Saturday, August 13, 2022

Murphy Elite, N8486D: Accident occurred August 10, 2022 at Ralph M. Calhoun Memorial Airport (PATA), Tanana, Alaska

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.

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Gutierrez, Eric

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

https://registry.faa.gov/N8486D

Location: Tanana, Alaska
Accident Number: WPR22LA300
Date and Time: August 10, 2022, 13:20 Local 
Registration: N8486D
Aircraft: HOFFMAN DAVID J MURPHY 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: HOFFMAN DAVID J
Registration: N8486D
Model/Series: MURPHY 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: PATA,225 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:52 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 33 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 0°C /0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: 
Destination:

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: 64.640833,-151.804 

Aircraft landed hard and broke landing gear. 

Date: 10-AUG-22
Time: 20:30:00Z
Regis#: N8486D
Aircraft Make: MURPHY
Aircraft Model: REBEL
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TANANA
State: ALASKA

Robinson R44 Raven II, N987WH: Accident occurred August 10, 2022 in Palmer, Alaska

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: WPR22LA299

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Rotorcraft crashed during landing. 

Alpha Aviation LLC


Date: 11-AUG-22
Time: 00:17:00Z
Regis#: N987WH
Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Aircraft Model: R44
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: PALMER
State: ALASKA

Cessna 172K Skyhawk, N84352: Accident occurred August 09, 2022 at Kahului Airport (OGG), Hawaii

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Honolulu, Hawaii

Aircraft did an engine run-up prior to flight and wind gust caused loss of control.  


Date: 09-AUG-22
Time: 21:50:00Z
Regis#: N84352
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: KAHULUI
State: HAWAII

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N3937M: Fatal accident occurred August 11, 2022 and Accident occurred June 01, 2018

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: ANC22FA066 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

August 11, 2022:  Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. 


Date: 11-AUG-22
Time: 14:12:00Z
Regis#: N3937M
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA12
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: ARCTIC VILLAGE
State: ALASKA

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. 


A pilot died in a crash southeast of Deadhorse last week, an official from the National Transportation Safety Board said.

Another pilot flying Friday in the remote mountainous area just over 100 miles southeast of Deadhorse saw and reported plane wreckage, said Clint Johnson, chief of the NTSB’s Alaska office.

The North Slope Borough Search and Rescue responded to the area late Friday evening and found one man dead in the Piper PA-12, Johnson said. His remains were brought back to Utqiagvik.

The pilot had not been publicly identified by Monday.

Many questions remained unanswered in the days following the crash, including when it occurred, Johnson said. Investigators believe the plane crashed on Wednesday or Thursday, but Johnson said no emergency locator transmitter was ever activated. It wasn’t immediately clear where the plane had taken off from or where it was headed.

Investigators from the NTSB responded to the area on Saturday morning and collected evidence from the accident site, Johnson said. They plan to talk with the pilot’s family members in the coming days, he said.

Officials are also working with the plane owners and insurance company to remove the wreckage, Johnson said.

The North Slope Borough Search and Rescue referred questions to the mayor’s office. A representative could not immediately be reached.

The investigation into what may have caused the crash is ongoing, Johnson said.













Aviation Accident Final Report
 - National Transportation Safety Board

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Nepomuceno, Eleazar

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Nulato, AK
Accident Number: GAA18CA320
Date & Time: 06/01/2018, 2330 AKD
Registration: N3937M
Aircraft: PIPER PA 12
Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries:2 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, while landing off airport on an upsloping ridge, the tailwheel-equipped airplane "touched down harder than preferred." He applied full throttle, initiated a go-around, and attempted to turn toward the down-sloping side of the hill. The airplane briefly became airborne, but it then aerodynamically stalled and nosed down into the tundra.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on upsloping terrain, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings

Aircraft
Angle of attack - Capability exceeded (Cause)
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Sloped/uneven terrain - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Hard landing (Defining event)

Landing-aborted after touchdown
Attempted remediation/recovery
Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 53, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/19/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/24/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 315.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 211.2 hours (Total, this make and model), 252.5 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 16.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N3937M
Model/Series: PA 12 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 12-2825
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/12/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner: DOUGLAS DOWNS
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAKV, 181 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 44 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 156°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 250°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Galena, AK (GAL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Nulato, AK (NUL)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 2100 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 65.000000, -159.416667 (est)

Bombardier CRJ-900LR, N137EV and Boeing 757-231 (WL), N717TW: Incident occurred August 12, 2022 at Boston-Logan International Airport (KBOS), Massachusetts

Endeavor Air

Delta Connection


Delta Air Lines Inc



BOSTON, Massachusetts — A Delta airplane bound for Los Angeles from Boston's Logan Airport struck the wing of another aircraft while taxiing from the gate Friday evening.

