As search teams continued gathering wreckage and remains following Monday’s crash of a China Eastern flight, the outgoing chief of the Federal Aviation Administration voiced confidence Friday in the type of Boeing plane that went down and in the ability of the international aviation community to learn what went wrong.
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, a retired airline pilot and Trump appointee who is stepping down next week, pointed to the strong safety record of Boeing’s Next Generation fleet of 737 passenger planes in a television interview.
The 737-800 that crashed in southern China’s Guangxi province “is one of the safest aircraft ever produced in commercial operation. It’s one of the most widely used aircraft around the world. By all indications, this was an airworthy aircraft,” Dickson said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “But we’ll have to go where the facts take us.”
Asked about skepticism that Chinese authorities will allow a transparent review of what happened, Dickson said, “I’m confident we’ll get to the root cause of the crash.”
China’s official Xinhua News Agency said more than 500 family members have come to the nearby city of Wuzhou while awaiting word on the 132 people who were onboard, with many of those gathered having DNA samples taken to help with the grim work of identification.
The Chinese news agency said workers were excavating a broad area as they search for evidence, including the second black box, a digital flight data recorder that would hold a detailed digital record of the plane’s movements and systems as well as the actions of its pilots. The cockpit voice recorder, which can shed light on conversations among pilots and other crew, was found this week and authorities are working to retrieve its contents.
One of the China Eastern ‘black boxes’ is recovered as heavy rain falls at crash site
The state-run China Daily noted that the Civil Aviation Administration of China News initially reported Friday that the flight data recorder had been discovered, but local rescue leaders “soon clarified that the second recorder had not been found.”
Under international agreements, the United States, as the country where the China Eastern plane was designed and manufactured, has been invited to join the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), led by senior aviation accident investigator Sathya Silva, has assembled a team that includes technical experts from the FAA, Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International.
But the pandemic and China’s strict controls on entering the country have slowed progress in getting the U.S. team on the ground, with negotiations on travel and logistics ongoing days after the crash.
A State Department travel advisory on China issued this month recommended that Americans reconsider travel to China “due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19-related travel restrictions.”
It said travelers should be ready to quarantine at a government-designated location for at least 14 days, where they may be tested daily and aren’t allowed out of their rooms. If they test positive, travelers would be required to transfer to a medical facility chosen by the government, where standards of care “may differ considerably” from those in the United States, according to the advisory.
“Travel to China is currently limited by visa and covid quarantine requirements,” the NTSB said in a statement this week. “We are working with the Department of State to address those issues with the Chinese government before any travel will be determined.”
China has dramatically improved its aviation safety record over past decades, with experts pointing to improvements across the system and a modernized fleet of airplanes, many built by Boeing and rival Airbus, as homegrown airlines cater to a growing domestic and international market.
China’s last major fatal crash was in 2010, when 44 of the 96 people onboard a Henan Airlines flight were killed when pilots missed a runway in heavy fog, according to the Aviation Safety Network, which tracks international accidents.
That years-long stretch “is impressive to me, especially since the previous decades were fraught with accidents,” said Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator with the FAA and the NTSB.
Within China, there is intense interest in Monday’s crash, with videos circulating of the plane’s sharp descent into mountainous terrain, online photos of wreckage and rescue workers, and widespread speculation on the causes of the crash. The government’s China Daily has also sought to tamp down some of the conjecture.
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina
March 24, 2022: Aircraft veered off left side of runway after landing for unknown reasons at Wilmington International Airport (KILM), Wrightsboro, New Hanover County, North Carolina.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Irving, Texas
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
On March 24, 2022, about 1720 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N733KP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Springtown, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the airplane had been refueled at Bridgeport Municipal Airport (XBP), Bridgeport, Texas, and departed to the south to continue the instructional flight. About 7 minutes after departure, the airplane’s engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and elected to complete a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings.
The FAA inspector reported that the XBP airport fuel source was quickly checked for contaminants, which was negative.
