Sunday, April 11, 2021

Air Tractor AT-602, N419TW: Accident occurred April 21, 2020 in El Campo, Wharton County, Texas










Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas
Air Tractor; Olney, Texas
Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Gatineau
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Longueuil

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: El Campo, Texas 
Accident Number: CEN20CA158
Date & Time: April 21, 2020, 11:15 Local 
Registration: N419TW
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT 602 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot was landing at a remote agricultural airstrip for the first time. While on the final approach to land to the south and just before touchdown, the pilot saw a ground spray rig maneuver toward the airstrip. The airplane touched down uneventfully. The pilot added that the ground spray rig then "pulled out on me, not thinking it could be on the road that went around the end of the airstrip." The pilot incorrectly judged that the ground spray rig was crossing the runway and incorrectly believed that a runway incursion might occur. The pilot applied full power, but due to the turbine engine's lag in accelerating, the pilot realized that he was "not going to have enough time" to perform a go-around. The pilot reduced the power and attempted to stop the airplane before he ran out of available runway. The airplane impacted a perimeter fence and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the right aileron, and the engine mount. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine 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 misjudgment of a ground spray rig's position and his incorrect belief that a runway incursion might occur, which resulted in the pilot attempting and then aborting a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.

Findings

Personnel issues Perception - Pilot
Environmental issues Ground equipment - Awareness of condition
Environmental issues Fence/fence post - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Runway excursion
Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 
Age: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 None 
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 27, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 24, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 6838.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 450 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N419TW
Model/Series: AT 602 No Series 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)
Serial Number: 602-1251
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 18, 2019 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 12500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 39 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Turbo prop
Airframe Total Time: 2445.1 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-60AG
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 1050 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As: Operator Designator Code: T0GG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KARM,100 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 16:15 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 99°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2100 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 110° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: El Campo, TX (8TE8)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: El Campo, TX (None)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 11:10 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Private Agricultural Airstrip None 
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 140 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: 18 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2580 ft / 110 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: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 29.318611,-96.402496(est)

Cessna A185F Skywagon, N714JE: Accident occurred April 15, 2021 at Merrill Field Airport (PAMR), Anchorage, Alaska

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; Anchorage, Alaska
Location: Anchorage, AK
Accident Number: ANC21LA031
Date & Time: April 15, 2021, 12:00 Local
Registration: N714JE
Aircraft: Cessna A185F 
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N714JE
Model/Series: A185F 
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: PAMR,138 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C /-2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.27 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK 
Destination: Anchorage, AK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 61.21628,-149.83644 (est)

Collision During Landing: Grumman American AA-5B Tiger, N314JG; accident occurred April 21, 2020 in Bloomingdale, Chatham County, 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:


Location: Bloomingdale, Georgia 
Accident Number: ERA20CA155
Date & Time: April 21, 2020, 13:45 Local 
Registration: N314JG
Aircraft: Grumman AA5
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was returning to his home airport. The accident occurred during the landing attempt; the pilot could not recall the approach or accident sequence due to his injuries. According to a witness who lived near the airport, he heard the airplane and saw it fly over the midfield before it entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 13. He noted that the engine power was "pulled back." A few minutes later, the witness heard an impact. The airplane impacted trees and terrain on the left side of the runway and came to rest about 1,000 ft past the runway's approach end. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage stated that he found no preaccident anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to a report from an airport 10 miles southeast of the accident site, the wind was gusting to 18 knots.

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 during landing with a gusting quartering tailwind.

Findings

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

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern final Other weather encounter
Approach-VFR pattern final Loss of control in flight
Approach-VFR pattern final Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 26, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 28, 2019
Flight Time: 1035 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1034 hours (Total, this make and model), 1012 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Grumman
Registration: N314JG
Model/Series: AA5 B 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: AA5B-0083
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 13, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2401 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2297.61 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed 
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A4K
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: SAV,51 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 101°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 25000 ft AGL
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 18 knots 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 290° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.88 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Statesboro, GA (TBR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Bloomingdale, GA (GA35) 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 12:30 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Cypress Lakes GA35 
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 30 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition:  Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: 13
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2700 ft / 100 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 32.159721,-81.39833(est)

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger, N108Q: Incident occurred April 17, 2021 in Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Aircraft declared an emergency due to engine issues and landed in the water.