A passenger on board Delta Flight 458 posted photos to social media of the damage to the winglet of the Delta Boeing 757 aircraft.

The photo showed the winglet of the Boeing 757 hit the upper tail wing of a CRJ-900 Delta Connection aircraft parked at a nearby gate.

"It was the strangest, like we were in rush hour traffic and we had a fender bender," passenger Samantha Butler said. "It was so strange."

The professor, who is based at UCLA in Los Angeles, had been attending a science conference in Boston and was returning home Friday evening.

"We had barely moved off the gate before this happened," Butler said.

"We’re taxiing out and there is a crunch," Butler said. "Just a crunching sound, and the flight has backed into another plane on the tarmac."

A spokesperson for Massport said the incident involved two Delta aircraft.

"Both were at gates and as one pushed back to depart (at a low rate of speed), it struck the other aircraft’s wing," the spokesperson said.

No passengers were injured.

"We put up our windows and you can see, the plane, the wing tip, has clipped the tail of another plane, a stationary plane on the tarmac," Butler said. "I'm just literally speechless as to how this could happen."

"We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travel plans following minor, low-speed contact of Delta flight 458 with Endeavor flight 5488, operating as a Delta Connection," a spokesperson for Delta said.

"All customers and crew members deplaned safely and normally. Customers will be reaccommodated on new aircraft onto their destinations."

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser, N55338: Incident occurred August 10, 2022 at Paul C Miller-Sparta Airport (8D4), Kent County, Michigan

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: CEN22LA385

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

Aircraft aborted takeoff and slid off the departure end of the runway, down a hill and into a fence. 

PT Arts LLC


Date: 10-AUG-22
Time: 14:45:00Z
Regis#: N55338
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: SPARTA
State: MICHIGAN




SPARTA TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WOOD) — Three people had minor injuries after a single-engine plane crashed in Sparta on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the Kent County Sheriff.

It happened around 11:10 a.m. at the Sparta Miller Airport, located in the 9100 block of Vinton Avenue NW in Sparta Township. 

A single-engine plane was in the middle of taking off when the pilot “aborted takeoff” for an unknown reason and went off the runway, hitting a fence, according to the sheriff’s office.

Three people, including the pilot, were on the plane at the time. All three had minor injuries, deputies said.

Air Tractor AT-502, N73194: Incident occurred August 10, 2022 in Appleton, Swift County, Minnesota

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Aircraft attempting to depart, lost control and went into the grass. 

Schwenk Aircraft Inc


Date: 10-AUG-22
Time: 14:43:00Z
Regis#: N73194
Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR
Aircraft Model: AT-502
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 137
City: APPLETON
State: MINNESOTA

Boeing 767-323, N491AZ: Incident occurred August 10, 2022 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT), Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina

Aircraft landed and post flight inspection revealed a dent on left side of fuselage and leaking hydraulic fluid. 

Cargo Aircraft Management Inc


Date: 10-AUG-22
Time: 20:54:00Z
Regis#: N491AZ
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 767
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: CARGO
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Aircraft Operator: AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
Flight Number: ATN3462
City: CHARLOTTE
State: NORTH CAROLINA

Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N12721: Accident occurred August 11, 2022 in Barbara Lake, Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aircraft experienced engine issues and made a forced landing and flipped onto a swamp. 

Pray Aviation Inc


Date: 12-AUG-22
Time: 04:15:00Z
Regis#: N12721
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: BARBARA LAKE
State: ALASKA

Incident occurred August 12, 2022 at Huntsville International Airport (KHSV), Madison County, Alabama

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (WAFF) - A small twin-engine airplane was forced to make an emergency landing at the Huntsville International Airport Friday morning.

According to Don Webster with Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc. (HEMSI), anyone that was on the plane at the time of the crash was able to make it out safely.

According to a spokesperson at the Huntsville International Airport, a small twin-engine Beechcraft plane had to make an emergency landing due to inoperable landing gear on the aircraft.

The airport’s spokesperson originally described the aircraft as a cargo plane but later described it as a twin-engine Beechcraft.

The airport’s spokesperson also said that there were two people on the plane, and both are safe. The runway is closed while crews work to remove the plane from the runway.

The Huntsville Police Department says that it is assisting the airport police with an emergency landing.

