Saturday, September 17, 2022

Cessna T210M Turbo Centurion, N761DL: Incident occurred September 14, 2022 at Ramona Airport (KRNM), San Diego County, California

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California

Aircraft departed, declared an emergency, returned to land and sparks were observed. 


Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 02:30:00Z
Regis#: N761DL
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: T210
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew:  1 No Injuries
Pax:  0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: RAMONA
State: CALIFORNIA

Piper PA-28R-180 Cherokee Arrow, N3713T: Accident occurred September 14, 2022 in Broomfield, Colorado

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

Aircraft failed to develop power and made an emergency landing in a pond.  

Semo Motorsports & Lawn Equipment LLC


Date: 14-SEP-22
Time: 17:40:00Z
Regis#: N3713T
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28R
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew:  1 No Injuries
Pax: 1 No Injuries
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: BROOMFIELD
State: COLORADO






BROOMFIELD, Colorado (KDVR) — Two people walked away after the small plane they were flying in crashed into a pond in a Broomfield subdivision just before noon Wednesday.

North Metro Fire responded to the incident in the Anthem Ranch neighborhood and said the two occupants of the plane “miraculously” got out safely.

Both people were evaluated by medical personnel but neither needed to be taken to the hospital.

Broomfield Police Public Information Officer Rachel Haslett said the Piper PA-28R-180 Cherokee Arrow plane departed Erie Airport en route to Greeley when the pilot realized something was wrong shortly after takeoff.

It is believed to have been a problem with the power, Haslett said, but the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident to determine the cause of the crash.

The pilot decided to take the plane down in the water to avoid as much damage as possible, Haslett said. The plane clipped a tree on the way down, flipped in the water which popped the doors open and both the pilot and passenger got out safely.

Haslett said the biggest issue from the crash is the cleanup since the pilot had just filled the plane up and approximately 50 gallons of fuel spilled into the pond. She said there is no surrounding environmental threat since it is a closed body of water. However, there are fish in the pond so environmental services are working on the cleanup to reduce the impact of the spill.

“It was an interesting day for sure for those that were playing pickleball when you see a plane go down in the pond right next to you,” Haslett said.

The crash occurred at a retention pond near the Aspen Lodge tennis/pickleball courts and the NTSB will remove the plane after the investigation.

Mooney M20C: Incident occurred September 14, 2022 at Flagler Executive Airport (KFIN), Palm Coast, Florida

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

Aircraft landed and the gear collapsed.  

Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 13:47:00Z
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20C
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew:  1 No Injuries
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: PALM COAST
State: FLORIDA

Eurocopter MBB-BK 117, N987RH: Incident occurred September 13, 2022 in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greater Chicago

Rotorcraft had an unsuccessful mast moment during landing at hospital resulting in a broken left windshield and dented main rotor.  

Air Methods Corporation


Date: 13-SEP-22
Time: 16:19:00Z
Regis#: N987RH
Aircraft Make: EUROCOPTER
Aircraft Model: MBB-BK 117
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Flight Crew:  1 Unknown Injuries
Pax: 1 Unknown Injuries
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
Aircraft Operator: AIR METHODS
City: ROCKFORD
State: ILLINOIS

Piper PA-28-140, N1330T: Incident occurred September 09, 2022 at McPherson Airport (KMPR), Kansas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas

Aircraft bounced during landing and veered off runway striking a taxiway sign. 

Singleton Aviation LLC


Date: 09-SEP-22
Time: 20:30:00Z
Regis#: N1330T
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew: 1 No Injuries
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: MCPHERSON
State: KANSAS

Cessna 210D, N3901Y: Incident occurred September 14, 2022 at Bowman Field Airport (KLOU), Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Louisville, Kentucky

Aircraft landed gear up.  


Date: 14-SEP-22
Time: 16:46:00Z
Regis#: N3901Y
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 210
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew:  1 No Injuries
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: LOUISVILLE
State: KENTUCKY

Thrush S2R-T34 Thrush 510P, N7008M: Incident occurred September 12, 2022 at Flowood Industrial Airport (MS90), Rankin County, Mississippi

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi

Aircraft aborted takeoff and lost directional control, veered off runway and went into a ditch. 

