Wednesday, January 12, 2022

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N3639F: Incidents occurred May 14, 2022, January 11, 2022 and October 16, 2020

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri 

May 14, 2022:   Aircraft part of the Shetterly Squadron Team and made a forced landing in a field. 


Date: 14-MAY-22
Time: 01:00:00Z
Regis#: N3639F
Aircraft Make: NORTH AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: SNJ-6
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: OTHER
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
City: PITTSVILLE
State: MISSOURI

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri

January 11, 2022:  Aircraft gear collapsed on landing.


Date: 11-JAN-22
Time: 20:30:00Z
Regis#: N3639F
Aircraft Make: NORTH AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: SNJ-6
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: OLATHE
State: KANSAS

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri

October 16, 2020:  Aircraft landed and gear collapsed.

Date: 16-OCT-20
Time: 21:20:00Z
Regis#: N3639F
Aircraft Make: NORTH AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: SNJ6
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: OLATHE
State: KANSAS

Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 177B, N1333C; accident occurred January 11, 2022 at Wahoo Municipal Airport (KAHQ), Saunders County, Nebraska








Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

DT Air LLC


Location: Wahoo, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN22LA099
Date and Time: January 11, 2022, 16:00 Local
Registration: N1333C
Aircraft: Cessna 177B 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the last landing he felt that the left wing was too high, even with the right crosswind. He overcorrected, the airplane floated, and then the left wing was too low. The pilot added power to go around, but the airplane veered to the left and went off of the runway and into a corn field. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on its
belly which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, the left wing, and the right horizontal stabilizer. 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 pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Runway excursion

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 52, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 12, 2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 2, 2021
Flight Time: 222 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1198 hours (Total, this make and model), 80 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 108 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N1333C
Model/Series: 177B 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977 
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 17702704
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 22, 2021 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed 
Engine Model/Series: O&VO-360 SER
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 15:55 Local Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 250° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Omaha, NE (MLE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Wahoo, NE
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: WAHOO MUNI AHQ 
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 1223 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 20
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4100 ft / 75 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and go

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 41.240608,-96.594555(est)


Location: Wahoo, Nebraska
Accident Number: CEN22LA099
Date and Time: January 11, 2022, 16:00 Local
Registration: N1333C
Aircraft: Cessna 177B 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N1333C
Model/Series: 177B 
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:
Observation Time: 15:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C /5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 250°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Omaha, NE (MLE)
Destination: Wahoo, NE

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.240608,96.594555 (est)

Eurocopter EC 135P2+, N531LN: Accident occurred January 11, 2022 in Drexel Hill, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

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; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Airbus Helicopters; Grand Prairie, Texas
Air Methods; Greenwood Village, Colorado 
German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation; Braunschweig

LifeNet
Air Methods Corporation


Location: Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 
Accident Number: ERA22FA105
Date and Time: January 11, 2022, 12:55 Local
Registration: N531LN
Aircraft: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH EC 135 P2+ 
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi and commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Medical emergency)

On January 11, 2022, about 1255 eastern standard time, a Eurocopter EC-135 P2+, N531LN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. The airline transport pilot was seriously injured. The two medical crewmembers and the patient were not injured. The helicopter was operated by Air Methods Corporation as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air ambulance flight.

Preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the helicopter departed Chambersburg Hospital Heliport (PA60) about 1205 and was destined for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Heliport (9PN2), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The track showed the helicopter in a cruise profile on an easterly track about 3,500 ft mean sea level (msl). About 1243, the helicopter descended and then leveled about 2,800 ft msl, then subsequently descended and leveled at 1,500 ft msl, tracking directly toward 9PN2. At 1253:11, the helicopter track depicted a series of heading and altitude excursions. The plots depicted altitudes between 1,700 ft msl and 1,250 ft msl before the target disappeared at 12:53:17.

In a written statement, a witness whose home was directly beneath the helicopter’s flight path said that he was an aviation enthusiast and was familiar with the many helicopters flying to and from area hospitals. He said that his attention was drawn to the accident helicopter because it was “very low and louder than normal” and that the “tone” of the rotors was unfamiliar. According to the witness, the helicopter was “in a nose down attitude… far less than 1,000 ft above the ground… [and] rotating around its longitudinal axis.”

