Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Beech P35 Bonanza, N426KX: Incident occurred January 26, 2021 at Mesquite Metro Airport (KHQZ), Dallas County, Texas
Stinson 108-3 Voyager, N6518M: Accident occurred June 01, 2020 at Colorado Air and Space Port Airport (KCFO), Adams County, Colorado
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.
Denver Rock Island Railroad
https://registry.faa.gov/N6518M
Super Sportsman, N55BT: Accident occurred January 24, 2021 in Spotted Bear, Flathead County, Montana
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.
Zenair CH 601 HDS Super Zodiac, N444PZ: Accident occurred January 26, 2021 near Skydive Houston Airport (37XA), Waller County, Texas
Mooney M-20J, N4474H: Fatal accident occurred July 15, 2021 and Incident occurred January 26, 2021
Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six, N7122J: Incident occurred January 22, 2021 and Accident occurred February 26, 2018 at Mackinac Island Airport (KMCD), Mackinac County, Michigan
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
https://registry.faa.gov/N7122J
Location: Mackinac Island, MI
Accident Number: CEN18LA112
Date & Time: 02/26/2018, 0745 EST
Registration: N7122J
Aircraft: Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Part(s) separation from AC
Injuries: 5 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled
Analysis
During the final approach for the short cross country flight, the pilot heard a "thud." During the landing flare the pilot suspected a landing gear issue and landed as gently as possible. However, the right wing settled onto the runway and was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination revealed that the landing gear had not been reinstalled correctly during maintenance performed in 2013. Only one of the 8 fasteners required for installation was recovered and it was sheered. The damage to the wing and landing gear was consistent with the improper installation of the fasteners and was not impact related. It is likely that the fasteners were either not installed or not torqued properly during the previous maintenance. Subsequent annual and 100-hour inspections did not detect this discrepancy.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The improper reinstallation of the right main landing gear by maintenance personnel which resulted in the separation of the landing gear and the subsequent abnormal runway contact during the landing.
Findings
Aircraft
Main landing gear - Incorrect service/maintenance (Cause)
Personnel issues
Installation - Maintenance personnel (Cause)
Factual Information
According to written statement submitted by the pilot, the airplane was on final approach when he heard a "thud." During the landing flare, the airplane seemed to settle more than normal. The pilot suspected a landing gear problem or a blown tire and decided to continue with the landing. The pilot landed as "gently" as possible; however, the airplane continued to settle, and the right wing touched the ground. He moved the engine throttle control to idle and maintained directional control with the rudder.
A post-accident examination of the airplane, conducted by the responding FAA inspector, revealed substantial damage to the right wing spar. The right main landing gear had separated and was located on the runway, about 200 ft from the arrival threshold. Further examination revealed that the attachment hardware for the right main landing gear was not present in 7 of the 8 mounting holes on the top or bottom mounting brackets. One screw remained in the outboard top bracket of the assembly and was sheered consistent with overload. Several of the holes were elongated consistent with inadequate torque of the fasteners. In addition, fretting was noted at the gear/spar attach point. The sheet metal and mounting surfaces on the wing were otherwise unremarkable.
A review of the maintenance records for the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear cylinder was removed and replaced on December 31, 2013. Several annual inspections had taken place since the replacement of the cylinder. The maintenance records indicated that the work was done in accordance with the Piper Maintenance Manual.
According to the Piper service manual for the airplane, the upper bracket of the assembly required 4 screws to attach the bracket to the wing. The lower bracket of the assembly requires 4 bolt/nut combinations to attach the bracket to the wing. Each fastener should have been torqued to 50 to 70 inch-pounds at installation.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 28
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/07/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/16/2018
Flight Time: 2621 hours (Total, all aircraft), 104 hours (Total, this make and model), 2494 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 243 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 104 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N7122J
Model/Series: PA 32 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28-24134
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 5
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/26/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6344.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-540-E4B5
Registered Owner: Great Lakes Air Inc
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: Great Lakes Air Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMCD, 741 ft msl
Observation Time: 0736 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: -3°C / -5°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots/ 15 knots, 250°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Saint Ignace, MI (83D)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mackinac Island, MI (KMCD)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0730 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Mackinac Island Airport (KMCD)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 741 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Ice
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3501 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 4 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 5 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.876111, -84.636944 (est)
Vans RV-8, N6279G: Incident occurred January 26, 2021 Flying S Ranch Airport (TX37), Bridgeport, Texas
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas
Beech C90A King Air, N266RD: Incident occurred January 25, 2021 at Chinle Municipal Airport (E91), Apache County, Arizona
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Mooney M20C Ranger, N6728U: Accident occurred June 01, 2020 and Incident occurred April 26, 2020
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.
https://registry.faa.gov/N6728U
Location: Lahoma, OK
Diamond DA42 Twin Star, N199TS: Incident occurred January 25, 2021 at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), California
Fuel Related: Jabiru J250-SP, N619J; accident occurred June 01, 2020 in Gulf of Mexico
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida
https://registry.faa.gov/N619J
Location: GULF OF MEXICO, GM
Accident Number: ERA20CA201
Date & Time: 06/01/2020, 1053 EDT
Registration: N619J
Aircraft: JABIRU J250-SP
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
The pilot reported that he was conducting a cross country flight and departed the airport with slightly less than 36 gallons of fuel on board. About 1.5 hours into the flight, he noticed that the fuel tank quantities were dropping rapidly. The engine subsequently lost all power, and he set up for a ditching in the Gulf of Mexico. After ditching, the pilot and passenger were picked up by a U.S. Navy helicopter and transported to a local hospital for observation. The airplane eventually sank and was not recovered. The pilot also reported that the engine consumed about 5.5 to 6 gallons of fuel per hour and he suspected a breach of the fuel system prior to the loss of engine power. The airplane was configured with two wing tanks that gravity fed to a header tank; both tanks fed simultaneously utilizing an "On-Off" fuel selector in the cockpit.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age:66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/15/2020
Flight Time: 2000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 300 hours (Total, this make and model), 1355 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: JABIRU
Registration:N619J
Model/Series:J250-SP
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:2007
Amateur Built:No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 457
Landing Gear Type:Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/15/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 13 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 290 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Jabiru
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:3300A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 120 hp
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: EYW, 3 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:22 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1053 EDT
Direction from Accident Site:180°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2500 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:120°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Crystal River, FL (CGC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Key West, FL (EYW)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time:0823 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
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: 26.015000, -82.112500 (est)
Cessna T240 Corvalis TTx, N565YM: Incident occurred January 19, 2021 in Clearwater, Florida
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida
Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 170, N8282A; accident occurred June 02, 2020 at Bert Mooney Airport (KBTM), Silver Bow County, Montana
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana
https://registry.faa.gov/N8282A
Location: Butte, MT
Accident Number: WPR20CA173
Date & Time: 06/02/2020, 1630 MDT
Registration: N8282A
Aircraft: Cessna 170
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing with about a 7 knot headwind, just as the airplane was touching down, a "wind event" (turbulence) lifted the airplane airborne. The pilot added power, but the airplane subsequently touched down hard in a 3-point attitude. The lower fuselage was substantially damaged.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/23/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/23/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2422 hours (Total, all aircraft), 19 hours (Total, this make and model), 2350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8282A
Model/Series: 170 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1952
Amateur Built:No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 25134
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3800 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C145
Registered Owner:On file
Rated Power: 145 hp
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: KBTM, 5533 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 347°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Sheridan, WY (SHR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Butte, MT (BTM)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1400 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Bert Mooney (BTM)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation:5550 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 9000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop
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: 45.954722, -112.497500 (est)