The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Lakeview, South Dakota
Accident Number: CEN19FA307
Date and Time: September 8, 2019, 00:00 Local
Registration: N73000
Aircraft: Cessna 140
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation
Analysis
The student pilot was conducting a low-level aerial observation flight with his son to determine the level of water in towers on farms nearby. The time of the student pilot’s departure from his private airstrip and the time of the accident could not be determined. The amount of fuel in the airplane at takeoff was undetermined. After contact from concerned family members, law enforcement located the wreckage the next day about 825 ft from the approach end of the pilot's airstrip.
Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Airplane wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with the airplane being configured for landing. Propeller signatures indicated little or no rotation at the time of impact. The impact damage was consistent with a loss of control in flight, followed by the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. The reason for the loss of control in flight could not be determined.
The student pilot was taught to fly by his grandfather. It is possible the student pilot was teaching his son to fly; however, it was undetermined if that was occurring during the accident flight. The pilot held a student pilot certificate and therefore was prohibited by regulation from carrying a passenger. Additionally, the student pilot's endorsement for flight operations was expired, and he did not hold an endorsement for the accident airplane make and model.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack, an aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with terrain, and the student pilot’s non-compliance and lack of experience.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Angle of attack - Capability exceeded
Personnel issues Monitoring equip/instruments - Student/instructed pilot
Not determined (general) - Unknown/Not determined
Personnel issues Qualification/certification - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Total experience - Student/instructed pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Enroute Aerodynamic stall/spin
Enroute Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
On September 8, 2019, at an undetermined time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N73000, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lakeview, South Dakota. The student pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 aerial observation flight.
Local law enforcement reported that according to family members, the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot and his son to fly around the local area for the aerial observation of various large water towers stationed on farms on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. It was unknown what time the airplane departed for the flight from the student pilot's private airstrip.
The student pilot would normally fly the airplane low, over the water towers, and look down into the water towers to determine the water level. He would then report the water level to the farmers. It was unknown if the pilot was compensated by the farmers for performing the aerial observation work.
After not hearing from the student pilot and his son for several hours, concerned family members contacted local law enforcement officers, who then initiated a search for the missing airplane. The wreckage was located about 0800 central daylight time on September 9, 2019.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 39,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 16, 2014
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 29, 2015
Flight Time: (Estimated) 40 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 20 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)
A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) electronic airmen registry for the student pilot revealed that he held a student pilot certificate. The limitation listed on the student pilot certificate states, "carrying passengers is prohibited." Title 14 CFR 61.89 discusses the limitations for student pilots and states that a student pilot may not act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger. It was undetermined if the passenger was manipulating the flight controls during the flight.
A review of the student pilot's logbook showed that he started logging flight time in August 2007 and that the last logged flight was in November 2015. The student pilot had received an endorsement to conduct solo flights in a Cessna 150 airplane. The endorsement was dated October 29, 2015, and expired in July 2016. No further endorsements were found. No solo flight endorsements were found listed for a Cessna 140. Title 14 CFR 61.87(n) discusses the limitations for student pilots operating an aircraft in solo flight and states the following:
A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student pilot has received an endorsement in the student's logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown by an authorized instructor who gave the training within the 90 days preceding the date of the flight.
The flight instructor who provided the initial solo endorsement for the student pilot described the student pilot as a "safe pilot" except that he flew with his son and wasn’t supposed to as a student pilot. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was taught to fly by his grandfather, who was not a certificated pilot. He further reported that the student pilot knew he was not supposed to fly with passengers as a student pilot.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N73000
Model/Series: 140 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 10205
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 7, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1451 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 4 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2093.67 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: C-85-12
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 85 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
The amount of fuel in the airplane before the flight departed was undetermined. The airframe and engine were modified to use automotive fuel (referred to as MOGAS) in accordance with FAA supplemental type certificates.
The airplane was not equipped with a carburetor temperature system or a stall warning indicator, nor was it required to be.
A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed no evidence of any uncorrected mechanical discrepancies with the airframe and engine.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVTN,2590 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 00:52 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 131°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2200 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 50°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lakeview, SD (None)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Lakeview, SD (None)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
A review of weather data from 1652 to 2152 from the Miller Field Airport (VTN), Valentine, Nebraska, showed temperatures between 16°C (60.8°F) and 19°C (66.2°F), along with dew points between 11°C (51.8°F) and 12°C (53.6°F). The reported conditions for those times indicated a probability of serious icing at either cruise or glide power settings per the carburetor icing probability graph from the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention.