Longwood Flying Service Inc


Date: 12-SEP-22
Time: 16:00:00Z
Regis#: N7008M
Aircraft Make: THRUSH AIRCRAFT
Aircraft Model: S2R-T34
Event Type: INCIDENT
Flight Crew: 1 Minor Injuries
Pax:  0
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: FLOWOOD
State: MISSISSIPPI

Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III, N62FC: Fatal accident occurred September 14, 2022 in Conway, Horry County, South Carolina

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Williams, David

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Charles Lewis; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida 

Location: Conway, South Carolina
Accident Number: CEN22FA419
Date and Time: September 14, 2022, 12:22 Local
Registration: N62FC
Aircraft: Piper PA-28R-201 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 14, 2022, about 1222 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201 airplane, N62FC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Conway, South Carolina. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The flight departed Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, about 1205, and was enroute to Columbus County Municipal Airport (CPC), Whiteville, North Carolina. Shortly after departure from MYR, the pilot reported to air traffic control (ATC) that he was having problems with the compass which resulted in difficulty maintaining assigned headings from ATC. He stated that he wanted to return to the airport and was not declaring an emergency. About 30 seconds later, the pilot reported a loss of engine power. He informed ATC that he was unable to make it back to MYR and had identified an off-field landing area.

Surveillance video captured the airplane as it flew low near trees but did not capture the accident sequence due to a power surge when the airplane impacted a powerline. Witnesses nearby reported seeing the airplane and stated that they heard no engine sound.

The airplane first impacted an estimated 40 ft tall pine tree and then a powerline and came to rest against a berm along a gravel roadway. The right wing and vertical stabilizer separated during the impact with the pine tree and powerline respectively. A post-crash fire ensued which consumed much of the wreckage and back burned to the tree from the initial impact.

A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 connecting rods separated. The left engine crankcase half was fractured inboard of the No.4 cylinder mounting pad. The Nos.3 and 4 connecting rods were separated from their respective crankshaft rod journals and the damaged rod ends were visible through the crankcase fracture. During disassembly of the engine, a vacuum pump cover (item No. 13 in Figure 1 below from the Lycoming Parts Catalog) was removed from the vacuum pump drive pad and no gasket (item No. 11), or remnants of a gasket, were found. Other engine components were removed, and all had remnants of a gasket despite the thermal damage. 

A review of maintenance records found within the accident debris field revealed that the airplane had just undergone an avionics upgrade at a maintenance facility in Myrtle Beach. According to the director of maintenance, the airplane had been at the facility for about 6 to 7 weeks before the accident flight, which was the first flight following the upgrades. The work performed included removal of the vacuum system, installation of two Garmin G5 instruments, and installation of a Garmin GFC-500 autopilot system. The length of time at the facility was due to supply chain issues and not any underlying maintenance concerns. He also stated that the only work conducted on the engine was the removal of the vacuum pump and installation of a blanking plate on the vacuum pump drive pad. No record of the blanking plate installation was found in the logbook entry, nor was there a mention of an engine runup following completion of the work.


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N62FC
Model/Series: PA-28R-201 
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: KMYR, 25 ft msl 
Observation Time: 11:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR)
Destination: Whiteville, NC (CPC)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 33.812086,-78.967363

Aircraft experienced engine issues and crashed in a wooded area and caught on fire.

Date: 14-SEP-22
Time: 16:22:00Z
Regis#: N62FC
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28R
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 2
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal 
Pax:  1 Fatal
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: MYRTLE BEACH
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

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.

Terry Michael Druffel
OCTOBER 2, 1955 – SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Terry Michael Druffel, age 66, of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina passed away on September 14, 2022. Terry was born October 2, 1955. Arrangements will be announced.

Barrie Andrew McMurtie
MARCH 28, 1950 – SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Barrie Andrew McMurtie, age 72, of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina passed away on September 14, 2022. Barrie was born March 28, 1950. Arrangements will be announced.



HORRY COUNTY, South Carolina (WBTW) — A plane that crashed Wednesday in the Conway area leaving two people dead experienced engine issues, according to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Two people were on the small plane that crashed in the woods and caught fire near McNeill Street in the Conway area, according to authorities.

Barrie McMurtrie, 72, and Terry Druffell, 66, both from Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, died from injuries due to the crash, according to Darris Fowler with the coroner’s office.

One of the people on board was listed as flight crew and the second was listed as a passenger, according to the FAA.

The Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III crashed about eight miles north of Myrtle Beach, according to the FAA. The FAA said the information is preliminary and subject to change.

The plane was registered to McMurtrie on June 8, according to FAA registration records.

Pilot Clayton Caldwell has more than 200 hours of experience with that type of plane. He said an engine issue in low altitude with little room to recover is a pilot’s worst nightmare.

“Taking off and landing tends to be the area when most issues tend to happen,” Caldwell said. “It’s kind of a dangerous situation because you have to decide: is it safer to turn back toward the airport, or are you going to put yourself in a more dangerous situation by trying to turn back versus just spotting and looking out to find a safe place to land.”

“Very popular choice for people who are training, for people who just want to get their first plane, or just people who want to get their complex endorsement,” Caldwell said. “Just a very, very popular plane, especially for the cost.”

Caldwell said the plane takes a “Complex Airplane Endorsement” on top of regular flight training because it has retractable landing gear.

Data from Flightradar24.com shows the plane left Myrtle Beach International Airport at 12:07 p.m. and was in the air for about 10 minutes before it crashed. The plane flew parallel to Highway 501 before making a left turn and crossing Highway 544. The plane then made a right turn and flew back across Highway 501, and then another right turn back south towards MYR.

In radio traffic on Broadcastify.com from Myrtle Beach International Airport obtained by News13, authorities are heard discussing the crash at about 12:15 p.m.

“I can see fire,” a person says. “It looks like they probably hit the trees short.”

Multiple people in the audio can be hard saying that they saw smoke.

“Multiple vehicles on scene,” someone said. “It doesn’t look good.”

Editor’s note: The air traffic audio below has been edited down to a condensed version of the full audio, which spanned a 30-minute period between noon and 12:30 p.m.

Keith Holloway, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, told News13 Wednesday afternoon in an email that the agency will be investigating the crash and expects to have an investigator at the scene late Wednesday or early Thursday.

According to Holloway, the investigator will document the scene, examine the aircraft and gather information about air traffic communications, radar data and weather reports. The agency will also try to talk to witnesses and request maintenance records of the aircraft and the medical records and flight history of the pilot. 

“It is important to note that it is very early in the investigation,” Holloway said in a statement. “NTSB does not determine cause in the early part of the investigative process.  This is considered the fact-gathering phase of the investigation. I suspect that [a] preliminary report may be available in about 10 business days.  A typical NTSB investigation can take 12-24 months to complete and determine cause.” 

Cessna 152, N68954: Incident occurred September 15, 2022 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas

Aircraft declared an emergency due to engine issues and land on the interstate. 

US Aviation Group LLC


Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 03:38:00Z
Regis#: N68954
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 152
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Flight Crew: 1 Unknown
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: GAINESVILLE
State: TEXAS





GAINESVILLE, Texas (KXII) -When you arrive at work the last thing you expect to see is an aircraft parked in your work parking lot.

Well that’s what happened to one of Rumpy’s employees.

Glenda Jackson, Rumpy’s cashier said it’s, “not something you see everyday.”

According to DPS, Wednesday night a Cessna 152 aircraft owned by the US Aviation Academy, located in Denton, landed on the southbound lanes of I-35 in Gainesville.

“They said they had an emergency landing last night on the interstate,” said Jackson.

DPS said the pilot, Charles Gray, was having mechanical issues.

“And they couldn’t leave [it on the highway], so the police had pulled it up in our parking lot, because we have a big parking lot,” Jackson added.

Once Jackson knew there were no injuries, she decided to have a little fun with their temporary visitor.

“I was all excited so I came back in and got my camera and I started taking pictures and I told everybody I flew in because I was running late,” Jackson said.

Once daylight broke, the plane was removed from the Rumpy’s parking lot.

“They were going to send a technician out to work on it and take the wings off so they came out and worked on it and then they finally loaded it up and drove off with it,” said Jackson.

