Thursday, November 11, 2021

Residents say military jets using runways at Wilmington International Airport (KILM) didn’t follow federal regulations




WILMINGTON, North Carolina (WECT) - The ongoing complaints about jet noise coming from military jets using the runways at Wilmington International Airport continue. While County Commissioners move to sign a resolution showing their support for the military’s use of KILM others are saying it’s not about supporting our troops, but following the law.

Tracy Sloop lives in Wilmington, her home is just a few miles from the end of the runway and the noise from jets is taking its toll and she says the federal government didn’t take the necessary steps before using KILM as an unofficial military base.

“From the end of the runway all the way to the river stretch several National Register historic districts that are protected by the National Historic Preservation Act”

That act is supposed to protect historic districts from actions that could be detrimental to them by the federal government and undertake impact studies if any major changes are made.

Sloop says the government didn’t do that when they decided to start ramping up their use of the runways at KILM.

“They are supposed to give the community notice and a chance to comment on the possible impacts; they’re supposed to do an impact assessment”

It’s been a battle for folks living in downtown for more than a year now. Sloop said county commissioners have been unwilling to do much, but it’s an issue State Representative Deb Butler has taken on herself.

Next week county commissioners are set to approve a resolution showing their support for the military use of KILM.

Sloop says it seems like a red herring that takes away from the concerns of those impacted by the noise.

“Yeah, it’s a lose-lose kind of situation and it sort of frames the whole issue as either you’re pro- or anti-military which is ridiculous, that’s not what it’s about at all,” said Sloop. “I don’t know if it’s just meant to intimidate people, if it’s meant to totally change the narrative and make it about a totally — to deflect what the real issue is.”

Commissioner Rob Zapple said he is hopeful that a resolution has been found to address the concerns, while maintaining the business and support of the military.

“We’ve got the solution, moving the flight path higher, doing away with the afterburners when you’re in the highly populated areas. Booms, you’ve got a solution here.”

Incident occurred November 11, 2021 at Winterwood Airport (NH67), Brentwood, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

 

BRENTWOOD, New Hampshire — A small plane had to make an emergency landing Thursday evening in Brentwood.

Officials with the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department said the plane made an unscheduled landing after it lost power just before 4 p.m. at a private airstrip along Pickpocket Road.

No injuries were reported. Officials said the pilot was the only person on board.





BRENTWOOD, New Hampshire -  A small airplane made an emergency landing in Brentwood, New Hampshire Thursday.

The single-engine Aeronca 058B landed safely at Winterwood Airport around 4 p.m. after broadcasting a MAYDAY message due to an engine failure, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

No injuries were reported.

An investigation into the incident has been opened.





BRENTWOOD, New Hampshire — A single-engine Aeronca 058B made an emergency landing at Winterwood Airport in Brentwood, New Hampshire, on Thursday afternoon.

The small plane lost power to its engine and had to make an emergency landing.

The pilot was the sole occupant of the place and was unhurt. The FAA is investigating.

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N90559: Fatal accident occurred November 11, 2021 in Branchville, Sussex County, New Jersey

Thomas Peter Fischer
~

Flight school owner, instructor, advocate for general aviation, 54 Tom Fischer of Lake Hopatcong NJ was doing what he loved best-teaching the art and science of aviation-when he died in a tragic accident in Sussex County on November 11, 2021. Ten years ago, Tom opened Fischer Aviation flight school at Essex County Airport in Fairfield, New Jersey, with his wife of 13 years, Jodi Dornfest Fischer.  Tom - who was lovingly called "Tucker" by Jodi and stepson Zachary Dornfest-taught an eclectic array of students, some as young as nine years old, how to fly airplanes.

A native of River Vale, Tom grew up around planes at Teterboro Airport, where his father and uncles operated the original Fischer Aviation, and where he had his first flight lesson at age 12. His intense work ethic, ability to teach students of all ages and levels, and his attention to safety made him a highly sought-after flight instructor. He was a Gold Seal Certificated Flight Instructor who taught hundreds of people how to fly. Some of them would go on to become certificated flight instructors themselves. 

