FACTUAL REPORT AVIATION

Transcription

1 Aircraft Registration Number: N665CD Most Critical Injury: Fatal Investigated By: NTSB Location/Time Nearest City/Place Huntersville Zip Code Local Time Time Zone NC EST Airport Proximity: Off Airport/Airstrip Aircraft Information Summary Aircraft Manufacturer Cirrus Distance From Landing Facility: Model/Series SR22 Direction From Airport: Type of Aircraft Sightseeing Flight: No Air Medical Transport Flight: Narrative Brief narrative statement of facts, conditions and circumstances pertinent to the accident/incident: HISTORY OF FLIGHT No On November 30, 2006, at 944 eastern standard time, a Cirrus SR22, N665CD, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while on the Instrument Landing System (ILS) Runway 8R approach to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The personal flight, which originated from Dekalb-Peachtree (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia, was conducted under 4 Code of Federal Regulations Part 9. According to radar data and air traffic control (ATC) information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed PDK approximately 845, and maintained an altitude of 5,000 feet en route. After arriving in the CLT airspace, the pilot was cleared to descend to 3,000 feet and issued a vector, which placed him on a downwind leg for the ILS Runway 8R approach. At 942:06, the CLT tower controller stated, "november five charlie delta, turn right heading one six zero, join the one eight right localizer." Twenty-one seconds later, the controller cleared the pilot for the ILS Runway 8 right approach, and at 942:56, the controller asked, "five charlie delta, what's your heading now?" The pilot responded, "making the right turn now." Radar data indicated that the airplane crossed through the final approach course for runway 8R and continued toward the final approach course for runway 8L. At that time, the controller stated, "turn right heading of two three zero, you just went through the localizer." The pilot responded, "we see it two three zero five charlie delta." At 943:22, the tower controller stated, "join the one eight right localizer heading two zero zero now." As the airplane maneuvered, it descended through an altitude of 2,200 feet. At 943:29, the controller stated, "november five charlie delta, you have low altitude alert, climb immediately to three thousand." During the following 20 seconds, the airplane climbed from,800 feet to 3,800 feet, and maneuvered from a heading of 80 degrees to an approximate heading of 330 degrees. During this time, the airspeed decreased from 83 knots to 90 knots, until the final radar return was observed at 944, approximately /4 mile from the accident site. A witness, whose home was approximately 9 miles from CLT, was familiar with the flight path and aircraft sounds operating into and out of the airport. In a written statement, the witness reported hearing an airplane with a "very high pitch" engine sound, flying in a northeast direction, around 940. The witness noted that the airplane would have been crossing the arrival path for runways 8R/L, which was different than the other aircraft he observed flying on a southerly heading toward - Page

2 Occurrence Date: Occurrence Type: /30/2006 Accident Narrative (Continued) runways 8R/L. The witness stated that the sound seemed to "phase in and out," and sounded as if the airplane was climbing and heading away from the airport. The witness stated that the sound seemed to dissipate, and then he heard the engine "whine" again, as if the airplane was turning right toward the airport. At this point, the witness thought the airplane was headed toward CLT, and approximately 5 to 20 seconds later, the engine again "wound up to a very high pitch" and it sounded as if the airplane "banked sharply, and began to nose dive." The witness heard the airplane impact the ground about 4 seconds later. PILOT INFORMATION The pilot/owner, who was 6 years old, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical was issued on October 3, 2005, at which time he reported,600 hours of total flight experience. According to records provided by the FAA, the pilot received his instrument rating on April 4, 992. According to records maintained by a fractional ownership company, which managed the airplane, the pilot had accumulated 97 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane, during the 2 months prior to the accident. The most recent "Pilot History Data" form the company had on file for the pilot was dated February 8, At that time, the pilot had accumulated 367 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane. Since that date, the pilot accumulated 49 additional hours in make and model. The pilot's logbook was not located and his total or recent actual instrument experience could not be determined. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Examination of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed that the most recent 00-hour inspection was completed on November 22, 2006, with no anomalies noted. The airplane flew 3 hours since the inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather reported at CLT, at 952, included wind from 70 degrees at 3 knots, 0 miles visibility, overcast clouds at 800 feet, temperature 9 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 7 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.0 inches of mercury. The pilot received a data user access terminal (DUATS) weather briefing for his flight, on November 30, 2006, at 454. AIRPORT INFORMATION CLT was comprised of two parallel runways (8R/36L and 8L/36R) and an intersecting runway (5/23). The airport had an ILS and Area Navigation (RNAV)/Global Positioning System (GPS) approach to every runway. WRECKAGE INFORMATION The airplane impacted trees in a heavily wooded area, and was consumed by a post-crash fire. The accident site was located approximately 0 miles from the approach end of runway 8R, at an elevation of 758 feet. The engine, propeller, and a portion of the main wreckage came to rest, in an impact crater approximately 2 feet deep, at the base of a 45-foot tall tree. A propeller slash mark was noted in the tree trunk, approximately 5 feet from the top of the tree. - Page a

