Friday, March 12, 2021

Low Altitude Operation/Event: American Legend AL18, N23TN; accident occurred March 10, 2020 in Social Circle, Georgia










Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://registry.faa.gov/N23TN

Location: Social Circle, GA
Accident Number: ERA20CA131
Date & Time: 03/10/2020, 1645 EDT
Registration: N23TN
Aircraft: American Legend Aircraft AL18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was conducting a low pass through an abandoned power line easement on a small lake peninsula. He was flying directly into the wind, and as the airplane approached hilly terrain, the wind changed. The airplane then encountered turbulence and impacted terrain. The airplane subsequently bounced, and the pilot applied "heavy braking",  the airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the collision with terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Other weather encounter
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Other Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None 
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/03/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/21/2019
Flight Time:  4553 hours (Total, all aircraft), 158 hours (Total, this make and model), 4125 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 62 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: American Legend Aircraft
Registration: N23TN
Model/Series: AL18
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Light Sport
Serial Number: AL-1206
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats:2 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 101 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: YO-233-B2A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 115 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: D73, 867 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1635 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 339°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Terrain-Induced
Wind Direction: 290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Altimeter Setting: 30.27 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Monroe, GA (1GA9)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Monroe, GA (1GA9)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1600 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

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: 33.685833, -83.648333 (est)

Loss of Control on Ground: Aeronca 7AC Champion, N83032; accident occurred March 11, 2020 at Ankeny Regional Airport (KIKV), Polk County, Iowa





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Iowa

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Vintage Flying Club


Location: Ankeny, Iowa 
Accident Number: CEN20CA120
Date & Time: March 11, 2020, 16:45 Local 
Registration: N83032
Aircraft: Aeronca 7AC 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that he attempted to hand prop the engine numerous times without success. He returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch to the "off" position and advanced the throttle to between 1/2 and 3/4 travel. He then exited the cockpit and turned the propeller backward five to six "blades" to clear the cylinders. The pilot again returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch back to the "on" position, but he did not retard the throttle back to idle. He attempted to hand prop the engine again, and it started. Due to the engine's throttle setting, the airplane moved forward over the wheel chocks and struck the pilot, which resulted in serious injuries, and then a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper starting procedure, which allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks and impact him and a hangar when he subsequently hand propped the engine.

Findings

Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Pilot
Environmental issues Person - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Airport structure - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Standing-engine(s) start-up Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Standing-engine(s) operating Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: None
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Unknown 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Aeronca 
Registration: N83032
Model/Series: 7AC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 7AC-1688
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines:
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT:
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIKV,910 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 16:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 155°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3900 ft AGL
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5000 ft AGL 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 18 knots / 31 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 320° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: ANKENY RGNL IKV
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 909 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.695278,-93.568611(est)

Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N52232; accident occurred March 12, 2020 at Ocean City Municipal Airport (KOXB), Worcester County, Maryland

 






Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baltimore, Maryland

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://registry.faa.gov/N52232


Location: Ocean City, MD
Accident Number: ERA20CA141
Date & Time: 03/12/2020, 1120 EDT
Registration: N52232
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis

The helicopter pilot was conducting his first solo cross-country flight in an airplane. He reported that some birds moved over the runway as he was about to land the airplane. He applied full power and retracted the flaps to initiate a go-around; however, the airplane touched down and departed the left side of the runway onto grass. The airplane's nose and both wings impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident 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 directional control during an attempted go-around to avoid birds, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.

Findings

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Environmental issues Soft surface - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Miscellaneous/other
Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing Runway excursion
Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 37, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/13/2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N52232
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S10870
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/28/2020, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7762.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: Mustang Sally Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Infinity Flight School
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OXB, 12 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1053 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 182°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wildwood, NJ (WWD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ocean City, MD (OXB)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1040 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Ocean City Muni (OXB)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 11 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Wet
Runway Used: 14
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4074 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

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: 38.310556, -75.123889 (est)

Press Release: Federal Aviation Administration Proposes $115,500 Civil Penalty Against Fenix Air Charter of South Carolina

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2021

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $115,500 civil penalty against Fenix Air Charter, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, for allegedly conducting charter flights in an aircraft that did not comply with airworthiness regulations.

The FAA alleges that between July 9 and July 13, 2020, Fenix Air Charter conducted approximately 18 charter flights in a twin-engine Cessna 402B that was not airworthy. The aircraft was not airworthy because the company failed to rebalance the flight controls after painting the aircraft, as the aircraft maintenance manual requires.

The FAA further alleges that the operations were careless or reckless so as to endanger the life or property of another.

Fenix Air Charter has been in communication with the FAA about the case.

Cubcrafters CC11-160, N38LW: Accident occurred March 11, 2021 in Arlington, Maricopa County, Arizona

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; Scottsdale, Arizona  

Sport Planes of Iowa LLC


Location: Arlington, AZ
Accident Number: WPR21LA129
Date & Time: March 11, 2021, 14:00 Local 
Registration: N38LW
Aircraft: CUBCRAFTERS INC CC11-160 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CUBCRAFTERS INC 
Registration: N38LW
Model/Series: CC11-160 
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: 
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: 
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: Gila Bend, AZ (E63)
Destination: Arlington, AZ

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 33.19686,-112.77101 (est)

Piper PA-60-700P, N910A: Incident occurred March 11, 2021 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE), Broward County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft landed gear up.

National Industrial Services LLC


Date: 11-MAR-21
Time: 15:20:00Z
Regis#: N910A
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: 60
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: FORT LAUDERDALE
State: FLORIDA

Aviat A-1C-180 Husky, N18AH: Accident occurred March 11, 2021 at McCall Municipal Airport (KMYL), Valley County, Idaho

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; Boise, Idaho


Location: McCall, ID
Accident Number: WPR21LA128
Date & Time: March 11, 2021, 15:30 Local
Registration: N18AH
Aircraft: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-180 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC
Registration: N18AH
Model/Series: A-1C-180 
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: KMYL,5013 ft msl 
Observation Time: 15:51 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C /-9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / 16 knots, 290°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  44.888722,-116.10175 (est)

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle, N80056: Accident occurred March11, 2021 at Macon County Airport (1A5), Franklin, North Carolina

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; Greensboro, North Carolina 

Location: Franklin, NC 
Accident Number: ERA21LA152
Date & Time: March 11, 2021, 19:53 Local 
Registration: N80056
Aircraft: Cessna 421 
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
  
On March 11, 2021, about 1953 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N80056, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Macon County Airport (1A5), Franklin, North Carolina. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
  
According to the pilot, this was a planned local flight. The pilot stated that it was a normal start, taxi, and run-up before takeoff. He initiated the takeoff roll and called out speeds in 10 knot (kts) increments looking for a rotation speed of 100 kts. He said the airspeed reached 90 kts and the aircraft acceleration “lagged” while only reaching a maximum airspeed of around 92 kts. He noticed that the runway length was decreasing and elected to abort the takeoff with the remaining runway. He pulled both throttles to idle and initiated maximum braking.
  
Examination of the runway by a Federal Aviation Administrator inspector, revealed tire skid marks beginning around 1,200 ft from the runway end and continued off into the grass. The airplane continued down a slope, and through a fence before coming to rest. All of the occupants exited the airplane safely and a post-crash fire ensued. The airplane sustained fire and structural damage to the fuselage.
  
The airplane was retained for further examination.
  
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
  
Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N80056
Model/Series: 421 B
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: K1A5,2020 ft msl 
Observation Time: 19:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C /5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.38 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Franklin, NC 
Destination: Franklin, NC
  
Wreckage and Impact Information
  
Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 35.222312,-83.419997 (est)