Airport Information
Airport: Private Airstrip None
Runway Surface Type: Dirt; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 2923 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
The student pilot's private airstrip, which was about 65 ft wide and 1,850 ft long, consisted of grass and dirt. The airstrip was about 5.5 miles southwest of Lakeview and was oriented about 350° and about 170° (runway 35-17, respectively). It was undetermined if the airstrip had runway lighting.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 43.039443,-100.80555(est)
The airplane came to rest on a heading of 24° and at an elevation of 2,910 ft above mean sea level on grass. The airplane was about 825 ft to the northwest of the approach end of runway 17 at the student pilot's private airstrip.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.
Evidence was consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a near-vertical, nose-down, leftwing-low attitude. The tail was bent slightly up and over the fuselage. The left- and right-wing leading edges sustained significant impact compression damage. All components of the airframe and engine were located at the accident site. Flight control continuity was established for the airframe.
Control continuity was established for the engine.
A flap impact-related witness mark was observed on the right side of the fuselage indicating the flaps were extended at the time of impact.
Due to impact damage, the position of the carburetor heat control at the time of the accident was not determined.
The two wing fuel tanks were breached from the accident sequence, and the fuel level at the time of impact was undetermined. A small amount of fuel was obtained from both fuel tanks.
The fuel had unknown debris in it and was a slight yellow color.
The propeller remained attached to the engine. One propeller blade remained relatively straight and exhibited paint burnishing with diagonal scratches on the cambered side. The other propeller blade was bent aft around the engine cowling at approximately midspan and did not exhibit rotational impact signatures.
The examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Sanford Health Pathology Clinic, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The cause of the death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries.
The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on specimens from the pilot; testing was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol.
Organizational and Management Information
FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention informs pilots of the potential hazards associated with carburetor icing. This document does not include information about the probability of carburetor icing occurring with MOGAS. The FAA reported it has not published any information or disclaimers for the public about MOGAS and the formation of carburetor icing.
Accident Number: CEN19FA307
Date & Time: 09/08/2019, 2000 CDT
Registration: N73000
Aircraft: Cessna 140
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation
On September 8, 2019, about 2000 central daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 140 airplane, N73000, impacted terrain in a remote rolling prairie on the Rosebud Indian Reservation (RIR) near Lakeview, South Dakota. The student pilot and the passenger both sustained fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the student pilot under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the student pilot's private airstrip near Lakeview.
According to first responders who spoke with family members, the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot and his son to fly around the local area for aerial observation of various large water towers stationed on farms on the RIR. The student pilot would fly the airplane low, over the water towers, and look down into the water towers to determine the water level. He would then report the water level back to the farmers.
The student pilot's airstrip, which was about 65 ft wide and 1,850 long, consisted of grass and dirt. The airstrip was about 5.5 miles southwest of Lakeview on private property. The airstrip was oriented about 350° and about 170°, runway 35-17 respectively.
After not hearing from the student pilot and his son for several hours, concerned family members contacted first responders. The wreckage was discovered about 0800 by first responders on September 9, 2019. The accident site, located on private property, was about 825 ft to the northwest of the airstrip threshold for landing on runway 17.
The NTSB investigator-in-charge and an air safety investigator from Textron Aviation (the type certificate holder for the Cessna 140) responded to the accident site on September 10, 2019. The investigative team members documented the accident site and the wreckage. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 24° and at an elevation of 2,910 ft above mean sea level. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing structures, the fuselage, and the empennage as shown below in figure 1 and figure 2. All components of the airframe and the engine were located at the accident site. The two wing fuel tanks were breached from the accident sequence and the onboard fuel level at the time of the impact was undetermined.
Figure 1 – View of the wreckage looking to the south. The pilot's private airstrip is in the upper right corner of the photograph near the trees.
Figure 2 – View of the wreckage looking to the north.While the airplane was conducting a low-level aerial observation flight, the airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system or angle of attack indicator system, nor was it required to be.
