Sunday, May 23, 2021

Structural Icing: Cirrus SR22 GTS, N809SR; fatal accident occurred May 24, 2019 in Grover, Wayne County, Utah

Lynn Ann Anderson Simonsen and her husband Christian Clinton Simonsen.


Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Tierra Grande Aviation LLC


Location: Grover, Utah
Accident Number: WPR19FA154
Date & Time: May 24, 2019, 11:16 Local
Registration: N809SR
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Structural icing 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot departed on an instrument flight rules cross-country flight and climbed to a cruise altitude of 14,000 ft mean sea level (msl). About 30 minutes into the flight, he requested a climb to 16,000 ft msl. Radar data indicated that over the next several minutes, the airplane climbed to 14,500 ft, then began an increasingly rapid descent as its groundspeed decayed from about 111 knots (kts) to about 64 kts before radar contact was lost. Witnesses reported that they heard the airplane and looked up to see it descending nose down like a corkscrew before it impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

AIRMET Zulu for moderate icing conditions was valid for the area of the accident site at the time of the accident, and an atmospheric sounding supported the likely formation of moderate rime and mixed-type icing in the area. The sounding also indicated the potential for supercooled large droplet icing formation near the top of the cloud layer near 15,000 ft msl. Satellite imagery depicted cumulus and cumulus congestus type clouds with vertical development over the flight track and accident site, and weather radar imagery depicted the airplane entering an area of light-to-moderate intensity echoes just before radar contact was lost. Immediately before and after the accident, two other aircraft operating at similar altitudes reported encountering light clear to mixed icing conditions. The pilot had received preflight weather information containing the relevant forecasts and advisories. In addition, the airplane was equipped with a TKS ice protection system, but it was heavily fragmented during the accident sequence and the investigation was unable to determine if the system was activated or working at the time of the accident.

It is likely that, during the last minutes of the flight, the airplane encountered moderate-to-severe icing conditions, which adversely affected the airplane's handling characteristics and likely resulted in a loss of control.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's encounter with moderate to severe icing conditions during cruise flight, which resulted in structural icing and a subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue a flight route through known moderate to severe icing conditions.

Findings

Environmental issues Conducive to structural icing - Effect on operation
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues Conducive to structural icing - Decision related to condition

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute Structural icing (Defining event)
Enroute-change of cruise level Loss of control in flight
Enroute-change of cruise level Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

On May 24, 2019, about 1116 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N809SR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Grover, Utah. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The airplane departed Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY), Moab, Utah, about 1042. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot contacted air traffic control, opened his instrument flight rules flight plan to Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Las Vegas, Nevada, and was assigned a cruise altitude of 14,000 ft mean sea level. About 1111, the pilot requested to climb to 16,000 ft msl; this was the last communication from the pilot. The airplane climbed from 13,900 ft to 14,500 ft at an average rate of 300 ft per minute and an average groundspeed of 111 knots. Shortly thereafter, the airplane's average groundspeed was 95 knots. The airplane then descended from 14,500 ft to 14,000 ft at an average rate of 833 ft per minute and an average groundspeed of 81 knots. The descent then increased to 2,000 ft per minute at an average groundspeed of 64 knots. Radar contact was lost at 1116.

Witnesses reported to law enforcement that they heard the airplane, then looked up and saw it nose down, descending like a corkscrew. The airplane descended behind a hillside and shortly thereafter, they heard an explosion and saw smoke.

Data recovered from the airplane's Avidyne multifunction display revealed that the engine was producing power until the time of the accident and that cylinder head and exhaust gas temperatures, fuel flow, oil temperature, and oil pressure values were consistent throughout the flight. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 15, 2017
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 930 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cirrus 
Registration: N809SR
Model/Series: SR22 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2129
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 16, 2019 100 hour 
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 36 Hrs
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2672 Hrs as of last inspection 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: Installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-N
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 310 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: HVE,4463 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 30 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 10:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 62°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility:  10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 170° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Moab, UT (CNY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Las Vegas, NV (HND)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 10:42 Local 
Type of Airspace: Unknown

The National Weather Service issued AIRMET Zulu, valid for the area of the accident site about the time of the accident, for moderate icing conditions between around 7,000 ft to 9,000 ft up to 21,000 ft msl. The High Resolution Rapid Refresh numerical model sounding over the accident site depicted a freezing level of 9,755 ft msl and a supported layer of clouds with bases at 10,860 ft msl with tops near 15,000 ft msl; this cloud layer had a greater than 90% probability of producing moderate rime-to-mixedtype icing. The sounding also indicated a mean vertical motion varying from 8 to 14 meters per second, which would enhance the growth of supercooled large droplet formation near the top of the cloud layer. The sounding wind profile supported a high probability of moderate turbulence due to strong vertical wind shear within the cloud environment.