The airplane has been retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna Registration: N733KP
Model/Series: 172N
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: KXBP,851 ft msl
Observation Time: 17:30 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /-5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Bridgeport, TX (XBP)
Destination: Forth Worth, TX (FTW)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.011205,-97.694439 (est)
Aircraft inverted in field after making emergency landing.
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.
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Baker, Daniel
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Joseph Kluk; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 24, 2022, at 1845 mountain daylight time, a Czech Sport Aircraft Sportcruiser airplane, N823MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lanark, New Mexico. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was as operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to calibrate a new angle-of-attack (AOA) gauge that had been recently installed in the airplane. He had climbed to 6,500 ft mean sea level (msl) and performed a power off stall. As the nose of the airplane dropped the left canopy latch “let loose.” About 4-5 seconds later the right canopy latch “let go” and the whole windscreen “popped up like a speed brake.” The nose of the airplane remained pitched down and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT A S
Registration: N823MM
Model/Series: SPORTCRUISER
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:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 31.984112,-106.80973 (est)
March 24, 2022: Aircraft canopy popped open during flight causing aircraft to crash.
Date: 25-MAR-22
Time: 00:43:00Z
Regis#:N823MM
Aircraft Make:SPORTCRUISER
Aircraft Model:SPORTCRUISER
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury:NONE
Aircraft Missing:No
Damage:UNKNOWN
Activity:PERSONAL
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation:91
City:EL PASO
State: TEXAS
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico May 31, 2020: Aircraft experienced loss of engine power and struck a light of takeoff at El Paso International Airport (KELP), Texas. Date:01-JUN-20 Time:00:02:00Z Regis#:N823MM Aircraft Make:CZECH SPORT Aircraft Model:SPORTCRUISER Event Type:INCIDENT Highest Injury:NONE Aircraft Missing:No Damage:NONE Activity:PERSONAL Flight Phase:TAKEOFF (TOF) Operation:91 City:EL PASO State:TEXAS June 07, 2019: After landing, aircraft veered off left side of runway at El Paso International Airport (KELP), Texas. Date:07-JUN-19 Time:02:40:00Z Regis#:N823MM Aircraft Make:CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT Aircraft Model:SPORTCRUISER Event Type:INCIDENT Highest Injury:NONE Aircraft Missing:No Damage:UNKNOWN Activity:PERSONAL Flight Phase:LANDING (LDG) Operation:91 City:EL PASO State:TEXAS
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 24, 2022, about 1350 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N111NW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. George, Utah. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that during the approach to runway 19 at St. George Regional Airport (SGU), about 3,800 ft agl, the engine lost power. Despite several attempts, he was unsuccessful at restarting the engine. He lowered the flaps to try and gain lift and soon realized he was not going to make the runway. The airplane impacted rough desert terrain and slid about 100 ft before coming to a stop.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The landing gear collapsed and separated. Evidence of fuel was identified in both main wing tanks.
The wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N111NW
Model/Series: PA-32R-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: KSGU,2936 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C /-11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Casper, WY (CPR)
Destination: St. George, UT (SGU)
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: 37.059517,-113.49787 (est)
Bruce Knell
~
Bruce Knell doesn’t remember falling 3,700 feet in seven seconds, but he remembers hitting the ground.
The Casper City Councilman and his wife Stacy were flying on Thursday from Casper to St. George, Utah for a golf tournament, when Knell’s Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance plane lost power over a field one mile from the St. George Regional Airport.
“I remember losing power,” Knell told Cowboy State Daily from his bed in St. George Regional Hospital. He said he couldn’t recall the exact sensation of his rapid fall. The plane “just literally fell out of the sky.”
“I did everything I could to keep it upright and try to glide it as much as I could, which is probably what saved us,” said Knell, adding that he also believed divine intervention had been in play. “I think it goes a little deeper than that, if you believe like I do.”
