The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Barr Air Patrol LLC
Location: Saint James, Louisiana
Accident Number: CEN21LA268
Date and Time: June 10, 2021, 10:08 Local
Registration: N365CP
Aircraft: Cessna 172S
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Pressure/environ sys malf/fail
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation
Analysis
The pilot of the low-level pipeline patrol flight reported that after about one hour into the flight, a “very loud pop” noise emitted from behind the instrument panel followed by an unidentified high-pressure air/gas release into the cabin. After not seeing any flames, the pilot opened his window to vent the cabin and decided to conduct an off-airport emergency landing on an empty multi-lane highway. During the landing rollout, the left wing impacted a metal road sign, and the airplane came to a stop on a grass median. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a high-pressure air conditioning hose failed and separated at a metal crimp connection at the firewall pass-through. The hose ends at the separation showed signs of age deterioration. Maintenance records revealed that the hose had been in service for about 20 years, accumulating 12,512.5 total hours. According to the air conditioning system maintenance manual, the system’s components are to be inspected every 600 hours or every annual inspection, whichever comes first, and are to be cleaned or replaced as necessary.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The in-flight fatigue failure of an air-conditioning system hose which resulted in a precautionary landing and impact with a road sign.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Failure
Aircraft (general) - Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Aircraft Hoses and tubes - Not specified
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues Sign/marker - Effect on equipment
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Pressure/environ sys malf/fail (Defining event)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision during takeoff/land
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: February 26, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 25, 2020
Flight Time: 7433 hours (Total, all aircraft), 791 hours (Total, this make and model), 6830 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 52 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N365CP
Model/Series: 172S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S8838
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 7, 2021 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 7.3 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12520.3 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming Engines
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As: BARR AIR PATROL LLC
Operator Designator Code: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KREG, 15 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 355°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2100 ft AGL
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 220°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Gonzales, LA (REG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Lake Charles, LA (CWF)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 09:08 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 30.038001,-90.927146
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Barr Air Patrol LLC
Location: Houma, Louisiana
Accident Number: CEN20CA195
Date & Time: May 21, 2020, 14:20 Local
Registration: N365CP
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing area undershoot
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation
Analysis
The commercial pilot and passenger were returning to the airport after completing the pipeline patrol. As the airplane approached the airport, the pilot listened to the recorded weather and contacted the air traffic control tower. The reported wind was steady at 12 to 15 kts from 170°. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 18, and the pilot stated that he "set up for a short field landing in order to make the first taxiway on the right." He said that just before getting to the threshold of the runway, the wind "either quit or abruptly reduced" and the plane started to "sink" rapidly. The pilot thought he had cleared the runway threshold lights and added "a little" back pressure on the flight control yolk. The airplane's left horizontal stabilizer struck a runway threshold light resulting in substantial damage. The pilot indicated that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a ground obstacle during landing.
Findings
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues Runway/taxi/approach light - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Landing area undershoot (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Private
Age: 65
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: February 10, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 21, 2018
Flight Time: 6716.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2498.6 hours (Total, this make and model), 6132.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 181 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 64.9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Passenger Information
Certificate: Age:
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N365CP
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S8838
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 9, 2020 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12139.2 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO360 L2A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHUM,10 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 18:47 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 129°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 1500 ft AGL
Visibility 7 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Houma, LA (HUM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Houma, LA (HUM)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 11:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Houma-Terrebonne HUM
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 9 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18 IFR
Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6508 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in
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: 29.566389,-90.660552 (est)
That's an expensive mistake and who lands on the runway threshold anymore? You aim for the 1000 ft markers and pass the threshold accordingly. SMH.
ReplyDeleteBetter to come in fast and roll off opposite end of runway instead of risking a stall before the runway....trying to make the 1st taxiway was a bad idea.
ReplyDelete