The GOES-17 visible imagery depicted cumulus to cumulus congestus clouds with vertical development over the flight track and accident site, which would also support the formation of larger supercooled water droplets, and vertical motion in the clouds, which would enhance the icing potential. Weather radar imagery depicted several small areas of light-to-moderate intensity echoes of 25 to 35 basic reflectivity values (dBZ) scattered over the area, with most of the echoes within 25 miles of the radar site in the range of 10 to 15 dBZ, or very light intensity. When overlaid with the airplane's flight track, imagery indicated that just before radar contact was lost, the airplane passed through one of these small cells with a maximum intensity of 25.5 dBZ.

Immediately before and after the accident, two other aircraft operating at similar altitudes reported encountering light clear-to-mixed icing conditions.

The pilot filed an instrument flight rules flight plan through ForeFlight before departure and received a corresponding route briefing, which included a description of the conditions and provided the advisory regarding potential icing conditions along the route of flight. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 38.174446,-111.24861

The airplane impacted remote mountainous terrain. The debris field was about 330 ft long and was oriented on a magnetic heading of 217°. The airplane was heavily fragmented and scattered perpendicular to a cliffside.

Flight control continuity was established throughout the airframe. The elevator and rudder controls were continuous. The aileron control cable was fracture separated at the control panel and the aileron actuation pulley. Both fractures were consistent with overload. The airplane’s TKS icing protection system, which was not certified for flight into known icing, was found fragmented and scattered throughout the debris field.

The engine was separated from the airframe and came to rest about 211 ft from the initial impact crater. Several components were fracture separated from the engine and scattered throughout the debris field. The crankcase exhibited impact-related damage; there were no signs of catastrophic engine failure. The crankshaft was bent just aft of the propeller flange. The crankshaft gear displayed normal operating signatures. All six cylinders remained attached to the cylinder bays; the right-side cylinders exhibited more damage than the left side cylinders. Borescope examination of the cylinder bores, piston faces, and valve heads displayed normal operating signatures. The fuel pump was removed from the engine and the driveshaft was rotated; residual fuel pumped through the line. The upper and lower spark plugs exhibited normal operating signatures. The oil filter was removed from the engine and cut open; no metallic material was noted. The propeller assembly remained attached to the engine and the three blade shanks remained attached to the hub.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Medical and Pathological Information

The Office of the Medical Examiner from the Utah Department of Health, Taylorsville, Utah performed an autopsy of the pilot and determined the cause of death to be "multiple injuries".

The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot with positive results for cetirizine which is not considered a hazard to flight safety.

Christian Clinton Simonsen







































Hard Landing: Schweizer 269C, N269P; accident occurred May 24, 2019 at Riverside Municipal Airport (KRAL), California




Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Ingoma Aero Inc


Location: Riverside, California 
Accident Number: GAA19CA284
Date & Time: May 24, 2019, 13:45 Local
Registration: N269P
Aircraft: Schweizer 269C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The day of the accident, the student pilot had flown three takeoffs and landings in the pattern with the instructor. After the third landing, the instructor exited the helicopter and authorized the student to perform her third flight solo. The student accomplished the before takeoff checks and increased the throttle, and as she increased the collective pitch, she felt an "abnormal vibration," but she decided to continue with the flight. She increased the collective and applied left pedal, and the helicopter ascended, but the nose yawed rapidly left. The student noted that the engine rpm had increased, and she lowered the collective. The left skid contacted the ground hard, followed by the right skid, and the student then decreased power, shut down the engine, and exited the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the aft skid tube cross-member. The student reported that several mechanical malfunctions existed with the helicopter during previous flights. Although examination of the helicopter and the operator's maintenance logbooks revealed that there were maintenance deficiencies that were incorrectly annotated, postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. After the accident, the operator implemented a policy to document and clear all future maintenance discrepancies associated with helicopters in their fleet.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's failure to maintain yaw control and the engine's rpm during transition to a hover, which resulted in hard landing.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Powerplant parameters - Not attained/maintained
Aircraft Yaw control - Not attained/maintained
Organizational issues Adequacy of policy/proc - Operator

