Sunday, October 23, 2022

Stolp SA-300 Starduster Too, N160JR: Accident occurred October 23, 2022 in Lordstown, Trumbull County, Ohio



The investigation continues into Sunday afternoon’s plane crash that injured a father and son in Lordstown.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a Stolp SA-300 Starduster Too experimental aircraft experienced mechanical failure and crashed along Carson Salt Springs Road in Lordstown just after 2 p.m.

Both on-duty and off-duty Lordstown firefighters were joined by those from the Newton Falls Joint Fire Departments after flames engulfed the plane.

The pilot, 55-year-old Gerald Rhinehart Jr. of Lordstown, and his passenger, 26-year-old Benjamin Rhinehart were taken to Mercy Health in Youngstown for treatment of injuries.

Carson Salt Springs Road was closed during the investigation but has since re-opened.




LORDSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were on the scene of a plane crash around 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

It happened on the 400 block of Salt Springs Road in Lordstown.

911 Caller: “Our neighbor has a plane and he crashed it”

911 Dispatcher: “Has what?”

911 Caller: “Has a plane. Our neighbor has a plane and he crashed it”

According to OSHP Sgt. Erik Golias, both the people in the plane were taken to Saint Elizabeth Hospital.

The plane took off from the 500 block of Salt Springs Road when it experienced mechanical failure, hit the pasture, slid into the fence and caught fire.

According to the family of the pilot, the pilot, 55-year-old Gerald Rhinehart Jr., and his son, 26-year-old Benjamin Rhinehart, both jumped out of the plane.

The plane is a Stolp SA-300 Starduster Too experimental aircraft that seats two people.

It’s the third reported plane crash across the state this week.

Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder, N8580N: Accident occurred October 23, 2022 near Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport (KSPA), 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): Gerhardt, Adam

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

Additional Participating Entity:
James Jackson; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina 

A1 Aviation LLC


Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Accident Number: ERA23LA037
Date and Time: October 23, 2022, 17:00 Local
Registration: N8580N
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-235 
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 23, 2022, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28-235 airplane, N8580N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport (SPA), Spartanburg, South Carolina. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot reported that the preflight inspection, run-up, and takeoff were routine. On climb out, about 600 ft above ground, he heard a “boom”, the engine rpm dropped to zero, and the engine lost all power. He immediately pitched for best glide airspeed and completed a forced landing on a city street. During the rollout, the pilot turned into an auto parts store, evacuated the passengers and himself, and deployed a fire extinguisher toward the engine and cowling due to smoke emanating from that area. The airplane struck power lines during the landing approach, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector performed a visual examination of the engine. He observed evidence of smoke and fire damage on the engine and cowling area. There were no obvious signs of a catastrophic engine failure.

The airplane was powered by a Lycoming O-540-B4B5, 235-horsepower, reciprocating engine.

The most recent annual inspection was completed on February 15, 2022.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N8580N
Model/Series: PA-28-235 NO SERIES
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: SPA,801 ft msl 
Observation Time: 16:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C /0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Spartanburg, SC
Destination: Sylva, NC (24A)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Fire: Both in-flight and on-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 34.924826,-81.969373

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina (FOX Carolina) - Spartanburg Police said a small plane made an emergency landing on a road on Sunday evening that caused a few power outages.

Police said the landing happened near John B. White Boulevard, but no injuries were reported.

As of 6:13 p.m., all of the roads in the area are re-opened. 

According to Duke Energy, only 165 customers in the area are without power.

Police said traffic might be delayed near Kensington and John B. White Boulevard as well as Southport Road and John B. White Boulevard.

Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II, N39628: Accident occurred October 23, 2022 near Palm Beach County Park Airport (KLNA), Florida

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): McCarter, Lawrence

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Juan Garcia; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida 


Location: Lake Worth, Florida
Accident Number: ERA23LA040
Date and Time: October 23, 2022, 16:10 Local
Registration: N39628
Aircraft: Piper PA-32RT-300T
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 23, 2022, about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39628, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Worth, Florida. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, after an uneventful flight and landing at Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), West Palm Beach, Florida, the pilot purchased 10 gallons of aviation fuel for a total fuel load of 27 gallons for his next flight to Okeechobee County Airport (OBE), Okeechobee, Florida, about 55 nautical miles away. The pilot took off and climbed out normally. Shortly after retracting flaps and making a power adjustment, the engine started losing power. His attempt to regain power was unsuccessful; The pilot stated there was “no roughness” in the engine prior to or during the power loss. Unable to maintain level flight, and with an altitude of 300 ft above ground level, he was forced to land on a paved dead end road. During final approach, the airplane struck the top of trees. The airplane impacted the ground short of the road and skidded to a stop up against a guardrail.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage and found that the fuselage was buckled and, the impact broke the left wing mid span and sheared off the right wingtip. The fuel tanks were compromised spilling fuel around the impact site. An initial examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N39628
Model/Series: PA-32RT-300T
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: LNA, 14 ft msl
Observation Time: 16:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /19°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / , 10°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: West Palm Beach, FL (LNA) 
Destination: Okeechobee, FL (OBE)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 26.593056,-80.085065 (est)



PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida — The pilot of a small plane was taken to a hospital after making a hard landing Sunday afternoon in John Prince Park near Lake Worth Beach, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The aircraft went down near Tim Granowitz Pavilion just after 4 p.m.

It appeared that the plane knocked down some tree branches and part of a fence before finally skidding on a road.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said the pilot, who was the only person aboard the plane, is expected to survive.

There are no reports that anyone on the ground was injured.

It's unclear what caused the plane to go down.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

Beechcraft A24R Sierra 200, N8020R: Fatal accident occurred October 21, 2022 in Keene, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Monadnock Aviation Inc


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.




The two men killed when the small plane they were in crashed into an apartment building in Keene on Friday were both pilot rated, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board said Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration had previously said a Beechcraft A24R Sierra 200 aircraft crashed into a building north of Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Keene just before 7 p.m. Friday. City officials said no one was injured in the building hit by the plane.

On Sunday, Tim Monville, a senior air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the aircraft took off from Runway 2, located roughly a half mile from the crash site, and communications indicate the pilot intended to remain in a traffic pattern, but did not specify his exact intentions.

“That was recorded audio. One of the occupants (of the plane) said that,” said Monville. “When I say around the pattern, you're basically flying a circuit around the runway, to either do an approach or do a landing. I don’t know what their intention was, so I can't expand upon that.”

There were no communications mentioning problems with the plane, Monville said.

Officials have not released the names of the victims to the public.

It is still not clear how or why the plane crashed.

Bystanders’ photos and videos posted online show a small apartment building engulfed in flames after the crash.

Monville said investigators have video from two different cameras in the area that captured the crash and the ensuing fireball.

People were home when the plane crashed into the building, Keene Fire Department Chief Donald Farquhar said, but no one in the building was hurt.

The fire spread quickly from the crash, and it took firefighters almost two hours to bring the fire under control.

Monville said the Keene fire department’s ladder truck was “instrumental” in helping to recover wreckage from the site.

“There was an extensive post-crash fire,” said Monville. “The cockpit and both wings were nearly consumed.”

It’s possible smaller pieces of wreckage may remain commingled in the debris. If so, they will be recovered during the demolition process, Monville said.

The wreckage will be secured at a nearby facility where investigators will attempt to reconstruct the airplane and look at the engine systems, Monville said.

Investigators also plan to look at the maintenance records of the airplane, and interviews are scheduled for Monday with maintenance personnel.

Investigators are also awaiting the autopsy and toxicology results on the victims, Monville said.

“We require autopsies and toxicology on both, and that’s routine in any accident,” said Monville. “It’s not that we suspect anything. We don’t, It’s just routine.”

The plane was owned by Monadnock Aviation, said Keene Mayor George Hansel.

Monadnock Aviation offers charter flights, and training for people who want to get recreational pilot’s licenses.

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration expected the plane’s identification number would be made public Monday.

ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, N99345: Fatal accident occurred December 05, 2022 near Corning Municipal Airport (KCRZ), Adams County, Iowa

Steve Porter 
September 24, 1942 - December 5, 2022
~


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.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Lemishko, Alexander

Additional Participating Entity: 
Tony Will; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Iowa

Steven B. Porter


Location: Corning, Iowa
Accident Number: CEN23FA059
Date and Time: December 5, 2022, 12:38 Local 
Registration: N99345
Aircraft: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On December 5, 2022, about 1238 central standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N99345, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Corning, Iowa. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

An annual inspection was completed at a repair facility at the Rankin Airport (78Y), Maryville, Missouri. The airplane departed 78Y about 1200 and was flown by the pilot/owner back to its home base at the Corning Municipal Airport (CRZ), Corning, Iowa.

There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. A witness located near CRZ reported that she saw the airplane approach runway 36 at a low altitude and high speed. Several nearby residents reported that they heard a loud crash and saw a fire in a cow pasture. The airplane wreckage was found about 900 ft from the departure end of runway 36. Evidence at the accident site showed that the airplane struck a 50-ft tall tree and electrical wires about 600 ft beyond the departure end of runway 36. The main wreckage of the airplane was found about 300 ft beyond the tree and electrical wires. When emergency personnel arrived at the accident site, the wreckage was engulfed in flames.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane passed through electrical wires and a tree. The aircraft became inverted before ground impact. Several tree branches showed cuts consistent with rotating propeller blade contact, and a small piece of the right wingtip was found in the tree. One propeller blade leading edge showed marks consistent with contact of the electrical wire. Several ground scars consistent with propeller blade cuts were found along the debris path on a magnetic heading of 360-degrees. Examination of the runway did not show any skid marks associated with the landing gear tires of the airplane. It is unknown if the airplane touched down on runway 36. Examination of the runway and wreckage did not reveal any evidence of a on ground collision with wildlife.