An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board told Knell on Saturday that “he’s never seen anything like this – and someone walk away from it.”
Knell’s strongest memory was of the impact, which was “really hard.”
Although he and his wife were both conscious when emergency personnel responded, he could not recall interacting with first responders on scene. The pair were rushed to the hospital, where Knell is being fitted for a custom back brace. His back, he said, is broken in four places; his sternum is broken, and the inside of his mouth is “cut up pretty bad.”
Knell already had fusions in his back and had undergone back surgery in Casper last October. The “major hardware implantation” in from last autumn is now preventing doctors from operating on his back again, he said, but “they are going to put it in a brace for now.”
“It doesn’t help when you fall out of the sky in a plane and you already have back issues,” he said, adding that his current pain level is “nothing like I’ve ever felt.”
The exact cause of the power outage and subsequent crash are unknown but under investigation, Knell said.
The Federal Aviation Administration arrived on scene to investigate Friday, according to the Washington City Police Department
‘Prayers for My Wife’
But Knell’s wife is in worse shape than he is, he said. He hoped the community would pray for her.
Stacy Knell was transported to a Las Vegas hospital for care and is suffering from at least four breaks in her back, facial lacerations, and brain bleeding.
Knell said his wife on Saturday morning had reported a “pretty rough night, not knowing where she was or why she was there,” due to the brain bleeding. He was insistent upon finishing his treatments and being cleared from the Utah hospital as soon as possible so that he could be with her.
Stacy Knell underwent a six-hour back surgery Friday, he said.
New Plane
Knell said he’s been flying under a private license since about 2010 or 2011. The orange and white plane that went down on Thursday was a new purchase which he bought in December. It had a “brand new” factory-built motor in it and had performed well on previous flights.
“I’ve flown it from Austin, Texas, to Casper, and flew around Casper quite a bit,” said Knell. “When we flew it down here, the flight here was awesome – until a mile from landing.”
The couple had planned to attend a golf tournament in St. George and then fly from there to New Orleans for Stacy Knell’s daughter’s wedding next weekend.
“So we’ll be missing that,” he said.
Knell has just begun his second year in Casper City Council.
Casper City Councilmember Bruce Knell and his wife have been hospitalized with “serious injuries” from a plane crash Thursday in Utah, city officials said Friday.
“Mayor (Ray) Pacheco, Casper City Council, and all of the staff at the City of Casper want to convey our concern and sincere wishes for their sustained health and recovery,” City Manager Carter Napier said in a statement.
Utah news outlets reported Thursday that a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance plane crashed near the St. George Regional Airport in the afternoon, around 1:40 p.m. The plane was coming from Casper, and carrying a pilot and passenger, according to St. George News.
Photos of that crash appear to show the same plane as one pictured in a public post on Knell’s Facebook page from February.
Washington City Police Lt. Kory Klotz told St. George News that the plane crashed on vacant land and skidded 50 to 100 yards.
“Something happened with the plane but we don’t know what that is and they were short of the runway by probably about a mile,” Klotz told the outlet. It did appear that the plane was coming in for a landing but just didn’t make it to the actual landing strip there.”
Knell confirmed to Cowboy State Daily on Friday that he had been in a crash, and a later message indicated he was undergoing surgery.
The councilman took office in January 2021 after winning an open seat in Ward I.
WASHINGTON CITY, Utah — Two people sustained injuries after a single-engine plane crash-landed on vacant land near St. George Regional Airport on Thursday afternoon.
The crash was reported shortly after 1:40 p.m. and involved a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance plane carrying the pilot and one passenger who both appeared to be in their late 50s. Washington City Police Lt. Kory Klotz said someone in another plane reported the crash via radio.
The plane reportedly was traveling from Casper, Wyoming. The occupants likely were planning to stop at the St. George Regional Airport, Klotz said.
“They were coming in from the north,” he said. “Something happened with the plane but we don’t know what that is and they were short of the runway by probably about a mile. It did appear that the plane was coming in for a landing but just didn’t make it to the actual landing strip there.”
