Philip Joseph LeFevre M.D.
Philip Joseph LeFevre IV
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Lycoming; Fort Collins, Colorado
Aircraft Partners LLC
Location: Galt, MO
Accident Number: CEN21FA125
Date & Time: February 8, 2021, 14:42 Local
Registration: N8080G
Aircraft: Cessna 177RG
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On February 8, 2021, about 1442 central standard time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N8080G, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Galt, Missouri. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
Based on preliminary radar information, the flight departed Saint Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), Saint Louis, Missouri, at 1051 and arrived at Omar N. Bradley Airport (MBY), Moberly, Missouri, at 1157.Witnesses at MBY observed the airplane after landing and said the airplane windscreen was completely obscured by ice and there was significant ice accumulated on the rest of the airplane that was about ¼ inch thick. The pilot requested assistance deicing the airplane and the witnesses helped put the airplane in a heated hangar to melt the ice. They also added 16.88 gallons of fuel to the airplane. The pilot told one of the witnesses he would depart as soon as the airplane was deiced and that he dismissed recommendations to stay the night at MBY and depart after the weather improved. The pilot said he would fly north before turning west and that the weather was better to the north. Neither witness knew the pilot’s exact destination, just that he planned to spend the night in Nebraska before he continued to Colorado.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the cross-country flight originated from MBY about 1410 and traveled north about 30 miles, turned northwest for about 40 miles, and then flew west-southwest for about 6 miles until the data ended at 1440 (see figure 1). The ADS-B recorded altitudes began at 1,100 ft mean sea level (MSL) and attained a maximum altitude of 1,900 ft before it began a gradual descent until the data ended at 1,200 ft MSL. Terrain along the route of flight varied between about 750 ft and 950 ft MSL. The elevation at the accident site was about 785 ft MSL.
Figure 1 – ADS-B Flight Track
The wreckage was located the following day in a wooded area about 1.5 miles southeast of Galt and about 7 miles west of the last recorded ADS-B point. The initial impact occurred with trees about 30 ft above the ground. The airplane was accounted for in its entirety at the accident site. Both wings and portions of the horizontal stabilizer were separated at impact and located near the initial impact point.
The engine, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer were collocated about 200 ft south of the initial impact point. Damage and dispersion of the wreckage prevented determination of the airplanes attitude at the time of impact.
Flight control continuity to the ailerons could not be verified due to impact damage. Multiple separations were noted in the aileron control cables consistent with overload. Flight control continuity was verified to the rudder and to the elevator attach points.
An unquantified amount of fuel was present in the left-wing fuel tank at the site. The right-wing fuel tank was impact damaged and compromised. Fuel drained from a broken fuel line near the engine firewall when the engine was lifted for recovery. The engine was examined at a secure facility following recovery, and about 1/3 cup of liquid consistent with 100LL aviation fuel was drained from the engine fuel sump during examination. The fuel was clear of contaminants and tested negative for water using water detecting paste.
Engine continuity was verified by manually rotating the propeller and observing inlet and exhaust valve movement on each cylinder. The top spark plugs were removed from each cylinder and compression of each cylinder was verified by placing a thumb over each open spark plug hole and verifying suction and outflow during rotation of the propeller. The four spark plugs demonstrated normal wear patterns when compared to the Champion Aviation Spark Plug chart. Each cylinder was checked visually with a borescope and no anomalies were observed. The left and right magnetos both produced spark at each associated spark plug lead when tested.
Both propeller blades were bent aft and twisting of the blades was evident. Leading edge polishing and chordwise scratches were visible on both blades. No anomalies were noted with the engine that would have prevented the normal production of power. A Garmin GDU-470 and a JPI engine data module (EDM) 700/800 were recovered from the wreckage and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board recorders laboratory to recover any stored data from the flight.
The routine weather observation for MBY at 1355 CST (1955Z) was wind from 030° at 9 knots, visibility 1 3/4 statute miles (weather conditions missing), scattered clouds at 600 ft agl, ceiling broken at 1,500 ft, overcast at 2,700 ft, temperature -12° C, dew point -16° C, altimeter 30.20 inches of mercury (Hg).
The flight passed about 10 miles south and west of Kirksville Municipal Airport (IRK), Missouri, about 1425. A special weather observation for IRK at 1446 was wind from 030° at 8 knots, visibility 3/4 statute mile in haze, vertical visibility 1,800 ft agl, temperature -14° C, dew point -17° C, altimeter 30.21”Hg. Remarks: automated station with a precipitation discriminator, 6-hour maximum temperature -0.1° C, temperature -13.9° C, dew point temperature -16.7° C.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8080G
Model/Series: 177RG
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: IMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIRK,965 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 38 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -14°C /-17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 1.25 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Moberly, MO (MBY)
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 40.10722,-93.37464 (est)
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.
Philip Joseph LeFevre IV, of Sunset Hills, Missouri, died February 8, 2021, in a tragic plane accident. His father, Dr. Philip Joseph LeFevre III, also perished in the crash. Philip was born March 6, 1973 in Springfield, Missouri to Dr. Philip Joseph LeFevre III and Patricia (Adams) LeFevre, both deceased. He is the devoted husband to Laura (Heinz) LeFevre whom he married on November 7, 1998. Philip is also the loving father of three precious children: Philip V, Patrick, and Colette, ages eight, six, and four, respectively. He is survived by his four older sisters: Michelle (Alan) Arbuckle, Cherie (Matt) Grahek, Christie (Michael) King, and Julie (Warren) Nakatani. He is also the "favorite" uncle to 14 nieces and nephews.
