Sunday, April 04, 2021

Lelon Albert Lewis: Magnus Fusion 212, N434MA; fatal accident occurred April 03, 2021 in Conifer, Jefferson County, Colorado -and- Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, N40EN; accident occurred May 29, 2019 near Salida Airport at Harriet Alexander Field (KANK), Chaffee 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. 

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


Location: Conifer, CO 
Accident Number: CEN21FA177
Date & Time: April 3, 2021, 17:35 Local
Registration: N434MA
Aircraft: MAGNUS AIRCRAFT LLC FUSION 212 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 3, 2021, about 1735 central daylight time, a Magnus Fusion 212 airplane, N434MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Conifer, Colorado. The sport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A review of air traffic control (ATC) information revealed the airplane departed about 1658 from Colorado Air and Space Port Airport (FCO), Denver, Colorado. The airplane flew southwest and the last ATC information was recorded about 1729 as the airplane flew near Deckers, Colorado about 800 ft above ground level (agl). The airplane continued west toward rising terrain and an emergency locator beacon (ELT) transmission was recorded about 1735.

A witness near Wigwam Trail in the Pike National Forest observed the airplane flying slowly on a northwest heading and subsequently turned left to enter a canyon at less than 500 ft agl. After entry into the canyon, the airplane turned sharply to the right and the witness lost sight of the airplane. The airplane impacted into steep, forested terrain with a nose low attitude and low forward speed.

The aircraft was equipped with a parachute recovery system. Examination of the system on-site revealed that it was not deployed. The airplane will be further examined at a recovery location.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MAGNUS AIRCRAFT LLC 
Registration: N434MA
Model/Series: FUSION 212
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: K4BM,11280 ft msl
Observation Time: 17:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C /-17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 180°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.5 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Denver, CO (CFO) 
Destination: Denver, CO (CFO)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 39.26315,-105.37451

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. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado  (CBS4) – The pilot killed in a plane crash over the weekend has been identified. Lelon Albert Lewis, 66, was the only person on board the plane when it crashed in a rugged area northwest of Deckers on Saturday.

The plane was first reported missing on Saturday. Eventually, the downed plane’s location was discovered from aircraft overhead on Sunday.

With assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue personnel with the Alpine Rescue team hiked into the site in the Lost Creek Wilderness and found the single occupant of the plane, identified on Monday afternoon as Lewis, dead.

It’s unclear what caused the crash but the plane, a single-engine Magnus Fusion 212, was a Hungarian-made sport plane engineered for aerobatics. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Emergency responders received an alert from the Civil Air Patrol just after 8 p.m. Saturday when crews rushed to the scene but were unable to locate the wreckage in the dark.



Civil Air Patrol searches for a missing Magnus Fusion 212 in Jefferson County, Colorado, on April 4, 2021. 


The pilot and sole occupant of a single-engine airplane that went down in the remote Lost Creek Wilderness in southwestern Jefferson County died in the crash, authorities announced Sunday afternoon.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the single occupant, an adult male, of the crashed plane was found deceased on scene,” the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet. “Our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”

The victim’s name wasn’t released. The pilot was the only person aboard a Magnus Fusion 212 when it crashed about 20 miles south of Conifer, said FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro. He had no other details about the plane’s origin or destination.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, Molinaro said.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office began searching for the wreckage at 8:15 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report of a possible airplane crash near Wigwam Trail, the agency said on Twitter.

A follow-up tweet at 11:31 a.m. on Easter morning said that the wreckage had been found and the agency was "working on getting troops on the ground" to check on the pilot. The pilot’s death was confirmed on Twitter about 3 p.m.

Lost Creek Wilderness spans 120,000 acres in Jefferson and Park counties, and is a popular backcountry destination for Pikes Peak region adventurers. Wigwam Trail starts on the wilderness’s eastern flank and traverses 11-miles into its remote tree-shrouded and granite-strewn interior.


Chaffee County Sheriff's Office
MAY 30, 2019
PRESS RELEASE

On Thursday May 30th at approximately 7:00AM Chaffee County Deputies responded to an open alfalfa field southwest of the Salida Airport off County Road 140 for a report of a downed airplane. Deputies arrived only a few short minutes after the initial call was received and found an unoccupied single-engine airplane that had crash landed into the field. No passengers of the aircraft were located. The reporting party had been a passer by motorist. 

Deputies immediately notified Chaffee County Search and Rescue who were asked to respond to the scene to search the surrounding area for potential passengers. Through airplane registration research the deputies were able to identify the owner of the airplane as Lelon Albert Lewis age 64 out of Lakewood, Colorado. 

Deputies contacted Lewis by telephone who was currently checked in to a local hotel and those deputies then responded to the hotel to make contact with him in person. At the hotel Lewis identified himself as the pilot and sole occupant of the airplane and did not report any injury. Lewis refused to provide any further details to deputies. 

