Sunday, March 13, 2022

System/Component Malfunction/Failure (Non-Power): Cessna 140, N2509N; accident occurred February 11, 2022 at Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (KEWN), New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
















National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report

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

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket


Location: New Bern, North Carolina 
Accident Number: ERA22LA132
Date and Time: February 11, 2022, 11:03 Local
Registration: N2509N
Aircraft: Cessna 140 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that during his landing roll, he attempted to slow the airplane as he exited the runway for the taxiway. As he applied brakes, the left brake loss pressure and the right brake maintained its pressure and operated normally. This anomaly caused the airplane to ground loop, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the left brake master cylinder was void of fluid. Fluid was filled into the master cylinder and when pressure was applied to simulate braking, fluid began to seep from the master cylinder. The master cylinder was disassembled revealing a damaged O-ring seal. The O-ring was pinched and cut; therefore, unable to maintain hydraulic fluid within the master cylinder and resulted in the loss of braking. A review of maintenance records reveal that the braking system was serviced about a month prior, but no anomalies were noted during the service.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The loss of brake pressure on the left brake due to a failed O-ring seal.

Findings

Aircraft Master cylinder/brake valve - Failure

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine 
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 11, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 1, 2021
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3434 hours (Total, all aircraft), 123 hours (Total, this make and model), 3282 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Passenger Information

Certificate:
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s): 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): 
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2509N
Model/Series: 140
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 12766
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 1, 2022 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 11 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4607 Hrs as of last inspection 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C-85-12F
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 85 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: EWN,17 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 11:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Winterville, NC (05N)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: New Bern, NC
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 10:00 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: COASTAL CAROLINA RGNL EWN 
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 17 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 22 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6452 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 35.07285,-77.0433(est)



Location: New Bern, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22LA132
Date and Time: February 11, 2022, 11:03 Local
Registration: N2509N
Aircraft: Cessna 140 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2509N
Model/Series: 140
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: KEWN,17 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /-4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Winterville, NC (05N) 
Destination: New Bern, NC

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 35.07285,-77.0433 (est)

Collision During Takeoff: Liberty XL-2, N552XL; accident occurred March 02, 2022 at Las Cruces International Airport (KLRU), Doña Ana County, New Mexico













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; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico 
Accident Number: WPR22LA116
Date and Time: March 2, 2022, 14:30 Local 
Registration: N552XL
Aircraft: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED LIBERTY XL-2 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff with a density altitude of 6,750 ft and the airplane’s weight near gross weight, the airplane’s acceleration seemed sluggish. The airplane lifted off about 1/3 of the way down the runway after achieving 55 knot rotation speed, but the climb was also “sluggish”. The airplane cleared the airport perimeter fence and began to settle. The airplane subsequently touched down on soft dirt and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and he believed that the cause of the accident was a combination of high-density altitude and the airplane’s weight close to the maximum allowable gross weight.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane’s inability to climb during takeoff due to a degradation of engine performance due to high density altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff. 

Findings

Aircraft Climb rate - Attain/maintain not possible
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues High density altitude - Effect on equipment

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Miscellaneous/other
Takeoff Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor 
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider; Gyroplane; Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: April 12, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 29, 2021
Flight Time: 2278.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 373.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 2087.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11.4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 11.4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED
Registration: N552XL
Model/Series: LIBERTY XL-2
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 0042
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 28, 2022 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1653 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 384.9 Hrs at time of accident 
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: C91 installed 
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
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: KLRU,4456 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:35 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 200°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence  Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Las Cruces, NM
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marana, AZ (AVQ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: LAS CRUCES INTL LRU
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4456 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Rough
Runway Used: 04
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7501 ft / 105 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.297882,-106.91053(est)



Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Accident Number: WPR22LA116
Date and Time: March 2, 2022, 14:36 Local
Registration: N552XL
Aircraft: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED LIBERTY XL-2 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED
Registration: N552XL
Model/Series: LIBERTY XL-2 
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: KLRU, 4456 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /-7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Las Cruces, NM 
Destination: Marana, AZ (AVQ)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 32.297882,-106.91053 (est)