Cessna R172K Hawk XP, N736KP: Accident occurred August 11, 2022 in Fairbanks, Alaska

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: ANC22LA065 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Aircraft flipped over during landing. 


Date: 12-AUG-22
Time: 01:55:00Z
Regis#: N736KP
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: FAIRBANKS
State: ALASKA

Piper PA-34-200T, N553DM: Incident occurred August 11, 2022 at Space Coast Regional Airport (KTIX), Titusville, Brevard County, Florida

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

Aircraft experienced a gear collapse for unknown reasons during landing.  

Euro2000 Inc


Date: 12-AUG-22
Time: 01:15:00Z
Regis#: N553DM
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA34
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TITUSVILLE
State: FLORIDA

Boeing 757-200, N540US: Incident occurred August 06, 2022 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL), Georgia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aircraft experienced a tail strike during go-around.  

Delta Air Lines Inc


Date: 06-AUG-22
Time: 01:15:00Z
Regis#: N540US
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 752
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA AIRLINES
Flight Number: DAL1696
City: ATLANTA
State: GEORGIA

Mooney M20K 231, N30EV: Fatal accident occurred August 13, 2022 in Hanna City, Peoria County, Illinois

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): Williams, David

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois


Location: Hanna City, Illinois
Accident Number: CEN22FA383
Date and Time: August 13, 2022, 12:31 Local
Registration: N30EV
Aircraft: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 13, 2022, about 1231 central daylight time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N30EV, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Hanna City, Illinois. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The flight departed Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico, about 0639 mountain standard time, destined for Peoria International Airport (PIA), Peoria, Illinois.

A review of archived Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that after departure, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 15,000 ft for the almost 5-hour flight. The data showed the flight as continuous with no stops. When the airplane was about 28 miles west of PIA, the pilot established communications with air traffic control (ATC) and
reported inbound for PIA with the current weather information. The controller advised the pilot to enter a right downwind leg for runway 22. When the airplane was about 10 miles west of PIA, the pilot informed ATC that the engine lost all power. When queried if they would be able to reach PIA, the pilot stated that they would be unable. ADS-B data showed the airplane appear to line up for IL Route 116. The last recorded data point showed the airplane traveling west and lined up for IL Route 116 at N. Pekin Lane in Hannah City about 675 ft above mean sea level (msl).

Surveillance camera footage captured the airplane about 1 block east of the last data point. In the video, the landing gear was extended and the propeller appeared to be windmilling. As the airplane descended, it struck powerlines which remained embedded in the vertical stabilizer. A second video taken from inside a vehicle shows the airplane immediately after the powerline contact. The airplane continued the descent and touched down on the roadway. After touch down, the left wing impacted a railing and then a speed limit sign. The airplane continued eastbound and the left wing then impacted a power pole, which separated the left wing about 6’9” outboard of the wing root. The rest of the airplane continued until it impacted a building, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

A postaccident examination revealed that the left-wing fuel tank was breached during the impact and absent of fuel. The right-wing fuel tank remained intact, and when opened, only a small amount of fuel was present inside of the tank. The fuel selector was found to be on “RIGHT TANK.” The fuel strainer contained about 3 oz of fuel and the fuel line into the fuel flow divider was absent of fuel. The fuel flow divider was disassembled and no blockages were observed within the divider or fuel lines that would have prevented fuel from reaching the cylinders. The magnetos were removed and tested utilizing a drill with all leads producing bright blue spark.

A fuel receipt from Jet Center at Santa Fe indicated that 54.2 gallons of fuel was purchased for the accident airplane on August 10, 2022. A review of FAA ADS-B data revealed that following the fuel purchase, the airplane departed SAF and flew one time around the traffic pattern on a flight that lasted about 4 minutes. No additional fuel receipts were located that indicate the airplane was refueled following the flight on August 10th.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. 
Registration: N30EV
Model/Series: M20K 
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: KPIA, 655 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / , 200°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Santa Fe, NM (SAF)
Destination: Peoria, IL (PIA)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.692292,-89.795948

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.


Aircraft experienced engine issues, attempted emergency landing on a highway striking powerlines. 

Date: 13-AUG-22
Time: 17:31:00Z
Regis#: N30EV
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20K
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 2
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: HANNA CITY
State: ILLINOIS


Lisa Kapp Evanson
February 23rd, 1955 - August 13th, 2022

James Evanson
October 13, 1946 - August 13, 2022


James Evanson (75 years) and his wife, business partner, and fellow architect, Lisa Kapp Evanson (67 years), died in a small plane crash near Peoria, Illinois on August 13, 2022.

