Airplane Went Down May 23, One Person And A Dog Fatally Injured

The NTSB has released a preliminary report from an accident which occurred May 23 in West Columbia, SC that resulted in the fatal injury of an 85-year-old pilot. The remains of a dog were also found on board the experimental BR Legend Turbine aircraft.

According to the report, on May 23, 2015, about 0921 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built BR Legend LLC Turbine Legend, N42BR, registered to BR Legend LLC, operated by a private individual, collided with trees and a pond approximately 1.2 nautical miles west of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (KCAE). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the personal flight from KCAE to Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL), Asheville, North Carolina. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial pilot and a dog were fatally injured. The flight originated from KCAE about 0914.

According to preliminary air traffic control information, after takeoff the flight proceeded in a northwesterly direction while climbing, until about 0917:36, at which time a change to a westerly heading occurred. The airplane continued on the westerly heading while climbing until about 0917:57, and about two seconds later while flying about 6,775 feet mean sea level in contact with the Radar North controller, the pilot declared a mayday indicating that he, "…lost ah my engine." The radar depicted the airplane turning to a southerly heading while descending. The controller asked on the frequency what aircraft was declaring an emergency, to which pilot replied with the partial call sign that he was "trying to make it back to the field." The controller advised the pilot to enter left base for runway 11, provided the altimeter setting and indicated the wind was calm. Coordination between the Radar North and local controllers occurred, and about 0918:45, the Radar North controller advised the pilot that KCAE was at his ten to nine o'clock position and 6 miles, and asked him if he had the airport in sight, but he did not reply. About 0918:54, the Radar North controller inquired on the frequency, "and uh 42BR Columbia" to which he replied, "Roger I have it in sight I think I can make it." At about 0919:05, the pilot advised the controller that he, "…lost my fuel pressure."

Radar data depicted the airplane continuing in a southerly direction towards KCAE while descending, and according to several witnesses immediately adjacent to the accident site, no engine sound was heard. While near Old Barnwell Road, the airplane was observed banking to the left followed by collision with a tree. The airplane then impacted a pond immediately adjacent to the tree coming to rest inverted.

(BR Legend aircraft pictured in photo from company Facebook page. Not accident aircraft)

FMI: Preliminary Report