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-hover Unknown or undetermined
Landing Hard landing (Defining event)

Student pilot Information

Certificate: Student 
Age: 57, Female
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 2, 2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 69 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Schweizer
Registration: N269P
Model/Series: 269C Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: S1328
Landing Gear Type: Skid 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 1, 2019 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2050 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2109.7 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series: HIO-360-D1A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 190 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As: WESTERN HELICOPTERS, INC.
Operator Designator Code: WO5A

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRAL,804 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 20:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 89°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 10000 ft AGL 
Visibility: 7 miles
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Riverside, CA (RAL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Riverside, CA (RAL)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 12:45 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Riverside Muni RAL
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 818 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: H1 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 60 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

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: 33.951946,-117.444999(est)

Unknown or Undetermined : Cessna 560 Citation Encore, N832R; fatal accident occurred May 24, 2019 in Atlantic Ocean




Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miami, Florida
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Jet Sales of Stuart LLC


Location: Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean
Accident Number: ERA19LA180
Date & Time: May 24, 2019, 17:55 Local 
Registration: N832R
Aircraft: Cessna 560 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Unknown or undetermined
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

Analysis

The airline transport pilot departed on a repositioning flight in the jet airplane. The airplane was in level cruise flight at 39,000 ft mean sea level when the pilot became unresponsive to air traffic controllers. The airplane continued over 300 miles past the destination airport before it descended and impacted the Atlantic Ocean. Neither the pilot nor the airplane were recovered, and the reason for the airplane's impact with water could not be determined based on the available information.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Impact with water for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Findings

Not determined (general) - Unknown/Not determined

Factual Information

On May 24, 2019, about 1755 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 560, N832R, was destroyed when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean. The airline transport pilot was not found and presumed fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Jet Sales LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 positioning flight. Day visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight, which originated from St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), Alton, Illinois, about 1430, and was destined for Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The owner of the airplane reported that he purchased the airplane 2 days before the accident. The airplane had recently undergone a progressive inspection, which was completed on May 22, 2019. The owner hired the accident pilot to fly the airplane to FXE to have avionics work completed. On the day of the accident, the owner tracked the flight using an online commercial service once it departed ALN Shortly after 1700, he received a call from the avionics shop at FXE telling him that the airplane did not arrive. He then reviewed the airplane's online flight track again and saw that it had overflown FXE at 39,000 ft mean sea level (FL390) and was heading toward the Atlantic Ocean.

According to air traffic control radar and radio communication information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot established communications with the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and reported that the airplane was level at FL390 and that the air was smooth. Thirteen minutes later, the controller instructed the pilot to contact the Jacksonville ARTCC, but the pilot was unresponsive. The controller made several attempts to contact the pilot on different radio frequencies, but no response was received. Controllers continued to monitor the flight via radar as it continued through Jacksonville and Miami ARTCC airspace without radio contact.

The US Air Force dispatched two aircraft to intercept the accident airplane. As they approached the accident airplane, they could only see a vapor/contrail emitting from the right engine. The accident airplane slowed to about 100 knots as the interceptor airplanes passed it, and the pilots could not see the cockpit windows or inside the accident airplane. The accident airplane appeared to lose total engine power, then descended and impacted the Atlantic Ocean about 310 statute miles east of FXE.

The US Coast Guard initiated a search after the accident, which was suspended on May 25, 2019. Neither the pilot nor the airplane were recovered.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on June 26, 2018. He reported 9,016 total hours of flight experience. He held numerous type ratings, including a type rating for the Cessna 560. The pilot's wife stated that her husband was not on any medications and that he had been sleeping well. The airplane was manufactured in 2001, and was powered by two Pratt and Whitney 535A engines. The airplane completed a phase 1-4 progressive inspection on May 22, 2019. The airframe and engine total time was 4,744.6 hours at the time of the inspection. According to the airplane's owner, all of the airplane's maintenance logs were onboard the airplane during the accident flight. Review of maintenance records from the most recent progressive inspection revealed two discrepancies related to the environmental system; the air cycle machine coalescer filter was changed and the main entrance door secondary seal was replaced. Maintenance records indicated that post-maintenance operational checks were satisfactory.