A doorbell camera about 1 mile from the accident site, and approximately beneath the helicopter’s flight path, captured both audio and video of the helicopter’s initial descent from its cruise altitude. The sound could be heard before the helicopter entered the frame. The helicopter’s departure from controlled flight was not captured, as it was blocked by a porch awning on the front of the house. A high-pitched whine was heard, increasing in volume and pitch before the helicopter appeared beneath the awning above the camera in a near vertical, nose-down descent. The helicopter’s angle of descent shallowed as it disappeared behind a tree line. The volume and pitch of the sound continued to increase for a time after the helicopter disappeared and before the sound ultimately faded.

A second witness nearby said that he saw a helicopter “very low…very loud…banked right and left out of control, then appeared to straighten…” before it disappeared from view.

Brief video clips from open-source media outlets showed the helicopter upright, in a steep descent, exhibiting small but rapid changes in each axis (pitch, roll, yaw). A home doorbell camera captured the last second of flight as the helicopter appeared level in the frame, in a slight nose-up attitude, as it impacted the ground, separating the tailboom, then disappeared from view.

The pilot made himself available for interview, but the interview was postponed due to his medical condition.

The flight nurse and flight medic were interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector. According to the flight medic, the flight was routine, and they were within 10 minutes of landing at 9PN2. He and the flight nurse were out of their seats treating the patient when a loud “bang” was heard, and the helicopter banked sharply right and continued into a right roll. The medic said that the helicopter rolled inverted, perhaps multiple times, and that he and the nurse were “pinned to the ceiling” and internal communication was lost. The helicopter was leveled, the patient was secured, the crewmembers secured themselves in their seats, and they braced for landing.

Following the accident, the flight nurse evacuated the patient, then evacuated the pilot while the medic shut down both engines. The nurse travelled with the patient while the medic travelled with the pilot to area hospitals.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land and rotorcraft-helicopter, with private pilot privileges for airplane single engine. The pilot’s most recent second-class FAA medical certificate was issued on August 26, 2021.

The operator reported that the pilot had accrued 4,123 total hours of flight experience of which 3,400 hours were in helicopters and 185 hours were in the accident helicopter make and model.

The helicopter was examined at the accident site and all major components were accounted for at the scene. There was a strong odor of fuel and evidence of fuel spillage. The wreckage path was oriented about 150° magnetic and measured about 108 ft long. The initial impact point was in a tree about 40 ft tall, and pieces of freshly broken and cut wood were found beneath it.

The helicopter came to rest on its left side, nearly inverted, against a stone wall. The tailboom was separated at the fuselage and rested between the helicopter and the wall. The fenestron was intact inside its shroud. Fenestron drive and control continuity was confirmed through several breaks which appeared due to overload. The fenestron flexball cable was found wrapped around the main rotor mast. The landing gear was destroyed by impact and the windscreen and chin bubble on the copilot’s (left) side were destroyed; the airframe and cockpit and cabin floors displayed impact fractures, but the cockpit, instrument panel, and cabin area remained largely intact. The cockpit controls were connected and  intact. While the yaw control pedals remained attached to their respective control tubes, the floor structure that contained each pedal assembly mount was fractured. The engines and main transmission were secure in their mounts, the main rotor hub was attached to the mast, and the root ends of all four main rotor blades were secure in the hub. Two main rotor blades were wrapped around the mast, one was straight with a chordwise fracture, and the fourth was separated from the hub during recovery. Later, all four blades were cut near their root to facilitate further examination.

The wreckage was recovered to an aircraft recovery facility in Clayton, Delaware, for further examination.

The engines and main transmission were secure in their mounts. Continuity was confirmed from the main rotor head, through the transmission, to the #1 and #2 high speed shafts. The functionality of the freewheeling unit was confirmed.

Cyclic and collective control continuity were confirmed from the controls to the main rotor system. The blue pitch-change link was fractured due to overload, and the yellow link was impact damaged.

Data downloaded from each engine revealed nominal engine performance consistent with the mission profile across the duration of the flight.

Components from the cockpit warning system, electrical and hydraulic components from the autopilot and flight control system, as well as fluid samples, were retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Registration: N531LN
Model/Series: EC 135 P2+
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PHL, 10 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -4°C /-19°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / 17 knots, 310°
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.53 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Chambersburg, PA (PA60)
Destination: Philadelphia, PA (9PN2)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 39.947563,-75.30347 (est)

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, N475RT: Accident occurred January 11, 2022 on Edisto Island, South 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; Columbia, South Carolina

Seasky27 Productions LLC 


Location: Edisto Island, South Carolina 
Accident Number: ERA22LA104
Date and Time: January 11, 2022, 12:47 Local
Registration: N475RT
Aircraft: Piper PA-32-300 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 11, 2022, about 1247 eastern standard time (EST), a Piper, PA-32-300, N475RT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Edisto Island, South Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, the first leg of the flight was uneventful. After landing at Columbus County Municipal Airport (CPC), Whiteville, North Carolina to get fuel, he resumed the flight to Florida. After departure, about 15 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine started to sputter, then stopped, followed immediately by oil blowing out from the engine cowling onto the windshield, partially limiting his field of view. Seeing no immediate landing location ahead of him, “there was nothing but marsh and river,” he pitched up for 100 mph and turned 180° and declared an emergency.

