Monday, August 02, 2021

Cessna 140, N72712: Incident occurred August 02, 2021 in Stuart, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft experienced engine issues and made an emergency landing on a road. 
Date: 02-AUG-21
Time: 15:22:00Z
Regis#: N72712
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 140
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: STUART
State: FLORIDA

Adam Williams and his 4-year old son.



Port St. Lucie Police Department

Update: 

Well....after a mechanic looked at his plane, grandma came and picked up his son, Williams, received permission from the FAA to take-off. 

We briefly blocked traffic and off he went. We have since spoken to Williams who has already landed safely back in Fort Pierce. 

We’re thankful for this outcome and happy to help.

Earlier:

Pilot with 4 year old son, makes emergency landing on SW Glades Cut-Off Rd. 

At approximately 11:30am, a Cessna 140 made an emergency landing on SW Glades Cut-Off Rd after the engine sputtered and then stopped. The plane was at approximately 2200 feet when the engine quit. 

The Pilot checked the area and made the determination that Glades Cut-Off would be the safest landing spot. The airplane took off from Fort Pierce and was on it’s way to Boca. 

Thankfully the Pilot, Adam Williams, has been a pilot for approximately 9 years and operates his own flight school. Williams calmly followed the following procedure A-airspeed for best glide, B-best field to land, C-checklist, and if time, D-declare an emergency. 

We’re glad everyone is safe.









ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Florida — About 15 or 20 minutes out of Fort Pierce, Adam Williams started having engine trouble.

Which would not necessarily have been a big deal had Williams, 33, been in a car.

Instead, Williams, of Fort Pierce, was in a 1946 single-engine Cessna airplane, and he had his 4-year-old son with him.

They were flying to Boca Raton.

“The engine started to sputter,” Williams said, standing by the plane on the ground. “I just went through the checklist, declared an emergency and landed here.”

The here he referenced was Glades Cutoff Road, south of Midway Road and east of Interstate 95.

Williams, a pilot who also has his own flight instruction business, wound up landing after 11 a.m.

His son's grandmother picked up the boy, while Williams worked on the plane.

"He was all cool," Williams said of his son. "He didn't even really know anything was wrong until we were parked on the side of the road."

After some maintenance – at first they suspected a carburetor – Williams and a mechanic managed to get the plane operational.

Port St. Lucie police did some checking with authorities, blocked the road, and Williams took off on Glades Cutoff Road about 3:15 p.m.

Adam Williams takes off in 1946 Cessna plane from Port St. Lucie Road. Treasure Coast Newspapers

Williams said he regularly flies between Fort Pierce and Boca Raton and follows the same route.

“I've been flying it ever since December back and forth to work,” Williams said. “I work down in Boca, so this saves me about 5, 10 minutes on the drive and the headache of traffic.”

He said his wife, who works for the same company, bought him the plane about two years ago out of Georgia. They flew it up and down the East Coast, and brought it back to Fort Pierce. They refurbished the plane, and he’s flown it regularly.

Monday, Williams said, he was moving it to an airport in Boca Raton where he works.

His son was seated near him, using his iPad, when the engine issues developed.

“I had to fly the airplane, I had to talk to Stuart tower, which I declared the emergency through,” Williams said. “We just circled around this area and landed right into the wind on the road. It was perfect, actually.”

Williams said he’s gone through simulated emergencies he’s taught through training, “but never a real emergency where I had to land off the airport.”

No one was injured, police said.

Many thoughts went through his head, and he said he was wary.

“You could probably hear that over the radio. Yes, I was nervous,” he said. “But there's a mission, you have to get the airplane on the ground.”

Cessna 150F, N8520G: Fatal accident occurred July 30, 2021 near Banning Municipal Airport (KBNG), Riverside County, 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 traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California
Textron; Wichita, Kansas
Location: Banning, CA 
Accident Number: WPR21FA298
Date & Time: July 30, 2021, 09:24 Local 
Registration: N8520G
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 30, 2021, about 0924, a Cessna 150 airplane, N8520G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Banning, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A witness, located at the Banning Airport (BNG), reported hearing the airplane in the traffic pattern practicing touch-and-go landings. Multiple witnesses reported that they observed the airplane in a descending turn, however, none of the witness observed the airplane impact terrain.

