The Taylorcraft BC-65 pilot instructed the runway repair technicians at the airport in Fallston, Md., to move their equipment so that he could depart from the closed runway that was NOTAM’d. He then took off downwind.
Later, he returned and the technicians were surprised when the airplane “committed” to landing downwind on the closed runway.
They quickly moved their equipment from the runway, but the pilot was unable to stop the plane before striking the left wing against a construction vehicle off the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage.
According to NTSB records, this was the pilot’s fourth accident in the previous three years.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in collision with equipment off the side of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional landing on a closed runway with a tailwind.
NTSB Identification: ERA14CA039
This November 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
My father always used to say; It was the nut holding the wheel that caused the crash. There are no accidents that is a lawyer’s term to blame someone else.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/2-women-die-laughlin-plane-crash-injuries
Pilot with the same name killed himself and three others out byVegas this year. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was him.
According to the preliminary report there were two different pilots operating these aircraft. The male passenger who was killed could have been the pilot from this article but we have no way of knowing that.
So many things are wrong in this narrative that it surpasses even the “good ol’ Sam, been here forever, knows what he’s doin’ ” paradigm. If new and current pilots have to work their butts off to get and keep current and proficient, what qualified this clown to keep practicing for his own and others’ misfortunes? I hope his inevitable smoking hole is in a wet, remote place, and that he’s flying solo.
This guy had a recent heart attack, stints, and a 2nd class medical. He had a history known to the airport manager of hittng signs, fence posts, whatever… Someone had torn the pages from his AI’s log that documentd maintenance on his aircraft. This was the fourth accident in 3 years. What are the odds he would comply with the PBOR2 self certification requirements? Nil. It’s obvious that the other pilots on the airport and the airport manager were well aware of his issues. Yet it appears no one said or did anything to address his known problems. His family turned their heads, his mechanic did nothing, other pilots ignord his vilations, and the airport manager was complicit. It looks like his AME issued the 2nd class medical using a rubber stamp, not a brain.
You just can’t fix stupid.
Even if they yank his pilot certificate, he’ll probably still continue to fly without it. Maybe a great big fine or some jail time would help. I hope he doesn’t kill someone else either in the plane or on the ground when he kills himself.
Senator Inhoffe, how are you today, sir?
haha he could have been this guy that is for sure. Anyway the person in this accident seems to be lacking on aviation related brain cells.
Cause of the accident was the failure of the FAA to revoke the pilot’s certificate after the third accident!
Some people just shouldn’t fly. Can’t call him a pilot because obviously he wasn’t one.
Harsh words gentlemen, it appears without knowing all the facts of this case. I trust should you ever be called for jury duty you will hear all the detail before passing judgment.
Read the docket.
This is a rare case where the FAA should yank the boy’s pilot license permanently. He is willingly and knowingly endangering other people’s lives. Idiots like him give all of us pilots a bad name.
Time to hang up the plane keys, Hoss…
There has to be more to this story than what is recorded here.
Yes, judging from all the comments, there appears to be a lot more to this story. None of it seems very exculpatory towards the pilot though.