The plane crashed on vacant land owned by Stucki Farms and slid 50-100 yards before coming to rest. Klotz said there was no property damage.
Both occupants were transported in a Gold Cross Ambulance to St. George Regional hospital for evaluation and treatment. Klotz said the pilot had lower back injuries and the passenger had facial lacerations and a potentially broken jaw. Both occupants sustained various cuts and abrasions.
None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening and both occupants were conscious and alert, he said. No injuries to bystanders were reported.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, which has taken over from Washington City Police, Klotz said.
The Washington City Fire Department and airport personnel also responded to the scene.
This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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; Atlanta, Georgia
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
On March 25, 2022, about 1048 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N62283, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Winder, Georgia. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
According to the student pilot, they performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted. They departed Gwinnett County Airport (LZU), Lawrenceville, Georgia, and flew to Barrow County Airport (WDR), Winder, Georgia, and performed several circuits in the traffic pattern. While on the final approach leg of the traffic patter to runway 31, the student pilot turned the yoke to the right “and felt it give as if a cable had become detached.” The flight instructor took control of the airplane and experienced the same effects; the yoke could be turned in a “complete circle with no response” from the airplane. The airplane veered to the right and descended into trees. A post-impact fire ensued, which consumed the fuselage and wings.
The airplane came to rest about ½-mile from the approach end of runway 31.
The airplane was retained for further examination.
Aircraft experienced engine issues and crashed into a wooded area and caught on fire.
Date: 25-MAR-22
Time: 14:48:00Z
Regis#:N62283
Aircraft Make:CESSNA
Aircraft Model:172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury:UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing:No
Damage:DESTROYED
Activity:PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation:91
City:WINDER
State: GEORGIA
BARROW COUNTY, Georgia — Two people were rushed to the hospital on Friday after a plane crashed in Barrow County.
Barrow County Emergency Management Services told 11Alive the small plane crashed on Giles Road about a mile away from the airport in Winder, Georgia before bursting into flames.
Two people were injured in the incident. One of them was taken to the hospital by ambulance and the other had to be airlifted, according to Barrow EMS.
Authorities have not given an update on their conditions at this time.
Right now, the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating and there are limited details about the crash.
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; Greensboro, North Carolina
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
On March 25, 2022, about 1613 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA-40NG, N471BL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Smithfield, North Carolina. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot, they conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted before departing Johnston Regional Airport (JNX), Smithfield, North Carolina, on an instructional flight. Preliminary radar data tracked the airplane departing runway 21 and climbing to an altitude of about 650 ft, while making a left turn. The CFI stated, “I heard a weird noise come from the engine. I saw my RPM gauge drop.” The student pilot stated, “I noticed the sound but saw no annunciations [in the cockpit] indicating a malfunction.” Shortly after hearing the sound the CFI instructed the student pilot to turn back to the airport and while in the turn the engine lost total power. The CFI unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine while the airplane descended; however, the airplane impacted trees about ¾ mile from the departure end of the runway.
A post-accident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, tail section, and both wings. Additionally, the engine was examined and a metal substance was noted in one of the cylinder valves.
The wreckage was retained for further examination.
Aircraft crashed in a field shortly after departure for unknown reasons.
Date: 25-MAR-22
Time: 20:15:00Z
Regis#:N471BL
Aircraft Make:DIAMOND
Aircraft Model:DA40
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury:UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing:No
Damage:UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation:91
City:SMITHFIELD
State: NORTH CAROLINA
SMITHFIELD, North Carolina (WNCN) – The occupants onboard a plane that crashed in Johnston County on Friday are expected to survive, Blue Line Aviation confirmed Saturday afternoon.
Two people were onboard when the crash happened, who have now been identified as a commercial-rated instrument flight instructor and instrument-rated private pilot, and were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to Capt. Jeff Caldwell of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, both were alert and conscious, but the extent of their injuries was not known.
