Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Hillsboro, Oregon
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Rivers End Ranch LLC
Location: Lake Abert, Oregon
Accident Number: WPR20LA324
Date & Time: September 14, 2020, 19:30 Local
Registration: N1220A
Aircraft: Pilatus Aircraft PC-12/47E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a private dirt strip, the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck parked alongside of the runway. The pilot reported that it was dusk and he “just didn’t see the truck.” The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 clearance from an object during the takeoff ground roll due to inadequate monitoring of the environment.
Findings
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Environmental issues Ground vehicle - Not specified
Factual Information
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a private dirt strip, the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted a truck parked alongside of the runway. The pilot reported that it was dusk and he “just didn’t see the truck.” The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
History of Flight
Takeoff Ground collision (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Private
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: September 15, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Pilatus Aircraft
Registration: N1220A
Model/Series: PC-12/47E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1568
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo prop
Airframe Total Time: 1170 Hrs
Engine Manufacturer: P&W Canada
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-67P
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: LKV,4734 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 32 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 193°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 7 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lake Abert, OR
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Unknown
Airport Information
Airport: Private n/a
Runway Surface Type: Dirt
Airport Elevation: 4800 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 360
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.661111,120.229722(est)
Does collision cover that? NO No fault ....somebody is at fault thankfully NO deaths!
ReplyDelete"While on the takeoff roll, the airplane wing
ReplyDeletestruck a pickup truck parked by the airplane owner."
Wait a sec. Did the pilot just hit his own truck? That he just parked there himself?
Looks like there was a small fire on the ground around the wing tip, and the underside of the fuselage looks sooty. Getting someone qualified to do the required inspection and repairs in a remote location in going to be expensive. No ferry permit on this one.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was trucked to Western Aircraft Inc.(an authorized Pilatus repair center) in Boise Idaho for repair.
ReplyDeleteADS-B Shows ground tests starting in early March 2021 then, first short test flight on March 10th. Flown back to home base in San Rafael (CA35) on March 16th 2021. Has been in the air many times since then. I guess it's a "show me the money" situation. The owner is Very wealthy.
Here is a map of his Private airstrip about 32 miles north of Lake County (LKV)
Airport Lakeview, OR. Looks pretty primitive. You have to zoom in close to see it
https://www.google.com/maps/place/42%C2%B030'59.7%22N+120%C2%B014'44.5%22W/@42.5160354,-120.2446793,1389m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d42.5165752!4d-120.2457034
I hope the dumbass never flies again. If not for his sake, for everyone else on the ground.
ReplyDeleteSo looks like the owner of the PC12 hired this commercial pilot to fly it and he hopefully was fired after this. In the end best fly your own (expensive) plane. Maybe the extra pilot is cheap insurance but it depends on the talent and skills and you may end up with someone who will wreck your precious ride. Like here...
ReplyDelete