Tuesday, May 03, 2022

Piper PA-22-135, N3390A: Accident occurred May 02, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona

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; Scottsdale, Arizona

https://registry.faa.gov/N3390A

Location: Mesa, Arizona 
Accident Number: WPR22LA170
Date and Time: May 2, 2022, 07:40 Local
Registration: N3390A
Aircraft: Piper PA22/135 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N3390A
Model/Series: PA22/135 
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: KIWA,1382 ft msl
Observation Time: 07:45 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C /-1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 130°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Mesa, AZ (FFZ)
Destination: Mesa, AZ (IAW)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 33.307824,-111.65545 

Aircraft ground looped on landing. 

Date: 02-MAY-22
Time: 14:30:00Z
Regis#: N3390A
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA22
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: PHOENIX
State: ARIZONA

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N5432G: Incident occurred May 02, 2022 at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM), Osceola County, Florida

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

Aircraft landed and struck a taxiway light.

SunState Aviation Inc


Date: 02-MAY-22
Time: 22:53:00Z
Regis#: N5432G
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ORLANDO
State: FLORIDA

Loss of Control on Ground: Zenith CH750 Cruzer, N750LK; accident occurred May 02, 2022 at Blue Grass Airport (KLEX), Lexington, Kentucky






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; Louisville, Kentucky

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


Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Accident Number: ERA22LA221
Date and Time: May 2, 2022, 19:15 Local
Registration: N750LK
Aircraft: KYLE M SWARD / LARRY W SWARD CH 750 CRUZER
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot stated that this was his first flight in the airplane and during landing, the airplane bounced and rolled to the left. He attempted to correct for the roll, but the left wingtip impacted the runway, the airplane bounced again, rolled right, and then impacted the ground with the right main landing gear, followed by the nose, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Findings

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

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: BasicMed
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 6, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 13, 2021
Flight Time: 1343 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3 hours (Total, this make and model), 1101 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: KYLE M SWARD / LARRY W SWARD
Registration: N750LK
Model/Series: CH 750 CRUZER
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2022
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 75-10732
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 5, 2022 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 1 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Viking
ELT: Installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: V-130
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 130
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: KLEX,962 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 19:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 214°
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: 30.03 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lexington, KY 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Lexington, KY 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class C

Airport Information

Airport: Blue Grass LEX
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 979 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.03675,-84.608639

Aircraft landed and veered off runway into the grass. 

Date: 02-MAY-22
Time: 23:20:00Z
Regis#: N750LK
Aircraft Make: ZENITH
Aircraft Model: CH750 CRUZER
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: LEXINGTON
State: KENTUCKY

Cessna 414, N46TA: Accident occurred May 02, 2022 at Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport (KVVS), Fayette 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 did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

BJK Aviation LLC


Location: Connellsville, Pennsylvania 
Accident Number: ERA22LA215
Date and Time: May 2, 2022, 15:50 Local 
Registration: N46TA
Aircraft: Cessna 414
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test

On May 2, 2022, about 1550 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 414 airplane, N46TA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport (VVS), Connellsville, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was operated as a post-maintenance functional check flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot, who was also a mechanic, reported that prior to flight he had uninstalled and reinstalled the S-TEC autopilot mode control unit in the cockpit due to a discrepancy reported on a previous flight. He then planned to complete a local flight to evaluate the autopilot’s performance. The pilot stated that following a normal taxi and run-up, he initiated the takeoff. When the airplane reached rotation speed, he pulled back on the flight controls with one hand, however, the flight controls did not move. He then pulled aft on the flight controls with two hands, and when no movement was felt, he pulled both throttles to idle and applied maximum braking. The airplane was unable to stop on the remaining runway and continued off the runway, down a ravine and collided with trees and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

The pilot reported that prior to the takeoff he performed a “complete run-up” and there was nothing “strange” with the flight controls.

Examination of the cockpit panel revealed that the left avionics stack contained a Garmin GNS 530 GPS and a Bendix-King KX-155 Navigation/ Communication receiver. The avionics tray that held the KX-155 unit was found stuck in the open portion of the elevator bellcrank. The tray displayed bending and the bellcrank displayed scratches. When the avionics tray was removed from the bellcrank movement area, the flight controls were manipulated with a full range of movement observed. The Garmin GNS530 and KX-155 avionics trays were secured to the front of the cockpit panel, however, there was no evidence that rear, or side straps, were installed on the avionics trays holding the rear portion of the avionics level. Figure 1 shows the elevator bellcrank, the avionics trays, and a schematic of the elevator flight control system.