Blue Line Aviation, who is one of the agencies investigating the crash, did not confirm the injuries to the occupants but said one of them has been released from the hospital and the other is in stable condition and will remain under medical care for further monitoring. It did not specify which one was the instructor or pilot.
SMITHFIELD, North Carolina — Officials with Blue Line Aviation said that a flight instructor and a pilot were on board when a plane crashed near Johnston Regional Airport.
According to a Facebook post from the flight school, one person who was injured during Friday afternoon's crash is still in the hospital receiving treatment.
"We are working with the investigators to determine the cause of the accident and will release more information as it becomes available," a statement from Blue Line Aviation said. "We cannot thank you all enough for all of the thoughts and prayers, please continue to pray for the pilots and their families as they continue to heal."
Video from the scene shows that the plane landed on the cockpit. The tail of the plane also flew off during the crash, video shows.
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; Jackson, Mississippi
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 23, 2022, at 1028 central daylight time, a Piper PA-46, N627PR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Olive Branch Airport (OLV), Olive Branch, Mississippi. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that he was on the ILS approach to runway 18. As the airplane crossed the final approach fix, he reduced engine power and lowered the landing gear. He confirmed that he had three green landing gear indicator lights. Knowing the wind was from 220° at 16 gusting to 22 knots, he positioned the airplane to accommodate the crosswind. The airplane landed softly just left of the runway
centerline about 85 knots and it started to slow during the landing roll. He gradually directed the airplane back to the centerline. However, the directional input did not correct the ground track, and he added left rudder. Suddenly, the nose of the airplane made a hard right 45° turn and the left side of the airplane skidded down the runway. He neutralized the rudder pedals, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway about 50 knots. The airplane traversed across the wet and muddy ground when the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The engine mounts sustained substantial damage.
The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
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; Little Rock, Arkansas
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 25, 2022, a Bellanca 17-30A airplane, N8869V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ash Flat, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The pilot was attempting land on runway 22 at the Sharp County Regional Airport (CVK), Ash Flat, Arkansas, with a gusty wind from the west. The pilot commanded a go-around and the engine lost power. The airplane descended and impacted the runway left-wing low and skidded off the runway.
The airplane was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bellanca
Registration: N8869V
Model/Series: 17-30A
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: KARG,273 ft msl
Observation Time: 16:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 32 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 16 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 36.264889,-91.562667
Aircraft crashed off the departure end of the runway while circling for approach in gusty wind conditions.
Date: 25-MAR-22
Time: 21:15:00Z
Regis#:N8869V
Aircraft Make:BELLANCA
Aircraft Model:17-30A
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury:SERIOUS
Aircraft Missing:No
Damage:SUBSTANTIAL
Activity:PERSONAL
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation:91
City:ASH FLAT
State: ARKANSAS
SHARP COUNTY, Arkansas (KAIT) - A Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat in Arkansas suffered injuries Friday in a small plane crash at the south end of the Sharp County Regional Airport near State Highway 62.
Emergency crews airlifted Jody Shackelford to the University of Arkansas Medical System hospital as a result of the crash campaign spokesman Ethan Barnes said.
Shackelford, who is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Rick Crawford and State Rep. Brandt Smith in the May 24 primary, suffered back injuries. Barnes said the family is asking for prayers right now.
Authorities responded Friday afternoon to the scene of the crash.
Officials have called the Federal Aviation Administration to help with the investigation into the crash.
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.
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Lemishko, Alexander
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Gavin Hill; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Irvine, Texas
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
On March 25, 2022, about 1127 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rowlett, Texas. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 training flight.
According to the operator, the flight was the second of the day for the CFI and student pilot. The first flight (lesson 10 of the training syllabus) was completed successfully. The accident flight was lesson 11, which included pre-solo maneuvers, introduction/simulation of emergency procedures, equipment malfunctions, and vortex ring state recognition and recovery. The student pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplanes and was in training to add a helicopter rating.