History of Flight

Enroute-cruise Unknown or undetermined (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline transport 
Age: 52, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: June 26, 2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 9016 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N832R
Model/Series: 560 Encore
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2001 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport 
Serial Number: 560-0585
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle 
Seats: 12
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 22, 2019 Continuous airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 16630 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 0 Hrs
Engines: 2 Turbo fan
Airframe Total Time: 4744.6 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: 535A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 3045 Lbs thrust
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: KFLL,11 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 310 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 21:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 261°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 3800 ft AGL 
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Alton, IL (ALN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Fort Lauderdale, FL (FXE) 
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 14:30 Local 
Type of Airspace:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.634193,-72.8609(est)

Mooney M20J 205 MSE, N900RK: Incident occurred May 23, 2021 at Chesapeake Regional Airport (KCPK), Norfolk, Virginia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia 

Aircraft landed gear up. 

https://registry.faa.gov/N900RK

Date: 23-MAY-21
Time: 16:00:00Z
Regis#: N900RK
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20J
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: NORFOLK
State: VIRGINIA



CHESAPEAKE, Virginia (WRIC) — A plane crashed at the Chesapeake Regional Airport Sunday morning, according to Virginia State Police.

VSP said the crash occurred at about 11:35 a.m. on May 23.

They said it occurred when the pilot of a Mooney MK20J 205 MSE, didn’t put the landing gear down when landing. Officials said the incident resulted in minor damage and no injuries.

State Police said the FAA was notified about the crash by the airport and is attempting to remove the plane from the runway.


CHESAPEAKE, Virginia - The Virginia State Police responded to an airplane crash at Chesapeake Regional Airport Sunday afternoon.

According to police, the call for the crash came in at 11:35 a.m.

Police said that the pilot of a Mooney MK20J 205 MSE failed to put the plane's landing gear down when landing. The crash was described as minor, with minor damage to the plane and no injuries reported.

The airport notified the Federal Aviation Administration, and crews are attempting to remove the aircraft from the runway.

SubSonex JSX-2, N465JC: Fatal accident occurred May 23, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana

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 traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
          
Pocket Jet LLC


Location: Shreveport, LA 
Accident Number: CEN21FA230
Date & Time: May 23, 2021, 14:47 Local
Registration: N465JC
Aircraft: John M Corneal Sub-Sonex 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 23, 2021 about 1447 central daylight time (CDT), a Sub-Sonex JSX-2 experimental amateur built jet airplane, N465JC, was destroyed when it impacted a small recreational lake (Cross Lake) near Shreveport, Louisiana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Federal Code of Regulations Part 91.

The intent of the flight was to fly over Cross Lake after departing Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV). Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) track data indicated the airplane departed runway (RWY) 24 at SHV, about 1439:00. The airplane made a right turn to the northeast and proceeded to fly over Cross Lake. The ADS-B track data showed the airplane maneuvering low-level over the lake until track data was lost at about 1446:14. 

The last track data showed the airplane at 625 ft MSL, 142 knots ground speed, heading 100 degrees over Cross Lake. Several witnesses described the airplane’s low-level flight over the lake, and their observations were consistent with the ADS-B data. One witness saw the airplane flying inverted. He saw the airplane nose down and impact the water in a near vertical attitude. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the pilot.

Examination of the wreckage did not show any pre-impact anomalies with the flight controls or control surfaces. A ballistic recovery system (BRS) was installed. The BRS cockpit deployment lever was found in the stowed position. The airplane was equipped with a Garmin GX3, and the unit was retained for download. The engine had a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) installed. The FADEC unit
was retained for download.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: John M Corneal 
Registration: N465JC
Model/Series: Sub-Sonex JSX-2 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: KSHV,259 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4400 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 120°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 18000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Shreveport, LA (SHV)
Destination: Shreveport, LA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.500874,-93.858316 (est)

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.

Fred Leonard Phillips
June 16, 1947 - May 23, 2021


Fred Leonard Phillips, 73, passed away unexpectedly on May 23, 2021. Fred was an avid pilot and passed away doing what he loved.

Fred was born June 16, 1947. He was well known throughout the community for his service, philanthropy, and kind heart. Fred was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He had a smile and warmth that lit up any room. His love for others radiated and to know him was to love him. He cared deeply about his community in Shreveport and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Fred lived an incredible life filled with adventure, excitement, compassion, and generosity. His zeal for knowledge began at a young age, and he received a BS degree from the University of Colorado in 1969 and an MBA degree from Tulane University in 1972. While Fred dedicated his life to and was a pillar of the oil and gas industry as the President and CEO of Phillips Energy, Aviation was his true passion. He learned to fly at age nineteen, so he was a pilot for fifty-five years and loved every second of it. Most days of the week you would find him at the hangar or soaring in the skies. He recently received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50 years of flying from the Federal Aviation Administration. He had a fighter mentality and has overcome such tremendous hurdles in his life. He was known for his originality and he excelled living near the edge. He was an accomplished race-car driver, having competed world-wide including the 24 hours of Daytona. In 1974, he was invited to Germany to compete in the Kimberly Cup. Fred enjoyed skydiving and had made over 3500 jumps. Some of his other hobbies and passions include motorcycling, bicycling, and collecting watches and cars. 

His children and grandchildren were his true pride and joy. He loved sitting on his back porch, watching the sunset surrounded by those he loved. Fred had finally reached a point in life where he was able to slow down and cherish every moment greatly. 

Over the years, Fred has been a Board Member for many civic and business organizations. He was currently a Board Member of Aeropres Corporation, American Red Cross Northwest Louisiana Chapter, Southfield School Foundation, and The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center. Fred was also a Tiffany Circle Recipient for his level of giving to the American Red Cross. He was a sponsor and big supporter of the KTBS Freedom Fest. Additionally, Fred was the Vice President of the Betty and Leonard Phillips Foundation, where he continued his family’s philanthropic legacy. Since his accident in 2019 he had turned his focus to burn advocacy and trauma awareness through The Electra Churchill Foundation. 

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Leonard Phillips and the love of his life, Electra Churchill. He is survived by his children and grandchildren who were the absolute light of his life: Christopher Phillips and his children Betty, Pierson, and Anderson; Cassidy and Carin Phillips and their children Sklar and Pace; Collin Phillips; Dr. Sue Phillips Grisham and Marcus Grisham and their children Phillips, Preston, and Paxton; and Dr. Alexa Phillips; his sister and brother-in-law Sandi and Jeffrey Kallenberg and their children Kimberly and Brad Schlosser; Gregory and Heidi Kallenberg; and Randolph and Tina Kallenberg and all of their beloved children. He is also survived by countless close friends. While this loss is a tragedy to the family, the community, and every heart that Fred has touched, there is peace knowing that he was doing what he loved and is reunited with his true love. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center, The Electra Churchill Foundation, The American Red Cross Northwest Louisiana Chapter or the  B’nai Zion Congregation. 

The family will be at B’nai Zion Congregation on Thursday May 27, 2021 to receive friends and family at 2:30 pm and services will begin at 4:00 pm with Rabbi Dr. Jana L. De Benedetti officiating. A celebration of life will follow at The Petroleum Club of Shreveport from 5:30-8:30 pm. The Honorary Pallbearers will be Stacy Anderson Mijalis, Stafford Comegys, Danny Coy, John David Crow, David Myatt, Jon Q-Petersen, Edwin Sour, and Scott Stroud.


Flight Path



SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - An experimental aircraft crashed into Cross Lake this afternoon killing its sole occupant.

Several witnesses to the crash called 911 around 2:47 Sunday afternoon and reported seeing the Sonex SubSonex JSX-2 go down. The Shreveport police and fire departments rushed to the scene and dispatched divers into the water. At approximately 3:31 p.m. SFD divers located the aircraft wreckage submerged in the water on the south side of the lake near Risinger Drive. The pilot, who was identified by Caddo Coroner Todd Thoma as Fred L. Phillips, was still in the aircraft.

The Caddo Sheriff's Office along with its Marine Unit responded and coordinated the removal of the wreckage. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator, who also responded to the crash scene, said SFD divers secured the plane as it was lifted from the crash site and Phillips' body was recovered. Hammerhead Construction provided a barge to push the plane to the boat launch on South Lakeshore Drive. The plane will be stored at Shreveport Regional Airport for National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators. 

