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://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

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:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Vintage Flying Club

https://registry.faa.gov/N83032

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://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N38LW

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N910A

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N18AH

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 

https://registry.faa.gov/N80056

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)