Video provided to the National Transportation Safety Board showed the helicopter and it’s separated tail boom/tail rotor section fall from the sky. The video did not show the actual separation of the tail section. Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the helicopter maneuvering about 2,000 ft. The data showed that the helicopter’s airspeed slowed significantly before a near vertical descent. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the helicopter.
The main section of the helicopter impacted a vacant lot adjacent to commercial buildings and a major municipal roadway. The wreckage was mostly consumed by a post-impact fire. The aft 4-ft section of the tail boom with the tail rotor assembly attached, impacted the top of a one-story commercial building about 300 ft from the main helicopter wreckage.
Main rotor blade impact marks adjacent to the separated section of the tail boom were consistent with main rotor blade contact of the tailboom in flight. Detailed examinations of the helicopter’s structure, flight controls, main/tail rotor drive systems, and engine did not reveal any pre-separation/impact mechanical anomalies.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Registration: N514CD
Model/Series: R44
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
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: KF46,575 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /-2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 230°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.16 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Garland, TX (T57)
Destination: Rockwall, TX (F46)
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: 32.907879,-96.582196
Rotorcraft crashed under unknown circumstances into an empty lot and caught on fire.
Date: 25-MAR-22
Time: 16:30:00Z
Regis#:N514CD
Aircraft Make:ROBINSON
Aircraft Model:R44
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury:FATAL
Total Fatal: 2
Flight Crew: 1 fatal
Pax: 1 fatal
Aircraft Missing:No
Damage:DESTROYED
Activity:INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation:91
City:ROWLETT
State: TEXAS
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.
Lora Krystyna Trout
Dr. Ty Wallis
~
U.S. Forest Service-Bridger-Teton National Forest -
We are grieving the sudden and tragic loss of one of our own. Lora Trout passed away in a helicopter crash this past Friday in a small suburb of Dallas, Texas. Lora worked on Teton Interagency Helitack from 2016 to 2021. Prior to that, she also worked as a wildland firefighter on the White River NF and Boise NF. She left the helitack crew to pursue her dream of flying helicopters full-time, with the goal of returning to fire and SAR as a pilot. Lora was a dear friend, dedicated coworker, physical fitness leader, and an immediate positive influence to all she knew. Her charismatic wit and strength were evident in all she did, particularly in her passion for aviation and wildland firefighting. To those that knew her, she was a “go to” for advice, help, and humor.
The Bridger-Teton sends its condolences to the friends, family, and coworkers of Lora. She will be greatly missed.
Equine Athlete Veterinary Services -
It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the untimely passing of our founding partner, Dr. Ty Wallis.
A natural born leader, Ty was so many things to so many people. A friend. Son. Equine Veterinarian. Surgeon. Mentor. Pilot. Philanthropist. Above all else, he was an amazing husband and father to the loves of his life, Kristen and Hattie.
Equine Athlete Veterinary Services would not be what it is today without his ideas, talent and leadership. We are all better veterinarians and people because of his influence.
Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Wallis family during this extremely difficult time.
Lora Krystyna Trout
~
We’re learning more about a helicopter crash in Rowlett on Friday that killed a pilot under instruction and the flight instructor.
The family of 42-year-old Ty Wallis confirmed Sunday he was one of two people lost in a helicopter crash in Rowlett.
Wallis was flying as a pilot under instruction in a Robinson R44 Cadet helicopter when eyewitnesses saw the rotorcraft falling in several pieces Friday afternoon.
Investigators from the NTSB also confirmed the certified flight instructor was a female but did not release her name.
On Sunday, Chad Chance and Clayton Boyd took time to remember their friend who had wide-ranging interests and a passion for people.
“He was like Doogie Howser. He knew everything about everything,” Boyd said. “Ty’s the best at everything, that’s how I could sum it up.”
Wallis worked as an equine veterinarian in Pilot Point, specializing in orthopedic surgery for equine athletes, according to his company’s website.