The investigation surrounding the crash was turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who responded to the scene. The airplane sustained moderate to extensive damage. For additional information please contact Sheriff John Spezze at 719-207-3199.









Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Salida, Colorado
Accident Number: GAA19CA295
Date & Time: May 28, 2019, 20:45 Local 
Registration: N40EN
Aircraft: Pipistrel ALPHA TRAINER 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, after fueling the airplane, he did not realize that he had not replaced the fuel cap. During takeoff, the fuel gauge showed that the airplane had 74% of fuel remaining. About 5 nautical miles from the destination airport, the fuel gauge showed that the airplane had 10% of fuel remaining. He flew the airplane in a straight line to the end of the runway and reduced the engine throttle setting to idle, which set up a lower glidepath than normal. When the airplane reached a field west of the runway, the airplane "ran out of fuel." The pilot conducted a forced landing on the field, during which the airplane impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage reported that less than 1/2 a gallon of fuel was recovered from the fuel tank. 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 replace the fuel cap after fueling, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing to a field and subsequent collision with a fence. 

Findings

Personnel issues Forgotten action/omission - Pilot
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid level
Environmental issues Fence/fence post - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight Aircraft servicing event
Approach-VFR pattern final Fuel exhaustion
Landing Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Landing Off-field or emergency landing
Landing-flare/touchdown Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age:64, 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 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/13/2018
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 266 hours (Total, all aircraft), 166 hours (Total, this make and model), 266 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 41 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 41 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Pipistrel
Registration: N40EN
Model/Series: ALPHA TRAINER No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 683 AT 912 LSA
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/10/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1212 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 211 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912 UL2
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 80 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: 0V2, 7487 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site: 77°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Gallup, NM (GUP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Salida, CO (ANK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0615 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Salida Arpt Harriett Alexander (ANK)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 7523 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: 06
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7351 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

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: 38.530000, -106.066667 (est)

A Lakewood man crash landed a Pipistrel Alpha Trainer light sport aircraft in an open alfalfa field southwest of Salida Airport at Harriet Alexander Field off CR 140 sometime late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Lelon Albert Lewis, 64, walked away from the accident and spent the night in a local hotel. He had no passengers.

Read more here ➤ http://www.themountainmail.com

Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, N2716P: Accident occurred July 13, 2020 at Cortland County Airport-Chase Field (N03), New York







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; New York

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: 


Location: Cortland, NY
Accident Number: ERA20CA246
Date & Time: July 13, 2020, 09:45 Local 
Registration: N2716P
Aircraft: Piper PA22 
Injuries: N/A
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
  
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
  
Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N2716P
Model/Series: PA22 150 
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: KITH, 1099 ft msl
Observation Time: 09:45 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C /18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2500 ft AGL 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 310°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Cortland, NY (N03) 
Destination: Cortland, NY (N03)
  
Wreckage and Impact Information
  
Crew Injuries: 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: N/A 
Latitude, Longitude: 42.58889,-76.220275 (est)





Loss of Control on Ground: Aero Commander 112, N1013J; accident occurred July 20, 2020 at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), Tomball, Harris County, Texas










Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: 

A Dornier Enterprise LLC


Location: Tomball, Texas
Accident Number: CEN20CA299
Date & Time: July 21, 2020, 21:53 Local
Registration: N1013J
Aircraft: Rockwell 112
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Business

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while attempting to land on runway 17R, the airplane encountered a crosswind and began “crabbing to the right.” He applied full power to go around, and the airplane lifted off, but it was then “pushed,” and right main landing gear (MLG) impacted a sign. The left wing then hit the runway, followed by the left MLG and nosewheel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing spars and the left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the time of the accident was from 080° at 9 knots. The pilot estimated that the wind gusted to 22 knots; there were no wind gusts recorded around the time of the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during the landing and subsequent go around.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Crosswind - Effect on operation
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Collision during takeoff/land

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 37,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-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): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 11, 2020
Flight Time: 199 hours (Total, all aircraft), 28 hours (Total, this make and model), 24 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Rockwell 
Registration: N1013J
Model/Series: 112 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1972 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 13
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 28, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2551 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 21.5 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1834.59 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: IO=360-C1D6
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 200 Horsepower
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: DWH,152 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 02:53 Local 
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 9000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 80° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Brownsville, TX (BRO) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Tomball, TX (DWH)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 19:05 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: David Wayne Hooks Memorial DWH 
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 152 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7009 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop;Traffic pattern

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: 30.0635,-95.5532
 






Canadair CRJ-900, N561NN: Incident occurred July 24, 2020 near Charlotte, 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 Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration; Dallas Fort Worth, Texas
PPG; Huntsville, Alabama 
PSA Airlines; Vandalia, Ohio
AvtechTyee; Everett, Washington 

PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines


Location: Charlotte, NC
Incident Number: ENG20LA043
Date & Time: July 24, 2020, 08:00 UTC 
Registration: N561NN
Aircraft: BOMBARDIER INC CL-600-2D24 
Injuries: N/A
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Scheduled

The captain side windshield heating element sparked during flight, igniting a paper checklist being that was stored on glare shield. The first abnormal indication began when the airplane reached altitudes above 20000 feet on climb out from HPN. The captain and first officer both noticed an odd odor, they first believed it to be food from the passenger cabin. 