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, N2104J: Fatal accident occurred September 14, 2022 in Afton, Virginia

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): Gretz, Robert

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Peter Hantelman; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

BRH Bilbo Holdings LLC


Location: Afton, Virginia
Accident Number: ERA22FA418
Date and Time: September 14, 2022, 23:00 Local 
Registration: N2104J
Aircraft: Piper PA32
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 14, 2022, about 2300 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8262P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Afton, Virginia. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the airport manager at Blue Ridge Airport (MTV), Martinsville, Virginia, the pilot diverted to MTV uneventfully on September 10, 2022, due to weather. He purchased 72 gallons of fuel and return to Pennsylvania on a commercial flight. On the day of the accident, the pilot arrived at MTV to retrieve his airplane with the intention of flying back to his home airport, Smoketown Airport (S37), Smoketown, Pennsylvania.

According to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was in cruise flight at 7,500 ft mean sea level when the pilot reported a rough running engine, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to glide the airplane to Charlottesville-Albermarle (CHO), Charlottesville, Virginia, but the airplane impacted wooded terrain about 15 miles southwest of CHO.

An approximate 100-ft debris path was observed, extending on a 60° magnetic course, consisting of severed trees at a downward angle of approximately 45°. The wreckage came to rest upright, oriented on a magnetic heading of 240°. The cockpit and cabin were consumed by fire. The fuel selector valve exhibited thermal damage and was positioned to the left main fuel tank. The fuel strainer bowl was
thermally damaged, and the fuel strainer screen was destroyed. Flight control cable continuity was continuous from the cockpit to each of the respective control surfaces except for a separation in each of the rudder cables consistent with impact forces. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft propeller flange. Both propeller blades remained in the hub. One blade appeared straight and
undamaged. The other blade was bent aft about 90°. The spinner was crushed on one side.

The engine was subsequently examined at a recovery facility. The crankshaft could not be rotated by hand. Removal of the rear accessory case housing revealed fragments of connecting rod cap on top of the oil sump baffling. Removal of the oil sump revealed about 1 quart of oil remained in the sump with additional metal fragments. The Nos. 1 and 2 cylinders were removed and their respective connecting rods remained intact. The remaining four cylinders could not be removed from the engine case. An access hole was cut through the oil sump baffling to facilitate visual examination. The remaining four connecting rods were fractured. The visual examination revealed that the crankshaft remained intact.

The engine was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N2104J
Model/Series: PA32 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: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: CHO,641 ft msl 
Observation Time: 22:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C /15°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Martinsville, VA (MTV)
Destination: Smoketown, PA (S39)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.985075,-78.716803

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in a field and became engulfed in flames.  

Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 03:00:00Z
Regis#: N2104J
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA32
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 0 
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: CHARLOTTESVILLE
State: VIRGINIA

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.


Kevin James Esh
September 6, 1992 - September 14, 2022
~

Kevin James Esh, age 30 of New Holland, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 after a plane crash in Albemarle County, Virginia. Born in New Holland, he was the son of Sarah King Esh of New Holland and the late Amos R. Esh. Kevin was a member of Branch Community Church. He enjoyed working with his brothers at the company his father Amos founded, Keystone Custom Decks. In his free time, he loved hunting, flying, boating, and spending time with his nephews: Lincoln, Riley, Carter, Lewis, and Brady.

Surviving besides his mother are 6 siblings: Michael J., husband of Rebecca Lalhlimzing Esh of New Holland, Marv L., husband of Katelyn Weaver Esh of Gap, Carolyn J., wife of Nathan Lapp of Coatesville, Timothy D., husband of Ranessa Yoder Esh of East Earl, Rosalyn M., and Annalisa M. Esh, both at home.

Funeral service will take place at Bethel Christian Fellowship, 145 Boot Jack Road, Narvon, on Tuesday, September 20th at 10 a.m. There will be a time to greet the family at the church on Monday, September 19th from 2 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery. 


Kevin James Esh
~


Fifteen minutes before the  Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six he was flying crashed and burned in a wooded area in Virginia late Wednesday, 30-year-old Kevin James Esh of New Holland had calmly radioed air traffic controllers that he was heading toward Washington, D.C., at about 7,500 feet. 

He was losing altitude and seeing a problem with his engine oil pressure, radio transmissions show. The plane had taken off from Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Virginia less than an hour before, according to plane-tracking websites cited by The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, Virginia. The destination, which was never reached, is unknown. 

“I’ve got a rough engine here, and I’m gonna need an airport to land at,” Esh reported at 10:53 p.m. The controller, at Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control, suggested three nearby airports for the 1978 piston-engine plane. Esh chose Eagle’s Nest in Waynesboro, 13 miles away. 

But just a few minutes later, he declared an emergency as the plane, whose fuel tank was about three-quarters full, was quickly losing altitude. By that time, according to The Daily Progress’ reporting, Esh had lost 2,000 feet. 

To reach Eagle’s Nest, the plane would need to fly over the Blue Ridge, with peaks more than 3,000 feet above sea level. With the Piper Cherokee losing altitude, the controller asked Esh just before 11 p.m. if he’d prefer to head to Charlottesville because of “easier terrain.” According to The Daily Progress’ reporting on he radio transmissions:

“I would be fine with going to Charlottesville,” Esh said.

“I see a descent indicating 3,300. Are you losing power?” the controller asked. 

“So far, I can hold it,” Esh replied.

After a few minutes of measured conversation with Esh, the controller noticed the plane’s altitude had dropped to 1,400. 

“Are you able to hold it?” the controller asked. 

“That’s a negative, sir,” Esh replied quietly.

“Try to make it to the road. It looks like you’ve got a road just to the north of you,” the controller guided.

“Can’t see anything where am I going” was the pilot’s final transmission, about 11:06 p.m. 

Esh, who worked at the family business, Keystone Custom Decks in East Earl Township, died in the crash. He was the only person in the plane. Radar contact was lost about 15 miles southwest of Charlottesville airport. The plane went down in an Albemarle County, Virginia, forest.

According to Esh’s obituary, he was the son of Sarah King Esh and the late Amos R. Esh, and was one of seven children. He worked with his brothers at the family business, founded by his father, and loved hunting, boating and flying. His funeral will be held on Tuesday at Bethel Christian Fellowship, 145 Boot Jack Road, Narvon. The obituary can be found here. 

Virginia State Police were coordinating with the National Transportation Board and Federal Aviation Administration in investigating the crash and removing the wreckage at the end of last week. While state police have not yet publicly identified the pilot, Esh’s obituary reports that he was killed in a plane crash in Albemarle County, Virginia, and online flight records show the plane had left Smoketown Airport in Lancaster County on September 9, arriving in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on September 10 before heading to Blue Ridge in Virginia. 

Bethel Christian Fellowship will be live-streaming Esh's funeral on its YouTube page.


Charlottesville,  Virginia -  Potomac Approach,” radioed the pilot. “Level at seven thousand, five hundred.”

The man’s voice was calm as he notified air-traffic controllers at Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control that the Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six plane was heading toward Washington, D.C. airspace at an altitude of about 7,500 feet.

Fifteen minutes later, he was dead or dying in a southern Albemarle forest.

The Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six crashed and burned on a rural tract, killing the pilot, the plane’s sole occupant, around 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to Virginia State Police. His identify remained unknown as of Thursday night.

The plane, according to plane-tracking websites, took off from Blue Ridge Regional Airport, about nine miles southwest of Martinsville, less than an hour before the crash. Although it headed northeast, its intended destination is unknown. Efforts to reach the owner, Ronnie Bilbo, of Lubbock, Texas, have been unsuccessful.

What is likely is that the plane, built in 1978, was suffering from engine trouble, according to statements radioed by the pilot, who told a controller he saw a problem with the engine’s oil pressure.

“I’ve got a rough engine here, and I’m gonna need an airport to land at,” he radioed around 10:53 p.m.

By that point, the pilot of plane N-2104J may have already lost 1,000 feet of elevation over Nelson County in the vicinity of Nellysford. The controller quickly suggested three nearby airports, with Waynesboro’s Eagle’s Nest as the closest, just 13 miles away.

The pilot chose Waynesboro and got vectors for a left turn.

Within a minute, however, the plane lost another thousand feet.

“Are you declaring an emergency?” asked the controller.

“I am declaring emergency,” the pilot replied.

The pilot noted that he had about 70 gallons of fuel onboard, nearly three quarters of the plane’s tank capacity. It’s enough to reach airports in New England at the plane’s cruising speed of 160 miles per hour, but it could have devastating results on impact.

About a minute before 11 p.m., the controller asked the pilot if he’d like to consider flying to Charlottesville because of “easier terrain.” Even though it’s further away, about 20 miles versus 10 miles, both men likely realized at this point that reaching Eagle’s Nest required flying over the Blue Ridge. The tops of Wintergreen Resort, Humpback Rock, and other nearby peaks stand more than 3,000 feet above sea level.

“I would be fine with going to Charlottesville,” the pilot responded calmly.

“I see a descent indicating 3,300,” said the controller. “Are you losing power?”

“So far, I can hold it,” the pilot replied.

“So you would prefer Charlottesville? Like I said, Eagle’s Nest is the closest.”

“Keep to Charlottesville, please,” said the pilot, in measured words.

After a few minutes of discussing the elevation and weather at CHO, the controller voiced another concern.

“Altitude indicates 1,400,” says the controller. “Are you able to hold it?”

The pilot’s reply came quietly: “That’s a negative, sir.”

“Try to make it to the road,” implored the controller. “It looks like you’ve got a road just to the north of you.”

“Can’t see anything where am I going,” came the final reply.

The time was about six minutes after 11:00.

In desperation, the controller continued to voice ideas. There’s a grass airstrip at the Bundoran subdivison, but the controller ruefully noted that it’s likely invisible in the dark. Radar contact has been lost, he said, 15 miles southwest of the Charlottesville airport. The location was near the intersection of Plank and Stillhouse Creek Roads.

Eighty-year-old Holmes Brown and his wife were in their house when the plane fell into a forest on their land several hundred yards from their house.

“I thought it was the wind blowing a door closed,” said Brown. “It was that brief.”

Brown says that the Stillhouse Creek Road, which divides his tracts, is regularly plied by apple trucks serving nearby Crown Orchard. Even after his wife mentioned hearing two booms after the first sound, he said their thoughts went to “spot-lighters,” the unsportsman night-time deer hunters. He said they didn’t see the fire.

“So we didn’t think anything of it until the sirens and the flashing lights showed up,” said Brown.

A line of Virginia State Police troopers kept watch over the property Thursday. The wreckage — located near a creek called Whiteside Branch — was not visible from public roads, though the top trunk and upper limb of a nearby pine tree showed fresh damage.

Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller said that the identification of the pilot would come no sooner than Friday after positive identification from the state medical examiner’s office and notification of the pilot’s relatives. Geller said that investigators with the National Transportation Board and Federal Aviation Administration visited the scene Thursday afternoon and will return Friday morning to coordinate the removal of the wreckage.

Van's RV-6A, N992KS: Fatal accident occurred September 14, 2022 in Preston, Franklin County, Idaho

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: WPR22FA347 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.  


Date: 14-SEP-22
Time: 23:18:00Z
Regis#: N992KS
Aircraft Make: VANS
Aircraft Model: RV6
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: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91

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.


Franklin County Idaho Sheriff's Office - 

At approximately 10:50 a.m. today our office received a report of a possible downed aircraft, east of Preston, near the Franklin County and Bear Lake County line. It has not been confirmed at this point and both Counties have Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement members on the ground in the area. There are no other details at this time. As more information is known we will add to this release.

UPDATE: The aircraft has been located in Franklin County. There are two victims that are deceased. Recovery is in process. No other details will be released until tomorrow. Please respect the privacy of the victims families. Please keep those families and the first responders that will be up there most of the night in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

UPDATE # 2: We are still waiting to make sure all family members have been notified before releasing the names of the deceased victims. The victims have been identified as husband and wife and are from Oregon. They were in the process of going on several cross country flights. At the time of the crash they were enroute from Boise, Idaho to Rock Springs, Wyoming. We still have a recovery team on scene.. Appropriate investigators are enroute here and are expected to be on scene today. We again express our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the victims. We also continue to offer thoughts and prayers for the safety of our vigilant first responders. Thank you.

UPDATE # 3. Release of names of the deceased victims.