Valiant Air Command


Date: 17-APR-21
Time: 17:21:00Z
Regis#: N108Q
Aircraft Make: GRUMMAN
Aircraft Model: TBM-3
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: AIR SHOW
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: COCOA BEACH
State: FLORIDA

























































































Valiant Air Command, the group that owns the Grumman TBM-3E Avenger that splash-landed off Patrick Space Force Base on Saturday, is planning to move the aircraft back to its museum.

The move came a day after workers using a large crane hoisted the intact aircraft out of the tide and onto a waiting tow late Sunday.

By Monday morning, the aircraft — which sat under guard at Patrick Space Force Base — was set to be taken back to its Titusville home for what could be years of repairs. 

The exact route back to the museum was not immediately known.

The plane, which was taking part in the Cocoa Beach Air Show, made an emergency landing in the ocean as dozens of stunned beachgoers watched it glide over the waves before splashing down.

The unnamed pilot, seen stepping out of the cockpit moments after guiding the aircraft into the shallow water, was not injured.

“Most of you know that our TBM Avenger was forced to land due to engine failure. The good news is that the pilot is fine. The not-so-good news is that it may take several years to rebuild the Avenger,” Valiant Air Command said in a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday.

The aircraft remained partially embedded in the sandy shoreline Sunday. The group is asking for donations to go toward repairing the saltwater-logged aircraft or have it become a display item at the Warbird Air Museum in Titusville.

Sunday morning, officials from Valiant Air Command, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Patrick Space Force Base, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and a towing company discussed plans to remove the aircraft safely. 

“ We are thankful that our pilot walked away unscathed from the incident. We are also thankful for all of your comments of support you have sent us,” Valiant Air Command's Facebook post said.





















A World War II-era plane taking part in the Cocoa Beach Air Show made an emergency in the waters just off the Patrick Space Force Base beaches on Saturday afternoon.

No one was injured, emergency officials said.  

A video posted to Twitter on Saturday afternoon showed the single-engine TBM Avenger make a "soft" landing in the shallow waters near Cocoa Beach. In the footage, the plane descends low in a controlled fashion before coming to a skidding halt in the water, sending up spray and foam. 

In another video captured by Melanie Schrader of Eau Gallie, the plane's single propeller can be seen not spinning as it glides toward the shallow waters. Dozens of people in the water look up as it passes close overhead and bystanders express shock as they watch the small aircraft make its descent. 

No one was struck as the plane landed safely on the surface of the water. 

“He was sputtering down the beach and was like oh he doesn’t sound good and just started filming," Schrader said.

“It looked like (the pilot) pulled up at the last moment and avoided any spectators, there were loads of people on the water, and then I saw him on top of the plane, it looked like he was okay," she added. 

The pilot reportedly declined medical treatment after the incident, according to Brevard County Fire Rescue. 

According to a statement from the Cocoa Beach Air Show, "The TBM Avenger performing in the warbird parade had a mechanical issue and the pilot was able to bring the plane down close to the shore. Rescue Personnel were immediately on scene and the pilot is okay." 

The TBM Avenger is a torpedo bomber that was used by the U.S. Navy during World War II. According to the Cocoa Beach Air Show website, the plane underwent extensive restoration before being returned to flight last year. 

"On January 11th, 2020 she returned to skies for the first time in several years a testament to the hard work and dedication of the VAC’s skilled restoration volunteers," the website reads. 

Thousands of people could be seen along Cocoa Beach and roadways were densely packed Saturday as spectators traveled from all over to see the air show. The aircraft could be seen executing complicated maneuvers in the skies over Cocoa Beach throughout Saturday afternoon. 

No further complications were reported in connection with the air show. 

The Cocoa Beach Air Show will also feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team. Other military aircraft include a B-1 Lancer stealth bomber, B-52 Stratofortress bomber, A-10C "Warthog" Thunderbolt II, C-17 GlobeMaster III and a Valiant Air Command warbird parade.

Opening ceremonies start Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., and flight performances take place from noon to 2:30 p.m. The Thunderbirds will headline both shows from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. 

Admission is free along the Cocoa Beach oceanfront, with Lori Wilson Park serving as the geographic "show center." Aircraft will fly along about 2 miles of shoreline, extending from Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier to Minutemen Causeway.