The airplane came to rest in a rock covered open field, on a heading of about 020° magnetic, at an elevation of 2,253 feet mean sea level. A path of disturbed rocks and debris extend away from the wreckage about 75 feet, on a bearing of 014°. The first identified point of impact was a large rock with trace amounts of aircraft paint deposits. All major components of the airplane were located within the main wreckage area. A post impact fire thermally damaged the fuselage and wings.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N8520G
Model/Series: 150F 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPSP,409 ft msl 
Observation Time: 08:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 37°C /11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 10°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 33.929377,-116.85328 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.







Cessna 172E, N3090U: Accident occurred August 02, 2021 near JAARS-Townsend Airport (N52), Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina 

Wings Over Waxhaw Flying Club Inc


Location: Waxhaw, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA21LA313
Date and Time: August 2, 2021, 12:59 Local
Registration: N3090U
Aircraft: Cessna 172 
Injuries: 3 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 2, 2021, about 1259 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172E, N3090U, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The accident occurred during takeoff from runway 04 at JAARS-Townsend Airport (N52), Waxhaw, North Carolina. After rotation, just past the windsock located on the fence of the airport, the airplane became airborne and gained roughly 50 feet. The pilot maintained best rate of climb speed (80 mph), but the airplane failed to climb. He momentarily decreased the speed towards best angle of climb speed, to see if the airplane would respond with best angle of climb, but it did not, so he returned to best rate of climb speed. He heard no abnormal sounds from the engine or any decrease in rpm during the takeoff run.

Sensing that the airplane would not clear the trees beyond the departure end of the runway (the trees were getting closer and he was not able to see any more trees appearing beyond), he momentarily reduced power to idle to land on the remaining runway and overrun area.

However, as he was thinking about the rapid deceleration forces of hitting the chain-link fence, he elected to add power and land on a lawn just beyond the airport. After adding enough power to reach the lawn, he reduced power to idle and touched down prior to a wooded area. On rollout, the airplane was traveling towards a gap in the trees. The pilot then turned left to avoid the trees, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest nose down, leaning against a tree.

The pilot realized that he and the front seat passenger were hanging from their seatbelts, and he was concerned about the fuel that was leaking from the airplane. The rear seat passenger easily egressed and assisted the front seat passenger. The pilot’s pant leg was snagged between his seat and the instrument panel, so he grabbed the fabric and ripped it until he felt he was free at which point he was able to egress. He then directed some campers away from the accident site, and a few minutes later returned to the airplane, to ensure that the master switch was off. To do so, he pulled the windscreen the rest of the way off the airplane (it had already been partially separated from the airplane during the accident sequence.

The pilot had flown this airplane several times over the previous few weeks without any problems.

The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N3090U
Model/Series: 172 E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
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: KLKR, 486 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Waxhaw, NC (N52)
Destination: Waxhaw, NC

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Minor 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 34.868453,-80.742878 



When Christians accept the call to enter the overseas mission field, they accept any number of risks, including potential persecution from foreign governments and even personal harm or death.

For Peter Lessmann, one of those risks nearly became very real on Monday afternoon.

Peter, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Indianola, was one of three people, including the pilot, who survived a plane crash in Union County, North Carolina on Monday afternoon.

Peter, 18, and his 16-year-old brother Richard were there training with a mission organization called JAARS when the crash happened.

They are the sons of Indianola physician Dr. Erik Lessmann and Rebecca Lessmann, who have 10 children, ranging from 5 to 22 years old.

Richard was not on board the plane when it crashed.

Emergency medical responders were dispatched to the crash site just before 2 p.m. that day, according to a release from the Union County Sheriff’s Department, “And determined that a single engine plane had nosedived in the back yard of a residence” there.

According to the JAARS website, “From pilot training and mission aviation services to remote technology and communications support, we provide off-the-grid logistical solutions that help make Bible translation possible.”

The camp, Rebecca said, is designed to spur teenagers’ interest in mission work, and not only the mechanics of flying, but how they can help missionaries in remote areas.

The boys were signed up to go last year, but it was canceled due to COVID-19.

Rebecca said there are about 10 boys at the camp this week, and cellphones were supposed to be off limits during the week of flight training.

When she saw Peter’s number come up on her phone, she knew something was not right.

