Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Beechcraft V35 Bonanza, N35AW: Fatal accident occurred November 24, 2020 in Deltaville, Middlesex County, Virginia

Carl Macon Smith Jr.

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. 

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond, Virginia
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 
  

Location: Deltaville, VA 
Accident Number: ERA21LA053
Date & Time: November 24, 2020, 09:28 Local
Registration: N35AW
Aircraft: Beech V35
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On November 24, 2020, about 0928 eastern standard time, a Beech V35, N35AW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Deltaville, Virginia. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot departed on a local flight from Hummel Field Airport (W75), Saluda, Virginia. He was not in contact with air traffic control during the flight.

Review of preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the flight departed W75 about 0905. The airplane tracked on a northeast heading for about 9 miles, then turned right and flew east over the Chesapeake Bay for about 17 miles. The airplane then flew south over the bay for about 14 miles, turned west, and flew northwest toward W75 for about 17 miles. The majority of the flight was conducted at an altitude of about 850 ft above ground level (agl); however, the airplane climbed to a maximum altitude of about 1,350 ft agl. The last ADS-B targets were observed about 0928 as the airplane descended through 275 ft about 5 miles from W75.

Two fishermen reported seeing the airplane fly thru a flock of seagulls. They then saw two birds fall to the water. Shortly thereafter, they observed a plume of black smoke from the accident site. Figure 1 depicts the airplane’s ADS-B flight track in red and green targets and the approximate location of the fishermen. The red targets contained incomplete ADS-B data elements. 

Figure 1. Airplane's ADS-B flight track and witness location.

A third witness near the accident site stated that he heard a loud noise, then observed the airplane make a left turn followed by two spirals before it impacted terrain.

Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane impacted a shed on a residential property. The wreckage debris path was about 25 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of 240°.

Ground scars at the accident site and damage to the airplane were consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a steep, nose-low attitude. A postimpact fire consumed most of the wreckage; however, all major structural components of the airplane were located within the debris field. Figure 2 shows the wreckage and debris at the initial impact point.

Figure 2. Airplane wreckage and debris at the initial impact point.

The engine was separated and located 10 ft from the main wreckage. It sustained impact and fire damage. The engine crankshaft rotated smoothly by manually turning the propeller hub. Two of the propeller blades were separated, one remained attached to the propeller hub.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N35AW
Model/Series: V35
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
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: KMFV,47 ft msl
Observation Time: 09:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 29 Nautical Mile
s Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C /-3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 10°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.4 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Saluda, VA (W75) 
Destination: Deltaville, VA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 37.57311,-76.35699 (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.


Carl Macon Smith Jr.
December 18th, 1948 - November 24th, 2020

On Tuesday morning, November 24th 2020, Carl was taken from us far too soon. We are heartbroken to say goodbye to a man we deeply loved, respected, and cherished. He was so much more than a UVA and Georgetown Law graduate, Navy fighter pilot, Chief of Staff for the Senate Armed Services Committee, fierce lawyer, and ardent leader of the Save the Rappahannock Coalition. He was a loving husband, loyal brother, devoted father, and doting grandfather.

He was a matter-of-fact believer in God, the arbiter of all family matters, and the peacekeeper of sibling debates. He was the rock of our family, the pillar of every group to which he belonged.

At each stage of life, he taught us by example what mattered most: how to forge a path we could take pride in, treat others with respect, and savor every morsel of existence. The command he carried into a room was surpassed only by the laughter and levity that followed his arrival.

We have never met, nor will ever meet, a person more kind, attentive, and dedicated to those around him. No one loved family, friends, life, and adventure more than he.

On December 9th, he will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony. There will be a Celebration of Life later next year when everyone can gather safely to honor Carl and share stories of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Carl’s church, Light of Christ in Heathsville, VA.

He is survived by his wife Wendy, daughter Kristen Fredericks (Derek), son Bryant Smith, grandson Brooks, and sisters Carol Nelson (John) and Joan Templer (Jerry). They would cherish any stories or pictures of Carl you would like to offer in the wake of his passing.


DELTAVILLE, Virginia  — Virginia State Police have identified the pilot who died after crashing into a garage last week in Deltaville.

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the pilot was Carl Macon Smith, 62, of White Stone, Virginia.

Police say the details of the crash are still under investigation, but Smith was the only person who died in the crash. It happened around 9:30 a.m. on November 24 on North End Road in Deltaville.

Smith’s plane was a Beechcraft  V35 Bonanza.

“A loud boom that shook the house. It was pretty frightening that it happened so close to the house, and pretty frightening that it happened to the person who lost their life in the crash,” said Sondra Groft, who lives about a quarter-mile away.

The private North End Shores community where the plane crashed is a cluster of summer homes for people in Hampton Roads and the Richmond area.