He observed a straight road between two fields out of his side window and headed towards the area. After setting up for a short final to the road, he observed an electrified livestock fence on both sides of the road, but he was already committed for landing and there was nothing he could do to avoid the fence. After touching down, both wings struck the fence, causing the airplane to veer to the right, through the fence and into a field for about 300 ft before coming to rest.

Examination of photographs of the accident site taken by first responders and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage; the airplane's right wing contained a large tear in the leading edge and the right landing gear had collapsed, causing additional wing damage. There was oil on the top of the engine cowl and oil spray on the windshield and fuselage. Upon further examination of the engine, a hole was discovered on the top of the engine near the No. 6 cylinder.

 The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N475RT
Model/Series: PA-32-300
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: JZI,17 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C /-9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.48 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Whiteville, NC (CPC)
Destination: Stuart, FL (SUA)

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: 32.574029,-80.338475 (est)






EDISTO ISLAND, South Carolina (WCBD) – A small plane made an emergency landing near Edisto Island on Tuesday afternoon after it began to experience engine problems.

Chief Larry Garvin with the St. Paul Fire District told News 2 oil from the plane’s engine started to blow out of the engine compartment shortly after takeoff. The plane was enroute to Florida.

Chief Garvin said the pilot started to look for a safe plan to make an emergency landing. He landed the plane in a field behind King’s Farm Market off Highway 174 on Edisto Island.

The plane landed upright, but the wing hit a post during the landing, officials said.

Only the pilot was on board the plane at the time. That person was not injured.

Piper PA-28-181, N4403P: Incident occurred January 07, 2022 at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (KIWA), Maricopa County, Arizona

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Aircraft struck a bird. 

CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Phoenix Inc


Date: 07-JAN-22
Time: 21:18:00Z
Regis#: N4403P
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: PHOENIX
State: ARIZONA

Van's RV-7, N357WB: Incident occurred January 08, 2022 in Denver, Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Aircraft experienced engine issues and landed in a field. 

5Guys Aviation LLC


Date: 08-JAN-22
Time: 16:50:00Z
Regis#: N357WB
Aircraft Make: VANS
Aircraft Model: RV7
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: DENVER
State: COLORADO

Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N7562P: Incident occurred January 07, 2022 at Grand Junction Regional Airport (KGJT), Mesa County, Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Aircraft landed gear up. 


Date: 07-JAN-22
Time: 20:20:00Z
Regis#: N7562P
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA24
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: GRAND JUNCTION
State: COLORADO

Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N80641: Incident occurred January 07, 2022 at Treasure Coast International Airport (KFPR), Fort Pierce, Florida St. Lucie County, Florida

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

Aircraft landed in the grass to the left of the runway. 

Missionary Flight Training Inc


Date: 07-JAN-22
Time: 19:54:00Z
Regis#: N80641
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: FORT PIERCE
State: FLORIDA

Robinson R44 Raven II, N220SW: Incident occurred January 10, 2022 at Carmi Municipal Airport (KCUL), White County, Illinois

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois

Rotorcraft struck a power line on landing.  

SDW LLC


Date: 10-JAN-22
Time: 00:40:00Z
Regis#: N220SW
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Aircraft Model: R44
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: CARMI
State: ILLINOIS

Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, N8383V: Incident occurred January 08, 2022 at Jackson County Airport (KJXN), Michigan

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; East Michigan

Aircraft landed and veered off runway striking a runway light. 

H&M Air LLC


Date: 08-JAN-22
Time: 16:25:00Z
Regis#: N8383V
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: JACKSON
State: MICHIGAN

Aviat A-1B Husky, N521AM: Incident occurred January 08, 2022 at Hudson Valley Regional Airport (KPOU), Dutchess County, New York

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

Aircraft landed, bounced and veered off runway.  

Stick and Rudder LLC


Date: 08-JAN-22
Time: 17:12:00Z
Regis#: N521AM
Aircraft Make: AVIAT
Aircraft Model: A-1B
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: POUGHKEEPSIE
State: NEW YORK