Tuesday, February 23, 2021

North American AT-6C Texan, N42GK: Incident occurred February 22, 2021 at Pompano Beach Airpark (KPMP), Broward County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft landed and the gear collapsed. 

Upupa Epops Inc


Date: 22-FEB-21
Time: 19:21:00Z
Regis#: N42GK
Aircraft Make: NORTH AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: AT6
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: POMPANO BEACH
State: FLORIDA


POMPANO BEACH, Florida (WSVN) - There was an incident at the Pompano Beach Airpark.

According to Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, the aircraft landing gear collapsed after landing at Pompano Beach Airpark, Monday afternoon.

Officials said the gear failed as the plane was taxiing to the hangar, causing it to collapse onto its belly.

7Skyforce HD hovered over the aircraft surrounded by Broward Sheriff’s Office cruisers.

No fuel leaked out, and no one was injured.

Piper PA-28-181 Archer TX, N885AC: Accident occurred February 22, 2021 at Treasure Coast International Airport (KFPR), Fort Pierce, Florida

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; Orlando, Florida

Ari Ben Aviator Inc


Location: Fort Pierce, FL 
Accident Number: ERA21LA139
Date & Time: February 22, 2021, 09:57 Local
Registration: N885AC
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-181 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N885AC
Model/Series: PA-28-181
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: FPR 
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Fort Pierce, FL (FPR)
Destination: Fort Pierce, FL

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: 27.497472,-80.372639 (est)




St. Lucie County Fire District
 
FORT PIERCE

At 10:04 ARFF 216 was dispatched for a small plane with collapsed landing gear and two souls onboard. Other units were dispatched and staged nearby. The plane landed without incident and there were no injuries.

Avipro Bearhawk B, N85BH: Incident occurred February 22, 2021 at Magic Valley Regional Airport (KTWF), Twin Falls County, Idaho

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

Aircraft Landed and encountered a crosswind causing the right wing to scrape the pavement. 


Date: 22-FEB-21
Time: 18:12:00Z
Regis#: N85BH
Aircraft Make: AVIPRO
Aircraft Model: BEARHAWK
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TWIN FALLS
State: IDAHO

Diamond DA20-C1, N465US: Accident occurred February 21, 2021 at Indianapolis Metro Airport (KUMP), Hamilton County, Indiana

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; Indianapolis, Indiana
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Accident Number: CEN21LA134
Date & Time: February 21, 2021, 11:10 Local 
Registration: N465US
Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA20-C1 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC
Registration: N465US
Model/Series: DA20-C1
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: KTYQ,922 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C /-7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.31 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 39.935389,-86.045068

Van's RV-7A, N383DB: Fatal accident occurred February 22, 2021 near Mayfield Graves County Airport (M25), Kentucky

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

Location: Mayfield, KY 
Accident Number: ERA21FA135
Date & Time: February 22, 2021, 17:56 Local
Registration: N383DB
Aircraft: BABENCO HENRY D. RV-7 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 22, 2021, about 1756 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-7, N383DB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mayfield, Kentucky. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Several witnesses observed the airplane as it conducted touch-and-go landings on runway 1 at Mayfield Graves County Airport (M25), Mayfield, Kentucky. Another witness who was in a vehicle traveling eastbound on a nearby highway saw the airplane climbing, and stated that “as the airplane went higher, the tail dropped and the plane went into a back flip.” The airplane then “headed nose first towards the ground.” The airplane impacted the ground about 1,000 ft north of the airport in an open field.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that all components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident scene and flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to each flight control surface. In addition, there was an odor similar to aviation fuel in the vicinity of the wreckage. Examination of the airplane’s engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

An engine data monitor was recovered and retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BABENCO HENRY D. 
Registration: N383DB
Model/Series: RV-7 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
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: KCEY,578 ft msl
Observation Time: 17:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C /-1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 200°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Mayfield, KY (M25)
Destination: Mayfield, KY

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 36.779157,-88.584105 (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. 

Henry D. Babenco


WESTERN KENTUCKY - The pilot killed Monday in a plane crash northeast of Mayfield was set to go to trial in federal court in Knoxville on March 23, 2021.

Sixty-year-old Dr. Henry D. Babenco of Paducah, the victim of Monday's plane crash, was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019 on a charge of conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled drugs.

At the time, Babenco worked at LaFollette Wellness Center in Lafollette, Tennessee. He was one of eight people indicted in Tennessee and dozens nationwide in the fight against illegal prescribing and distribution of opioids and other drugs.

About four years ago, Babenco worked as an anesthesiologist at Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital.

His plane crashed Monday in a field near the intersection of Twin Hill Road and Spence Chapel Road, just north of I-69 and less than a mile from the north end of the Mayfield Graves County Airport runway.

