Thursday, October 21, 2021

Beechcraft 95-A55 Baron, N1420G: Accident occurred October 17, 2021 at Bay Minette Municipal Airport (1R8), Baldwin County, Alabama

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Alabama and NW Florida

Aircraft was taxiing and went into a ravine.


Date: 17-OCT-21
Time: 16:00:00Z
Regis#: N1420G
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: 95-A55
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: BAY MINETTE
State: ALABAMA

Piper J5A Cub: Accident occurred October 14, 2021 at Inverness Airport (KINF), Citrus County, Florida

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

Aircraft landed hard on runway.  


Date: 14-OCT-21
Time: 16:30:00Z
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: J5A
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: INVERNESS
State: FLORIDA

Cessna 550 Citation II, N750TB: Incident occurred October 20, 2021 in Okeechobee, Florida




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

Aircraft struck multiple birds enroute and post flight inspection revealed right wing fuel tank was punctured. 

Lock Haven Aircraft Sales Inc


Date: 20-OCT-21
Time: 16:45:00Z
Regis#: N750TB
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 550
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: OKEECHOBEE
State: FLORIDA

Mooney M20J 201, N3933H: Fatal accident occurred October 21, 2021 near Holly Ridge/Topsail Island Airport (N21), Onslow 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 traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina
Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 
Mooney International Corporation

https://registry.faa.gov/N3933H 

Location: Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22FA024
Date and Time: October 21, 2021, 16:31 Local
Registration: N3933H
Aircraft: Mooney M20J 
Injuries: 2 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1
Minor Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 21, 2021, at 1631 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N3933H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Holly Ridge/Topsail Island Airport (N21), Holly Ridge, North Carolina. The commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, one passenger was seriously injured, and one passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to preliminary radar data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot and the front seat passenger completed a 30-minute local flight at 1603. Then, two additional passengers boarded the airplane before the accident flight departed.

Preliminary review of a video recorded by a witness at N21 revealed the airplane started its takeoff roll for the accident flight on the 3,591-ft-long grass runway. 

After lift-off, the airplane’s wings wobbled as it climbed, turned left and subsequently descended into a wooded area about two-thirds down the runway.

A video recorded by a surviving passenger revealed that the engine continued to operate throughout the accident sequence and sounds consistent with a stall warning horn before impact.

The airplane came to rest on a heading of 081°; the empennage was resting against a tree with the nose vertically into the ground.

The left wing was fractured at the wing root and separated from the fuselage, laying about 12 ft to the right, with the left-wing tip and aileron separated from the main wing and laying about 40 ft to the east of the main wreckage.

All engine structural components, fuselage and flight control surfaces were accounted for at the accident site.

The right wing and fuel tank remained attached to the fuselage and contained about 15 gallons of fuel. 

The left wing fuel tank was breached. 

Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit for the right wing and fuselage. 

Flight control continuity for the left wing was confirmed from the separation point of the wing to the aileron and flap.

The engine was partially disassembled to facilitate the examination.

The propeller was cut from the engine to allow for engine rotation. 

The crankshaft was rotated by turning the propeller spinner and continuity of the crankshaft to the rear gears and to the valve train was observed.

Compression and suction were attained from all four cylinders.

The engine driven fuel pump and fuel separator was disassembled, and fuel was observed in both components.

Initial review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane’s most recent annual inspection was last conducted on February 1, 2021.

According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. He received a BasicMed certificate on March 19, 2020.

According to the pilot’s flight logbook, he had accumulated 2,375 hours of total time with 2,311 hours logged as pilot-in-command as of September 19, 2021.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Mooney
Registration: N3933H
Model/Series: M20J
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
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: NCA,26 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 220°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Holly Ridge, NC 
Destination: Holly Ridge, NC 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 34.492077,-77.536499 (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. 

