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Monday, February 15, 2010

Accidents & Incidents

Date Aircraft Type Narrative Death/Injury Remarks
Jan 1, 2010 Tipton, CA HILLER UH-12E N440NR While maneuvering at low level over a field during aerial application flight, pilot took hand off collective to adjust sun visor. Pilot used leg to block collective from moving as adjusted visor. One minor Helicopter hit mild turbulence and bumped leg away from collective. Collective slipped down, and helicopter impacted ground and rolled over on side.
Jan 2, 2010 Somerset, KY FAIRCHILD SA227 N227ML A/c ran off side of Runway 23 during landing roll at Lake Cumberland Regional Airport (SME). Flight operated by Locair, as Flight 151, an air taxi as flight, Flight originated from Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) the same day. No injuries Pilot said during landing roll, nose wheel locked, causing a/c to veer R. Countered with full left rudder, but unable to bring a/c under control. A/c departed runway on N side, crossed taxiway, and went down small embankment. A/c came to rest against boundary fence.
Jan 18, 2010 New York, NY EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 N696BH A/c registered to Broadcast Helicopter and operated by Liberty Helicopters experienced in-flight vibration and landed at W. 30th Street Heliport (JRA), New York, NY. Pilot felt vibration through the airframe including anti-torque pedals and cyclic. Pilot stated had positive control of a/c and felt safest thing to do was continue with landing. Vibration remained constant and during approach pilot maintained control of a/c. No injuries After touchdown. Pilot immediately began to shut down a/c and applied rotor brake. Vibration increased dramatically as rotors were decreasing rpm. After main and tail rotors stopped plot exited a/c and noticed damage to tail rotor and surrounding area. One pitch change link of one tail rotor blade separated from the attach point at the blade. The blade with the separated link was out of its normally installed position.
Jan 21, 2010 Sand Point, AK BEECH 1900C N112AX Twin-engine turboprop was destroyed when crashed in ocean following loss of control shortly after takeoff from Runway 31 at Sand Point Airport, A/c operated as Flight 22, by Alaska Central Express, Anchorage, AK, as instrument flight rules (IFR) cargo flight. Two fatalities Witnesses reported hearing what believed was accident airplane as it departed. They reported that as a/c's takeoff progressed, engine noise suddenly changed, followed by very loud sound of impact, and then silence. One of witnesses said just before hearing impact, he momentarily saw lights of the a/c descend into ocean.
Feb 01, 2010 Watertown, NY CESSNA 402C N121PB Operating as Cape Air Flight 1805, a/c was substantially damaged during landing overrun on Runway 7 at Watertown International Airport (ART). About the time that pilot received ATC clearance for visual approach, he noticed that the airspeed had decreased significantly, and in response, pushed nose down and added power to prevent "a stall with such a rapid reduction in airspeed." Only runway 7-25 was reported to be plowed, and reported winds favored landing on runway 25, so the pilot initiated a right turn toward airport, and began a descent to traffic pattern altitude (1,300 feet msl), with the intention of entering L downwind leg for runway 25. Pilot executed descent to pattern altitude with max power but airspeed remained at 85 knots, below normal approach speed, and 5 knots above the manufacturer's "air minimum control" and clean stall speeds. Pilot observed clouds and snow squalls to S and NE, near left downwind leg for runway 25, and on extended centerline of runway 7. No injuries Pilot executed descent to pattern altitude with max power but airspeed remained at 85 knots, below normal approach speed, and 5 knots above the manufacturer's "air minimum control" and clean stall speeds. Pilot observed clouds and snow squalls to S and NE, near left downwind leg for runway 25, and on extended centerline of runway 7. Considered climbing to higher altitude in order to troubleshoot airspeed anomaly; however, pilot decided to land as soon as possible on runway 7. Runway covered with snow, even though reported to have been plowed. Pilot extended extended landing gear. Pilot turned final at 350 feet agl. Airspeed indicator still registered 85 knots, but realized that groundspeed was much higher. A/c touched down 1,000 feet beyond threshold of runway 7, and bounced slightly. Nose gear made runway contact at mid-field. After nose gear touch down, pilot applied brakes, but braking action was "nil." A/c continued to track along runway, and departed end of paved surface onto snow-covered terrain. After a/c stopped, pilot secured it and he and passengers exited via cockpit and cabin doors. There was 1/2 inch of snow on runway at time of overrun.
Febr 02, 2010 Escalon, CA ARROW FALCON EXPORTERS OH-58A N9286U A/c landed hard in orchard shortly after takeoff near Escalon. Cavanagh Flying Service operating helicopter as aerial application flight. One serious According to fuel truck driver, while fueling a/c prior to flight, pilot reported that a/c was vibrating. Pilot took off, and while departing area relayed over radio that generator light was illuminated. Shortly thereafter he relayed message, "I'm going down."
Feb 2, 2010 Los Banos, CA HILLER UH-12E N36MV A/c landed hard near Los Banos, CA.. S&S Helicopters operating a/c as aerial application flight. Pilot said had just completed aerial application of wheat field and returning to land. As approached landing area began to apply power but engine did not respond. No injuries Continued to twist throttle, but engine speed not change. Aborted landing approach, and turned a/c towards larger open field. Circled field three times while attempting to diagnose problem. Elected to perform run-on landing in field; during landing approach engine speed began to decrease and a/c landed hard.
Feb. 4, 2010 Dominican Republic Robinson R44 Raven Two people died when their Robinson R44 crashed into a mountain in the Dominican Republic. They had left Florida to help deliver aid to the people of Haiti. The accident occurred in Dajabon, just E of the border with Haiti, The pilots had filed a flight plan from Santiago to Jimani in the Dominican Republic, then on to Port-au-Prince in Haiti. It was en route back to Santiago when the crash occurred.
Feb. 6, 2010 Boulder, CO Piper Pawnee Single-seat Piper Pawnee left Boulder airport towing Schweitzer 2-32 glider. Cirrus SR20 collided with Pawnee in the air on N edge of city, Three fatalities Investigators talked to pilot of glider who cut loose from a/c towing him just as it collided with SR20. Glider maneuvered through fireball and landed safely.
Feb. 6, 2010 Boulder, CO. Ciirrus SR20 See above See above See above
Feb. 9, 2010 Afghanistan MQ-1 Predator UAV USAF MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed on takeoff in eastern Afghanistan. Crash not due to hostile fire. Crash site was secured and there were no reports of injuries or property damage Board was convened to investigate incident.

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