According to Sheriff's Capt. John May, the plane took off from Shreveport Regional Airport at 2:36 p.m. and was in the air approximately nine minutes. The plane is described as an experimental aircraft with one seat. 

Agencies who were notified or assisted in the recovery and investigation include the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, Shreveport police and fire departments, Louisiana Department of  Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana State Police, NTSB, FAA, Shreveport Regional Airport, DEQ, and the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office. Equipment and assistance was also provided by Shreveport businessmen John Harris and Mike Cavanaugh.

Phillips was CEO of Phillips Energy. He was critically injured in a 2019 explosion at a house he owned in Colorado. A woman was killed in that blast.


 

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana   (KSLA) — The fatal crash of an experimental aircraft Sunday occurred on at least its fourth flight this month.

The fixed-wing plane that crashed into Cross Lake, killing its pilot, took off from Shreveport Regional Airport at 2:36 p.m. Sunday, Caddo sheriff’s Capt. John May said.

The single-engine, one-seat aircraft was in the air for about nine minutes, he added.

Aviation records show it was at least the fourth time this month that the plane took off from Shreveport Regional.

According to the website FlightAware.com, the aircraft took:

a 10-minute flight at 2:23 p.m. May 9,
a nine-minute flight at 3:16 p.m. May 13, and,
a flight of unknown length at 2:35 p.m. May 16.

FlightAware.com also shows that the aircraft took off at 2:39 p.m. Sunday and last was seen at 2:46 p.m. the same date.

Federal aviation records show the 2017 John M. Corneal SubSonex JSX-2 is owned by Pocket Jet LLC, a corporation that lists its address in the 300 block of Marshall Street in Shreveport.

That’s the same address as Phillips Energy.

And the Caddo coroner’s office has identified Fred L. Phillips, manager of Pocket Jet LLC, as the pilot who died in the crash Sunday.

He’s the Phillips Energy CEO who was critically burned in the gas-fed explosion of a house he owned in Colorado that claimed the life of the woman he shared his life with for 25 years.

A relative by marriage who got a call about Phillips on Sunday also confirmed that he’s the same person who survived that explosion in 2019.


The Phillips Energy website says Phillips was an avid aviation enthusiast and an accomplished pilot with more than 18,000 hours as pilot in command. He owned and operated Petrolift Aviation Services Inc., an aircraft charter company, and Movie Choppers of Louisiana LLC, a helicopter charter company.

His other interests included skydiving, cycling and motorcycling.

That website goes on to say that the father of five served as a board member for multiple civic and business organizations, including Aeropres Corp., the Northwest Louisiana chapter of the American Red Cross, the Southfield School Foundation board, the Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center and several family-owned entities. Phillips also was vice president of the Leonard W. & Betty Phillips Foundation.


October 2019
Fred Phillips is pictured with longtime partner Electra Churchill.  Phillips is in stable condition after an explosion at his Colorado home while Churchill was killed in the blast.  


October 2019 -- 

Oil man and community leader Fred Phillips, 72, is in stable condition in Denver's Swedish Medical Center Burn Unit a week after he was in an explosion in Colorado.

"He was burned on his arms and his legs. He is in stable condition," said Phillips' sister, Sandi Kallenberg, in an interview Monday about the "tragic, tragic accident."

"He will probably be in the Burn Unit three months. Although he will have ups and downs, we are optimistic about his condition," said Kallenberg.

Electra Churchill, Phillips' partner of 24 years, was killed in the blast.

Phillips is president and CEO of Phillips Energy Inc.

He is chairman of Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center, named for his parents who started the agency, and chairman of the $250-a-person, every-other-year DAC Las Vegas Night. The fundraiser is December 14 at the Petroleum Club.

 "Proceeds from this year’s event will continue the Center’s services to over 18,000 deaf and hard of hearing people and their families in northwest Louisiana," said DAC Executive Director David Hylan.

"Fred is devoted to DAC as board and Las Vegas Night Chairman, and was very excited about Las Vegas Night. The day before the accident, he was working on getting sponsors," said Kallenberg.

"He was thrilled that we are in a newer, larger space which will hold over 300," said Hylan, about the Petroleum Club. "And he liked the decorations being planned, the auction items being sourced."