Honda HA-420 HondaJet, N903JT: Accident occurred March 09, 2022 at Allegheny County Airport (KAGC), West Mifflin, 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 did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Honda Aircraft Company; Greensboro, North Carolina 
Jet It LLC; Greensboro, North Carolina 

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 
Accident Number: ERA22LA150
Date and Time: March 9, 2022, 08:27 Local 
Registration: N903JT
Aircraft: Honda Jet HA-420 
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi and commuter - Non-scheduled

On March 9, 2022, about 0827 eastern daylight time, a Honda Jet HA-420, N903JT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The two pilots and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated by JetIt, LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air taxi flight.

The training captain was flying with the first officer on day 6 of the first officer’s Initial Operating Experience, during which the first officer was the pilot-flying. According to the flight crew, they checked the weather prior to departure from Teterboro Airport (TEB), Teterboro, New Jersey, briefed for the potential winter weather conditions upon landing at Allegheny County Airport (AGC),
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and departed around 0720.

The training captain stated that he monitored ATIS once in range of AGC and did not recall hearing any remarks pertaining to runway braking action or surface contamination reports, although he noted remarks about contamination on taxiways and ramp areas. Subsequently, he checked in with the approach controller and was advised that snowplows were on the runway. He considered this an indication that the airport was “taking care of the runway in the light snow.” He “never anticipated runway contamination” and the crew based their landing distance calculations on a wet runway. The first officer flew the ILS approach to runway 28 with the autopilot engaged. The training captain visually acquired the runway environment upon reaching decision altitude and the first officer continued the approach. The training captain acquired the runway about 150 feet above ground level, noticing the runway shoulders were obscured by snow, and the center line was visible.

The first officer disconnected the autopilot and continued the landing. The training captain recalled feeling “faster than normal” when the airplane touched down in the “first third” of the grooved 6,501-ft runway. The airplane began to decelerate; however, the captain called for maximum braking when he detected the deceleration to be insufficient to stop the airplane on the remaining runway. He applied the emergency brake and steered to the left to try to stay on the airport property. The airplane skidded sideways, departed the end of the runway, and travelled tail-first over the edge of a steep incline, coming to rest in trees. The pilots and passenger evacuated out the main cabin door. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage.

Weather conditions at the time of the accident included ½ statute mile visibility, light snow, and an overcast ceiling at 400 ft. The airport ATIS reported at the time of the approach and landing included a Braking Action Advisory with a braking action report of “good” by a Pilatus at 0755 and a field condition NOTAM reporting 10% runway coverage with 1/8-inch slush on the landing runway.

The cockpit voice recorder/flight data recorder unit was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Honda Jet
Registration: N903JT
Model/Series: HA-420 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: IMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAGC,1273 ft msl
Observation Time: 08:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 1°C /-1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 340°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 400 ft AGL 
Visibility: 0.5 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.88 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Teterboro, NJ (TEB)
Destination: Pittsburgh, PA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.354284,-79.941631




No one was injured Wednesday morning when an aircraft went off the runway at the Allegheny County Airport.

Three people were onboard the Honda HA-420 HondaJet when it left the runway around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Allegheny County Airport Authority spokesman Bob Kerlik said.

None of the passengers reported injuries when emergency personnel responded to the scene.
 
The Allegheny County Airport sees mostly private planes and medical helicopter flights. It is also the home of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.

The region received heavy snow Wednesday morning, causing some visibility issues, but a cause of the incident has not yet been determined.










WEST MIFFLIN, Pennsylvania — Officials are investigating after a small plane went off the runway at the Allegheny County Airport on Wednesday morning.

Airport officials said a Honda HA-420 HondaJet with three people on it went off the runway.

Emergency crews immediately responded and there were no reported injuries.

There were heavy snow showers in the area of the airport around the time of the incident. However, it’s not clear at this point if the weather played a factor in the airplane leaving the runway.

They Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating.