Friday, February 25, 2022

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, N10JA: Accident occurred February 24, 2022 near Oceanside Municipal Airport (KOKB), San Diego 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 Entities: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California
Hartzell Propellers; Piqua, Ohio
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Texas Turbine Conversions; Texas
Honeywell Aerospace; Phoenix, Arizona

Registered Owner:  GoSky America 5 Inc

Operator:  GoJump Oceanside


Location: Oceanside, California 
Accident Number: WPR22LA114
Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 12:45 Local
Registration: N10JA
Aircraft: Cessna 208B 
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Skydiving

On February 24, 2022, at 1245 Pacific standard time, a Cessna C208B Supervan 900 airplane, N10JA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Oceanside, California. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 skydiving flight.

The pilot stated that the passenger, who is also a pilot, had planned to observe the skydiving operation over the course of the day. Earlier in the day, the pilot had conducted three flights to drop off skydivers at an altitude of about 13,000 feet mean sea level (msl). On the fourth flight, the airplane departed runway 25 and made a gradual climb to 12,700 ft msl. The skydivers departed the airplane, and the pilot initiated a steep, turning descent in excess of 6,400 ft per min (fpm). The pilot stated that he set the power to idle and recalled the torque gauge indicated 0%. When the airplane was on the base leg of the traffic pattern to runway 25, at an altitude of about 4,000 ft msl, the pilot attempted to arrest the descent by adding power (see picture 1 below). 

The pilot further stated that despite his attempts to add power, his movement of the power lever was unresponsive, and the engine thrust did not increase. He moved the propeller speed lever, which was also unresponsive. The pilot presumed the engine had flamed-out and attempted to restart it. With the propeller still windmilling, he switched the ignition to “continuous” and turned the boost-pump on. He observed the torque gauge increase from 0% to 20%, but the power lever was still unresponsive. He added full nose-up elevator trim and the control yoke was full aft, against the stop. Even with the full elevator inputs, the airplane could not maintain a level attitude. The airplane collided with terrain in a nose-low attitude about 1,400 ft short of the runway (see picture 2 below). The pilot did not feather the propeller during the flight. 

The passenger stated that before the flight, the pilot explained various flight sequences that are done for skydiving operations. The pilot said that he will occasionally use a beta setting in-flight as a means to perform a rapid descent. During the accident flight, the pilot told the passenger that he would use beta to descend and “race the skydivers to the ground.” After the skydivers departed, the pilot began a steep descent and retarded the power lever to beta mode. The passenger noted that fuel gauges indicated empty, and a low fuel light was illuminated, both of which he relayed to the pilot. The pilot responded by saying that the gauges were inaccurate. Shortly thereafter, while on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot stated that he was going to make a right turn without using any rudder.

The passenger further stated that the pilot initiated a steep right bank followed by a steep left bank. He recalled that the turns were all uncoordinated and the auxiliary fuel pump light was illuminated. The pilot began to move the power and propeller speed levers and then stated that they “lost the engine.” The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude. The passenger took several videos of the flights from his cell phone. The video from the accident flight showed that the fuel gauges were at empty, the propeller RPM was about 65% and the oil temperature and pressure were in the green arcs.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that responded to the accident stated that the fuel tanks remained intact with no apparent perforations. Recovery personnel drained about 20 gallons of fuel from the airplane, all of which was in the right wing (the airplane came to rest in a right-wing low attitude). The airplane was recovered for further examination.



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N10JA
Model/Series: 208B Supervan
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: KOKB, 28 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:52 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C /-3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 260°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.22 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Oceanside, CA 
Destination: Oceanside, CA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious  
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious 
Latitude, Longitude:  33.220357,-117.34318 (est)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Morgan Vohs, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton and lives in Fallbrook, is one of two good Samaritans who rendered first aid to two plane crash victims in Oceanside on February 24, 2022.
~




OCEANSIDE, California — A U.S. Marine was on his way home from Camp Pendleton Thursday when he saw a small plane crash in Oceanside, prompting him to pull over, sprint across the highway and find a way to help.

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with the skydiving company GoJump, went down a few hundred feet short of the runway at Oceanside Municipal Airport around 1 p.m., according to police.

Authorities haven’t said what caused the plane to crash, but it came to a rest with its nose on the ground and its tail in the air. The propeller on the front of the aircraft was destroyed and two people inside the plane were hospitalized.