“He called me and said, ‘Mom, don’t panic. I think I’m okay,’ and he said, ‘I was in a plane crash,’” she said. “I thought he was kidding me, because the whole previous week, I told the boys, ‘You can go to this camp and learn all you want about flying on the ground, but you can’t go up in an airplane.’ I was just joking, of course.”

This was no joke.

The recent high school graduate described to his mother having a headache, but overall he seemed to be okay. Peter and the other passenger were apparently taken by ambulance to a Charlotte, N.C. hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and later released.

The pilot also survived with no major injuries.

During the call with his mother, Peter described what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.

“He said they were going up,” she said. “He said they were over the tree line and were ascending, and he heard the pilot say, ‘uh oh.’ The last thing he said was that it was so fast. He described flipping over into the trees.”

“Preliminary indications are that the plane experienced mechanical problems shortly after taking off from JAARS,” the Sheriff’s department said in its Monday release. “The Federal Aviation Administration will be conducting further investigation into the crash.”







Union County Sheriff's Office, Monroe, North Carolina

Emergency Responders were dispatched to an aircraft emergency Monday afternoon at approximately 1:44 pm in the Radin Road area near Waxhaw. Several UCSO deputies responded and determined that a single-engine plane had nosedived in the back yard of a residence in the 7600 block of Radin Road near JAARS. 

Deputies determined the plane was occupied by a pilot and two passengers at the time of the crash. The passengers were transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The pilot was not injured. 

Preliminary indications are that the plane experienced mechanical problems shortly after taking off from JAARS. The FAA will be conducting further investigation into the crash.



WAXHAW, North Carolina  — Two passengers were injured after a plane crashed near Waxhaw Monday afternoon. Deputies with the Union County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene near Radin Road around 1:45 p.m.

A single-engine plane nosedived in the back yard of a home on Radin Road, near JAARS, deputies determined. The two passengers of the plane were transported to a hospital nearby for treatment of minor injuries. The pilot of the plane was not injured.

At this time, deputies believe the plane had mechanical problems shortly after taking off from JAARS and nosedived as a response. The FAA is now conducting an investigation into the crash. 

More changes coming to Mason City Municipal Airport (KMCW)

The Mason City Airport Commission discusses plans for a terminal, restaurant and hangars. 



Mason City,  Cerro Gordo County, Iowa -  The Friday afternoon meeting of the Mason City Airport Commission didn't even last 15 minutes, but the members got plenty done within that short window of time.

In the coming weeks, months and years, residents of Mason City and beyond can expect to see a new restaurant, new hangars and a new building at the Mason City Municipal Airport on Highway 122 West. 

According to Airport Manager David Sims, the commission looked at four different options for a terminal project: three of them would involve significant remodeling while a fourth would require new construction. Sims said the commission decided to go the new building route once they realized that the cost differences wouldn't be that vast.

"Right now, we are looking at potentially bidding that project by next summer," Sims said. The process involves go through environmental and historical studies since the building is at least 60 years old. Funding for the work is coming through the Federal Aviation Administration and Sims said that that needs to be completed by May 2024. 

Sims also said that by next summer, work will begin on new private and public hangars at the airport.

"This has been a long-standing need. We have had a hangar waiting list for many years," Sims said.

Sims said that those hangars will be made possible by a pavement project to extend some taxi lanes that the commission members unanimously approved during their meeting in the basement of Mason City Hall. Chair Tom Hovland and members David Guetzko and Gary Wattnem voted 3-0 to give a contract of about $1.6 million to Heartland Asphalt for that taxi work.

"When will they start?" Wattnem asked Sims. "Still a couple weeks of paperwork but this will get them started," he responded. Sims later added that he hoped work would be completed before winter. 

Like the terminal, the taxi lane work will also involve a federal grant offer.

The three members in attendance additionally signed off on a lease for a new restaurant at the Mason City Municipal Airport complex. The lease itself would run for 14 months.

Under the terms, realtor Catarino Martinez said that he intends to get an eating establishment up and running within the next few months. A few years back, Martinez worked as the manager of Ay Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in Forest City.

"Biggest concern is the liquor license, that usually takes a month and a half," Martinez said. He then acknowledged that he's currently working on the liability insurance as well. 

Previously, Patriot Wings Bar & Grill operated at the Mason City Municipal Airport before closing earlier this year.