On Sunday, the crash site was cleared of any remaining debris but it will likely be months before an exact cause is known.
Dallas-based aviation attorney Jon Kettles told NBC 5 the ability of investigators to preserve the tail boom - which separated before the crash - could be key in a final report.
“That will be very valuable to determine what caused that separation,” Kettles said.
Chance and Boyd said their focus is on supporting Wallis’ family, which includes his wife Kristen and their young daughter, and remembering their friend.
Specifically, Chance said his wife wanted the public to know that while she grieves an immeasurable loss she is comforted by her deep faith in confronting the loss of her life’s partner.
“Ty died doing something he truly loved and that was aviation," Chance said. ”She (Kristen) believes that Ty’s death was his time and God’s time. And his day was Friday."
ROWLETT, Texas - The National Transportation Safety Board investigators arrived Saturday at the site of a helicopter crash in Rowlett. The crash happened Friday and left two people dead.
The helicopter dropped from the sky in several pieces. It could take months before investigators know exactly what happened.
Debris from the fiery and deadly helicopter crash is being looked at by federal investigators in the open field where it happened. The field is surrounded by businesses and heavily traveled roads in Rowlett.
A female flight instructor and a male student pilot who was under instruction to obtain a helicopter rating died in the crash, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Their names have not yet been released.
The NTSB, which leads the investigation, said its emphasis is to "find the mechanism which caused the tail to separate from the helicopter."
Video showed the tail rotor was separated from the body of the aircraft in midair. It was found about 100 yards from the main crash site.
Sammie Walker, who owns a business across the street, recalled seeing the crash.
"We heard a big woofing noise," he said. "When you saw it in the air, you thought it was going to land in the middle of the street."
Debris from the fiery crash is a reminder to those nearby of how tragedies can hit unexpectedly.
"So that’s the sadness of this whole deal, is what the family is going through at this moment," Walker added.
Rowlett City Councilman Blake Margolis said the city’s Community Emergency Response Team is providing resources to federal investigators.
"That’s where they passed away," he said. "It’s tough to see. And to know that two people lost their lives."
Margolis was on scene 10 minutes following the crash, and said people nearby tried to help the victims, but it was too late.
The NTSB said its unaware of any radio distress calls from the helicopter prior to the crash.
The helicopter is owned by Sky Helicopters in Garland. A company that also provides air resources to FOX 4. Sky Helicopters has not provided comment to FOX 4.
The helicopter is a Robinson R44 model, which has had safety concerns. Data collected by the Los Angeles Times showed there were 42 deadly crashes involving that model in the U.S. from 2006 to 2016. And in January, Robinson sent a service bulletin to R-44 owners calling on them to replace certain tail rotor blades, issued as spares, because some may crack. It’s unclear if this helicopter had those blades.
According to the NTSB, preliminary findings from the investigation do not appear to show an any similarities to those issues reported by the LA Times or the service bulletin sent out by Robinson at this time.
NTSB investigators will be onsite for several days, but the investigation could take months, or even up to two years.
ROWLETT, Texas — Two people have died, including the pilot, after a helicopter crashed and caught fire in Rowlett on Friday morning, officials said.
The crash happened near the 2200 block of Lakeview Parkway, near Dexham Road, in an open lot surrounded by businesses. Rowlett is just east of Garland in northeast Dallas County.
Initially, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the pilot was the only person onboard the aircraft. On Friday afternoon, Rowlett police tweeted that a second person was confirmed dead. The FAA later clarified that two people were on board the helicopter.
The FAA said the crash happened around 11:30 a.m. and involved a Robinson R44 Cadet helicopter. The FAA and the NTSB will investigate the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead.
In an update on Saturday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the two people killed were a student pilot and a flight instructor. The NTSB said the two were on a training flight. The pilot and passenger who died have not been identified at this time. Rowlett PD told WFAA Saturday both victims were at the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy and identification.