A review of the Federal Aviation Administration electronic airmen registry for the student pilot, revealed that he held a student pilot certificate. The limitation listed on the student pilot certificate states, "carrying passengers is prohibited." 14 CFR Part 61.89 discusses the limitations for student pilots and states that a student pilot may not act as a pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger.
The two-seat capacity airplane, serial number 10205, was manufactured in 1946. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors C-85-12 engine, serial number 23455-6-12.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N73000
Model/Series: 140 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVTN, 2590 ft msl
Observation Time: 0052 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2200 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Lakeview, SD (None)
Destination: Lakeview, SD (None)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 43.039444, -100.805556 (est)
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
Michael J. Hodges
Investigator In Charge (IIC)
National Transportation Safety Board
Clint James VanderWey
Jed attended Zion Lutheran School through seventh grade and then went to Valentine Community Schools. He was a sophomore at Valentine High School. Jed participated in wrestling and excelled in cross-country and track.
This summer, Jed was employed by Danielski Harvesting. He worked his way from Oklahoma to Nebraska, and enjoyed a summer of “freedom”.
Hobbies included motor cross, spending time with friends, hiking, climbing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, singing, and fishing. Jed also enjoyed driving fast with Grandma Bonnie, hunting with Grandpa Jack, talking with his mom, hanging out with his sister, and flying with his dad. Jed loved dogs and rock music from the 70s. He was extremely patriotic. Adventure was important; more so than his homework.
Jed aspired to followed in his father’s footsteps and become a farmer.
Jed was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and attended Lakeview Christian Reformed Church.
Survivors include mother Jennifer VanderWey; sister Shyla Stearns; Grandparents Jack and Bonnie VanderWey, Sherri Britton, Wayne and Dona Rundback; uncles Jason VanderWey, Justin Loeffler, Cody Rundback; Aunt Kelly Loeffler: cousins Nigel and Shaun VanderWey, Isabelle and Hayden Loeffler, Roper and Stetson Rundback; Great Grandparents Joy Steel and Carl Rundback.
Father, Clint, passed away with Jed.
Preceded in death by brother James VanderWey, great grandparents Lloyd and Marjorie Tryon, Urban and Gladys VanderWey, Wes Steel, Barbara Rundback and Jo Gaites.
A memorial has been established to the Valentine Badger Booster Club.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday September 16, 2019 at the Valentine United Methodist Church.
https://www.holmesfh.com
Clint James VanderWey, 39, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019. His last moments were spent flying his airplane with his son. Clint was born October 12, 1979 in Valentine, Nebraska to Jack and Bonnie VanderWey.
Clint attended Lakeview Elementary School, and in 1998, he graduated from Cody –Kilgore Unified Schools. Clint earned an associate degree in Business Administration in May 2000.
Clint starting working at the age of 10 in the hay field. At 14, he worked two summers on the Spike Box Ranch building buffalo fence. At the age of 16, Clint began working for Danielski Farms until 2009, when he began manufacturing his inventions. He continued to work with Danielskis’ until his last days.
In 2007, Clint and Justin Loeffler, started their business L&V Innovations. Together, they invented, the Pivot Rx. In 2009, Clint built a prototype for the Pivot Flusher, which is still a success today.
On November 27, 1999, Clint married his best friend and soul mate, Jennifer Rundback. With this matrimony, Clint gained his daughter, Shyla. On October 28, 2001, Jenny and Clint welcomed the birth of their first son, James Dylan VanderWey. Sadly, on February 14, 2002, James passed away. On August 22, 2003, Clint and Jenny were blessed with the birth of their second son, Jedediah Nathaniel VanderWey.
Clint lived life fully. He liked hunting and fishing with his father as a child. His grandpa, Urban, taught him the family passion of flying, which Clint passed on to his son. Clint enjoyed wakeboarding, water skiing, scuba diving, and boating. He was practically born in the water. Other hobbies included bowling, organic farming, and golfing with his wife. He loved experimenting and creating. His latest interest was perfecting chili rellenos. Clint was a life-long learner, teaching himself through text books and the internet how to do everything he took an interest in.
Clint was a caring man who patiently and kindly taught his children and other youth the things he loved. For the past two summers, he mentored Jeremiah Smith in farming.
Clint was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and attended Lakeview Christian Reformed Church.