Philip is a graduate of Glendale High School and Drury University, both in Springfield, Missouri. He received his Executive MBA from Washington University, St. Louis, MO in 2011.
Philip became a licensed mortgage broker in 2004 and was the CEO and president of three successful companies: Accord Financial, Accord Properties, and his current company, Lending Partners.
From an early age, Philip longed to be a pilot. Under the tutelage of his father-in-law, James (Jim) Heinz, he began flight training in 2006 and earned a private pilot's license in 2007. In 2010, he achieved his instrument rating. He was able to purchase his own private plane, which was used to engage with clients all over Missouri for his business, and of course, to soar the open skies with his family, especially his father. In 2020, they were able to complete his father's bucket list by flying to the few remaining states left that his father had not set foot in.
Growing up, Philip was fortunate to spend his summers on Table Rock Lake at the family cabin. Many days were spent fishing off the boat dock or skiing recklessly on the lake. As previously mentioned, he was truly the favorite uncle, tirelessly spending hours driving the boat for inner tubing, skiing, and exploring the lake. His children have experienced all the joys of his childhood and love the lake as much as he did. He was a child at heart himself, and his ever-joyful disposition and optimistic outlook on life were contagious.
From childhood through adulthood, he was extremely gifted with his hands. Like his father, there was nothing that he could not take apart and put back together, be it electrical, plumbing, woodworking, mechanical, etc. The family relied heavily on his expertise and called him when anything broke. One of his most beautiful creations were cedar birdhouses with copper roofs given to friends and family. His children show every sign of following in his footsteps, with their intelligence and inquisitiveness.
His final gift to his children was a beautifully built tree house that he designed and constructed with his own two hands. In Philip's own words, "it had all the bells and whistles," minus heat, electric, and Wi-Fi, which were sure to be installed at a later date.
Loving husband, father, brother, son, uncle, and nephew. You will be dearly missed.
Services: A Mass will be held February 17, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 11910 Eddie and Park Road, St. Louis, MO 63126. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in his honor to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org
Dr. Philip Joseph LeFevre III of Glendale, Missouri, died February 8, 2021, in a tragic plane accident. His son, Philip Joseph LeFevre IV, also perished in the crash. Dr. LeFevre was born July 9, 1935 in South Bend, Indiana to Henry LeFevre and Agnes (Steinbrunner) LeFevre. He was married 54 years to Patricia (Adams) LeFevre, who preceded him in death on February 12, 2019. Dr. LeFevre is the father of five children and is survived by his four children and their spouses. He is the proud Pop-Pop of 17 grandchildren: Amanda and Jack (Michelle (LeFevre) and Alan Arbuckle), Elise, Joseph, Genevieve, and Cecilia (Cherie (LeFevre) and Matt Grahek), Michael Jr., Annabel, Augustine, and Gabriel (Christie (LeFevre) and Michael King), Eleanor, Catherine, Margaret, and Elizabeth (Julie (LeFevre) and Warren Nakatani), and Philip V, Patrick, and Colette (Philip IV (deceased) and Laura (Heinz) LeFevre). He is also the proud Great Pop-Pop to Adeline (Elise Grahek). Dr. LeFevre is survived by his siblings: Kathleen (Dan, deceased) Bohman, Cy (Helen) LeFevre, Larry (Kathy) LeFevre, and Marg (Dave) Brunswick. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Henry (Bud) and Joseph (Theresa, deceased).
In June 2020, Dr. LeFevre celebrated 50 years as a psychiatrist. He was in private practice for over 42 years and, during his last eight years in medicine, served as a professor at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, and as a practitioner with SLUCare Department of Neurology & Psychiatry.
A Requiem Mass will be held February 15, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church, 1126 Dolman Street, St. Louis, MO 63104.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in his honor to organizations near and dear to his heart:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery https://www.ourladyofguadalupemonastery.com
The Carmelite Monastery
Please mail donations to their address: 9150 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63124
The Greater Missouri Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/greatermissouri
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ReplyDeleteReg.:N8080G
United States
Type:C177
Cessna 177-RG
Type Desc.:L1P
Squawk:n/a
History
UTC day: 2021-02-09
No Data available for 2021-02-09
Carb ice?
ReplyDeleteFuel injected engine
DeleteDid the accident happen on the 8th or the 9th? The 8th shows a flight that appears to have ended short.
ReplyDeleteThe crash happened somewhere around 10 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2021.
ReplyDelete10pm was approximately when the physical search & rescue began for the plane after it failed to arrive at it destination. There was a bit of time trying to establish what had happened before the search began.
DeleteI live near where radar contact was lost, a few minutes before this plane crashed. I heard the plane fly over with louder than normal exhaust sound as if it were at max throttle, and struggling to remain in the air. I actually went outside hoping not to see what my ears were telling me was possibly happening, but the moisture in the air was dense enough that all I could track was the noise, and I listened until I could no longer hear it. Conditions at the time were: temp around 6°F and light, liquid mist that instantly froze to anything it touched. I distinctly remember thinking the plane must be experiencing icing conditions, but hoped it had de-icing capabilities on the wings, and hoped it was just extra weight that had prompted the low flight level with max power. When I received a phone call from search and rescue approximately 8 hours later (around 11pm) inquiring if I had heard anything out of the ordinary from an airplane earlier, i knew exactly what they were searching for and sent them a screenshot of an aerial photo with a line showing the direction I believed it was headed when it flew over my location earlier. The crash sight was located the next day approximately 6½ miles away, near the line of travel I heard the plane flying.
ReplyDelete