William Jennings "Will" Roberts Jr.
~

SURF CITY — William (Will) Jennings Roberts, Jr., 61, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at Roseboro First Baptist Church with the Rev. Hampton Faircloth officiating.

Mr. Roberts was a native of Sampson County and was a retired senior engineer with Duke Energy. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Stewart Roberts.

Will was a life-long musician who enjoyed entertaining. He got his love of music from his mother. He performed regularly in Surf City where in 2019 he realized his dream of living on an island. He was an avid amateur radio operator with ham friends across the globe. His other loves included flying, traveling, and NC State.

He is survived by his parents, William Jennings Roberts, Sr. and Marilyn Gray Dunn Roberts of Roseboro; girlfriend, Lowell West and daughters, Delaney, Harper and Willow and several special cousins.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Roseboro First Baptist Church, 3720 S Salemburg Hwy., Roseboro, NC 28382.

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro St., Roseboro.

(Jamie) Willie James Hobbs, Jr.
April 5, 1964 ~ October 21, 2021 (age 57)


Willie James Hobbs, Jr. (Jamie), 57, of Hampstead, formerly of Clinton, passed away from injuries sustained from a plane crash on October 21, 2021, in Onslow County.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at First Baptist Church, Clinton, NC, in the Family Ministry Center from 6:00-8:00 pm.

There will also be a visitation on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at The Gathering, Surf City, NC, at 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 3:00 pm.

Jamie worked closely with his father at Hobbs Auto Sales, Inc. He was also an auctioneer and an avid boater.  Every day was an adventure for Jamie. Whether it was riding his bike, skiing behind a boat, camping, or riding on the open road, he lived every moment to the fullest. Outside of his adventures, Jamie’s love for music and the stage was demonstrated through his participation in the praise band at his church, local gigs in the area, or on the stage at community theaters. It has been said that he could turn everything he touched into gold; he had the “Midas Touch”.

Jamie is survived by his children: Camryn, Daniel, and Ryan of the home; parents: Willie James Hobbs and Mary Ann Wright Hobbs of Clinton; sisters: Missy Tart (Kim) and Amy Spell (Gary Turner), both of Clinton, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gathering at 304 Wilmington Ave., Surf City, NC 28445.


Will Roberts
~

Will Roberts
~

HOLLY RIDGE, North Carolina  — Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration arrived around noon Friday at the scene where two people died in a plane crash on Thursday in Onslow County.

Two people were killed and two others were transported to the hospital after a Mooney M20J plane crashed Thursday afternoon. Friday afternoon, the N.C. State Highway Patrol released the names of those involved in the crash. William Roberts, the pilot and owner of the plane, died along with passenger Willie Hobbs, Jr. Two children were also injured.

No names have been released, and the investigation was expected to continue into the weekend. The N3933H aircraft was registered to William J. Roberts Jr. of Apex, according to FAA registration.

On Friday, Pete Wentz, air safety investigator from the Ashburn, Va., NTSB Office, said the entire plane was located at the crash site, meaning no parts of it broke off which might have led to the crash. The plane was expected to be taken from the wooded area where it crashed to a site in Georgia for further examination at some point between now and Saturday.

“An examination of the engine, a further examination of the airframe, when we get it in, what we do is we call it a layout, where we lay out the aircraft and we open it up and look inside, inside the wings inside the fuselage, to make sure that things were connected properly, and so forth,” Wentz said.

Wentz also said they would be looking into the logbooks of the plane, the history of the pilot, the engine and other aspects of the plane itself. The crash site will also be examined.

The crash happened in the woods near the Holly Ridge-Topsail Island Airport, between Holly Ridge and Surf City. Cindy Bell, administrative assistant to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed deputies were called to the crash around 5 p.m.

Emergency management, EMS, deputies and the NC State Highway Patrol were on the scene and were able to reach the location a short time after the report came in about the crash. An area at the intersection of North Smith Street and Sound Road was blocked off to traffic but has since reopened.

