BE35 Down in Flagler

Don't know what to say, but it makes you very sad for the people and their families. We flew into Flagler for the Daytona 24 last year and it just makes you wonder what you would do in a similar situation. I swear it makes me wonder if a SR22 with a ballistic chute could have saved them in a similar situation. Yes I know you have to be at a certain altitude and speed, but still. Straight down into a house with no chance.

No matter how sad, I was surprised to find how well written this article was, especially after reading some of the other ones. These writers at least did some homework on GA.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130104/BREAKING/130109898?p=1&tc=pg
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Yes, well written...

The V-tail is on the roof.

It looks like it had wing tip tanks.

 

Pilot reported a prop vibration and loss of oil pressure. Fuel didn't seem to be the issue, given the ensuing fire.

RIP to those on board the aircraft.

 

Here is a follow-up article with a transcript. Damn, Damn, Damn....it was his birthday.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130105/NEWS/130109898?p=1&tc=pg

The pilot of a Beechcraft Bonanza calmly reported a vibration and losing oil pressure as he tried to guide his stricken Beechcraft Bonanza to the Flagler County Airport before it crashed into a Palm Coast home on Friday afternoon, killing all three aboard the aircraft.

Pilot Michael R. Anders, 57, radioed air traffic controllers about a vibration, possibly in a propeller or in the engine. He also said his airplane was having problems with oil pressure. Anders referred to the plane as is customary by its N number, N375B.

The two passengers who died along with Anders were Duane L. Shaw, 59, and Charissee M. Peoples, 42. Anders and Shaw were from Albany, Ky., and Peoples was from Indianapolis.

Here is an edited transcription of communications between the pilot and tower.

(5:47 minutes into audio)



Pilot: Daytona, This is 375 Bravo. We've got vibration in a prop. I need some help here.

Tower: 375 Bravo, Roger, the closest airport is 12 o'clock, 12 to 1 o'clock and five miles and are you IFR capable and equipped?

Pilot: Yeah, I'm IFR we are just, we are getting a little vibration, we got oil pressure problem, we are going to have to drop quickly here.

Tower: November 375 Bravo is clear to Flagler, it be radar vectors, descend and maintain 2000 on your present heading.

Pilot: 2000 on present heading, 375 Bravo. Thanks for your help.

Tower: You're welcome. 375 Bravo. How many people on board and how much fuel you got?

Pilot: Three souls on board. We've got plenty of fuel.

Tower: Ok, I just need a number.

Pilot: Ah, four hours, three people on board and four hours of fuel

Tower: Roger that, 375 Bravo and which engine I'm sorry you said is the vibration in your engine, is that correct?

6:35

Pilot: That's correct. We got a propeller or something going. I'm backing it up here to see.

6:53

Tower: November 375 Bravo. Continue your present heading again. We are going to put you close to the Flagler County Airport for runway two niner. We are going to try to get you as close as we can to the airport. Right now they are showing broken 900 foot ceiling, so an instrument approach is going to be necessary to get in there. What are your intentions?

Pilot: Roger, give us the localizer please.

Tower: Ok, the best we can do is an RNAV at that airport or we can reverse course back to Daytona is the only precision approach we have in our air space for the ILS is Daytona.

Pilot: We don't need a precision approach. Is there anything with a localizer or anything VFR.

Tower: No, all of our airports right now are IFR. All ceilings are hovering right around 900 to 1000 feet.

Pilot: We'll take the nearest one and try to break out at 1000 but I don't have RNAV capability.

Tower: 35 Bravo, Roger we can do a surveillance approach and guide you in to the airport. Are you OK with that?

Pilot: I'm lovely with that.

Tower: 375 Bravo, Roger, descend and maintain 2,000 feet and contact Daytona approach

Pilot: Thanks for your help.

Tower: You're welcome.

8:01

375 Bravo, Daytona Approach descend and maintain 3,000

Pilot: 3,000 current heading

375 Bravo turn right heading 060

9:52

Pilot: This is 375 Bravo. We've got zero oil pressure but we've got cool cylinder heads.

12:05

Tower: 375 Bravo Turn right heading one five zero

Pilot: Right turn, one five zero for 375 Bravo, (not clear or inaudible)

13:29

Tower: November 75 Bravo turn further right now to two six zero.

Pilot: Two Six Zero. We are beginning to see the water here.

Tower: 75 Bravo your five miles southeast of the field. .. Turn further right two seven zero.

13:52

Pilot: Two seven zero on the heading. I'm at 1,600.

14:18

Tower: November 75 Bravo turn right, two niner zero That's going to put you four miles straight in. two niner zero and you could descend to your minimum descend altitude. Again the published minimum descend altitude for … two nine is 560.

Pilot: Roger that we are at 1,200

Tower: November 75 Bravo, Roger now you are going through final just slightly turn right 310, 310 for your four mile straight in

Pilot: 310. Four miles straight in

15:19

Tower: November 75 Bravo Advise when you have the airport in sight…Flagler advises cleared to land runway two nine.

15:29

Tower: November 75 Bravo. Heading 320 … advise when you have the airport in sight.

15:51

Tower: …Bravo heading 320 two miles from runway

16:00

Tower: Five bravo you still with me?

16:03

Tower: Three seven five Bravo, Daytona?