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March 28, 2004 · Aircraft Mfg & Development Alarus CH2T · N605AM

Bay Minette, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Bay Minette, AL
Aircraft
Aircraft Mfg & Development Alarus CH2T
Tail Number
N605AM
Operator
Phil S Flying Enterprises
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA087

Upon arriving at the destination airport the pilot discovered that instrument weather conditions existed. The pilot elected to divert to another airport where weathers conditions were thought to be better. When the visual flight arrived at the uncontrolled airport, the pilot again discovered reduced visibility and foggy conditions. According to the pilot, he attempted two visual approaches to land but executed go-arounds because of reduced weather conditions. However, at about 15 feet above the ground, on the third approach to land, the pilot recalled hearing something striking the airplane, he felt a thump as the airplane collided with trees and the ground. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to the pilot, during the preflight weather briefing visual weather conditions were forecast for the entire flight. The pilot did not report requesting or receiving updated weather data while en route.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate inflight decision which resulted in continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor was the fog.

Full Narrative

On March 28, 2004, at 0315 central standard time, an Aircraft MFG Alarus CH2T home built airplane, N605AM, registered to Aircraft Manufacturing & Developing Company, operated by Phil's Flying Enterprises, Inc., and flown by a commercial pilot, collided with trees while maneuvering for an approach to Bay Minette Municipal Airport in Bay Minette, Alabama. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules (VFR). Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot received minor injuries, the passenger received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Marietta Cobb County - McCollum Airport in Marietta, Georgia, on March 27, 2004 at 2315 eastern standard time. According to the pilot, he received a weather briefing from the Federal Aviation Administration and stated that the reported conditions were sky clear, unlimited visibility and VFR was recommended en route from McCullum Airport in Marietta, Georgia to Fairhope, Alabama, his intended destination. The pilot said that they departed McCullum Airport at about 2315 and received flight following from Atlanta approach enroute to Fulton County airport in Atlanta, Georgia and arrived at about 2330. The airplane's fuel was topped off with about eight gallons of 100LL aviation fuel bringing the airplane usable fuel level to 26 gallons. The pilot and passenger departed Fulton County Airport at about 2345 enroute to Fair Hope, Alabama. The pilot stated that he called a friend in Fairhope just prior to departure and the friend reported that the sky was clear and the visibility was unlimited. The pilot stated that the trip to Fairhope was unremarkable. Upon arriving at Fairhope, the pilot noticed that fog had become increasingly worse and that he could not land VFR. The pilot contacted Houston Approach and advised them that he was diverting to Bay Minette Municipal Airport. Upon arrival at Bay Minette, he found the weather conditions similar to Fairhope. The pilot stated that he had used his reserve and had about 20 minutes of fuel remaining. The pilot stated that he made a low approach into Bay Minette and discovered that the fog was extremely dense and at about 150 feet above ground level, the pilot executed a go-around and was now going to attempt the VOR runway 080 approach. He said he made this approach but could only see the Runway End Identifier Lights and executed a second go-around. On his third approach at about 15 feet above ground level, he heard something strike the airplane like a pine tree, he then heard a loud thump on the right side and then suddenly hit the ground and impacted a tree on the left side, damaging both wings, firewall and all three landing gear. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the flight. . Weather data was recovered from the nearest observation facility at Mobile Downtown Airport, in Mobile, Alabama, 20 miles northwest of the accident site. The surface weather observation at 0400 was: winds 0000 knots, visibility 1/4 statute mile in fog, overcast 300 feet , temperature 16 degrees Celsius, dew point 16 degrees Celsius and barometric pressure of 30.17 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:15 CST
Nearest AirportBay Minette Municipal (1nm E)
Runway08
Runway Length4280 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAircraft Mfg & Development Alarus CH2T
Tail NumberN605AM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhil S Flying Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 116
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time09:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data