On the Net:




GRAVES COUNTY, Kentucky — The Graves County Sheriff's Office says a man who worked as an anesthesiologist in the Paducah area was killed in a plane crash Monday.

Henry D. Babenco, 60, of Paducah, was piloting the Van's RV-7A experimental aircraft when it crashed into a field near the Mayfield Graves County Airport, said Sheriff Jon Hayden. The field is adjacent to Interstate 69 and near the intersection of Twin Hill Road and Spence Chapel Road.

Investigators believe the plane had recently left the airport when it went down, said Hayden. Calls about the crash came in just before 5 p.m. Monday.

"That's one of the worst calls that you can get, that a plane has crashed in your jurisdiction, and the only thing that you can think about is trying to get to that scene as quickly as you possibly can," said Hayden. "And hopefully there's someone there that you can help or that you can save."

But Babenco did not survive the crash, Hayden said.

"It was very devastating to see a crash like that, knowing that the person in the plane has family," Hayden said. "They're somebody's son, father, brother, and you know, it's very, very tragic. Very tragic for the family. It's tragic for the first responders that had to work the scene."

Hayden said the sheriff's office was first on scene, but did not see any fire, smoke, or debris field. The sheriff's office then contacted the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board for guidance.

Monday night, Hayden and the coroner went to Babenco's home to notify his wife.

"It never gets any easier," Hayden said. "Situations like this, it's always best to try to do, make those types of notifications in person and not over the phone. That's very important that we do that in a manner that shows as much respect towards the family of someone that's deceased."

Babenco's name was withheld until 5 p.m. Tuesday so other family members could be notified.

Investigators with the FAA visited the crash site Tuesday morning. An NTSB team was slated to arrive on Wednesday. The agencies will work together, with the Graves County Sheriff's Office providing support, to determine the cause.

Hayden said investigators have interviewed a couple of people who saw the plane prior to the crash.

"One individual was actually driving down Interstate 69 and saw the aircraft, and thought the aircraft was going down," Hayden said.

Hayden urges anyone who saw the crash or has related details to call the Graves County Sheriff's Office, which will pass the information to the federal investigators.

A man who lives across the street from the crash said in 2019, there was another plane that made an emergency landing on a field next to his home. In that incident, no one was hurt.

Online records show Babenco used to be an anesthesiologist at Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital. But, he had not been on staff for nearly four years, said Kevin Compton, public relations and communications manager for Bon Secours Mercy Health.







Graves County Sheriff's Office

On Monday, February 22, 2021 at approximately 4:55 PM deputies from the Graves County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an aircraft crash near the Mayfield/Graves County Airport.  Once in the area, an airplane was confirmed to have crashed in a field near the intersection of Twin Hill Road and Spence Chapel Road, just north of Interstate 69.  Further investigation confirmed that the pilot of the aircraft died as a result of the crash.  Further information is being withheld until notification of the family of the deceased can be made.  

Sheriff’s Office personnel will continue to secure the crash scene overnight.  A meeting with the National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled for Tuesday morning.  The NTSB will handle the investigate into the cause of the crash.  

Deputy Sheriff Zac Smith is leading the investigation into this incident for the Sheriff's Office. 

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the following agencies:

Mayfield Fire Department
Mayfield/Graves County EMS
Mayfield / Graves County Fire Rescue
Kentucky State Police
Graves County Coroner’s Office 
Graves County Emergency Management
Mayfield / Graves County Airport Board and Management

Bell OH-58C, N902LP: Accident occurred February 22, 2021 in Greensburg, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

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; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office


Location: Greensburg, LA 
Accident Number: CEN21LA135
Date & Time: February 22, 2021, 14:00 Local 
Registration: N902LP
Aircraft: Bell OH-58
Injuries: 3 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell 
Registration: N902LP
Model/Series: OH-58 C
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHDC,44 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 23 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C /3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 340°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Greensburg, LA 
Destination: Greensburg, LA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 30.830033,-90.668565 (est)

St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Department

Sheriff Nathaniel “Nat” Williams would like to thank everyone for their concerns and prayers shown to the LPSO deputies and Chief of Operations Joe Chaney on today.  Chief Chaney was on board with 2 LPSO deputies that were assisting the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office in a missing person case.  So thankful that those aboard were not seriously injured.  Many thanks shown to not only LPSO deputies and Chief Chaney but Sheriff Ard as well for always assisting us when in need.  I ask that you please continue to pray for those involved in the incident.

Sheriff Jason Ard,  Livingston Parish

By now, many of you have learned about an incident involving LPSO deputies & our LPSO helicopter.  I want to thank each & everyone of you who checked in with us to find out how you can support these deputies.  Fortunately, they were able to walk away from the incident without serious injuries.  For that, I am very thankful.

