Mooney Accident @ New Garden PA

[Len Lanetti]

3 Survive Plane Crash

NEW GARDEN TWP., PA-June 27, 2005 — Three people are thanking their lucky stars, after walking away from a plane crash, in New Garden Township, Chester County.



The crash happened just after 6pm Sunday at the New Garden Airport.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration say the Mooney Single Engine Aircraft was trying to land when if flipped over and crashed into the nearby trees.

The three people on board were taken to a hospital for observation. They are going to be OK.

The investigation is underway.

(Copyright 2005 by WPVI-TV 6. All rights reserved.)
Last Updated: Jun 27, 2005

 

[RotaryWingBob]

3 Survive Plane Crash

NEW GARDEN TWP., PA-June 27, 2005 — Three people are thanking their lucky stars, after walking away from a plane crash, in New Garden Township, Chester County.

This county sure has had its share of accidents this year...

 

[Anthony]

I don't know how it happened, but the winds can get very squirrelly there. Glad they're OK.

 

[Eamon]

I don't know how it happened, but the winds can get very squirrelly there. Glad they're OK.

And those 300 ft trees, Yikes.

I will never forget the first time I landed there at night. It was 900 Overcast with 2 mil vis in mist and the mins for the VOR 24 are 600/1, so it wasn't too bad

I was in a friends retract so I was going a bit faster than I was used to at the time.

I had been there 20 or so times during the day In good and bad WX. I knew there were big trees on both side so I held center line right on the money after I broke out.

As I entered the flair I notice my left tire was going to hit grass & the right was gonna hit asphalt... Yikees. The paved runway has a grass runway right next to It and the lights are on the edges of the outside of both. center line of the lights is the meeting of the two runways LOL. Luckily it is a long enough runway to let me correct.

It is stated as non-standard in the green book, but not on the "plate" Another good reason to have a green book and read it.

 

[ejensen]

And those 300 ft trees, Yikes.

What kind of trees are that tall?

 

[Eamon]

What kind of trees are that tall?

LOL transplanted California red wood?

I have no idea how tall thet really are, But they sure seem like 300 ft especially when you are landing 6 . Approaching 6 you are landing on a cliff Kind of like Worcester, Mass or Chester, CT. There are trees on both sides, but the ones on the SW side are HUGE.

 

[grattonja]

New Garden is not a place that would be high on my list of choices for instrument approach in fairly "hard" IFR conditions, for sure.

The place has had it's share of accidents this year or so. Too bad, it looks like a lovely little airport.

Jim G

 

[Anthony]

New Garden is not a place that would be high on my list of choices for instrument approach in fairly "hard" IFR conditions, for sure.

The place has had it's share of accidents this year or so. Too bad, it looks like a lovely little airport.

Jim G

It is a nice little airport. I was based there for a couple of years before moving to N47 because it was closer to my then home. New Garden is in a wonderful setting with lots of farms around it. There is also an aircraft museum on the field which is owned by Lex DuPont (yes the famous DuPonts). He also owns the airport and flies his Grumman F4F Wildcat on occassion as well as the other planes in the museum. They are all airwrothy and get flown. A firm that restors PT-19's is also on the field as is Roger Lenhert "The Flying Farmer" and Matt Chapman, a former U.S. acrobatic champion. Its a neat mix of people and atmosphere and worth a visit. Don't let your guard down on final andinm the flare though. Doesn't matter which way you land, both runways can get "interesting".

On occassion, Mrs. Dupont would drive up in her Rolly Royce (chauffered I think), open the door and her little Italian Greyhound would always run over to me to get attention. Just a different experience.

 

[ejensen]

LOL transplanted California red wood?

That's what I thought Tallest out there is 370'

I have no idea how tall thet really are, But they sure seem like 300 ft especially when you are landing 6 . Approaching 6 you are landing on a cliff Kind of like Worcester, Mass or Chester, CT. There are trees on both sides, but the ones on the SW side are HUGE.

I saw trees like that once in Mississippi. All kidding aside, I'm not used to even 50' trees out here. We deal with other problems, DA and such, so I'm used to poor climb rates. So when I'm back east and looking at those trees at the end of the runway it's always alittle tense. Till I remember that yeah a this plane will climb just a little better at 700' msl rather than 7000'.

 

[RotaryWingBob]

What kind of trees are that tall?

The same kind that they have at Cross Keys (17N) in NJ. That ****ing pine tree at the approach end of 27 is at least 300 feet tall!

 

[Anthony]

All kidding aside, I'm not used to even 50' trees out here. We deal with other problems, DA and such, so I'm used to poor climb rates. So when I'm back east and looking at those trees at the end of the runway it's always alittle tense. Till I remember that yeah a this plane will climb just a little better at 700' msl rather than 7000'.

The zoning laws have banned mature trees here in Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree. If any of your trees get over 20' the Homeowner's Assoc. sends you a letter to cut it down or face repatriation to the concentration camps for the non-compliant.

Its nice not have obstructions at the end of ruways though.