Thursday, March 18, 2021

Birdstrike: Piper PA-23-250 Aztec, N976AZ; accident occurred March 24, 2019 at Tampa International Airport (KTPA), Hillsborough County, Florida





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Tampa, FL
Accident Number: GAA19CA180
Date & Time: 03/24/2019, 1427 EDT
Registration: N976AZ
Aircraft: Piper PA23
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that, on a descending vector for a visual instrument landing system approach on an instrument flight rules flight plan, about 2,500 to 2,800 ft mean sea level, he "felt the aircraft shudder along with a loud bang." He then disengaged the autopilot to determine if the flight controls were affected and looked for damage on the wing and nose area; he saw no damage. The pilot continued to the airport and landed without further incident. During the landing, the pilot of a waiting aircraft reported that he saw damage to the accident airplane's vertical stabilizer that looked like a bird had hit it. During postaccident examination, blood and tissue were found on the airplane.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

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:
An in-flight collision with a bird during the approach, which resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer.

Findings

Environmental issues Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on equipment

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-descent Birdstrike (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/26/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/18/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 21218 hours (Total, all aircraft), 866 hours (Total, this make and model), 21018 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 166 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 52 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N976AZ
Model/Series: PA23 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 27-7654200
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/28/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1514.7 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-C4B5
Registered Owner: Mtn Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 250 hp
Operator: Mtn Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTPA, 11 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1853 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 203°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: West Palm Beach, FL (F45)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Tampa, FL (TPA)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1329 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class B

Airport Information

Airport: Tampa Intl (TPA)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Concrete
Airport Elevation: 26 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19L
IFR Approach: ILS; Visual
Runway Length/Width: 8300 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

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: 27.975556, -82.533333 (est)

Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion, N7736K: Accident occurred March 18, 2021 at Marianna Municipal Airport (KMAI), Jackson County, 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; Marianna, Florida


Location: Marianna, FL 
Accident Number: ERA21LA159
Date & Time: March 18, 2021, 12:53 Local 
Registration: N7736K
Aircraft: Cessna 210
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N7736K
Model/Series: 210 N 
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: KMAI,110 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:40 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /12°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 15 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.79 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Savannah, GA (SAV)
Destination: Marianna, FL

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: 30.838221,-85.182224 


MARIANNA, Florida  (WMBB) – The Federal Aviation Administration is set to investigate after a small plane made a hard landing at the Marianna Municipal Airport Thursday afternoon.

According to Airport Manager Douglas Glass, a family was on their way to Texas but decided to make a stop at the airport in Marianna shortly after 1 p.m.

As the plane landed at the airport, it experienced a landing gear issue.

Glass said the landing gear didn’t lock like it was supposed to which caused the plane to slide across the runway.

Three people were on board and nobody was injured.

Landing Gear not Configured: Cessna T310R, N358MN; accident occurred March 24, 2019 at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE), Pennsylvania







Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Keystone Aerial Surveys Inc


Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accident Number: GAA19CA234
Date & Time: 03/24/2019, 1530 EDT
Registration: N358MN
Aircraft: Cessna T310
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use 

Analysis

The flight instructor in the retractable-landing gear, multiengine airplane reported that, while performing aerial survey training for a newly hired pilot, the airplane was slowed to the mission airspeed of 117 knots, which meant reduced power and the use of more than 15° of flaps. He added that he then pulled the landing gear warning circuit breaker to silence the landing gear warning horn to ensure clear communication but that he did not pull the landing gear motor circuit breaker. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he did not know that the instructor had pulled the landing gear warning circuit breaker.

The instructor further reported that, while returning to the departure airport, the landing checklist was "accomplished" 15 to 20 miles from the airport. He saw that the pilot was "falling behind on power and descent management" and that the airplane was high and fast for the approach. The instructor advised the pilot to correct but then began to assist the pilot when it "was taking longer [than anticipated.]" The airplane decelerated into the white airspeed arc, and the instructor moved the landing gear selector switch into the down position and added full flaps. He added that, because the flaps were added shortly after the landing gear selector switch was put into the down position, he could not tell by the flight characteristics that the landing gear had not extended. Neither he nor the pilot noticed that there was no green down-and-locked position light indicator. The airplane landed with the landing gear retracted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both engines.