3 Narrative (Continued) The wreckage path was oriented on a heading of 080 degrees and extended approximately 00 feet from the base of the tree. Located along the wreckage path were fragmented portions of all of the airplane's components and flight control surfaces. Flight control continuity could not be confirmed to the flight control surfaces, due to impact damage; however, all flight control cables were accounted for and the cable ends were consistent with overstress separation. A measurement of the flap actuator revealed the flaps were in the retracted position. Examination of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) revealed the rocket motor was separated from the launch tube, and the rocket buried itself in the ground. The parachute remained in its packed state, separated from its attachment hardware. Examination of additional fragmented sections of the airplane structure, which surrounded the rocket, displayed evidence consistent with a deployment during the impact sequence. The engine was removed from the accident site and completely disassembled. The number 2 cylinder was separated from the engine, but remained intact. The number, 3, and 5 cylinders remained attached to the engine, but displayed impact damage. The number 4 cylinder was separated from the barrel, and the number 6 cylinder was separated from the crankcase. A torsional break was noted at the propeller flange, and no preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted with the crankshaft or engine. All of the engine accessories were separated from the engine. Both magnetos were impact and fire damaged, and could not be tested for spark. The fuel pump was separated and the drive coupling was not located. The fuel manifold was separated and the diaphragm, screen, and spring were not located. The propeller separated from the engine, and one blade of the three-blade propeller separated from the propeller hub. Examination of all three propeller blades revealed S-bending and chordwise scratches. Due to impact and fire damage, no non-volatile memory was recovered. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A review of the pilot's FAA medical file revealed that the pilot had a history of coronary artery disease, and directional coronary atherectomy percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. He was issued a special issuance third-class medical certificate because of his medical history. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot on December 5, Evidence of any pre-impact health anomaly could not be determined from the autopsy. The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. According to the pilot's toxicology test results, diphenhydramine was detected in the pilot's muscle. Diphenhydramine was an over-the-counter antihistamine, with the trade name Benedryl. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The airplane was fueled to full tanks on November 27, 2006, and did not fly again until the accident flight. - Page b

4 Landing Facility/Approach Information Airport Name Airport ID: Airport Elevation Runway Used Runway Length Runway Width Charlotte/Douglas Intl CLT 748 Ft. MSL 8R Runway Surface Type: Asphalt Runway Surface Condition: Dry Type Instrument Approach: ILS-complete VFR Approach/Landing: None Aircraft Information Aircraft Manufacturer Cirrus Model/Series SR22 Serial Number 774 Airworthiness Certificate(s): Normal Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Homebuilt Aircraft? No Number of Seats: 4 Certified Max Gross Wt. LBS Number of Engines: Engine Type: Reciprocating Engine Manufacturer: Continental Model/Series: IO-550 Rated Power: 30 HP - Aircraft Inspection Information Type of Last Inspection Date of Last Inspection Time Since Last Inspection Airframe Total Time 00 Hour / Hours 426 Hours - Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Information ELT Installed? Yes ELT Operated? No ELT Aided in Locating Accident Site? No Owner/Operator Information Registered Aircraft Owner Street Address George Vrana and 4 others Operator of Aircraft Airshares Elite (as program manager) City Smyrna Street Address 954 Airport Road Suite 270 City Atlanta GA GA Zip Code Zip Code 3034 Operator Does Business As: Operator Designator Code: - Type of U.S. Certificate(s) Held: None Air Carrier Operating Certificate(s): Operating Certificate: Operator Certificate: Regulation Flight Conducted Under: Part 9: General Aviation Type of Flight Operation Conducted: Personal - Page 2

5 First Pilot Information Name City Date of Birth Age 6 Sex: M Seat Occupied: Unknown Principal Profession: Non-Occupational Pilot Certificate Number: Certificate(s): Private Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land Rotorcraft/Glider/LTA: None Instrument Rating(s): Instructor Rating(s): None Type Rating/Endorsement for Accident/Incident Aircraft? Current Biennial Flight Review? 0/2005 Medical Cert.: Class 3 Medical Cert. Status: With Waivers/Limitations Date of Last Medical Exam: 0/ Flight Time Matrix All A/C This Make and Model Single Engine Mult-Engine Night Actual Instrument Simulated Rotorcraft Glider Lighter Than Air Total Time Pilot In Command(PIC) Instructor Last 90 Days Last 30 Days Last 24 Hours Seatbelt Used? Shoulder Harness Used? Toxicology Performed? Yes Second Pilot? No Flight Plan/Itinerary Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR Departure Point Airport Identifier Departure Time Time Zone Dekalb-Peachtre GA PDK 845 EST Destination Airport Identifier Charlotte NC CLT Type of Clearance: IFR Type of Airspace: Weather Information Source of Briefing: Commercial Weather Service Method of Briefing: - Page 3

6 Weather Information WOF ID Observation Time Time Zone WOF Elevation WOF Distance From Accident Site Direction From Accident Site CLT 952 EST 748 Ft. MSL 0 NM Deg. Mag. Sky/Lowest Cloud Condition: Ft. AGL Condition of Light: Night Lowest Ceiling: Overcast 800 Ft. AGL Visibility: 0 SM Altimeter: 30.0 "Hg Temperature: 9 C Dew Point: 7 C Wind Direction: 70 Density Altitude: Ft. Wind Speed: 3 Gusts: Weather Condtions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions Visibility (RVR): Ft. Visibility (RVV) SM Intensity of Precipitation: Restrictions to Visibility: No Obscuration; No Precipitation Type of Precipitation: Accident Information Aircraft Damage: Destroyed Aircraft Fire: Ground Aircraft Explosion Ground Classification: - Injury Summary Matrix Fatal Serious Minor None TOTAL First Pilot Second Pilot Student Pilot Flight Instructor Check Pilot Flight Engineer Cabin Attendants Other Crew Passengers - TOTAL ABOARD - Other Ground - GRAND TOTAL - - Page 4

7 Administrative Information Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) Jill M. Andrews Additional Persons Participating in This Accident/Incident Investigation: Terry L Frye FAA/FSDO Charlotte, NC Brannon Mayer Cirrus Aircraft Duluth, MN Josh Cawthra Teledyne Continental Motors Mobile, AL Mac Little Air Shares Elite Atlanta, GA - Page 5