In 2009, when working for another flight school, Tom became famous after safely landing a plane in the parking lot of Rockaway Townsquare Mall. The plane had suffered engine failure, and both Tom and his student walked away without harm. When Tom wasn't instructing students, he was a passionate advocate for general aviation. He took the task of representing the aviation industry to the broader public just as seriously as he took the teaching of it to his students. After his emergency landing in the parking lot of Rockaway Townsquare Mall, he appeared on several news programs explaining how all pilots train to handle just such an occurrence. 

Later, he appeared on a popular morning news show to talk about the joys of flying and how just about anyone could learn to fly. He was also the subject of a four part series in Popular Mechanics magazine where novelist Joshua Ferris described how Tom helped him to overcome his aerophobia and taught him to fly. 

Among his other passions, Tom was a lifelong animal lover and animal advocate who doted on the family's beloved pit bulls, Daisy and Turin; he also loved studying history. 

In addition to Jodi and Zachary, Tom is survived by his mother Myrna Marshall and stepfather Jon Saxe; father Raymond Fischer and his wife, Rosemarie Lopez Fischer; sisters Aleta Fischer and Stacey Fischer, and brother Chris Fischer. 

A celebration of Tom's life is being planned for the spring.
     


Fischer Aviation

Hi all this is Fiona one of Tom's students. I would like to share the below message I recently posted on my wall.

A short month ago my instructor Thomas Fischer of died in a fatal crash.

This small business was already suffering due to COVID-19 lockdowns and closures. And now that Tom Fischer has passed, his family Jodi Martucci Fischer and Zach have had to shut down the business in addition to dealing with this tragic loss.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to collect money for Tom's celebration of life planned to occur next year with any left over to help Jodi and Zach.

Please take a few moments and consider: 

Sharing on social media.

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; Allentown, Pennsylvania 

Hanuman Aviation LLC

Fischer Aviation 

Location: Branchville, New Jersey
Accident Number: ERA22FA058
Date and Time: November 11, 2021, 10:48 Local 
Registration: N90559
Aircraft: Cessna 172 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On November 11, 2021, about 1048 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N90559, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Branchville, New Jersey. The flight instructor and a private pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

Preliminary flight track data was obtained from OpsVue, a commercially available web-based product that geo-reference’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data sources. Review of the flight track data revealed the airplane departed from Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey about 1030 and flew predominately in a northwesterly direction as it climbed. The airplane reached an altitude of about 6,400 ft mean sea level, before entering a steep descending left turn that continued until the flight track data was lost.

The airplane came to rest oriented on a magnetic heading of 330° in a wooded area. All major components of the airplane were located at the accident site. The fuselage from the firewall to the empennage was crushed and impact damaged. The instrument panel and cockpit were destroyed by impact forces. Both wings remained partially attached to the fuselage, and the ailerons and flaps were impact damaged. Flight control cable continuity was observed from the primary flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The horizontal stabilizers and vertical stabilizer remained attached to the empennage but displayed damage consistent with impact.

The left and right elevators remained partially attached to their respective horizontal stabilizers and the rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer, all displayed impact damage.

Initial examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft flange and displayed chordwise scoring and aft bending. Several trees and tree branches near the accident site exhibited fresh cuts consistent with propeller strikes.

The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N90559
Model/Series: 172S 
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: CDW,173 ft msl
Observation Time: 09:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C /1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 80°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.32 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Caldwell, NJ (CDW)
Destination: Branchville, NJ

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.0791,-74.4785 (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. 

Tom Fischer and Glen de Vries
~

Glen de Vries
~



Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company -  
 
At approximately 4:15pm yesterday afternoon the Hampton, Stillwater, and Fredon Fire Departments were dispatched to a report of an aircraft down in the woods in Bear Swamp near Walnut St in the Kemah Lake Section of Hampton Township.  

Chief Dave Gunderman and Chief Steven Sugar arrived on scene shortly after and set up a staging area on Walnut Street.  

Chief Gunderman assumed Command of the Incident and Chief Sugar assumed Operation Command and made entry into the woods with a small team of Fire personnel and New Jersey State Police. 

The aircraft was located approximately 1800 feet in the woods by New Jersey State Police Helicopter NorthStar and a civilian aircraft. 

The victims were found deceased in the aircraft and crews began marking out a trail to get more personnel and equipment into the scene to begin extrication. 

UTVs from Stillwater, Fredon, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service brought in the Jaws of Life and cut a road in with chainsaws to the crash site. 

