MEC&F Expert Engineers : 07/18/15

Saturday, July 18, 2015

The "Mrs Baye" sank in the middle of the fairway in the estuary of the Charenton Canal in Louisiana

Boat sinks near mouth of Charenton Canal

IMG_3696

 The "Mrs Baye" sank in the middle of the fairway in the estuary of the Charenton Canal in Louisiana, at 05.13 a.m. on July 16, 2015. 

The Coast Guard received a call from the father of the master of the pusher tug who reported that it was sinking in the Charenton Canal and on arrival found the sunken vessel with only the mast tip still visible. 

There was no sign of the crew at that time. In addition to the Coast Guard, deputies with St. Mary Parish Marine Division and agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries participated in the search and rescue operation. 

The crew of three was found safe walking down the Highway 90 in St. Mary Parish. The canal was closed for traffic.

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Coast Guard received a call about mid-morning on Thursday from the master of a push barge that was sinking in the Charenton Canal.

Coast Guard arrived and found the sunken vessel.

Three occupants were found safe walking down Hwy. 90 in St. Mary Parish.

The name of the boat and the company is being withheld until the investigation is complete.

IMG953694

Biplane plane crashes just inches from home in Boyle County, Kentucky; pilot injured



 JULY 18, 2015

JUNCTION CITY, KENTUCKY

Some Boyle County residents were the first to help when a plane crashed just feet from their home Saturday afternoon. It happened after 1 p.m. on Simpson Lane in Junction City.

These residents live only a quarter of a mile from the airport in Boyle County, but people on Simpson Lane say seeing a plane go down was something they never expected.
   
Aaron Henley was relaxing inside Saturday afternoon when all of a sudden  the power went out.


"That was the first thing we noticed. The house went quiet and then there was a couple of thumps," said Henley. 

Those thumps were the sounds of a plane crash just feet from his house. Without thinking, he ran over to help. 

"I asked him, is anyone alive in there? And he said 'yeah I'm okay.' I went around back of the plane and he's just buckling out and I put my hands out to steady him and he can step over some junk," said Henley. 

With a little bit of help, the pilot walked out of what's left of the plane. Suffering from a few injuries, emergency responders had him flown to UK Hospital for treatment. He is expected to be OK. 

Neighbors said the plane first hit trees and then the power lines before crashing to the ground. They said they believe that's what saved the pilot, because it slowed down the impact significantly.

"He hit there, flipped around and personally, if he didn't hit that power line he probably would have hit that tree and it'd be a different story," said Henley. 
Investigators haven't said what caused this plane to go down but the pilot did say he was having engine problems mid-flight.

"From what he said, he was circling for gas and the engine just quit on him," said Henley.

Crews spent several hours Saturday afternoon restoring power to Simpson Lane after the crash. Officials with FAA and NTSB won't be at the site to investigate the crash until Monday.


//-------------////


Date:18-JUL-2015
Time:13:30
Type:Biplane
Owner/operator:
Registration:
C/n / msn:
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:0
Airplane damage: Substantial
Location:Near Stuart Powell Field Airport (KDVK), Junction City, KY -   United States of America
Phase: Take off
Nature:Unknown
Departure airport:Stuart Powell (KDVK)
Destination airport:
Narrative:
Following an apparent loss of engine power, the aircraft impacted powerlines and residential terrain near the departure end of runway 30 at Stuart Powell Field Airport (KDVK), Junction City (Danville), Boyle County, Kentucky. The biplane sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot onboard received serious injuries.
Sources

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=177931
http://www.wdam.com/story/29579099/pilot-hospitalized-after-plane-crash-in-boyle-county
http://www.lex18.com/story/29579049/plane-crash-lands-next-to-boyle-county-home

Two men were taken injured, 1 seriously, after their speeding ATV overturned in Bryan County, Oklahoma



JULY 18, 2015
 
BRYAN COUNTY, OK-- 

Two men were taken to the hospital Friday night after their ATV overturned in Bryan County.

Troopers say it happened on private property around 7:30 Friday night.

Kenneth Moon, 57, was traveling to fast causing the ATV to overturn, pinning him under the vehicle. He was freed by his passenger 49 year old Chris Maynard.

Moon was taken by helicopter to Medical Center of Plano. He was last listed in stable condition.

Maynard was treated and released from MCSO in Durant.

A CN freight train derailed near Bowmanville, Ontario. Seven cars were affected by the derailment and are blocking rail infrastructure


CN says several cars on an intermodal train have derailed near Bowmanville, Ont.
CN says several cars on an intermodal train have derailed near Bowmanville, Ont. (Erin Ramsay)

A CN freight train derailed near Bowmanville, Ont., at 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, causing Via Rail to suspend its trains in both directions between Toronto and Ottawa, as well as Toronto and Montreal, for the rest of the day.
Via Rail said service is expected to resume Sunday morning.

Canadian National Railway spokesman Jim Feeny told CBC News the cars were on a westbound train. He said there do not appear to be any injuries. Seven cars were affected by the derailment and are blocking rail infrastructure. It is not known what the cars were carrying. 

Via said it is organizing alternate transportation for passengers who were already en route aboard trains. For all other people travelling Saturday evening, the trains are cancelled.

Bowmanville is near Oshawa, and about 63 kilometres northeast of Toronto.

Male driver killed, male and female passengers injured in Union Pacific train-pickup truck collision in Midland, Texas after driver drove through the crossing arms




Driver ‘most likely’ drove through crossing arm, city spokeswoman says
Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2015
 
One man was killed and two other people were injured Saturday evening when a Union Pacific train hit a pickup in east Midland, according to city spokeswoman Sara Bustilloz.

The driver, Midlander Paul Thompson, 61, died at the scene; the passengers — one male and one female, both 54 — were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries, she said. The female was listed in critical condition and the male in serious condition Saturday night, she said.
The incident involved a train that was headed eastbound and a Dodge pickup heading northbound on Carver Street. Thompson drove through the downed crossing arm at the railroad’s Carver and Front streets intersection, Bustilloz said.
“I’m not sure what the reasoning was — you never know if it was a medical condition or something like that. That’s the kind of thing that would show up in an autopsy,” she said. “But all we can tell at this point is that the driver most likely drove through downed crossing arms.”

Shortly after crash, the train was stopped several hundred feet down the track after the brakes were applied and the mangled pickup was pushed several yards from the intersection because of the force of the impact. The crossing arm that Thompson drove through had been broken.

The site of the crash — which occurred about 5:30 p.m. — was within the designated “quiet zone,” where trains are not allowed to sound their horns unless a collision is imminent. However, it is currently unknown if the  engineer sounded the horn as the train approached the intersection.

Midland police are conducting an investigation into the exact cause behind the crash, which is the second incident in nine days involving a Union Pacific train. A train hit a pedestrian the morning of July 9, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram article.

Calls to Union Pacific were not returned Saturday night.

Thompson is the 18th person to die on roads in Midland County this year and the third this week, according to Reporter-Telegram records. A 52-year-old Big Spring man died Friday in a three-vehicle wreck at State Highway 349 and West County Road, and a 26-year-old Midland man died early Wednesday morning following a motorcycle wreck on Loop 250, according to previous Reporter-Telegram articles.

Woman pleads guilty, sentenced in 2014 Hartwell boating accident that took the lives of two boys


Posted: July 16, 2015
TOWNVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - 
 The 10th Circuit Solicitor's Office said a woman pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to a boating accident last year.

On August 31, 2014, Anderson County deputies said two boys died after a boat capsized on Lake Hartwell near Hudgens Lake Road.

Anderson County Coroner Charlie Boseman identified the boys as 9-year-old Christian Henderson of Piedmont and 5-month-old Timothy Blayne Dragoo of Greer. The solictor's office said Timothy slipped out of a life vest which was not the correct size, nor fastened securely between his legs. Christian was also wearing an adult live vest which was too large for him, officials said.

Robert McCullough, a spokesperson with the Department of Natural Resources, said 52-year-old Dawn Thompson was operating the boat and responsible for the five children and seven adults on board. He said Thompson refused field sobriety and breathalyzer tests, requiring the DNR to get warrants to take blood which was sent to SLED for analysis.

The solicitor's office said Thompson's blood alcohol content was 0.06 percent and tests showed six different prescription medications in her blood. Investigators also said the boat was overweighted by approximately 500 pounds.

McCullough said Thompson was charged with two counts of DUI with a water vehicle resulting in death.

Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday. Solicitor Chrissy Adams said a judge sentenced Thompson to five years on each count, suspended to one year in prison followed by five years of probation. Probation will include substance abuse counseling and random alcohol and drug tests. 

“This is a horrible tragedy that should never have happened,” said Adams. “Lack of knowledge of boating safety including the maximum capacity of the boat and proper boating procedures, improper life vests for each passenger, combined with alcohol consumption resulted in the deaths of two innocent young people. The families of these victims will remain in our thoughts.”


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Woman denied bond after 2 boys die in Lake Hartwell boat accident

Posted: Aug 31, 2014
 
Dive team responds to boat capsizing on Lake Hartwell. (Aug. 31, 2014/FOX Carolina)
Dive team responds to boat capsizing on Lake Hartwell. (Aug. 31, 2014/FOX Carolina)
 
Thompson was denied bond on Monday. (Sept. 1, 2014/FOX Carolina)
Thompson was denied bond on Monday. (Sept. 1, 2014/FOX Carolina)
 
The boat is pulled out of the water. (Sept. 1, 2014/FOX Carolina)
The boat is pulled out of the water. (Sept. 1, 2014/FOX Carolina)
 
Dive team responds to boat capsizing on Lake Hartwell. (Aug. 31, 2014/FOX Carolina)
 
TOWNVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - Authorities have charged a woman they said was operating a boat that capsized leading to the deaths of a 9-year-old boy and 5-month-old boy on Lake Hartwell on Sunday night.
Robert McCullough with the Department of Natural Resources said the tritoon boat was headed back to its dock near Hudgens Lake Road in the Townville area about 9 p.m. when the boat capsized, not too far away.
As the boys were thrown into the water, the 9-year-old was rescued and flown to the hospital, where the Anderson County coroner said he died just before 10 p.m.
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Spokeswoman Sheila Cole said a helicopter and dive team were dispatched to the lake to search for the missing baby boy. Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper said the 5-month-old was found after midnight in about 20 feet of water.
McCullough said Dawn Thompson, 52, was operating the boat and responsible for everyone onboard - five children and seven adults total. He said Thompson refused field sobriety and breathalyser tests, requiring the DNR to get warrants to take blood which was sent to SLED for analysis.
Thompson was charged with two counts of driving under the influence with a water vehicle resulting in death, according to McCullough.
She was denied bond when she went before a bond court judge on Monday afternoon.
In court, Thompson was heard saying "I love them children like my own" and claiming the incident was an accident.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Thompson said during her bond hearing. "It was an accident, a terrible accident."
McCullough said the 9-year-old boy was wearing a life jacket but the baby was found without one. 
Deputy Coroner Charlie Boseman identified the boys as 9-year-old Christian Henderson of Piedmont and the baby was Timothy Blayne Dragoo of Greer.
The baby's father said he was on the boat with Blayne's mom who was holding the baby when the boat capsized. At some point when they were trying to hold him, the life jacket the baby was wearing slipped off.
Boseman said both boys drowned.
According to Boseman, both boys' moms were also onboard the boat with other friends.
DNR Lt. DJ Riley said the boat was a 19-foot tritoon, deck-style boat. He said by law, life jackets are only required for children 12 years or younger on boats less than 16-feet-long, so technically no one was required to have on a life jacket though everyone is urged to at all times.
DNR agents were back out on the scene on Monday morning investigating the accident and pulled the boat out of the water, but do not know yet what happened. DNR said they do not know what the capacity of the boat was at this point but are looking into it. But Boseman said some witnesses thought too many people were onboard.
"Some of the witnesses stated they didn't realize until they were wet what had happened," Riley said.
McCullough said they will try to reconstruct the accident but because everything was in the water, it is difficult as the evidence shifts around and it may take a while to determine what happened to the boat to cause it to capsize. The boat was taken to DNR headquarters as the investigation continues.
Residents said the area is called Apple Island and is a part of Lake Hartwell. One neighbor said they have lived there for more than 47 years and have never heard of a drowning in the area.
The Department of Natural Resources and Anderson County Technical Rescue also assisted at the scene on Sunday night. DNR is handling the investigation. 

Alcohol and speed main factors in ATV crash that seriously injures a man




A 47-year-old Snover man was seriously injured in an ATV accident Saturday morning.

According to information from the Sanilac County Sheriff Department, the main was driving a four-wheel Honda Rincon east on Cumber Road when he lost control of the vehicle.

The ATV left the roadway and struck the northside ditch bank, causing the vehicle to overturn and throw the rider into the ditch.

The man was found by a passing motorist at 8:25 a.m. Residents said they had last heard a four-wheeler going by on the road at about 1 a.m.

He was transported to Hills and Dale Hospital in Cass City, and then later transported to Covenant Hospital in Saginaw for treatment of serious injuries.

The accident remains under investigation. The man was not wearing a helmet, and alcohol and speed are believed to have been factors in the accident.

Deputies were assisted on scene by Bingham Township EMS and Fire

A hazmat fire at Gallant Laboratories, a cosmetics and toiletries manufacturing company in Shamong, NJ, does not appear to be suspicious

















ShamongFire.jpgEmergency personnel were on the scene of a fire on Stokes Road in Shamong Township, Saturday, July 18, 2015. (Alex Young | For NJ.com) 
 

Shamong hazmat fire not suspicious, N.J. State Police say


  By Alex Young | For NJ.com
on July 18, 2015 at 4:30 PM
 
SHAMONG TWP., NJ

A hazmat fire at a cosmetics and toiletries manufacturing company on Stokes Road does not appear to be suspicious, according to a New Jersey State Police spokesman.

Emergency personnel were called to Gallant Laboratories at about 9:20 a.m. by reports of a fire. Firefighters from several municipalities responded to the scene along with The Burlington County Fire Police and other emergency crews.

Stokes Road was shut down to traffic with vehicles being detoured onto Willow Grove Road.

A third alarm went out at about 11:30 a.m., and emergency personnel remained at the scene into the afternoon. The fire was determined to be under control at about 3:30 p.m.

The NJSP Arson/Bomb Unit responded to the fire, but preliminary investigation by the New Jersey State Fire Marshall did not turn up anything suspicious in nature, according to NJSP spokesman Sergeant First Class Gregory Williams.
No injuries were reported.

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 PREVIOUSLY

Emergency personnel are on the scene of a fire at a cosmetic and toiletries manufacturing company on Stokes Road.
 
According to New Jersey State Police, the call went out at about 9:20 a.m. for a fire and hazmat situation at Gallant Laboratories. By 11:30 a.m., it had gone to three alarms, according to scanner reports.

Police said there was no danger to the immediate area and no evacuations occurred. Also, no injuries were reported.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious, but a NJSP spokesman said the State Police Arson/Bomb Unit responded to the scene.

When reached by phone Saturday, Gallant Laboratories declined comment.
Details will be posted when they become available.

A car slammed into several parked vehicles before crashing into a fence in New Castle, Delaware; driver fled

Car slams into parked vehicles in Delaware

Stolen vehicle slams into parked cars in Delaware
Police say a car slammed into several parked vehicles before crashing into a fence in New Castle, Delaware.

The incident started just before 8:30 a.m. on Route 13 and ended on Frenchtown Road (Route 273) and Basin Road.

According to police, the car sideswiped several vehicles then traveled onto Frenchtown Road with one of the victims following him.

The car then struck a minivan which overturned and struck a telephone pole.

A fire then erupted in the minivan, but was quickly extinguished. The driver suffered minor injuries.
Stolen vehicle slams into parked cars in Delaware


Police say the vehicle continued, lost control and drove through a fence.

The driver then fled on foot with several witnesses chasing him, police say.

He was last seen in neighborhood on Basin Road, but was not caught.

Police at the scene said the vehicle was stolen. However, state police say that detail has not been confirmed.

Speeding tractor trailer truck overturns on the ramp from I-76 West to Route 202 South in PA spilling its load

Rt. 202 reopens after tractor trailer crash in Upper Merion

Officials now say the driver of a tractor trailer that overturned on a major interchange in Montgomery County was going too fast.
Traffic is moving again after an overturned tractor trailer shutdown a major interchange in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County.

The crash happened at 5:39 a.m. Thursday on the ramp from I-76 West to Route 202 South.

Police say the 18 wheeler was traveling too fast and lost control as it was exiting the ramp and about to merge with southbound Route 202.

As it tipped over, its load of metal and other debris fell out and blocked Route 202 southbound.

The driver of the big rig was not injured.

Large yellow 25 mile-per-hour signs mark the 1600 foot long ramp as traffic enters the ramp's first curve. The ascending roadway then straightens as Route 422 traffic departs to the right, then the roadway curves again as it descends and lines up with Route 202.

PennDOT says in the wake of today's crash the agency will consider if there needs to be more speed advisory signs on the ramp.

A fire and explosion at the Hatboro Federal Savings Bank in Montgomery County, PA forced a number of businesses to evacuate. 30 fire companies respond due to the heat

Investigation into cause of Hatboro bank fire

A fire at a bank in Montgomery County forced a number of businesses to evacuate.
An investigation is underway into the cause of a fire inside a bank in Hatboro, Montgomery County.

It all began just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Hatboro Federal Savings Bank.

"The initial tack crews went into the basement, found heavy fire in the mechanical room and there was a minor explosion," said Chief James Anders III, Enterprise Fire Company.

Crews pulled back since they weren't sure what caused the explosions.

Because of the heat more than 30 companies responded to help rotate out firefighters.

Meanwhile businesses and residences along South York and Byberry Roads were evacuated.

"It's undetermined what the cause is right now. We're monitoring the CO levels and high explosive levels inside the buildings," said Chief Anders.

The fire response blocked traffic to much of Hatboro's main business district for the entire afternoon.

Crews were able to put out the fire.

The incident is under investigation.

18-year old male driver charged with DUI after attacking a defensless utility pole with his car in NJ

 


Teen is charged with DUI after crashing into utility pole that resulted in a power surge and electrical outages in Toms River, NJ.






A teen has been charged with DUI after crashing into utility pole which led to power outages in Toms River, New Jersey.

The incident happened just after 7:00 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Rivers Edge Drive.

Police say 18-year-old Andre Alexander was traveling South on Whitesville Road when he lost control of his Ford Explorer.

The SUV then struck a utility pole, causing extensive damage to the power grid transformers which resulted in a power surge and electric outages.

Work crews arrived on the scene and made repairs.

Fortunately no one was injured.

He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence as well as reckless driving.

Tanker trucks can rollover like puppies: 2 injured in tanker truck crash on I-95 in Newport, Delaware


1 injured in tanker truck crash on I-95 in Newport, Delaware





Two people were injured when in a tanker truck crash on I-95 in Newport, Delaware.

It happened around 5:20 p.m. Saturday in the northbound lanes neat the I-295 split.

40-year-old Chester Stallings, was behind the wheel of the truck.

Police say he looked down at his GPS and that's when he struck the back of a Subaru.

The tanker then swerved, hit a guardrail and overturned, causing the truck to spill its fuel.

Stallings had to be pulled from the wreckage. He was taken to Christiana Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

He also faces charges for inattentive driving, no proof of insurance and a number of other traffic related offenses.

A passenger in the Subaru was also taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The crash blocked multiple lanes for more than three hours. All lanes have since reopened.

Delaware State Police are investigating the accident. 




One person was injured when a tanker truck hit a barrier and overturned on I-95 in Newport, Delaware.

It happened around 5:20 p.m. Saturday in the northbound lanes neat the I-295 split.

The truck went off the highway, struck the barrier and rolled over several times, spilling its load.

One person was hurt but it's not clear on the extent of the injuries.

The crash blocked three of five lanes while crews worked to clear the scene. All lanes have since reopened.

No word what caused the accident.

Delaware State Police are investigating.

Tragedy in Wine Country of Long Island: 4 bridesmaids killed, 2 injured after a drunk driver slams his pickup truck into the limo





 

Pickup truck driver arrested after limo crash kills 4 bridesmaids, injures 2

CUTCHOGUE, N.Y. — 

Four women are dead and two seriously injured after an alleged drunk driver smashed into their limousine that was returning from a bachelorette party on Long Island.

Southold Police confirmed there was a fatal crash around 6 p.m., on Route 48 in Cutchogue.

A pickup truck crashed into the side of the limousine carrying the bridesmaids, who were returning from a winery.

Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley said the accident is “one of the worst” he’s seen.

Several police departments including the New York State Police are on the scene assisting Southold PD.

The driver of the pickup truck was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He will face a judge on Sunday.

The identities of the victims has not been released at this time. Police say that some of the victims are from the New York City area.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY, CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.

The pilot's improper lateral/ bank level off during the landing flare, resulted in the right wing impacting the water and a subsequent loss of control causing the crash of CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA 4 200, registration: N613LC amphibious aircraft

NTSB Identification: GAA15CA086
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 22, 2015 in Glenwood, MN
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/08/2015
Aircraft: CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA 4 200, registration: N613LC
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
 
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that he made a normal approach to landing with near glassy water conditions. Shortly after contact with the water, the right sponson separated and the right wing impacted the water, causing the airplane to spin 180 degrees and come to a stop.

The pilot attempted to water taxi to shore, but the cabin area began taking on water. Before reaching the shore, the pilot and passenger decided to perform an emergency evacuation and boarded a boat that had come to provide assistance. The airplane sunk after the pilot and passenger evacuated the airplane.

During a post-accident interview with the pilot, he stated that "the right wing may have dipped" during landing and reported "significant damage" to the right wing flap after the sponson separated during the touchdown. The airplane was later recovered, but the right sponson was not located. A Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector observed damage to the right wing at the wing root and noted the sponson detachment does not appear to have been due to any design or assembly issue.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
  • The pilot's improper lateral/ bank level off during the landing flare, which resulted in the right wing impacting the water and a subsequent loss of control.

The landing flare is a maneuver or stage during the landing of an aircraft. The flare follows the final approach phase and precedes the touchdown and roll-out phases of landing. In the flare the nose of the plane is raised, slowing the descent rate, and the proper altitude is set for touchdown.

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing caused the crash of PILATUS PC12 - 45, registration: N811VM in Crownpoint, NM

NTSB Identification: GAA15CA080
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, May 12, 2015 in Crownpoint, NM
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/08/2015
Aircraft: PILATUS PC12 - 45, registration: N811VM
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
 
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot stated that after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced engine power to idle and the gear warning horn sounded. The pilot reported that he misinterpreted the gear warning horn for the ground proximity warning system and the airplane landed with the gear retracted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spar carry-through structure and left spar attachment. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
  • The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

The pilot's decision to rotate the propeller by hand without properly securing the airplane resulted in the crash of CESSNA 182T, registration: N53310 in ST MARYS, PA

NTSB Identification: GAA15CA057
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, May 03, 2015 in ST MARYS, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/08/2015
Aircraft: CESSNA 182T, registration: N53310
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
 
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the pilot, following pre-flight inspection he attempted to start the engine with the electrical starter but was unable to get the engine to turn over. He turned the magnetos to the off position and then got out of the airplane to "turn the prop through," but was not attempting to hand prop the engine.

When the pilot rotated the propeller by hand, the engine started and the airplane immediately began moving forward. He attempted to enter the airplane but was unable to stop the airplane before it impacted an airport building.

A passenger was sitting in the front right seat of the airplane and was able to evacuate the airplane after it collided with a building. The pilot stated that he should have chocked the wheels, but he was not planning on starting the engine.

According to the airport manager who responded within minutes after the accident, he observed the ignition key selected to the left magneto, and then turned the key off during the post-accident emergency response. The airport manager also reported that the throttle was in the full forward position and the mixture was in the full rich position.

During a post-accident examination, a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector found no anomalies with the ignition wiring system or magneto P-leads. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
  • The pilot's decision to rotate the propeller by hand without properly securing the airplane.