The NTSB said Saturday that the investigation would take another day or two and would go back if the agency has any follow up examinations to do on the wreckage. NTSB officials said Saturday they were trying to collect all the pieces that could be on the rooftops.
Sky Helicopters, a North Texas-based helicopter company that provides various services, confirmed it was their helicopter involved in the crash. WFAA contracts with Sky to provide aerial coverage of news events across North Texas. Our thoughts are with their organization.
Footage from the scene showed a badly damaged and burned helicopter. Responding crews had placed a tent around one side of the helicopter, which had crashed in an open field near surrounding businesses.
A witness, Joseph Kasper, told WFAA that he was working at a nearby mechanic shop when the helicopter crashed about 40 feet away.
Kasper said he saw the helicopter hovering, and then the tail rotor appeared to break in mid-air. The helicopter kept hovering, then went straight down and caught fire.
Kasper and other witnesses tried to put out the fire but couldn't. Firefighters then arrived and put the fire out.
Another witness, Fabio Sanches Jelezoglo, said he also saw the tail come off of the helicopter.
"I saw the helicopter coming down," Jelezoglo told WFAA. "I heard a noise and when I looked up the helicopter was coming down and the tail was off."
A photo from the scene, shared with WFAA, showed the helicopter burning in the empty lot after it crashed.
The helicopter that crashed is a Robinson R44 and it has a dubious reputation.
According to Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, a law firm based in Los Angeles, there have been more than 1,600 accidents or incidents involving Robinson Helicopter aircraft, more than 425 of them fatal accidents resulting in more than 700 deaths worldwide.
An LA Times analysis of National Transportation Safety Board accident reports in 2018 found that "R44s were involved in 42 fatal crashes in the U.S. from 2006 to 2016, more than any other civilian helicopter."
Per the LA Times, "that translates to 1.6 deadly accidents per 100,000 hours flown — a rate nearly 50% higher than any other of the dozen most common civilian models whose flight hours are tracked by the Federal Aviation Administration."
Robinson Helicopter Co., which is based in California, "disputed The Times’ analysis, contending that the FAA undercounts the flight hours for the R44, leading to an inflated accident rate. The company vigorously defended its record, maintaining that its aircraft are safe and reliable when flown within their operating limits."
Attorneys Jon Kettles and Mike Lyons are based in Dallas and have represented several families involved in R44 crashes.
Kettles, a former military helicopter pilot of 8 years, told WFAA that the main rotor for the helicopter teeters back and forth and that the main rotor blade can flex down too far and hit the tail if a pilot doesn't know how to maneuver the rotorcraft.
"There's a special FAA regulation for training to fly this model aircraft based on a long history of the stability of the aircraft in certain flight modes," Kettles said. "I don't think it's ever a good sign when there's a regulation specifically requiring more training in this model helicopter."
Kettles added that if something goes wrong mid-air, a pilot must know what they're doing.
"If you're at high altitude and at low airspeed--it's less stable. Your timing has to be perfect if something goes wrong in order to survive," Kettles said.
Kettles believes the main rotor hit the tail of the aircraft after watching an eyewitness video of the helicopter falling from the sky.
In the video--you see the tail rotor falling from the sky separate from the fuselage. The main rotor can then be seen hitting the cone of the tail.
"This is the most likely scenario," Kettles said. "Radar data shows the aircraft doing a lot of maneuvers and getting very slow at several points."
"The question now is what caused the main rotor blades to flex down that far?"
Lyons said it's too early to determine if the crash was caused by pilot error or product failure.
"The conditions that this horrible crash occurred in would tell me that it tends to gravitate more towards a product issue versus pilot error," Lyons said.
"There were very favorable conditions Friday, Clear skies and no high winds."
Lyons said the NTSB will ultimately determine what the issue was.
"They will figure out precisely what happened--and I hope that they take swift action if it is, in fact, something related to the design or some type of product failure," Lyons said.