Once the New Jersey State Police concluded their investigation a lengthy extrication took place to remove the victims and transport them out to the staging area.  

Once the victims were extricated the operation ceased for the night and resumed at 8am this morning.  

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board arrived to conduct their investigation.  

While that took place New Jersey Forest Fire Service cut in another road to bring machinery in to remove the plane.

Once again members of Hampton, Stillwater, and Fredon used extrication tools to assist with removing parts of the plane for the investigation.  

The plane was removed from the woods at approximately 6 p.m. this evening.  

The Sussex County Hazmat team then took over the clean up of the area and all units cleared from the scene. 

We would like to thank Ogdensburg, Frankford, Highland Lakes, and Lafayette Fire Departments along with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management, Sussex County Hazmat Team and New Jersey Forest Fire Service for their assistance during this call.  

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the pilots during this tragic event.

Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company


Tom Fischer, certified flight instructor and owner/operator of Fischer Aviation in Fairfield, New Jersey
~

 Glen de Vries
~


The owner and head instructor of Fischer Aviation, a family-run flight school in Essex County, and a New York City man who joined actor William Shatner on a trip to space last month have been identified as the two people killed in a plane crash in Hampton on Thursday, state police said.

Thomas P. Fischer, 54, of the Jefferson portion of Lake Hopatcong, a second generation flight instructor, was killed along with Glen M. de Vries, 49, of New York City, according to Trooper Brandi Slota, a New Jersey State police spokesperson.

The Federal Aviation Administration alerted public safety authorities around 3 p.m. Thursday that the single-engine Cessna 172 went missing near Kemah Lake. Emergency crews found the wreckage around 4 p.m. 

Police said the aircraft was on its way to Sussex Airport from Essex County Airport in Caldwell.

Maria Njoku, a spokesperson for the FAA, said Friday that a preliminary report on investigators' findings of why the plane may have crashed will be released in about a week. An initial report on the FAA website shows the aircraft was "destroyed" in the crash, which occurred "under unknown circumstances."

The Carnegie Mellon University trustee and founder of Medidata Solutions, a tech company, de Vries traveled into space on October 13 aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft, fulfilling an apparent lifelong dream

"We are devastated to hear of the sudden passing of Glen de Vries," Blue Origin said in a statement Friday. "He brought so much life and energy to the entire Blue Origin team and to his fellow crewmates. His passion for aviation, his charitable work, and his dedication to his craft will long be revered and admired."

De Vries began his private pilot training with Fischer in February 2016, according to the Fischer Aviation website. He often posted on his social media about his flights and purchased his own single-engine Diamond aircraft in 2020. In an Instagram post in early October, de Vries displayed an FAA-issued Pilot Proficiency badge while posing with his plane at Essex County Airport. The badge is given to pilots who maintain proficiency in flight basics to help mitigate accidents due to pilot errors, lack of proficiency and faulty knowledge, according to the FAA website.

ischer opened his flight school in March 2012 with his wife, Jodi, and had logged thousands of hours in the sky and obtained several advanced certifications. Author Joshua Ferris wrote a four-part series for the magazine "Popular Mechanics" in 2015, documenting his attempts at learning to fly under the direction of Fischer.

In 2009, Fischer was lauded after he successfully landed a Cessna aircraft in a parking lot at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall with a student pilot aboard, according to several news reports. Authorities found an oil leak caused the engine of the plane to shut down about one mile east of the mall, forcing Fischer to target an open area to land. The plane struck a median and tree before it nose-dived on the asphalt near JCPenney, leaving Fischer and the student pilot with minor injuries. It was not the same plane involved in Thursday's crash.

The unusually quiet Kemah Lake community was an active scene Thursday evening, as local firefighters used UTVs to assist authorities into an illuminated tract of the heavily wooded Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area off Fenner Road.

The aircraft that went down Thursday is believed to have been reported inaccurately on the FAA website, although a spokesperson did not respond to a request for clarification. The track of what is believed to have been the aircraft departed Essex Airport at 10:30 a.m. and was last seen at 10:47 a.m., according to Flightaware.com, a digital aviation company. The flight track shows the last known location in Hampton Township.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.