Surviors include Jenny VanderWey (wife); Shyla Stearns (daughter); Jack and Bonnie VanderWey (parents); Jason VanderWey (brother); Sherri Britton (mother-in-law); Wayne (father-in-law) and Dona Rundback; Kelly (sister-in-law) and Justin Loeffler; Cody Rundback (brother-in-law); nephews Nigel and Shaun VanderWey, Hayden Loeffler, Roper and Stetson Rundback, and niece Isabelle Loeffler.
Son, Jedediah, passed away with Clint.
Preceded in death by son James VanderWey, grandparents Lloyd and Marjorie Tryon, Urban and Gladys VanderWey.
A memorial has been established to the Cody-Kilgore Ag Program.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday September 16, 2019 at the Valentine United Methodist Church.
https://www.holmesfh.com
Late Sunday night of September 8th, Todd County Search and Rescue were called in to the rural Lakeview area with the report of a missing son and father.
Clint VanderWey and his son, Jed, left the farm around 6:00 p.m. in Clint’s Cessna 140 to check pivots. The last time family heard from the father and son was around 8:00 p.m., close to sundown. Now a worried family was forced to call for help, said a family spokesman.
Todd County Search and Rescue arrived in the area around 10:00 p.m., but due to the weather and lack of sunlight, a search and rescue plane could not get off the ground to look for Clint and Jed. A foot and vehicle search continued. The Federal Aviation Administration was called in as well.
September 9, early Monday morning, the Search and Rescue, Todd County Sheriff’s Department, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Emergency Preparedness Program, Rosebud Volunteer Fire Department, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement, Game Fish and Parks, family and neighbors continued the search.
Clint and Jed VanderWey were found not too far from their family farm, with two confirmed fatalities. Clint’s Cessna 140 plane went down less than a football field away from the farm. According to Mike Hodges with the National Transportation Safety Board out of Denver, Colo., who is the lead agency in what will be an ongoing investigation, the reason the plane crashed is unknown at this time.
National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and plane manufacturer Textron Aviation are working hand in hand with the Todd County Sheriff on site to assess the situation and investigate the plane crash thoroughly.
A preliminary report will be published on the National Transportation Safety Board’s website within seven days; however, with these cases it takes one to two years for a final report. All three agencies investigate a variety of things when a plane goes down: the maintenance of the aircraft, the pilot’s training, weather conditions and Air traffic Control Services.
Clint VanderWey was born and raised in the Lakeview, S.D., area, just 15 miles southeast of St. Francis. He and his wife were local farmers who owned Lakeview Irrigation as well as L & V Innovations.
Jed VanderWey, a sophomore at Valentine High School, was a cross country and track star. Jed is a young man who will be greatly missed by his peers and community.
Updated information: Visitation will be held Sunday, September 15, 2019, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., at Holmes Funeral Home, Valentine, Neb.
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 16, 2:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church, Valentine.
In lieu of plants and flowers, the family has requested memorials be sent in care of the family for the Cody/Kigore School Shop class.
Arrangements by Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine, Nebraska.
Original article ➤ https://bennettcountyboostersd.com
Jedediah Nathaniel VanderWey CROOKSTON, Nebraska (KNOP) - A father and son killed were killed in plane crash north of Valentine in South Dakota on Sunday, September 8th.
Officials say they do not have a cause of the crash yet, and they do not know exactly when the Cessna 140 went down in the rolling prairie between St. Francis, South Dakota and North of Crookston, Nebraska.
39-year old Clint and his son, 16-year old Jed Vanderwey of north of Crookston died in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is looking for answers.
Investigator Mike Hodges saying that preliminary findings will be posted in 5-7 days on the NTSB website, but it will take 1-3 years before a final report can be made.
The Vanderway family farms near the border of South Dakota and Nebraska.
Wayne Rundback was Clint Vanderwey's father-in-law and Jed's grandfather.
Rundback says Clint Vanderwey would fly to monitor his irrigation service.
Rundback says the two left in the plane Sunday evening, and a search-and-rescue mission began around 10 p.m.
Jed VanderWey had just started school as a sophomore.
KVSH Radio reports Valentine Community School made counselors available.
Funeral services will be held Monday at United Methodist Church in Valentine.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.knopnews2.com