An artist, architect, and furniture designer working in New York City and Santa Fe, NM, James Evanson was on the forefront of the international "functional art" movement. Since his first showing at Art et Industrie Gallery in New York in 1979, his work was exhibited throughout the world, including: Tokyo, Nagoya, Milan, Hong Kong, and Oslo. Evanson's work has also been shown in museums and galleries throughout the US. His "Lighthouse" lamps received world-wide attention, and his "Lake Dutchess" chair, an interpretation of the classic Adirondack lawn chair, received a Roscoe Best of Seating Award.

Mr. Evanson and his Yale-trained architect wife, Lisa, formed EVANSON STUDIOS, which created high-end residential furniture, interiors, and architecture. They also designed and built numerous houses in Dutchess County in upstate New York. In New York City they designed retail stores, apartment lobbies, and office interiors.

Lisa Evanson managed the custom furniture and apartment design business, which named among its clients Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, the Sony Corporation, The William J. Clinton Foundation, Patricia Hearst, and Edward Albee.

Mr. Evanson lectured at Yale University, Pratt Institute, and Rhode Island School of Design. He was also an instructor at Parson’s School of Design and Art Institute of New York.

Born in Montana, Evanson was a US Army combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. In 1969, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star for bravery in combat.

He went on to study at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he received a degree in architecture.

After 39 years in New York City, with their studio in a landmark building in NoHo, the Evansons relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Upon re-establishing his studio in Santa Fe, Evanson focused on elaborate sculptures in glass, which were shown throughout the US.

He and Lisa designed and built an award-winning home for themselves on a hill overlooking the vast high desert of New Mexico. It was featured in the Santa Fe Parade of Homes.

Jim leaves behind a daughter Pauli, son Arthur, son-in-law Pablo, and grandson Adrian. He is survived by two brothers, Dennis and Paul.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to your local NPR station. Jim treasured learning and growth, and NPR's commitment to create a more informed public.




Here is the best link for the crash video:


It clearly shows he did not hit powerlines, but had just touched down, side shifted to the left to avoid hitting cars, hopped a curb yawed to left and the nose caught the building corner. Three (3) feet to the right and it would have been a different story. 

Listening to ATC, they directed him to the road and did not warn about the town. Hanna City in in the middle of bean and corn fields that would have been survivable. Very sad. 



PEORIA – The single-engine plane that crashed in Hanna City on Saturday had been in the air for nearly five hours, having left Santa Fe, N.M., earlier that day.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are continuing to investigate the accident that killed two people, a pilot and a passenger, on Saturday afternoon. But an initial report from the FAA says the aircraft "experienced engine issues. Attempted emergency landing on highway, striking powerlines."

Killed were James and Lisa Evanson of Santa Fe, said Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. James Evanson, 75, who was flying the plane, suffered severe and detrimental internal bleeding and multiple broken bones that were not sustainable in the short term, Harwood said.

His wife, Lisa, suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries that were not consistent with life and she died instantly, the coroner said.

James Evanson was an accomplished artist who specialized in glass sculpture and functional art. Both he and Lisa Evanson were registered architects, according to an Evanson Studios website. A bio on James' website also says he served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, where he earned several honors including the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. FAA records show that the plane was registered to James, who had a commercial aviation license as well as a license for flying helicopters.

The aircraft crashed about 12:30 p.m. Saturday on Illinois Route 116 and stopped outside of Gil's Supper Club. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said people heard the plane sputtering above KP's Wings and Fries.

The plane navigated between vehicles on the roadway and landed onto Farmington Road, then struck a building on the north side of the road. Both had to be extricated from the plane.

The plane, a Mooney M20K, was built in 1982. The M20 is "one of the most iconic light planes in history," according to Plane & Pilot Magazine, and has been in production for 70 years. The K model is a four-seater and has a 210-horsepower engine, according to Wikipedia.

A statement from the FAA said, "The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates. Neither agency identifies people involved in aircraft accidents."

Eric Weiss, an NTSB spokesman, said his agency will issue a preliminary report in about two weeks, stating what investigators found at the crash site. Several months from now, a full factual report will be issued looking at all aspects of the crash, from the human side of it to the mechanical and environmental sides.

Later, Weiss said, the agency will release a probable-cause report where it will give its assessment on what likely happened. The entire process could take more than a year, he said.