Tom Fischer
~

Zenith Zodiac CH-601, N22XF: Fatal accident occurred November 10, 2021 near Blue Ridge Flightpark Airport (34FD), Oakhill, Volusia County, Florida

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; Orlando, Florida

Location: Oak Hill, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22FA056
Date and Time: November 10, 2021, 10:03 Local 
Registration: N22XF
Aircraft: Zenith CH601
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On November 10, 2021, about 1003 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Zodiac Zenith CH601, N22XF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oak Hill, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

There were no known witnesses to the accident and the pilot, who was also the owner and builder of the airplane, was not in contact with air traffic control.

Preliminary review of radar data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed a target departing Massey Ranch Airpark (X50), New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at 1000. The target traveled south for about 3 minutes before turned left to the east and stopped transmitting at 1003. At that time, the target was traveling on a heading of 070° at a ground speed of 98 knots. The airplane wreckage was located within the vicinity of the last radar return.

The airplane came to rest in heavily wooded terrain on private property. On-scene examination revealed that the airplane impacted trees then the ground in a steep nose-down attitude. There was no post-impact fire and a strong odor of fuel. All major components of the airplane were located at the accident site. The engine was buried about 2 ft into the ground and the empennage was folded forward over the cockpit area. The two-blade wood propeller was shattered but located in the impact crater with the engine. The left wing was separated about 3 ft from the wing root but remained connected by the aileron control cables. Both wings sustained extensive leading edge impact damage. Flight control continuity was established for all major flight components from the respective flight control surface to the cockpit. The horizontal stabilator separated from the empennage and was lying to the left of the main wreckage. The all-flying rudder had also separated and was lying behind the main wreckage.

The wreckage was recovered for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Zenith
Registration: N22XF
Model/Series: CH601 
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: KEVB,10 ft msl 
Observation Time: 09:47 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 360°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: New Smyrna, FL (X50)
Destination: Oak Hill, FL

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 28.866945,-80.913736 

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.

OAK HILL, Florida - One person is dead after a single-engine Zenith Zodiac aircraft crashed Wednesday morning, but investigators say the plane wasn’t found until Wednesday evening. 

The initial call reporting a possible plane crash came in just before noon saying an according to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office. 

Flight Services, a company that contracts with the Federal Aviation Administration, told dispatch the aircraft's beacon was sounding in the area north of Blue Ridge Flightpark Airport. 

Responding deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office didn’t find a downed plane. Investigators searched the area and talked to residents in the small private airport community and said all of the aircraft stationed in the area were accounted for.  Early Wednesday afternoon investigators told FOX 35 News that it could have been a false alarm.

The Sheriff's Office says dispatch received another call from Flight Services later in the afternoon, around 4:17 p.m., notifying them that the emergency beacon was activated from the aircraft that was reported earlier that morning.  Flight Services asked the dispatcher to have a well-being check done on the person to whom the beacon was registered.  Deputies say no one answered the door and the owner’s hangar was empty.            

Investigators say the aircraft was found in a heavily wooded area in Oak Hill, not too far from where it was initially reported to have crashed.  A Sheriff's Office helicopter, Edgewater police officers, and members of the Civil Air Patrol all helped in the search.   

Local pilots question why it took eight hours to find the aircraft since it had a beacon in it. 

"Speculating, I wonder if maybe people thought it was a nuisance or false alert," said Shem Malmquist, a visiting professor at Florida Institute of Technology.  

He is also an aviation crash investigator, but he is not investigating this crash.  Malmquist explained regular emergency responders would not be equipped with radios that would pick up emergency beacon signals from aircraft.   

"The ground vehicles and police and fire rescue on a different frequency for sure," he explained. 

But Malmquist says that all aircraft passing nearby overhead would have picked up the downed plane’s emergency beacon signal on their radios.   

"Sheriffs helicopters should be monitoring that frequency. I can’t imagine it’s not part of the standard operating procedure. If they’re flying overhead they should be able to pick it up," Malmquist said.  

It’s unclear what time investigators started searching from the air.

Deputies have a dirt road that leads back to the crash scene blocked off.  The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.  The pilot’s identity is not being released yet.  

The Sheriff's Office says the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are now investigating.





VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida —  A man is dead after his experimental plane went down in a wooded area of Oak Hill in Volusia County on Wednesday, according to officials.

Officials say they received reports just before noon Wednesday of a possible small plane down north of Blue Ridge Flightpark Airport.