Sgt. Morgan Vohs, an open water safety coxswain who’s based at Camp Pendleton, saw the aircraft go down near the airstrip as he drove home on state Route 76.

“As soon as it hit, I just immediately pulled over and jumped the 76 and ran over to the crash,” Vohs said, in an interview released by the USMC.

The sergeant went streaking across the lanes and reached the crash before first responders, officials said. He was able to provide first-aid and helped keep the pilots calm while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

“Looking back, Vohs said he did what anyone else would do in that situation,” a USMC spokesperson wrote in a news release.

“Every Marine goes through it in boot camp. It’s called CLS, Combat Life Saving,” Vohs said. “Every Marine knows the basics of medical training. It’s just second nature.”

Officials had not provided an update on the two injured pilots as of late Friday morning. On Thursday, Oceanside police said one of the men had “critical” injuries while the other was in “moderate condition.”

The crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

GoJump, which has locations in Las Vegas and San Diego County according to its website, was founded in Oceanside and has an office located at the airstrip. An airport spokesperson told FOX 5 that the pilots were returning from a skydiving trip at the time the plane went down.

Embraer ERJ-135LR, N712AE: Incident occurred February 24, 2022 at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (KASE), Colorado

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

Aircraft during landing veered off the runway into snow.  

Aero Aircraft Holdings LLC

USAC Airways 695 LLC


Date: 24-FEB-22
Time: 18:40:00Z
Regis#: N712AE
Aircraft Make: EMBRAER
Aircraft Model: EMB-135
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: ON DEMAND
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 135
Aircraft Operator: USAC AIRWAYS
Flight Number: BLK10
City: ASPEN
State: COLORADO

Cessna P210N Pressurized Centurion, N210TY: Incident occurred February 24, 2022 at Immokalee Regional Airport (KIMM), Collier County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft landed and gear collapsed. 


Date: 24-FEB-22
Time: 18:00:00Z
Regis#: N210TY
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: P210
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: IMMOKALEE
State: FLORIDA

Piper PA-28, N2331Y: Incident occurred February 24, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft landed and was taxiing when a fuel leak ignited a fire. 

Date: 24-FEB-22
Time: 21:25:00Z
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: FORT LAUDERDALE
State: FLORIDA

Quad City Challenger II, N8711N: Incident occurred February 24, 2022 in Manistique, Schoolcraft County, Michigan

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aircraft experienced engine issues and made a forced landing on a frozen lake. 


Date: 24-FEB-22
Time: 21:00:00Z
Regis#: N8711N
Aircraft Make: QUAD CITY
Aircraft Model: CHALLENGER II
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: MANISTIQUE
State: MICHIGAN

Boeing 737-700, N967WN: Incident occurred February 24, 2022 at Kansas City International Airport (KMCI), Platte County, Missouri

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

Aircraft departed and struck birds damaging both engines. 

Southwest Airlines Co


Date: 24-FEB-22
Time: 20:08:00Z
Regis#: N967WN
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 737
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Flight Number: SWA350
City: KANSAS CITY
State: MISSOURI

Cessna U206G Stationair, N2088U: Incident occurred February 24, 2022 at Kansas City International Airport (KMCI), Platte County, Missouri

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

Aircraft incurred a propeller strike on landing.  

Simpson Equipment Leasing LLC


Date: 24-FEB-22
Time: 16:49:00Z
Regis#: N2088U
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: U206
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: KANSAS CITY
State: MISSOURI

Distar D-13/15 SunDancer, N588V: Fatal accident occurred February 24, 2022 near Boulder City Municipal Airport (KBVU), Clark County, Nevada

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; Las Vegas, Nevada 


Location: Boulder City, Nevada
Accident Number: WPR22FA109
Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 13:40 Local
Registration: N588V
Aircraft: DISTAR CZ AS D 13/15 SunDancer 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

On February 24, 2022, about 1340 Pacific standard time, a Distar CZ AS, Sun Dancer, N588V, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured. The motor glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight.

First responders reported that, it appeared that the motor glider had impacted 3 power lines. The power lines were about 60 ft above the surface, running east to west, black in color with debris entangled within the power lines. The debris field was located to the south of the power line and the main wreckage was nearly directly below the black in color power lines.