For those of you who don’t know, we were assisting the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office on an active case in Greensburg today.  Upon take off, a malfunction caused the helicopter to roll.  3 people were on board at the time - 2 LPSO deputies & 1 St. Helena deputy.  Those 3 are now at a local hospital to be examined for minor to moderate injuries.  

We are working with the FAA to determine the cause of today’s incident.  

Please continue to keep these deputies in your thoughts & prayers as this type of situation is difficult on everyone involved.

Piper PA-46R-350T Malibu Matrix, N560CA: Accident occurred February 22, 2021 at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (KMKC), Kansas City, Clay County, Kansas

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; Kansas City, Missouri

Over The Top Air LLC


Location: Kansas City, MO 
Accident Number: CEN21LA137
Date & Time: February 22, 2021, 11:00 Local 
Registration: N560CA
Aircraft: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA46R-350T
Injuries: 5 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 22, 2021, about 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA46R-350T was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident while landing at the Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. The private pilot and 5 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

According to preliminary information, upon landing at the airport, the nose wheel began steering the airplane to the right of the runway. The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane but was unsuccessful and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC 
Registration: N560CA
Model/Series: PA46R-350T 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
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:
Observation Time: 10:59 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting: 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Des Moines, IA (DSM)
Destination: Kansas City, MO

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 4 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 5 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.124939,-94.592276 (est)


KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) -- No one was injured after a plane carrying six people skid off the runway at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.

It happened just before 11 .m. Monday. A single engine Piper Malibu airplane was landing to the south at the airport when it had a problem with its brakes.

The airplane skidded off the runway into a grassy area. Six people were on the plane. No one was injured.

The airport was shut down for about 20 minutes.

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, N84HA: Accident occurred February 22, 2021 at St. Marys Municipal Airport (KOYM), Elk 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; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wheels Up LLC


Location: St. Marys, PA 
Accident Number: ERA21LA134
Date & Time: February 22, 2021, 11:45 Local 
Registration: N84HA
Aircraft: Cessna 421 
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Executive/Corporate

On February 22, 2021, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421C, N84HA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at St. Marys Municipal Airport (OYM), St. Marys, Pennsylvania. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and the two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 corporate flight.

According to the pilot, while inbound to OYM, he believed the automated weather observation station reported the cloud conditions at 600 ft broken 1,000 ft overcast, and visibility 1.5 miles in snow. Prior to being cleared for the GPS approach to runway 28, air traffic control provided notices to airman (NOTAMS) regarding an inoperative remote communications outlet, and several lighted obstructions (towers) in the vicinity of the airport. He recalled these were the same NOTAMS that he had received prior to departure.

As he began the approach, he was able to “pick up ground contact” and just prior to reaching the minimum descent altitude, he saw the approach lights. As he flew over the approach lights, he could see the “outline of the runway.” On touchdown, the airplane struck a snow berm on the left side of the runway.

Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed “ground” scars in the snow to the left of the runway edge, beginning about 1,000 ft from the approach end of runway 28. The marks were about 250 ft long. One mark consistent with the fuselage began about 6 ft to the left of the left runway edge, in an estimated 3-4 ft tall snowbank that remained from plowing of the runway. A parallel mark consistent with landing gear was found to the left of the fuselage mark. Both marks tracked back to the right, toward the left edge of the runway as they progressed along the path. Photographs of the airplane prior to it being moved showed it at the end of the snow marks, oriented about 130° magnetic (rotated about 210° from the runway 28 heading). At the time of the accident, the runway was covered in snow estimated to be about 3-5 inches deep. The runway edge lights, and runway end identifier lights were beneath the snow.

Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage including bending/displacement of the forward pressure bulkhead, buckling of the floor just forward of the pressure bulkhead, and a slight displacement of the left wing from the fuselage at the wing root. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

A review of FAA records revealed that there were no NOTAMS regarding the snow on the runway, the obscuration of the runway lights, or any other field conditions issued prior to the accident.

The 1135 weather conditions reported at OYM included clouds broken at 700 ft, overcast at 1,100 ft, visibility ½ mile in light snow. The visibility was reported as ½ mile (in snow or light snow), during the previous observations recorded at 1115, 1055, and 1035.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N84HA
Model/Series: 421 C 
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: OYM,1934 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C /-2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 160°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 700 ft AGL 
Visibility: 0.5 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.72 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Bridgeport, CT (BDR) 
Destination: St. Marys, PA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 41.412288,-78.498793 (est)













ST. MARYS, Pennsylvania (WTAJ) — Crews were called to a small plane crashing at the south runway of St. Marys airport Monday morning.

According to dispatch, at least one of the three passengers was taken to the hospital. The extent of injuries and the cause of the crash is unknown at this time.

According to the FAA, a twin-engine Cessna 421 crashed on Runway 10 while landing at St. Marys Municipal Airport in Pennsylvania at 11:15 a.m. The FAA will investigate and has notified the National Transportation Safety Board.