Flashlight Found In Tailcone Of The Tecnam

The NTSB has issued its preliminary report in the Texas accident in which a high-school student pilot and his instructor were killed. Investigators said a flashlight was discovered in the tailcone of the Tecnam P2002 involved in the incident.

NTSB Identification: CEN10FA107
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, January 23, 2010 in Waxahachie, TX
Aircraft: TECNAM P2002, registration: N145AG
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 23, 2010, at 1158 CST, a Tecnam P2002 Sierra special light sport airplane, N145AG, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an uncontrolled descent near Waxahachie, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was owned by U S Aviation Group, LLC, Denton, Texas and was operated by CRP Future Pilots Flight School, Inc., Dallas, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight departed the Dallas Executive Airport (RBD), at 1139.

Preliminary air traffic control radar data showed the airplane in cruise flight at 2,600 feet with the last radar contact recorded at 1158. Several ground witnesses observed the accident and placed calls to 911 emergency at 1159. One witness stated that they saw the airplane with its nose down in an “uncontrollable spin”.

The airplane wreckage was located in an open field approximately 3 miles northeast of the Mid-Way Regional Airport (JWY). First responders found the airplane resting on its nose with the tail protruding upward. All portions of the airplane were located within 25 feet of the main wreckage.

On January 24, 2010, the airplane wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination. A preliminary examination of the wreckage revealed that a flashlight was found in the tailcone section. The flashlight and tailcone area exhibited transfer marks near the stabilator push-pull tube linkage. The forward rod end of the stabilator push-pull linkage was fractured.

File Photo

Several damaged parts, including the stabilator push-pull tube and flashlight, were removed and sent to the NTSB materials laboratory for examination. The installed electronic flight instrumentation system was removed and sent to the NTSB vehicle recorders laboratory for examination and readout.

At 1204, the JWY automated surface observing system reported calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, overcast clouds at 7,000 feet, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.57 inches of Mercury.

According to the operator, the flight instructor had accumulated approximately 1,170 total flight hours. The student’s pilot logbook shows he had 3 hours total flight experience.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov