From this weeks aviation capital of the world, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, here are the stories for today...
Be safe out there!
Tom
Two confirmed dead after plane crashes into storage facility near Lowell
By: FOX 17 News
VERGENNES TOWNSHIP, Mich. — UPDATE
(11:15 P.M.): KCSO confirms two bodies were found inside the plane in Lowell. An update late Monday night says they were still working to identify the victims and notify next of kin. Both the FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Kent County deputies are investigating after a plane crashed into a storage facility just outside of Lowell city limits.
According to Sgt. Scott Dietrich with the Kent County Sheriff's Office, two people have been found deceased in the aircraft so far.
The crash happened Monday around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of Vergennes Street and Lincoln Lake Avenue in Vergennes Township.
Initial reports to investigators said a plane crashed into a storage facility, which then caught fire.
The crash site is near the Lowell City Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the plane involved was a Vans RV-14. According to the manufacturer's website, the plane is described as a two-seat kit aircraft.
Sgt. Dietrich said over a dozen area fire
departments responded to the scene to help put out the fire.
The FAA will investigate the cause of the crash.
https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/greenville-ionia-belding-lowell/plane-crashes-into-storage-facility-near-lowell
NTSB Final Report: Holtz Rodney R Challenger II
As He Maneuvered The Airplane In A Left Crosswind Turn, The Gullwing-Styled Cabin Door Opened
Location: Concord, New Hampshire Accident Number: ERA25LA063
Date & Time: November 20, 2024, 10:53 Local Registration: N1666R
Aircraft: Holtz Rodney R Challenger II Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot/owner of the recently purchased experimental amateur-built airplane submitted a report to the NTSB immediately after the accident. He explained that as he maneuvered the airplane in a left crosswind turn, the gullwing-styled cabin door opened, “creating significant noise and buffeting that affected aircraft stability and directional control.” The pilot said he attempted to secure the door and stabilize the airplane, but that it continued in a left descending turn that he could not arrest, and that he ultimately reduced power and completed a “mushing stall to ground contact” that resulted in no injury to himself but substantial damage to the airframe.
A conversation with the airplane kit manufacturer revealed that the airplane was controllable with a door open in flight. He said the airplane required vigilance and proper use of the rudder to maintain coordinated flight and added that those transitioning from production airplanes benefitted from “differences training” because of the design and function of the pedals.
An FAA inspector inspected the doors on the airplane and found that they closed and locked securely, and he confirmed flight control continuity. In conversation with the pilot after the inspection, the pilot volunteered that there was nothing wrong with the flight controls of the airplane and that he “may have overcontrolled the aircraft while trying to close the door” which resulted in the hard landing.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and eventual stall/mush of the airplane while trying to secure an open door in flight.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
52 Years ago today: On 22 July 1973 Pan Am flight 816, a Boeing 707-300, crashed into the sea after takeoff from Papeete-Faaa Airport, Tahiti, killing 78 occupants; one survived the accident.
| Date: | Sunday 22 July 1973 |
| Time: | 22:06 |
| Type: | Boeing 707-321B |
| Owner/operator: | Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) |
| Registration: | N417PA |
| MSN: | 18959/470 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1966 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 27314 hours |
| Engine model: | P&W JT3D-3B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 78 / Occupants: 79 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 3 km NE off Papeete-Faaa Airport (PPT), Tahiti - French Polynesia |
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Papeete-Faaa Airport (PPT/NTAA) |
| Destination airport: | Los Angeles International Airport, CA (LAX/KLAX) |
| Investigating agency: | BEA |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
Pan Am flight 816, a Boeing 707-300, crashed into the sea after takeoff from Papeete-Faaa Airport, Tahiti, killing 78 occupants; one survived the accident.
Flight PA816 was a regular flight from Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX) with an intermediate stop at Papeete, Tahiti (PPT).
Boeing 707 "Clipper Winged Racer" took off from runway 04 at Papeete-Faaa Airport for its second leg of the flight. The airplane climbed to a height of 300 feet and initiated a left turn. It began to descend with an excessive bank turn and struck the sea. The wreckage sank into the 700 m deep waters off Papeete. Both CVR and FDR were not recovered.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Unknown. It is considered possible that an instrument failure may have diverted the crew's attention during the turn. Since it was dark outside and the turn was made towards the sea. No visual references were available.