The flight crew asked the flight attendants if there was anyone eating or if they detected any odor but said they did not notice anything abnormal. The smell was intermittent and not strong enough to suspect anything other than an odd smell coming from the L PACK.

The flight crew reviewed the previous logbook and found the same issue documented in the weeks prior with maintenance performing PACK and engine runs on the ground but not finding any abnormalities and signed it off with ops check good. The flight crew suspected this to be the same recurring issue previously written up and had no idea it could be electrically related as the odor did not seem strong or acrid in nature.

The PACK and ECS system appeared to be operating normally and they continued the flight. At cruise the flight crew sent an ACARS to dispatch and maintenance and informed them that they would be writing up the aircraft for an odor suspected to be coming from the L PACK. 

The flight crew continued the flight to CLT normally until about 15NM southeast of CLT on the MLLET2(re-routed from CHSLY4 due to weather), at 9000 ft visible sparks and a crackling noise were observed from the windshield heating element. The captain immediately turned off the windshield heat switches as he was the pilot monitoring. The sparking stopped as soon as the switches were turned off but the checklist had ignited with a small flame and the captain grabbed it on the corner and threw it by the cockpit door and doused it with his water bottle to extinguish the paper. 

The flight crew then donned oxygen and performed the immediate action item list. The captain declared an emergency with ATC stating they had experienced sparks and a small flame in the cockpit that was now out and under control but that they had donned oxygen and requested immediate vectors to 18L to land as soon as possible.  The flight crew then read the QRC, finished the follow on QRH items and gave the TEST items to the flight attendants.

The flight attendants reported no smoke or abnormalities in the cabin. With the approach coming up quickly the captain elected to not make a PA and to just focused on landing safely. The aircraft landed and taxied via C6 and C. They told the tower no assistance was needed. The tower then informed the Blaze team that no assistance was needed and cancelled the emergency. 

The Blaze team acknowledged and informed the tower they would follow the airplane to the gate E11. No sparks or smoke were ever observed after the switches were turned off but they stayed oxygen on until parked. Upon opening the door the Blaze team inspected the cockpit, found no heat signature in the affected area and left the airplane. 

The captain then made a PA and informed the passengers that they had a small electrical issue in the cockpit and that the fire team had inspected the cockpit as a precaution and that the jet bridge would be connected soon so they could deplane. The passengers deplaned and they radioed maintenance control with the write up.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BOMBARDIER INC
Registration: N561NN
Model/Series: CL-600-2D24 900
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)
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: IFR
Departure Point: White Plains, NY (HPN)
Destination: Charlotte, NC (CLT)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Damage: Minor
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: In-flight
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: N/A
Latitude, Longitude: 35.214173,-80.811137 

Cessna A188B, N9278G: Accident occurred July 27, 2020 near Hartington Municipal Airport (0B4), Cedar County, Nebraska













Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Skyview Applicators LLC


Location: Hartington, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN20CA331
Date & Time: July 27, 2020, 07:45 Local
Registration: N9278G
Aircraft: Cessna A188 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that, before conducting a local, aerial application flight, he changed the engine oil. After refueling and loading the airplane with chemicals, the pilot departed. Shortly after takeoff, the windshield became covered with oil, which limited the pilot's visibility. He turned the airplane left toward a grass runway. The pilot did not dump the chemical load, and the airplane had a low airspeed and began to lose altitude. The pilot was not able to attain a climb, so he chose to conduct a forced landing in a cornfield near the end of the runway, during which the wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the reason the oil covered the windshield was that he had not reinstalled the oil cap after changing the oil. He added that he “had gotten out of …[his] routine” while performing the oil change and that ”complacency” and being in a “hurry were also some factors" in the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to ensure that the engine oil cap was installed before takeoff, which resulted in the oil obscuring the pilot’s view through the windshield and necessitated a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s complacency and self-induced pressure to complete the flight.