Pilot: Jerry N. Trolard, 63 YOA, From Vale Oregon

Passenger: Margaret R. Trolard, 68 YOA, From Vale Oregon

All investigators are or have been to the crash scene. Our investigation and recovery are completed. As Sheriff of Franklin County, I want to personally thank all that assisted with the searching and recovery operation. Many put their own safety and time aside and gave many hours. This was a hard event to get through. Once again we send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Trolard's.

Sheriff David Fryar
Franklin County

Van's RV-8A, N955DK: Incident occurred September 14, 2022 at Horak Airport (7AL9), Baldwin County, Alabama

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Alabama and NW Florida

Aircraft landed hard, nose gear collapsed and flipped over. 

R&V Properties LLC


Date: 14-SEP-22
Time: 17:30:00Z
Regis#: N955DK
Aircraft Make: VANS
Aircraft Model: RV8
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Flight Crew: 1 Unknown Injuries
Pax: 0 
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: ELBERTA
State: ALABAMA

Yakovlev Yak-55M, N307GS: Accident occurred September 15, 2022 in Waldo, Alachua County, Florida

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

Aircraft made a forced landing in a field for unknown reasons. 


Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 12:15:00Z
Regis#: N307GS
Aircraft Make: YAKOVLEV
Aircraft Model: YAK-55
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew: 1 No Injuries 
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: WALDO
State: FLORIDA





WALDO, Florida – A Yakovlev Yak-55M plane with only the pilot aboard crashed in a flooded ditch northeast of Gainesville Regional Airport early Thursday and flipped, authorities and witnesses said. The pilot survived and was being checked at a nearby hospital.

The 53-year-old pilot, who was not initially identified, was pulled from the wreckage by a farm worker about 8 a.m. Thursday, said Debra Yarborough, the office manager for Straughn Farms.

The Yakovlev Yak-55M, built in 1992, was upside down in a farm field next to a tractor as fire trucks, sheriff’s cruisers and a helicopter from Alachua County responded to the scene.  

“He’s lucky he went down in water,” Yarborough said, “because if he hadn’t it probably would have killed him.”

Authorities took the pilot to UF Health Shands Hospital to be checked for injuries, said Becky Butscher, a spokeswoman for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. 

It was not immediately clear where the plane took off or was headed, Butscher said.







HAMPTON, Florida (WCJB) - Rescue crews saved a pilot after a small plane crash near the Alachua Bradford County line on Thursday morning.

Alachua County Fire Rescue crews say the crash happened around 8:30 a.m. south of Hampton near Northeast County Road 1471. A pilot attempted to make an emergency landing on the road. The plane went into a ditch and overturned.

Emergency crews had to rescue the pilot who was trapped inside the aircraft. The pilot was taken to the hospital.

Drivers were asked by authorities to avoid the area. FAA is investigating the crash.

Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior, N43234: Incident occurred September 15, 2022 in Bainbridge, Decatur County, Georgia

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

Aircraft experienced an engine issue and made a forced landing in a field. 

ACOM Aviation Academy LLC


Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 17:59:00Z
Regis#: N43234
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew: 1 No Injuries
Pax:  0 
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: BAINBRIDGE
State: GEORGIA

Beechcraft M35 Bonanza, N9876R: Accident occurred September 15, 2022 near Henderson Executive Airport (KHND), Clark County, Nevada

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

Aircraft was short of runway and crashed on boulevard.


Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 18:34:00Z
Regis#: N9876R
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: M35
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew:  1 No Injuries
Pax: 1 No Injuries 
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: LAS VEGAS
State: NEVADA



A small plane crashed on a Henderson roadway Thursday morning.

Henderson firefighters were called at 11:32 a.m. to Volunteer Boulevard and Raiders Way after a Beechcraft M35 Bonanza crashed onto the roadway, according to a Tweet from the Henderson Fire Department.

No one was injured in the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane landed just short of a runway with two people on board.

Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N924MC: Incident occurred September 15, 2022 at Nashville International Airport (KBNA), Tennessee

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

Aircraft incurred a propeller strike after taxiing behind a B737.

Triton Wings LLC


Date: 15-SEP-22
Time: 21:56:00Z
Regis#: N924MC
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Flight Crew:  1 No Injuries
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: NASHVILLE
State: TENNESSEE