“As soon as all the family members are contacted and the investigation is over with, I’m sure they’ll release more details and information about the crash,” Longo said. “What normally I can confirm really right now is that we did respond to a plane crash.”

Holly Ridge Mayor Jeff Wenzel said the crash surprised people in the town.

“The town of Holly Ridge would like to extend our condolences, though, to those who lost loved ones,” Wenzel said. “And for those who were injured in this plane crash, and we hope for a speedy recovery for those who were injured and pray for peace for those who lost loved ones.” 

A preliminary report is expected to be released within two weeks on the cause of the crash. The full investigation is expected to take 12-16 months. Anyone with information they believe could help in the investigation is asked to call the NTSB at 202-314-6100 or email witness@ntsb.gov.




The names of two victims killed in a plane crash that happened in Holly Ridge around 4:30 p.m. Thursday have been released by authorities.

First Sgt. Christopher Knox, public information officer with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, confirmed William J. Roberts and Willie James Hobbs Jr. died after the aircraft went down in a wooded area in close proximity to Holly Ridge/Topsail Island Airport. The names of two minors who sustained injuries have not been released.

"The town of Holly Ridge wants to express its condolences to the families of those who passed away and also for those who are injured," Mayor Jeff Wenzel said. "We will be praying for them as they grieve and as they recover. Any time something like this happens in the community, it's tragic. We hope the community will be able to gather around them and provide them support."

Government facilities and local businesses were showing their support Friday with flags flown at half-mast.

Pete Wentz, air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said Friday the board is conducting an investigation along with the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft's engine manufacturer and other agencies. The aircraft is a Mooney M20J that seats four occupants, owned by Roberts.

"We've established that all four corners of the airplane are at the crash site," Wentz said. "We have the nose, the tail and both wings, so we're very confident the entire airplane is here."

Wentz said a continuity control check determined the ailerons and other mechanisms were working properly. The next part of the investigation will focus on the pilot's training and experience, as well as the logbook for any pertinent information regarding the frame and engine.

"It's very preliminary right now," Wentz said.

Wentz said a preliminary report will be issued in the next couple of weeks, and the full investigation could take 12-to-16 months.

Parts of the wreckage will be extracted from the site in the next couple of days and transported to a facility in Georgia for further examination. Investigators are also looking at the conditions and weather around the airport at the time of the crash.

No distress calls would have been received at the Holly Ridge airport, a small, privately owned airport without a control tower.

Brandon Longo, Holly Ridge fire chief, said on Thursday that two minors in the crash were transported to trauma centers by air and by ground. The extent of their injuries has not yet been released. 

Wentz is asking anyone with information that might assist with in the investigation to contact the National Transportation Safety Board at 202-314-6100 or witness@ntsb.gov.




ONSLOW COUNTY, North Carolina - Authorities have released the names of two people killed in Thursday’s plane crash in Onslow County.

The Highway Patrol says the pilot, William J. Roberts, and passenger Willie Hobbs, Jr. died. Troopers tell WITN that two children were injured.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the crash scene this afternoon.

The crash happened in a heavily wooded area adjacent to the Holly Ridge-Topsail Island Airport around 5:00 p.m.

Documents say the Mooney M20J is owned by Roberts who lived in Apex.

The Highway Patrol says witnesses saw and heard the plane seem to have “some type of stress” and be unable to gain enough lift during takeoff.

“The town of Holly Ridge would like to extend our condolences to those who lost loved ones and for those who were injured in this plane crash. We hope for a speedy recovery for those who were injured and pray for peace for those who lost loved ones.”

The NTSB said at an afternoon news conference that all parts of the aircraft were found at the wreckage site. The downed plane is expected to be moved with the next 18-24 hours.

A pilot who has used the airport said nearby power lines make it a challenge to navigate. Crews were seen this morning working on those lines, but we do not know yet if they played a part in the crash or not.

Federal investigators arrived at the crash scene right around noon.