Deputies and other responders searched the area around Blue Ridge Flightpark Airport in Oak Hill. After speaking with those who were there, investigators didn't find anything related to the incident.

There were no reports of any missing planes either. Just before 4:30 p.m., the sheriff's office dispatch center got a call from the Airforce Rescue Coordination Center saying there had been an emergency beacon activation from an aircraft earlier in the day.

Authorities say they did a well-being check on the owner of the plane, but got no answer, noting the plane was not in the hangar.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s Air One helicopter, Edgewater police and members of the Civil Air Patrol, continued their search until they spotted the wreckage near the Oak Hill area around 7:11 p.m.

Investigators believe the plane went down sometime during the day. Chopper 2 was able to see it under a thick canopy northeast of 1340 Maytown Rd. with the only soul aboard dead at the scene.

According to locals, the downed plane is typically parked at Massey Ranch Airpark in Edgewater where crews found the hangar there empty and the registered owner of the plane not at his home. With additional resources from the air and on the ground, law enforcement discovered the wreckage and the victim.

Law enforcement has been in touch with the apparent victim's family and believes they have identified him but have not yet released his name.

The identity of the person who was killed has not been released.

CubCrafters CC18-180, N413CC: Accidents occurred November 08, 2021 and September 05, 2018










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; Fairbanks, Alaska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: 

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service


Location: Yukon Charlie River, Alaska
Accident Number: ANC22LA006
Date and Time: November 8, 2021, 15:15 Local 
Registration: N413CC
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS INC CC18-180 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Public aircraft

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CUB CRAFTERS INC 
Registration: N413CC
Model/Series: CC18-180 
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: PAEG,898 ft msl 
Observation Time: 15:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 59 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: -15°C /-18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 6000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Eagle, AK (PAEG) 
Destination: Yukon Charlie River, AK

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: 65.300192,-143.13334 (est)



Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service


Location: Northway, AK
Accident Number: GAA18CA541
Date & Time: 09/05/2018, 1625 AKD
Registration: N413CC
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS INC CC18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during straight-and-level flight, a large bird struck the airplane's right wing. The airplane's control became degraded, and the pilot chose an off-airport landing site and landed the airplane without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane's collision with a bird during straight-and-level flight.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute
Birdstrike (Defining event)

Landing
Off-field or emergency landing

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/22/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/06/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 20499 hours (Total, all aircraft), 664 hours (Total, this make and model), 20174 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 152 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 36 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CUB CRAFTERS INC
Registration: N413CC
Model/Series: CC18 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted; Normal
Serial Number: CC18-0065
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/20/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 740.6 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C4P
Registered Owner: Us Dept Of The Interior
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: National Park Service
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PABN, 2880 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 296°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 5000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.28 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Chisana, AK (CZN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Gulkana, AK (GKN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1555 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  62.300278, -142.533333 (est)

Piper PA-18, N360WM: Accident occurred November 08, 2021 at Redding Municipal Airport (KRDD), Shasta 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 did not travel to the scene of this accident.

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: 


Location: Redding, California
Accident Number: WPR22LA028
Date and Time: November 8, 2021, 12:37 Local 
Registration: N360WM
Aircraft: Piper PA-18
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N360WM
Model/Series: PA-18 
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: KRDD,502 ft msl 
Observation Time: 11:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C /2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

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: 40.507981,-122.29382 (est)

Boeing 757-200, N669DN: Incident occurred November 08, 2021 at Orlando International Airport (KMCO), Florida

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

Aircraft aborted takeoff roll after striking a bird to the right engine. 

Delta Air Lines Inc


Date: 08-NOV-21
Time: 12:43:00Z
Regis#: N669DN
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 757
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA AIRLINES
Flight Number: DAL770
City: ORLANDO
State: FLORIDA

Airbus A320-214, N217NV: Incident occurred November 08, 2021 at Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB), Seminole County, Florida

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

Aircraft struck birds on departure and damage was found to the blades of the #2 engine. 

Allegiant Air


Date: 08-NOV-21
Time: 13:08:00Z
Regis#: N217NV
Aircraft Make: AIRBUS
Aircraft Model: A320
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: ALLEGIANT AIRLINES
Flight Number: AAY2471
City: ORLANDO
State: FLORIDA