Review of FAA airworthiness records revealed that the Garmin GNS 530 was first installed in 2006.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N46TA
Model/Series: 414 Undesignated Series 
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: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: LBE,1199 ft msl 
Observation Time: 16:47 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 23 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C /8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / 15 knots, 260°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Connellsville, PA (VVS)
Destination: Connellsville, PA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 39.956057,-79.663785

Aircraft ran off the end of the runway on takeoff. 

Date: 02-MAY-22
Time: 20:00:00Z
Regis#: N46TA
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 414
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: CONNELLSVILLE
State: PENNSYLVANIA

Grumman American AA-1C Lynx, N15LM: Accident occurred May 02, 2022 near Oconee County Regional Airport (KCEU), Seneca, 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: Seneca, South Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22LA216
Date and Time: May 2, 2022, 18:00 Local
Registration: N15LM
Aircraft: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-1C 
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 2, 2022, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-1C, N15LM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Seneca, South Carolina. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Maintenance personnel at Eagle Ridge Airport (SC24), Seneca, South Carolina, completed an annual inspection of the airplane and installed two overhauled magnetos the day before the accident. On the day of the accident, the pilot picked up the airplane from the maintenance facility. He reported that the airplane had “plenty of fuel” on board, and he performed an engine run-up which was “normal.” Shortly after takeoff from runway 23, the engine lost all power. His next recollection was waking up in the hospital. The airplane impacted a wooded residential area about ¼ mile from the departure end of the runway.

A witness located next door to the accident site reported that the airplane “was low” and the engine stopped suddenly with “no backfire.” First responders reported an odor of fuel at the accident site. The mechanic who performed the annual inspection responded to the accident site and reported that he turned off the master switch and moved the fuel selector to the “off” position. He did not recall what position the selector was in before he moved it to off, or how far he moved the handle, and did not recall if he felt or heard a detent click when he moved it. He stated that he rotated the handle toward the OFF position as far as it would move.

A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. When the fuel selector handle was rotated clockwise from the OFF position to the LEFT position, no detent “feel” or click sound was observed. When the handle was rotated from the LEFT position to the RIGHT position, and from the RIGHT back to LEFT, a click was heard and a detent was felt.

The throttle control was found in a near idle position and the mixture control was near the full rich position. The primer was in and locked. The carburetor heat control was in the closed position. The throttle and mixture controls moved smoothy throughout their operating ranges. Both magnetos produced spark on all towers. The magneto-to-engine timing was measured, and both were found to be
within specifications. The carburetor inlet screen was unobstructed. About 2 ounces of fuel were observed in the carburetor bowl, about 1 ounce of fuel was observed in the electric fuel pump, and a trace of fuel was observed in a fractured fuel line leading to the left wing. About 1 cup of fuel was observed in the remnants of the right main fuel tank, and no fuel was found in the remnants of the left
main fuel tank, however, both main fuel tanks were impact damaged and appeared breached. All the fuel samples were blue in color and free of contaminants.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP.
Registration: N15LM
Model/Series: AA-1C 
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: CEU,888 ft msl
Observation Time: 17:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C /13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Seneca, SC
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious 
Latitude, Longitude: 34.66801,-82.919635 (est)

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances into residential neighborhood. 

Date: 02-MAY-22
Time: 21:03:00Z
Regis#: N15LM
Aircraft Make: GRUMMAN AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: AA-1C
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: SERIOUS
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: SENECA
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

North American SNJ-6 Texan, N451WA: Accident occurred May 01, 2022 at Greenwood County Airport (KGRD), 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; West  Columbia, South Carolina

Warbird Adventures Inc


Location: Greenwood, South Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22LA214
Date and Time: May 1, 2022, 12:15 Local 
Registration: N451WA
Aircraft: North American SNJ-6
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: North American 
Registration: N451WA
Model/Series: SNJ-6
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: KGRD, 631 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C /17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2100 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 240°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Greenwood, SC (GRD)
Destination: Greenwood, SC

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.250394,-82.157809 (est)

Aircraft landed and ground looped. 

Date: 01-MAY-22
Time: 16:30:00Z
Regis#: N451WA
Aircraft Make: NORTH AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: SNJ6
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: GREENWOOD
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

Grumman AA-5 Tiger, N11969: Incident occurred May 02, 2022 at Madison Municipal Airport (KMDS), Lake County, South Dakota

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota

Aircraft nose gear strut separated on landing. 

Brookings Aerosports Unlimited Inc


Date: 02-MAY-22
Time: 14:45:00Z
Regis#: N11969
Aircraft Make: AMERICAN GENERAL
Aircraft Model: AG5B
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: MADISON
State: SOUTH DAKOTA