Recorded Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and L3Harris' OpsVue data showed that the motor glider departed from the Boulder City Municipal Airport at 2115:52 on a westerly heading, ascended to 2,850 ft mean sea level (msl) before a left turn was initiated. At 2117:58, the motor glider continued to ascend in a left turn and reached an altitude of 3,100 ft msl before a descent began. The data showed that the motor glider continued descending on an easterly heading until contact was lost at 2119:35, at an altitude of 2,375 ft, about 1 mile northwest of the accident site.

Examination of the accident site revealed that, the main wreckage (cockpit and forward fuselage) came to rest upright on a heading of about 172° magnetic, at an altitude of 1,869 ft msl. The first identifiable point of contact (FIPC) were 3 power transmission lines about 60 ft above the surface, about 1.5 mile southwest of the departure end of runway 27. The power lines were black in color with entangled debris within the power transmission lines. The debris field was located on flat, desert terrain, and was about 285 ft in length and 100 ft wide, as seen in figure 1. The main wreckage was located beneath the FIPC. Wreckage, to include system components, flight control surfaces was scattered throughout the debris path.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DISTAR CZ AS 
Registration: N588V
Model/Series: D 13/15 SUN DANCER
Aircraft Category: Glider
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: KBVU, 2202 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C /-15°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 35.929557,-114.88421 (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.

Beechcraft 35-C33 Debonair, N6129V: Fatal accident occurred February 24, 2022 in Hilltown Township, Bucks 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; Allentown, Pennsylvania
Textron; Wichita, Kansas


Location: Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania 
Accident Number: ERA22FA137
Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 16:56 Local
Registration: N6129V
Aircraft: Beech 35-C33 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted
Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On February 24, 2022, about 1656 eastern standard time, a Beech 35-C33, N6129V, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The pilot owned the airplane and had successfully completed the commercial pilot written examination. The purpose of the accident flight was to prepare for the commercial pilot practical examination. Review of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane departed Doylestown Airport (DYL), Doylestown, Pennsylvania about 1626. The airplane was performing maneuvers about 2,000 ft mean sea level when it entered a left spin and descended into a residential street. During the impact, a propeller blade separated and entered a residence. The wreckage came to rest upright, oriented about 125° magnetic and no debris path was observed. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of the wreckage.

The cockpit and cabin were mostly consumed by fire. Both wings separated from the airplane, but their respective flaps and ailerons remained attached. The empennage remained intact with the rudder and elevator still attached. The flaps and landing gear were retracted. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit area. Measurement of the two elevator trim actuators corresponded to a 5° trim tab down (nose-up) position.

The engine came to rest upright, separated from the airframe. The three propeller blades separated from the hub. One blade was consumed by fire about 12 inches outboard of the root. Another blade exhibited fire damage, s-bending, chordwise scratching and leading-edge gouging. The third propeller blade exhibited s-bending, chordwise scratching and leading-edge gouging A copy of doorbell video footage was forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech 
Registration: N6129V
Model/Series: 35-C33 
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: KDYL,393 ft msl 
Observation Time: 16:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 1°C /-9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind
Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 3900 ft AGL 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.39 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Doylestown, PA (DYL)
Destination: Hilltown Township, PA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.347778,-75.278889

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.

Alfred G. Piranian
May 27, 1947 - February 24, 2022
~


Alfred G. Piranian of Chalfont, Pennsylvania passed away at age 74 on February 24, 2022 in a plane crash.

Born Alfred George Piranian on May 27, 1947 in Lugano, Switzerland, he was the oldest of Alfred and Magdalena’s seven children. He graduated high school from Germantown Academy, going on to earn both his B.S.E. and Master’s degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University.

In June 1971, Al married Inger Jeannette de Haas. Their union would continue for over 50 years and produce five children: Edward, Heidi, Karen, Lori, and Lisa. Al was a devoted husband, son, father, and grandfather, and he took great delight in spending time with his immediate and large extended family. Later in life he was beyond thrilled to welcome 15 grandchildren, ranging today from college-aged to newborn. He cherished his grandchildren, showering them with love and attention in the time he was able to spend with them.