Virginia State Police are still waiting for a positive identification on the person who died in a plane crash six days ago in Middlesex County.

Sgt. Michelle Anaya said in a news release the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will make the final determination.

Only one person was on the plane, which the Federal Aviation Administration identified as a Beechcraft Bonanza V35, Anaya said.

The crash happened just after 9:30 a.m. November 24th in the 1270 block of North End Road in Deltaville.

State police were called to investigate and found that the plane hit a garage-type structure, causing it to become completely engulfed in flames.

Anaya said police will release more information once it becomes available.



MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Virginia -- One person was killed when a small plane crashed in Deltaville on Tuesday morning, according to Virginia State Police.

"Preliminary investigations reveal that a fixed-wing aircraft struck a garage-type structure, causing it to become completely engulfed in flames," a Virginia State Police spokesperson wrote in an email.

The crash was reported at about 9:35 a.m. on North End Road.

Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived around 3 p.m. Tuesday to examine the crash site.

The pilot is believed to be the only person on board the single-engine Beechcraft V35, according to the FAA.

Sondra Englar said she heard the plane falling from the sky before the impact.

"I heard the quick descending sound of a plane and then the loud boom loud enough and strong enough to shake my house," Englar recalled. "It didn’t sound like the engine was stalled, because I could hear the plane. I could hear the engine. It was just that quick descending."

The plane crashed outside several vacation homes that sit along the Rappahannock River. No one was inside of the nearby homes during the crash.

Hummel Field, a small airfield in Deltaville, is about two air-miles from the crash site, according to Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Anaya. But, it's unclear where the plane took off and where it was headed.

"We do know who was up in the air, but unfortunately we still have to do positive identification by the Medical Examiner’s office," Anaya stated.

"A single-engine Beechcraft V35 crashed into a residential building near Sandy Beach Road in Deltaville, Va., at 9:45 a.m., local time today. The aircraft caught fire after crashing. Preliminary reports are only the pilot was on board. We have no reports of people on the ground being injured. Please ask local authorities for information pilot’s condition and identity. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. Neither agency identifies people involved in aircraft accidents. The FAA will release the aircraft tail number once investigators verify it at the scene. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and all updates," a FAA spokesperson said in a statement.

Police are on scene investigating the incident.



DELTAVILLE, Virginia (WAVY) — Virginia State Police say one person is dead after a small plane crashed into a garage Tuesday morning in Middlesex County.

The crash happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 1270 block of North End Road in Deltaville.

Virginia State Police have not released many details, but confirmed there was one fatality. They say the preliminary investigation showed a fixed-wing aircraft struck the garage-type structure, causing it to become engulfed in flames.

Photos from WAVY viewer Sondra Groft show the extent of the smoke. A small airport is about two miles from the crash site.

The medical examiner was at the scene as of 1:20 p.m. working to identify the body.

“We are dealing with someone’s life right here, and it’s so tragic,” said Phil Spencer, who owns the adjoining property. The wreckage of the plane came to rest next to his garage, which is adjacent to the one the plane struck.

The private North End Shores community where the plane crashed is a cluster of summer homes for people in Hampton Roads and the Richmond area.

Sondra Groft lives about a quarter-mile away on Robins Point Avenue. She heard a plane in distress about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and then felt the impact.

“A loud boom that shook the house. It was pretty frightening that it happened so close to the house, and pretty frightening that it happened to the person who lost their life in the crash,” Groft said.

Light planes flying overhead are common in this area near the Chesapeake Bay.

“There’s an airport right here in Topping, at the base of the Whitestone Bridge and there’s a lot of fields up here on the top of the hill. We see a lot of crop dusters and other planes flying over, especially this time of the year,” Spencer said. 


DELTAVILLE, Virginia — Virginia State Police said that one person died after a plane crashed in Middlesex County Tuesday morning.

Sgt. Michelle Anaya said troopers received a call about the crash around 9:35 a.m. It happened at 1270 North End Road in Deltaville. Members of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office also were there.

Anaya said the fixed-wing plane hit something like a garage and caught fire, burning the entirety of the plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released this statement:

A single-engine Beech V35 crashed into a residential building near Sandy Beach Road in Deltaville, Virginia, at 9:45 a.m., local time today. The aircraft caught fire after crashing. Preliminary reports are only the pilot was on board. We have no reports of people on the ground being injured. Please ask local authorities for information pilot’s condition and identity. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. Neither agency identifies people involved in aircraft accidents. The FAA will release the aircraft tail number once investigators verify it at the scene. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and all updates.

The crash was the second one involving a plane in Middlesex County since the beginning of October. 

In that case, the pilot, who took off from Hummel Field, had to make an emergency landing and ended up crashing on Willow Lane. 

No one was injured in that incident.