Kallenberg also pointed out that her brother is strong, an athlete who rode his bicycle 16 miles a day, giving him strength to fight for his health.

The Durango (Colorado) Herald reported Phillips was pulled from the perimeter of the burning structure after the Oct. 11 blast at a subdivision in Archuleta County. Churchill, 45, of Shreveport, was found dead in the debris on Oct. 12.

“It was a terrible tragedy,” Archuleta County coroner Brandon Bishop said when making the announcement.

Undersheriff Derek Woodman says Phillips suffered "severe burns and other related trauma.'' Investigators have not said what caused the blast, but Woodman says foul play is not suspected.

According to county records, Phillips bought the property in 2007 for $1 million.




(credit: Fred Phillips)
October  2019 


ENGLEWOOD, Colorado (CBS4) – It has been nearly a year since a man was critically burned in a propane explosion just outside Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County. Thanks to the care he received at Swedish Medical Center, that man has recovered physically with few limitations.

But Fred Phillips told Health Specialist Kathy Walsh he will never get over losing his loving partner who was killed in the inferno.

“I write her a letter every night,” said Fred.

That is how the 73-year-old stays connected to Electra Churchill, the woman he shared his life with for 25 years.

On October 11, 2019, the couple from Louisiana traveled to Colorado to catch the changing aspens. They were in the guest house on their property in Pagosa Springs.

“I turned the projector on and the next thing I know was a tremendous explosion,” Fred explained. “I was digging and fighting my way out of there. That’s all I remember.”

Bystanders pulled Fred out. He was told he tried to go back.

“… and get Electra,” said an emotional Fred.

But Electra was trapped and died. Fred was flown to Swedish Medical Center.

“He had full thickness burns to about 50% of his body,” said Dr. Benson Pulikkottil, Medical Director of Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America at Swedish.

Pulikkottil and his wife, Dr. Lily Daniali, both plastic surgeons, treated Fred with skin grafts and a solution of spray-on skin cells made from a sample of Fred’s healthy skin.

“Those then grow and will cover and make new skin,” said Dr. Daniali with Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America at Swedish.

Fred left Swedish after 46 days.

“This is a guy that’s flying planes, he’s working out, he’s doing all the stuff he was doing before his injury,” said Pulikkottil.

Fred credits the hospital staff and his family for his physical healing.

Emotionally, he aches because he lived and Electra didn’t.

“I have flashbacks of her ordeal,” said Fred. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over it.”

Fred is now an advocate for burn survivors and he is pushing for stronger warning signs of gas leaks.

“I would say your eyes should start burning,” said Fred. “It should be so terrible that you turn around and walk out.”

Fred cannot change what happened to him, but he hopes he can keep prevent someone else from suffering.

Boeing Stearman A75N1, N87WF: Accident occurred May 22, 2021 in Ventura, California

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; Van Nuys, California 


Location: Ventura, CA
Accident Number: WPR21LA205
Date & Time: May 22, 2021, 19:18 Local 
Registration: N87WF
Aircraft: Boeing A75N1(PT17)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
  
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
  
Aircraft Make: Boeing 
Registration: N87WF
Model/Series: A75N1(PT17)
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: KOXR, 36 ft msl
Observation Time: 06:51 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C /6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 30°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Santa Ynez, CA (IZA)
Destination: Santa Paula, CA (SZP)
  
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: 34.283529,-119.31248 (est)


      


VENTURA, California   (CBSLA) – A Boeing Stearman A75N1 crashed Saturday evening, around 7:25 p.m., near the 101 and 33 Freeways. Investigators say the plane flipped over after landing in a field with two people aboard. Neither were injured in the crash.

Apparently, the pilot reported engine trouble before making an emergency landing near 800 West Main Street in Ventura, according to Ian Gregor, a public affairs specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft tail number is N87WF. The FAA will investigate.




VENTURA, California - Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya said no one was injured when a Boeing Stearman A75N1 overturned by Ventura Beach RV Resort on the 800 block of W. Main Street.

It happened around 7:20 p.m. Saturday.

Endaya said two people onboard walked away uninjured.

It is not clear where the plane took off or where it was headed.

First responders remain in the area to make sure fuel leaking from the plane is cleaned up without sparking a fire.