Beech V35 Bonanza, N3759Q: Incident occurred October 20, 2021 at Hutchinson Municipal Airport (KHCD), McLeod County, Minnesota

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Aircraft landed and gear collapsed. 


Date: 20-OCT-21
Time: 15:00:00Z
Regis#: N3759Q
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: V35
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: HUTCHINSON
State: MINNESOTA

Cessna 550 Citation Bravo, N57ME: Incident occurred October 20, 2021 at Teterboro Airport (KTEB), Bergen County, New Jersey

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Teterboro, New Jersey

Aircraft landed, blew the main nose gear tire and veered off the runway into the grass.

Aegis Group Inc


Date: 20-OCT-21
Time: 16:41:00Z
Regis#: N57ME
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 550
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: ON DEMAND
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 135
Aircraft Operator: DIRECT CHARTER SERVICE
City: TETERBORO
State: NEW JERSEY

Robinson R44, N442UK: Incident occurred October 20, 2021 near Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT), Sevierville, Tennessee

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

Rotorcraft departed and made an emergency landing in a field. 

Spitzer Helicopter LLC


Date: 20-OCT-21
Time: 16:16:00Z
Regis#: N442UK
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Aircraft Model: R44
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: SEVIERVILLE
State: TENNESSEE

Cessna 210N Centurion, N1235U: Accident occurred October 20, 2021 at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD), Dallas County, Texas

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; Irving, Texas

Spicewood Centurion Partnership


Location: Dallas, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA018
Date and Time: October 20, 2021, 16:15 Local 
Registration: N1235U
Aircraft: Cessna 210N 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Business

On October 20, 2021, about 1615 central daylight time, a Cessna 210N airplane, N1235U, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Dallas, Texas. The airline transport pilot sustained no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff, he felt and heard a fluctuation in the engine power. He observed the fluctuation on the fuel flow monitor showing about 148 pounds per hour and then showing only “dashes” on the monitor. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, he initiated a descent, and then felt full power return to the engine. He concluded that the engine power fluctuation had only been for a few seconds, and he did not notice a fluctuation on the cylinder head temperature monitor.

During the landing, the nose wheel impacted the runway first, and the tire was blown. The airplane rolled off the runway, impacted a shallow ditch, and came to rest inverted on a grass field. The pilot performed an emergency shutdown and was able to egress from the airplane without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the left wing, and the empennage.

The airplane was recovered for a future examination of the airframe and engine.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N1235U
Model/Series: 210N 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRBD,658 ft msl 
Observation Time: 15:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C /18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 4400 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Dallas, TX
Destination: Spicewood, TX (88R)

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: 32.680461,-96.866779 (est)





DALLAS — No injuries were reported Wednesday after a private plane flipped over at Dallas Executive Airport, officials said.

The  Cessna 210N Centurion is registered to Spicewood Centurion Partnership in Austin, "had some issues as it was departing the airport," an airport spokesperson said. It is unclear at this time what caused the plane to flip.

Dallas Fire-Rescue said the call sheet to first responders stated that a plane ran off the end of the runway, but since no injuries were reported, only firefighters from Station 49 responded. Dallas Executive Airport is located in the Redbird area of Dallas.

The City of Dallas said the airport suspended operations until the scene was cleared.

The airport is still investigating the incident.

American Champion 7GCAA, N159TM: Incident occurred October 20, 2021 at Meadows Field Airport (KBFL), Bakersfield, Kern County, California

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fresno, California

Aircraft was taxiing and rotor wash from a Boeing CH-47 Chinook hovering over taxiway lifted the left wing and tail coming to rest on the nose. 

KCSI Aerial Patrol Inc


Date: 20-OCT-21
Time: 15:50:00Z
Regis#: N159TM
Aircraft Make: AMERICAN CHAMPION
Aircraft Model: 7GCAA
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: BAKERSFIELD
State: CALIFORNIA