The instructor added that, while configuring the airplane on the runway, he observed that the landing gear warning horn and landing gear motor circuit breakers were tripped. The director of maintenance reported that, during a postaccident examination, the airplane was lifted onto jacks and an emergency gear extension and three electrical landing gear retractions were conducted, and no defects were found.

In a photograph provided by the flight instructor, the landing gear warning horn and landing gear motor circuit breakers are right next to each other. Despite the instructor's statement that he did not pull the landing gear motor switch, given the proximity of the breakers to each other, it is likely that the pilot inadvertently pulled the landing gear motor switch when he pulled the landing gear warning horn switch, which prevented the gear from extending.

The airplane manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook contained a note in the section titled, "Landing Gear Warning Horn," which states,

Do not pull landing gear warning circuit breaker to silence horn as this turns off the landing gear control relay, thus the landing gear cannot be retracted.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear were extended, which resulted in a gear-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadvertent pulling of the landing gear motor circuit, which prevented the landing gear from extending.

Findings

Personnel issues Task monitoring/vigilance - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Task monitoring/vigilance - Instructor/check pilot
Aircraft Gear extension and retract sys - Not used/operated
Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Instructor/check pilot
Aircraft (general) - Unintentional use/operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Landing gear not configured (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waiver
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/21/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/27/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 7636 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3800 hours (Total, this make and model), 7611 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 54 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 26, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/07/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/25/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 849 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12 hours (Total, this make and model), 704 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N358MN
Model/Series: T310 R
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 310R0881
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/06/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5725 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7124.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-520-EB
Registered Owner: Keystone Aerial Surveys Inc
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: Keystone Aerial Surveys Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPNE, 105 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1954 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 214°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 250°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Farmingdale, NY (FRG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Philadelphia, PA (PNE)
Type of Clearance: VFR; VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1430 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (PNE)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 119 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.087500, -75.005556 (est)

Denney Kitfox III, N233DL: Incident occurred March 17, 2021 at Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ), Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Aircraft after departing experienced power failure, returned to land and veered off runway into the dirt. 


Date: 17-MAR-21
Time: 21:38:00Z
Regis#: N233DL
Aircraft Make: KIT FOX
Aircraft Model: KITFOX
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: MESA
State: ARIZONA

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N2849M: Accident occurred March 17, 2021 at Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK), Weld 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.
 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

49 Mike Partnership


Location: Erie, CO
Accident Number: CEN21LA159
Date & Time: March 17, 2021, 10:55 Local
Registration: N2849M
Aircraft: Piper PA-12 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N2849M
Model/Series: PA-12 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
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:
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: 40.043118,-105.04817

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N786CP: Accident occurred March 17, 2021 at Colorado Air and Space Port Airport (KCFO), Watkins, 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.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Civil Air Patrol


Location: Watkins, CO
Accident Number: CEN21LA160
Date & Time: March 17, 2021, 21:26 UTC
Registration: N786CP
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N786CP
Model/Series: 172 S 
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: KCFO,5515 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C /-3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 7500 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Centennial, CO (KAPA)
Destination: Watkins, CO

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: 39.793705,-104.54734 (est)

Zenith STOL CH 701, N43442: Accident occurred March 17, 2021 in Shepherd, Yellowstone 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. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana

Location: Shepherd, MT
Accident Number: WPR21LA138
Date & Time: March 17, 2021, 11:50 Local 
Registration: N43442
Aircraft: BURG FREDERICK S ZEN CH701 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BURG FREDERICK S 
Registration: N43442
Model/Series: ZEN CH701 
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: BIL,3652 ft msl 
Observation Time: 11:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C /-6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 200°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Roundup, MT (KRPX)
Destination: Shepherd, MT (pvt.)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Minor
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 46.082263,-108.48105

Experimental Bucker Jungmann, N28BU: Incident occurred March 17, 2021 in Delaware, Ohio

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbus, Ohio

Aircraft gear collapsed on landing. 


Date: 17-MAR-21
Time: 20:00:00Z
Regis#: N28BU
Aircraft Make: BUCKER
Aircraft Model: JUMGMANN
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: DELAWARE
State: OHIO