"Our investigators will look at everything involving the pilot, looking at any medical questions: Did they have enough time to rest, were they fatigued on the day of the flight, qualifications and certifications. Then we'll look at the machine itself. We'll get the wreckage and secure it in a local (place) where it's safe so that investigators can still access it. We'll also look at the maintenance records as well," he said.

According to the website Flightaware, which tracks planes, the Mooney M20 made 11 flights from May 28 until it crashed on Saturday. Most of the flights were between two and three hours long and appeared to have the plane making flights to and from stops in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, New Mexico and Texas. None of the previous flights appeared to pass through Illinois or near Peoria.




HANNA CITY, Illinois (WMBD) — The single-engine plane crash in Hanna City on Saturday was likely caused by running out of fuel, based on the pilot’s distress call to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The plane crashed into Gil’s Restaurant on Route 116, killing both pilot James Evanson, 75 and his wife and passenger, Lisa Evanson, 67, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood.

In the nine-minute distress call, James told dispatch he had just 10 gallons of fuel left and unable to make it to a nearby airport runway. Instead, he attempted to land the plane on Route 116 in Hanna City.

“We’ve got a highway here I might need to land on it,” James told the dispatcher.

Towards the end of the call, the dispatcher asked James whether he saw any roads to land on, but there was no reply.

The plane dodged two cars before crashing into the restaurant.

“He was trying to save the people on the ground. He was a hell of a pilot… His left wing hit that pole, knocked the wing off and jerked him into the building. Had he missed that pole, he probably would have slid by Gil’s and be ok,” said eyewitness Ron Gulley, co-owner of Coffee Can.

Gulley said he initially thought it was a semi-truck hitting wires.

“There was a big bang. All the power went out, I think the whole town… It’s not everyday you see a plane land on [Route] 116 in the middle of town,” he said.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said James was initially conscious on the scene, but suffered severe internal bleeding and broken bones. Lisa likely died instantly.

The Evansons’ daughter described her father as an avid airplane and helicopter pilot who served two tours in Vietnam.

She was not at all surprised that he was able to maneuver his plane between the cars, a skill she said was due his expertise as a pilot.

The plane, registered to James Evanson, took off from Santa Fe Airport at 7:30 a.m., according to Flight Aware, a website that provides real-time flight tracking data. It crashed in Hanna City at 12:30 p.m.

The crash is under investigation by Illinois State Police and National Transportation Safety Board.




Peoria County Coroner's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Peoria County) Hanna City - On August 13, 2022, at approximately 12:31pm, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, ISP, Logan-Trivoli Fire Department, Advanced Medical Transport and OSF Healthcare Life Flight Helicopter were called to 12703 W. Farmington Rd for a small aircraft that crashed into a building. 

On arrival, witnesses reported that they heard a “sputter” from the small plane as it was descending, eastbound. The plane heroically navigated between vehicles on the roadway and landed onto Farmington Rd, then striking a building on the North side of the road.  

One occupant, a male, was initially conscious on scene, however, once extricated from the plane, his condition rapidly declined. Despite aggressive resuscitate efforts, he was pronounced deceased on scene.  The second occupant, a female, was unconscious and not breathing on initial assessment; she was pronounced deceased following aggressive resuscitative efforts. Both occupants had to extricated from the plane. It is unknown at this time whether they were restrained in the plane. 

Our office is actively trying to locate next-of-kin. Autopsies on the said deceased are scheduled for Monday.  The NTSB and ISP are investigating. 








Two people died Saturday when a single-engine aircraft crashed on a stretch of Route 116 in Hanna City.

The victims in the plane crash, one man and one woman, have not been identified. Coroner Jamie Harwood said autopsies would be completed Monday.

The plane was a Mooney M20K, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the accident.

The aircraft crashed about 12:30 p.m. Saturday and stopped outside of Gil's Supper Club. Harwood said the plane hit multiple buildings, and people heard the plane sputtering above KP's Wings and Fries.

Ashlyn Barker, a KP's employee, said she was taking an order over the phone, and the restaurant had a line full of people Saturday afternoon. Then suddenly, the lights turned off and the phone disconnected. Her mother called to check on her, and Barker asked what had happened. Her mother told her a plane had crashed.

"I was like, 'Wow.' So we all went out there and saw it," Barker said. "And then we saw all of the cops and the ambulances, and then we had to get back to work."

Firefighters and law enforcement were on the scene, closing a stretch of Route 116. Crews had been working on clearing debris from the streets.

Authorities will notify the public once the road is reopened, according to Kris Keyes, the emergency communications center supervisor.