Al devoted most of his professional life to serving his country, in dual capacities both as a Navy civil service employee and as a Naval Reservist. Al began his career as an aerospace engineer for the U.S. Navy by working at the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) Warminster in Johnsville, Pennsylvania in 1967. When NADC closed in 1993 as a part of the federal government's base realignment initiatives, Al continued his work at Naval Air Station Patuxent River until his retirement in 2015. Over his 48-year service as an aerospace engineer working for the Navy, Al worked as a senior aerodynamicist on the design of the F-14, F-18, and the F-35. He was responsible for the airworthiness certification of all stores/weapons carried by the F-14 Tomcat, the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) on the F/A-18 Hornet, and also finally on the F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter). He was a member of the NATO Air Armament Working Party and presented internationally. Al also served in the Naval Reserves, drilling at Naval Air Station Willow Grove and achieving the rank of Commander. He also flight instructed in the Willow Grove flying club, and in the last seven years of his life Al continued to pursue his interest in aviation by flight instructing at Doylestown Airport. He logged over 11,000 flight hours with his favorite airplane by far being the T-34B Mentor and was loved by numerous students.

Al was generous with his time and resources as he pursued an eclectic range of outside interests over the years. He rowed on the Princeton men’s varsity lightweight crew team for all four years of college. While completing work on his master’s degree at Princeton, Al served as a crew coach in the earliest years of Princeton's women’s varsity crew team. His lifelong dedication to Princeton rowing continued, as he served for decades as Treasurer of the Princeton University Rowing Association. Other pursuits of Al’s included a love of classical and choral music, coaching his children's sports teams, serving as a Boy Scouts leader for his son’s troop, teaching Sunday school, playing his violin in worship services, and singing in the church choir for many years. He had a great love of history, was a voracious reader, traveled as widely as possible, and enjoyed German cuisine wherever he could find it.

Above all, Al’s deep and abiding Christian faith shaped his life’s work and purpose on Earth and now he is with his Savior. Al was a long-time member of Hilltown Baptist Church and worshiped most recently at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harleysville.

Al is survived by his mother Magdalena Piranian of Ambler, Pennsylvania; his wife Jeannette of Chalfont, Pennsylvania; son Ed Piranian and his wife Jennifer of Wasilla, Alaska; daughter Heidi Bauer and her husband Steve of Bethesda, Maryland; daughter Karen Burgman and her husband Michael of Fountainville, Pennsylvania; daughter Lori Mulcare and her husband Bobby of Greenwich, Connecticut; daughter Lisa Ferguson and her husband John of Lansdale, Pennsylvania; six siblings; and 15 grandchildren.

Donations in Al’s memory may be made to Mission Projects Fellowship, P.O. Box 209, Telford, Pennsylvania 18969. A memorial service celebrating Al’s life will be held at Hilltown Baptist Church in Hilltown, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 13th at 2 pm, with a musical tribute beginning at 1:30 pm.


Brian Carlos Filippini
March 25, 1966 - February 24, 2022
~


Brian Carlos Filippini of the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, passed away suddenly on February 24, 2022, age 55. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jennifer Leigh Filippini, his 3 children Remi (24), Carlo (20), Sante (20), sister, Alicia Filippini (Peter Gissing) and his niece Izabella Gissing and nephews Cooper Gissing and Nick Piner. Brian was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Norma Filippini.
 
Brian’s love of flying was a gift from his father Charlie who was an aeronautical flight surgeon with the Air National Guard. Brian’s passion for aviation blossomed in January 1988 when he took his first solo flight. Brian was a 4-year scholar athlete at The Ohio State University on a four year Track and Field scholarship. He received his degree in 1989 in Business Management, Logistics and Aviation. Brian met Leigh in Philadelphia at the Dickens Inn in 1990 after recognizing her as the girl he saw playing field hockey in the Ohio Stadium while he was running track. It was meant to be. They were married four years later in November in Cape May, NJ.  In 1997 Concord Management Group, a retained Executive Search firm was born as a result of Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit and love of life sciences and technology. The company has thrived under their joint leadership for the past 25 years and is the regional leader in the life science business. 
 
Brian and Leigh were so proud when their twin boys, Carlo and Sante, chose to attend their alma mater and are now studying at the Fisher School of Business. As proud parents, they had the pleasure and honor of attending Remi’s business school graduation this past December in Edinburgh, Scotland. Remi shares Brian’s love of life sciences and will be working as a Commercial Operations Analyst in the industry.  
 
