date: 29-DEC-20
Time: 23:00:00Z
Regis#: N647CB
Aircraft Make: COLT
Aircraft Model: BALLOON
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: PUSHBACK/TOWING (PBT)
Operation: 91
City: GILBERT
State: ARIZONA







Mooney M20K, N57785: Incident occurred December 27, 2020 at Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport (KPUW), Whitman County, Washington

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

Aircraft experienced power loss on takeoff and landed long striking runway lights. 

Flying Falcon PLLC


Date: 27-DEC-20
Time: 15:30:00Z
Regis#: N57785
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20K
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: PULLMAN/MOSCOW
State: WASHINGTON

Hawker 800XP, N348AJ: Incident occurred December 28, 2020 at Laurence G. Hanscom Field Airport (KBED), Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

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

Aircraft experienced blown nose wheel after takeoff, returned to runway where gear door was found separated.


Date: 28-DEC-20
Time: 18:09:00Z
Regis#: N348AJ
Aircraft Make: RAYTHEON-HAWKER
Aircraft Model: 800
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: BEDFORD
State: MASSACHUSETTS

Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air Excalibur, N134BA: Accident occurred December 28, 2020 at Chandler Field Airport (KAXN), Douglas County, Minnesota

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; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bemidji Aviation SVC Inc
 

Location: Alexandria, Minnesota 
Accident Number: CEN21LA101
Date & Time: December 28, 2020, 19:45 Local 
Registration: N134BA
Aircraft: Beech 65-80-8800
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled

On December 28, 2020, about 1945 central standard time (CST), a Beech 65-80-8800, N134BA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in a takeoff accident near Alexandria, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand cargo flight.

The airplane was owned and operated by Bemidji Aviation Services as an on-demand cargo flight. According to the pilot, he flew from BJI to AXN, and landed with 168 gallons of fuel on board the airplane. The weather at the time of the landing was clear.

After he ate dinner and returned to the airport between 1845 and 1900, the pilot said that he performed a preflight examination of the airplane. He stated that there was no frost on the airplane during his preflight examination. He then waited for the United Parcel Service (UPS) trucks to arrive. He determined that the total load of boxes that UPS had would have made the airplane 100 pounds over its maximum gross weight of 8,800 pounds, so he left off one box weighing 120 pounds in order to remain within the specified airplane limits. The cargo curtains were secured and weight and balance was calculated and determined to be within limits.

The pilot stated that he started the engines about 1930. He stated that he checked the weather and remembered it was clear with 10 miles visibility, temperature -5° Celsius, and light wind out of the northwest. He taxied to runway 31 at AXN and received his instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance from air traffic control (ATC) via the remote station located near AXN. The pilot reported that he advanced the throttles for takeoff and everything appeared normal. He rotated at 82-83 knots and the airplane lifted off about 85 knots. About 20-30 ft above the ground the airplane pulled to the right and started to shake. The pilot did not retract the landing gear due to the veering of the airplane. He noted that both engines appeared to be operating normally. He stated that it did not feel like an aerodynamic stall and he applied rudder and tried to correct back to runway heading when the airplane abruptly pulled to the left and started shaking. The airplane continued to the left and the left wing struck the ground.

The airplane came to rest about 4,000 ft from the start of the runway and about 600 ft left of the runway centerline.

The AXN airport manager who was one of the first persons on-scene after the accident reported that, from his residence near the airport, he heard the airplane take off. He heard the airplane’s engine go to full power and then they went to idle and he realized that something was not right. He got into his car, drove to the accident site, and escorted local law enforcement to the scene. After performing duties related to closing the airport due to the accident he proceeded to the airplane about 20 minutes after the accident. He noted that there was some fuel draining from the fuel tank vents and that all of the airplane surfaces were covered with frost.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech 
Registration: N134BA
Model/Series: 65-80-8800
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: 
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAXN,1431 ft msl
Observation Time: 18:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: -18°C /-20°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 260°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.38 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Alexandria, MN 
Destination: Minneapolis, MN (KMSP)

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: 45.865475,-95.394471 (est)