Preliminary NTSB Accident Report (Hendricks Motor Sports)

National Transportation Safety Board ^ | NTSB

[jaydubya2]

For your ping list.

[Constitution Day]

FYI

[Pylot]

It was also reported that on that day, prior to the crash of the Hendrick plane, that 20 pilots elected to land at the next nearest airport instead of attempting this approach.

[safisoft]

The minimum descent altitude for the intermediate section of the approach and the holding pattern southeast of the BALES locator outer marker was 2,600 feet. The minimum descent altitude on the final segment of the approach, with distance measuring equipment (DME), was 1,340 feet, and the missed approach point (MAP) was at 1 DME. The distance from BALES to the MAP was 5 DME.

OK, they are holding at BALES at 4,000 when cleared for the approach. Instead of descending in the holding pattern so as to cross BALES inbound at 2,600, they immmediately turned inbound and cross BALES at 3,900 inbound. Then they GRADUALLY descend to 2,600 (the Intial Approach altitude); and then begin ANOTHER decent AFTER passing the Missed Approach Point(??!!)

This sounds like they misread the approach plate. I am not familiar with the approach there, but it may be that there is more than one Initial Approach Point and they misread that they were holding at BALES.

Another thought since they had GPS, they may have misprogrammed it and been using it instead of the DME for the localizer (their GPS was not certified for this).

One last possibility is that they may have had the DME tuned to something other than the DME for the approach. Thereby thinking that they were further out from the Missed Approach Point than they were. Of all the possibilities, this seems the most likely for an experienced crew - because it involves only one error that only one of them has to make (tuning the VOR/ILS DME), and the other pilot would not necessarily be inclined to back that up.

In any regard, this sounds like the accident investigation is over for all intents and purposes. The investigators KNOW what happened, they are just not coming right out with it.

[steveegg]

Mini NASCAR gang ping.

[IFly4Him]

Agreed.

Why an organization like that can't afford to properly equip an aircraft is beyond me. I see it time and time again in this business.

I don't know the entire situation here, but there are a lot of owners out there who can afford to buy an airplane but they can't "afford" to keep it (ie maintain properly) or staff it with professionals.

[tubebender]

Thanks for posting this. I am surprised they issued a report so soon...

[Chemist_Geek]

As the airplane approached the Blue Ridge Airport, an air traffic controller advised the flight crew that they were second in line for the Localizer Runway 30 approach and instructed them to hold "as published" on the localizer course at 4,000 feet, and to expect a 28-minute delay in the holding pattern. The flight crew requested 5-mile legs in the holding pattern and the controller approved 5 or 10-mile legs at the crew's discretion.

The Localizer Runway 30 approach at the Martinsville/Blue Ridge Airport had an inbound course of 305 degrees. The minimum descent altitude for the intermediate section of the approach and the holding pattern southeast of the BALES locator outer marker was 2,600 feet. The minimum descent altitude on the final segment of the approach, with distance measuring equipment (DME), was 1,340 feet, and the missed approach point (MAP) was at 1 DME. The distance from BALES to the MAP was 5 DME.

The accident airplane approached the outer marker from the south, crossed the outer marker at 4,000 feet, and turned towards the outbound leg of the holding pattern. At 1224:19, while the airplane was in the entry turn, the controller asked if the airplane was established in holding, and the flight crew confirmed, "we're established." At 1224:26, the controller cleared the airplane for the Localizer 30 approach and requested that the crew advise when they were inbound on the approach. The airplane then completed a continuous right-hand turn toward BALES, and crossed abeam BALES at 3,900 feet.

Here's what I don't understand. ATC told them to expect 28 minutes in the hold, but instead, seven seconds after they enter the hold they're cleared for the rest of the approach. Furthermore, all of the published approaches to runway 30 include a turn as part of the missed approach.

[Fierce Allegiance]

CD, thanks for the ping

Blackdog - FYI

[DJtex]

The investigators KNOW what happened, they are just not coming right out with it.

Yeah--same thing that's responsible for 90% of aircraft accidents--pilot error!

[IFly4Him]

that's pretty common...

at uncontrolled airports, pilots often forget to cancel their flight plan when they get on the ground. ATC has to guarantee separation, thus they conservatively issue hold times. It is safe to assume that the plane in front either landed and cancelled immediately or went missed and got into radar control just before the clearance.

[WildTurkey]

"The airplane was equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, but it was not certified for IFR flight. " I almost fell out of my chair on reading this!

[ChefKeith]

Full ping

[WestCoastGal]

Ping

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

***"The airplane was equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, but it was not certified for IFR flight. " I almost fell out of my chair on reading this!***

My husband pretty much said something similar...something like, "well, there's your problem right there." Dh flies this plane in the USMC, but his is certified IFR.

Why would a wealthy NASCAR group who could easily afford all the "bells and whistles" purchase a plane without them?

[WildTurkey]

I know they said it was a preliminary report but geez, no mention of weather conditions from the tower? I didn't see the airport altitute listed either. I thought it was SOP to state these facts up front.

[safisoft]

Here's what I don't understand. ATC told them to expect 28 minutes in the hold, but instead, seven seconds after they enter the hold they're cleared for the rest of the approach.

That is not uncommon. When the previous aircraft lands or cancels IFR, or goes missed approach, ATC can clear the next for the approach. That is likely what happened. The 'bad news' of holding is usually given first.

Thanks for the link though - BALES, the Final Approach fix is an NDB. Looking at the actual approach plate leads me to think they misidentified their Initial Approach fix and Final Approach fix. They were holding at the FAF (BALES) - it is also an IAF. The straight in IAF is further out at ULAKES. This is 11 miles further out from BALES. If he was holding at BALES but THOUGHT he was a ULAKES, that could explain a lot.

[agincourt1415]

I guess the A/C had no GPS Color moving map, sounds like they had no situational awareness of where they were on the approach.

[countrydummy]

Thanks.