Most of the airplane cockpit and fuselage structure was consumed by a post-impact fire. The outer portion of both wings (outboard of the main landing gears) and most of the empennage were separated, but intact. Flight control continuity from the cockpit to the ailerons, elevator, and rudders was established. (Note: The airplane was designed with automatically coordinated ailerons, nose gear, and rudder system via mechanical linkage from the cockpit. No rudder pedals were installed.) No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were found with the flight control system or airframe structure. The wheels and brake system were examined, and no anomalies were found. The engine was disassembled in detail, and no pre-impact anomalies were found. Both propeller blades had S-bends consistent with rotation at the time of impact.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen records, the pilot held a student pilot certificate issued on April 5, 2018. No records were found indicating that the pilot held a private pilot certificate. According to FAA aircraft registration records, the pilot purchased the airplane on June 24, 2018. No pilot logbooks were available, so his career total flight time is unknown. The airplane was the only airplane owned by the pilot. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records showed that the airplane was flown about 35 hours since the pilot purchased the airplane in 2018. The aircraft had been flown 11 hours in the last 3 years, and 4.5 hours in the last year prior to the accident. In an interview with the repair facility technician at 78Y, the technician reported that when the pilot delivered the airplane for its annual inspection, a flight instructor was flying with the pilot.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH
Registration: N99345
Model/Series: ERCOUPE 415-C 
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: KCSQ,1294 ft msl 
Observation Time: 12:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 6°C /-4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 340°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.77 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Maryville, MO (78Y)
Destination: Corning, IA (CRZ)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.999302,-94.754886


Steve Porter, 80, of Corning, Iowa, entered eternal rest on Monday, December 5, 2022 in Corning. Private Graveside Services will be held at the Grove Cemetery in rural Lenox, Iowa. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the Corning United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Memories and condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Steven Bernard Porter, the son of James Bernard and Elizabeth (Walton) Porter, was born on September 24, 1942 in Altoona, Iowa. Steve graduated from Southeast Polk High School with the Class of 1960. He then attended Iowa State University graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in animal science. On September 16, 1961, Steve married Donna Kay Morlan in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Three children: Laura, Wendy and Matt would bless this union. Steve and Donna lived in Nevada, Iowa for ten years prior to moving to their current farm south of Corning in 1974.

Steve was a hard worker and was one never to set idle. During the day he would tend to his farm raising cattle, pigs, crops and later sheep. After his farm work was finished, he would go to work as mechanic working late into the night. In his own words he was a “Jack of all trades and a master of none”!

He liked stockcar and motorcycle racing, tractor pulls, and flying. He enjoyed many trips on his motorcycle with friends and family. He also enjoyed riding horses. He was an avid musician playing the guitar and banjo. Steve was a good neighbor and enjoyed taking time to support the neighborhood kids.

Steve was a member of the Windriders 1533, Blacksmith and Welder’s Association and the Nut’s on Wheels Motorcycle Club. He was a lifetime member of the American Motorcycle Association and the National Rifle Association. He held various offices in all the associations he was a part of.

Left to cherish Steve’s memory are his children: Laura Fritz of Corning, Iowa, Wendy Marshall and husband, John of Nodaway, Iowa and Matt Porter and wife, Sarah of Exira, Iowa; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sister, Ruth Hurst and husband, Gail of Michigan; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; parents, James and Elizabeth; infant grandson, Aiden; aunt, Bernice Walton and mother and father-in-law, Edith and Donald Morlan.


Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances 100 feet off departure end Runway 36.

Date: 05-DEC-22
Time: 18:34:00Z
Regis#: N99345
Aircraft Make: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH
Aircraft Model: ERCOUPE 415-C
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1
Pax:0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: CORNING
State: IOWA

CORNING, Iowa — Officials are investigating a plane crash that led to the death of one man Monday near Corning, says the Iowa State Patrol.

A plane took off from an airport in Adams County at approximately 12:38 p.m. with one man — the pilot, 80-year-old Steven Porter — on board.

According to Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla, the aircraft hit a power line during takeoff. Porter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Loved ones say he was a harder worker and was always on the go.

The celebration of life service for Porter will take place December 17 at Corning United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.