Findings

Aircraft Oil - Inadequate inspection
Aircraft Oil - Fluid level
Personnel issues Preflight inspection - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight Aircraft inspection event
Takeoff Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision during takeoff/land

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 15, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 11, 2020
Flight Time: 2211.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 143.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 2050 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 170 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 127 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9278G
Model/Series: A188 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)
Serial Number: 18801444
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 1, 2020 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4954.4 Hrs 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-D112
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 300 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: PTNG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KYKN,1172 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 07:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 344°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 330° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hartington, NE (0B4)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Hartington, NE (0B4) 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 07:45 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: HARTINGTON MUNI/ BUD BECKER FL 0B4
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 1388 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing

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: 42.603054,-97.253608(est)

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, N4982U and Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N2587M: Fatal accident occurred July 31, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska



David Rogers

Pictured left to right: Caleb Hulsey and Heather Hulsey, Mackay Husley and Kirstin Wright.


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 Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
High Adventure Air Charter; Soldotna, Alaska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Soldotna Aircraft & Equipment Leasing LLC



Location: Soldotna, AK 
Accident Number: ANC20LA074
Date & Time: July 31, 2020, 08:27 Local
Registration: N4982U (A1); N2587M (A2)
Aircraft: De Havilland DHC-2 (A1); Piper PA 12 (A2)
Injuries: 6 Fatal (A1); 1 Fatal (A2)
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled (A1); Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A2)

On July 31, 2020, about 0827 Alaska daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver) airplane, N4982U, and a Piper PA-12 airplane, N2587M, were destroyed when they were involved in an accident near Soldotna, Alaska. Both pilots and the five passengers on the DHC-2 were fatally injured. The DHC-2 was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The PA-12 was operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.

The float-equipped DHC-2, operated by High Adventure Charter, departed Longmere Lake, Soldotna, about 0824 bound for a remote lake on the west side of Cook Inlet. The purpose of the flight was to transport the passengers to a remote fishing location. The PA-12, operated by a private individual, departed Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska, about 0824 bound for Fairbanks, Alaska.

Preliminary flight track data revealed that the DHC-2 was traveling northwest about 1,175 ft mean sea level (msl) and gradually climbing about 78 knots (kts) when it crossed the Sterling Highway. The PA-12 was traveling northeast about 1,175 ft msl and about 71 kts north of and parallel to the Sterling Highway. The airplanes collided about 2.5 miles northeast of the Soldotna airport at an altitude of about 1,175 ft msl and data signals were lost. See Figure 1 for the airplanes' flight tracks.


A witness located near the accident site observed the DHC-2 traveling in a westerly direction and the PA-12 traveling in a northerly direction. He stated that the PA-12 impacted the DHC-2 on the left side of the fuselage toward the back of the airplane. After the collision, he observed what he believed to be the DHC-2's left wing separate, and the airplane entered an uncontrolled, descending counterclockwise spiral before disappearing from view. He did not observe the PA-12 following the collision.

The DHC-2 main wreckage was heavily fragmented and located in a wooded residential area; the fuselage was oriented on a heading of about 270° at an elevation of about 240 ft. A debris field about 300 ft long and oriented on about a 327° heading included the engine, fuselage, wings, vertical stabilizer, and portions of the floats. Dark green paint transfers consistent with the PA-12 were observed on the aft fuselage of the DHC-2. The PA-12 main wreckage was located about 600 ft east of the DHC-2. The airplane impacted in a near vertical attitude and came to rest at an elevation of about 258 ft. The horizontal stabilizer and one elevator from the DHC-2 were found intertwined in the wreckage of the PA-12.

The DHC-2 was registered to Soldotna Aircraft and Equipment Leasing. A registration card located inside the PA-12 identified the airplane as a Piper PA-12 with a registration number of N2587M. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) registration database revealed that N2587M was a valid registration for a Piper PA-12 assigned to the pilot. However, the PA-12's exterior registration number identified the airplane as N1904T; in addition, the word "EXPERIMENTAL" was applied to the inside of the lower clam shell door. A search of the FAA registration database revealed that the registration number had been reserved by the pilot but was not a valid registration.

According to information on file with the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, the pilot of the PA-12 was denied medical certification in June 2012 by the Alaska Regional Flight Surgeon due to vision problems. The denial was appealed and sustained in July 2012.

Neither airplane was equipped with, nor were they required to be equipped with, a crashworthy flight data or cockpit voice recorder. Several avionics components and personal electronic devices were recovered from the wreckage areas. These components and devices were shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination.

A detailed wreckage examination of both airplanes is pending. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A1)

Aircraft Make: De Havilland 
Registration: N4982U
Model/Series: DHC-2 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A2)

Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N2587M
Model/Series: PA 12 
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: PASX, 113 ft msl
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C /11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8500 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination: 

Wreckage and Impact Information (A1)

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 5 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 6 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 60.495555,-151.01693

Wreckage and Impact Information (A2)

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 60.495555,-151.01693