Friday, November 22, 2019

Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N88855: Fatal accident occurred November 20, 2019 near San Marcos Regional Airport (KHYI), Caldwell County, Texas

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.
    
Craig Hatch, Investigator In Charge (IIC)
 National Transportation Safety Board
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The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Continental Engines; Mobile, Alabama

Location: San Marcos, TX
Accident Number: CEN20FA019
Date & Time: 11/20/2019, 0600 CST
Registration: N88855
Aircraft: RAYTHEON A36
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business 

On November 20, 2019, about 0600 central standard time, a Raytheon (Beechcraft) A36 airplane, N88855, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from San Marcos Municipal Airport (HYI), San Marcos, Texas. The pilot, sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by Caroline Aviation, LLC, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field (ODO), Odessa, Texas.

The airplane was observed on radar shortly after departure, before it disappeared from radar; an ALNOT (alert notification) was issued. A preliminary review of air traffic control services revealed the pilot received his IFR clearance to ODO, with a void departure time. There was no further communication with the pilot, nor was a distress call received.

The airplane was wreckage was located about one half-mile northeast of HYI's runway 8.

At 0556 the automated weather facility located at HYI, recorded wind from 179 degrees at 4 knots, one half-mile visibility in fog, an overcast sky at 300 ft, a temperature of 63° F and a dew point of 63° F. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RAYTHEON
Registration: N88855
Model/Series: A36
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Caroline Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHYI
Observation Time: 0556 CST
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 170°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 300 ft agl
Visibility:  0.5 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: San Marcos, TX (KHYI)
Destination: Odessa, TX (KODO)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude:  29.900000, -97.852500

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. 


Robb Stuart Van Eman 
FEBRUARY 5, 1971 – NOVEMBER 20, 2019
~

Robb Stuart Van Eman, beloved father, husband, son, uncle, friend to many, and accomplished pilot with a passion for flying, went to join his heavenly father in peaceful skies doing what he loved on November 20, 2019.

His greatest gift in life was parenting his two brilliant and amazing boys, Brooks and Knox, with his beautiful, dedicated, and loyal wife, Teal Johnson, but he managed to generously give to his family and countless friends and children through Boy Scouts of America, camping adventures, pinewood derby contests, sailing, boating, wakeboarding, travel, and any outdoor activities. Robb’s infectious and playful personality, commitment to those he loved, quick-wit, powerful smile, intelligence, gigantic heart of compassion, and joyful spirit drew people in effortlessly.

Born in Houston, Texas on February 5, 1971 to Marlene and Stuart, he was the younger brother to Currin, and although he was quiet as a child, his intelligence and perseverance guided him to many successes throughout his life. As a child, Robb spent countless weekends with Grandmother Katie in Galveston Bay, where he cultivated his love for the water, outdoors, sailing, and he earned his nickname, “Captain Robb”.

So enamored with his Italian roots, Robb, at the young age of 14, escorted his grandmother to Italy to travel and visit family overseas. It was a tradition he shared with the love of his life, Teal. Traveling to Italy shortly before starting their precious family, the two met in classic Robb fashion, during a blind, group date on his boat. One year later, Robb and Teal celebrated their engagement in New Orleans, and were married April 29, 2005. Grandmother Katie attended the wedding at the age of 97, and after waiting for that divine celebration, she went to heaven happily knowing her 13th and “favorite” grandchild married his perfect match. Robb and Teal’s honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands was again spent on a boat named “Sunny Days”, and they returned to celebrate with friends and family. Their sons were a blissful addition to their family a few short years later.

Always a Longhorn fan, Robb graduated from the University of Texas of Austin with a communications degree, and he was a proud member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Somehow, he managed to get his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Denver, while prioritizing snow skiing, ski instruction, and being a concierge at a ski resort in Beaver Creek. Known as a handyman, “Mr. Fix-It”, and a “Host with the Most Joyful Hospitality”, friends are wondering who they will call on now that Robb is in heaven.

After college, Robb settled in Austin and began a successful career in software and trading technologies with various top tier companies. After years of pursuing his ultimate career goal, Robb was well on his way to become a commercial pilot, having finished his intense and lengthy flight training almost a decade ago, and having accomplished his ultimate goal of reaching commercial status. As dear friend, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, formerly chief of Austin police, eloquently said, “Only Robb would care enough to give us a departing gift during his transition from the flesh to the spirit in his eternal place of rest, by leaving us while piloting an airplane, the thing he liked to do the most, second only to being with family and friends.”

Robb Stuart Van Eman is survived by his loving wife Italia Teal Johnson Van Eman, two sons: Brooks Emmite Van Eman, 12, Knox Joseph Van Eman, 10, parents: Marlene Genitempo Van Eman and Stuart Currin Van Eman, brother: Currin James Van Eman, nephew: Houston Currin Van Eman, all of Austin, Texas, niece: Arden Michelle Johnson, brother-in-law: Terry Jordan Johnson Junior, mother-in-law: Talia Teas Lydick, all of Fort Worth, and countless cousins, extended family, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice in honor of Robb Van Eman.

Please join a Celebration of Life honoring Robb on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Riverbend Church in The Smith Family Chapel located at 4214 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com


Robb Stuart Van Eman 


SAN MARCOS, Texas - Authorities with the Texas Department of Public Safety have identified the man killed in the San Marcos plane crash as 48-year-old Robb Stuart Van Eman of West Lake Hills. The small passenger aircraft crashed just after departing from the San Marcos Regional Airport.

Investigators say the plane hit the ground nose-first in the ALERRT first responder training facility, but it did not catch fire, shortly before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20. The weather was foggy with just a half-mile of visibility at the time so investigators will be looking into that as a cause, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). 

Authorities told FOX 7 Austin that the air traffic control towers were closed when the airplane departed. However, they expected the pilot to check in sometime after take-off, but he did not. This indicated something had gone wrong.

The NTSB said most of air travel fatalities last year were from general aviation or small planes.

Story and video ➤ https://www.fox7austin.com

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The National Transportation Safety Board has now taken over the investigation of a small passenger plane crash in San Marcos from early Wednesday morning.

According to a press release from the City of San Marcos, the plane took off from the San Marcos Regional Airport around 5:54 a.m. The release states the plane lost contact with air traffic control a minute later.

The aircraft was found at 8:03 a.m. on the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center property near Maxwell Texas.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigator arrived at the scene Wednesday afternoon, and spoke with KXAN.

“It appears to have come down near vertical and impacted the ground,” said Craig Hatch, Air Safety Investigator. “There was no post-crash fire.”

According to the website FlightAware, the plane was expected to fly from San Marcos to Odessa.

It would make stops in Fort Worth and Austin, before returning to San Marcos Regional Airport.

The 1999 single-engine aircraft is registered to Caroline Aviation LLC.

KXAN spoke with the plane’s owners who called what happened “tragic” and “horribly sad.”

The National Transportation Safety Board investigators say they’re hoping to remove the wreckage on Thursday or Friday.

A preliminary report on the investigation is likely to come out in about a week.

Story and video ➤ https://www.kxan.com

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the name of the person killed in a deadly small passenger plane crash in San Marcos Wednesday morning.

According to DPS, 48-year-old Robb Stewart Van Eman from West Lake Hills took off from the San Marcos Regional Airport around 5:54 a.m.

The aircraft was found at 8:03 a.m. on the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center property near Maxwell Texas. Eman was the only passenger on the plane.