In 2005, the dream of Chango Villa was completed in Cozumel Mexico. Chango Villa has been the epicenter of countless family, social and business gatherings, and was truly where Brian was happiest, especially surrounded by tequila, cigars, scuba, and mariachi music. Loving Mexico so much, Brian wanted to learn the native language to communicate respectfully, so within a year, Brian was speaking fluent Spanish.  Brian’s love of the outdoors began with his family in the Sierra Nevadas where he spent his childhood hiking, camping and skeet shooting. Brian carried his love of a rugged lifestyle and adventure to the East Coast where he incorporated it into the Filippini way of life.  Brian was known for his love of family and friends, his integrity, his commitment to his business and his passion for flying, a good cigar, a glass of Remy Martin, and a good conversation. 
 
 Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday March 5, at 1:00pm at Wings Field Airport (Hangar # 2), 1501 Narcissa Rd, Blue Bell, PA 19422. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an organization near to Brian’s heart- Angel Flight East - a non-profit dedicated to providing free air transportation for those needing medical treatment far from home. www.angelflighteast.org.




The single-engine plane that crashed in a Hilltown neighborhood Thursday evening, killing two aboard — including the plane's owner — was an instructional flight, according to National Transportation Safety Board investigators.

At least one of the people onboard had a private pilot's license and was training for a commercial license, the NTSB said.

NTSB investigators were in the neighborhood at Brittany and Victoria lanes Friday collecting information and examining what is left of the aircraft, agency spokesman Keith Holloway said.

One of the dead was identified as Brian Filippini, 55, of Philadelphia, who is listed in FAA records as the registered owner of the Beechcraft 35-C33 Debonair. 

It is unknown if Filippini was flying the plane at the time of the crash. The Bucks County Coroner's office had not yet confirmed the identities of the dead as of Friday afternoon.

This news organization spoke to a family member while attempting to contact Filippini on Friday. He confirmed the death, but declined further comment.

NTSB investigators will also gather radar data, weather information, aircraft control communications, maintenance records and pilot medical records. They will speak to witnesses and review raw video posted on social media.

This is a photo of the 1965 Beech 35-C33 single engine plane that crashed Feb. 24, 2022 in a Hilltown neighborhood, killing two people aboard
Doorbell video cameras captured the fiery crash, which occurred shortly before 5 p.m. in the development of single family homes located near a Pennridge middle school.

In raw video posted on social media, the sound of an engine sputtering can be heard seconds before the plane dropped out of the sky and exploded, sending thick black smoke cloud over the neighborhood. 

The plane took off from Wings Field Airport, a general aviation airport in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, at 4:13 p.m. Thursday and landed at the Doylestown Airport nine minutes later, according to FlightAware.com, a flight tracking website. 

At 4:26 p.m. the plane departed Doylestown headed to Gunden Airport, a privately owned airport outside of Sellersville, according to the website. The FAA confirmed in a statement the plane took off from Doylestown headed to Gunden.

The plane crashed just yards from a home. No injuries were reported on the ground and no homes were involved in the crash, but the plane struck an unoccupied vehicle, Bucks County spokesman James O'Malley said. There was also some damage from debris to nearby homes, said Hilltown police Chief Chris Engelhart.

On Friday morning, the scorched remains of the plane remained on the corner, underneath a charred street sign and surrounded by caution tape and a barrier meant to contain any fuel spill.



Flightstar II, N194PG: Accident occurred February 24, 2022 at Holly Hill Airport (5J5), Orangeburg County, 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


Location: Holly Hill, South Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22LA136
Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 11:45 Local 
Registration: N194PG
Aircraft: FLIGHTSTAR INC FLIGHTSTAR II
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 24, 2022, about 1145 eastern standard time, a Flightstar II, N194PG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Holly Hill Airport (5J5), Holly Hill, South Carolina. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a witness, he was in his hangar at the airport when he first heard the airplane. Then, he saw the airplane’s shadow on the centerline of the runway before it veered left, the “engine got really loud,” and then the airplane struck the hangar. The airplane continued over the hangar and struck trees before impacting the ground. The witness ran to the airplane, and noted the engine was still running. He turned it off, and then began assisting the pilot.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who responded to the accident site, examined the airframe and noted that the wings, fuselage, and empennage were substantially damaged. 

The airframe and engine were recovered and will be examined.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: FLIGHTSTAR INC 
Registration: N194PG
Model/Series: FLIGHTSTAR II NO SERIES 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: DYB,56 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C /18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / 12 knots,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.22 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Holly Hill, SC
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.300268,-80.393336 (est)