Colonial transportation safety board-Case B-00134321

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Colonial transportation safety board-Case B-00134321
Case Status	Closed
Date of Occurence	22 March 2549
Last Updated	06 January 2556
Accident Location	Caneton Air Force Base, Troy
Operator	United Nations Space Command
Craft (A/X,S/O)	GATL1-C712F Longsword (A/X)
Registration	AF 57-586
Souls on Board	2

Summary

A C712F Longsword, registered AF 57-586 in service with the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) in affiliation to the Air Force, departed the Troy international space port at 13:10 UTC with a filed IFR flight plan to the Caneton Air Force Base. Reported meteorological conditions as per the ATIS at 14:01 UTC indicated heavy thunderstorm activity and a RVR of 1,200 feet at the time. The 2 manned flight crew conducted a category 1 ILS approach with the given conditions towards R/W 09L. Upon attaining an approximate altitude of 2,000 feet MSL, the PM assessed that the craft was not in full L/D configuration and recommended a go-around. During short-final, when the pilots had a visual of the R/W at approximately 1,000 feet MSL, it was determined that the flight crew were significantly below the glide path and the PF conducted a missed approach procedure upon attaining 200 feet MSL with a pitch angle of approximately 14°. At 14:22 UTC, the craft entered an aerodynamic stall at full power then losing directional control before coming to a rest. Because of the speed and impact, both wings were dismantled from the craft with certain elements producing a 2 meter deep whole into the ground. The crash site debris field was measured to being around 1,900 feet from its initial impact point. The initial emergency response was delayed for 15 minutes due to poor visibility and active military traffic. Emergency responders arrived at the crash site at 14:43 UTC in attempts to control the on-going fire and to aid in the evacuation of the flight crew, but upon reaching the crash site, it was confirmed that the 2 pilots were deceased.

Meteorological Information 1.0

General 1.0.1

The afternoon forecast of the 22nd of March 2549 was observed by the Troy international weather observation center. Reported meteorological conditions during the time of the accident predicted an advancing cold front west of Aimsir City. Mandated assessments disclosed by the Troy Aviation Administration (TAA), weather observers, pilots, and the Colonial Civil Aviation Organization (CCAO) advised compulsory and recommended alterations to be made towards the limited and outdated weather observation systems in addition to more sophisticated emplacements to monitor the unpredictable weather patterns on the surface. Troy is documented to be among several UEG established planets to sustain advanced weather phenomena relating to multiple weather related aviation accidents, with Hat Yai being number one.

Actual Weather 1.0.2

Weather during the time of the crash predicted significant alterations towards a multitude of reported forecasts. Related weather reports as of 14:00 UTC is as follows: winds were foretasted to be variable, but primarily coming from the east at 120° true with a maximum velocity of 25 knots with gusts exceeding 30 knots. The minimum ceiling covered 8/8 oktas of sky coverage at 1,000 feet with a visibility of 3/4SM. Heavy precipitation persisted during the time of the crash associated with thunderstorm activity over the Caneton Air Force Base. The temperature was below zero with a close temperature to dew point spread leading to fog in the vicinity of the aerodrome. Arrivals reported by the ATIS detailed active approaches to R/W 09L with moderate windshear activity, this resulted in multiple missed approach procedures and diversions. The severity of the storm called for an immediate shutdown of arrivals at 14:30 UTC until weather deteriorates for safer flight.

Additional weather Related Information 1.0.3

The area forecast by the Troy international weather observation center behind the advancing cold front indicated there would be light, occasionally moderate icing in cloud. The freezing level would be at the surface, with above-freezing layers between 3,000 and 6000 feet ASL. Furthermore, reported FD's indicated above-freezing temperatures up to and including 9,000 feet ASL. The crew reported that the flight was not in cloud until the final stages of the approach into Fredericton, where they entered cloud at between 500 and 1,000 feet AGL, and that there were no indications of icing throughout the flight.

SPECI TCNN 221415Z 12025G30KT 3/4SM R09L/1200FT/D +RA FG TS OVC010 M03/M01 A2971 WS RWY 09L/R RMK A01 SLP962

-refer to the METAR abbreviation sheet for decoding (https://www.weather.gov/media/wrh/mesowest/metar_decode_key.pdf)

Aerodrome Information 1.2

General 1.2.1

The Caneton Air Force Base was certified by the Troy Aviation Administration with an IATA spaceport code of TCSC as per the CCAO and meets the minimum Civil Air Regulation (CAR) requirements. The aerodrome is located within a class delta airspace with a zulu class orbital transition zone with respect to 2 control towers with controlled services from 03:00 UTC to 21:00 UTC. The aerodrome operates multiple services in relation to ground services, clearance delivery, orbital transition, tower services, approach/arrival services, and radar services. The aerodrome has a total of 2 (09L/27R, 09R/27L) asphalt R/W, each being 9,000 feet in length and 4 space ports.

Runway Overview 1.2.2

As mentioned, the aerodrome sustains 2 R/W labelled 09L/27R, 09R/27L measuring 9,000 feet in length with an asphalt surface. All R/W is equipped with high intensity approach lighting with runway alignment indicator lights, threshold and runway end lights, and high intensity runway edge lights. The intensity of these light systems can be varied from a setting of 1 to 5, with the lights brightest at setting 5. Both R/W are equipped with an ILS array system providing horizontal guidance and a glide slop antenna providing vertical guidance for arrivals. The aerodrome is also certified to conduct category 1 ILS approaches. An ice-control crew was on duty during the afternoon of the occurrence for R/W 09L. The last full runway length James Brake Index (JBI) reading on runway 15 had been completed about 50 minutes prior to the arrival of AF 57-586; the JBI was .48. At the time, the runway was 60 per cent bare and dry and 40 per cent covered with ice patches.

GATL1-C712F Longsword Overview 1.3

Class 1.3.1

The craft that was operated during the 22nd of March 2549 was GATL1-C712F Longsword in service with the UNSC Air Force registered AF 57-586. The C712 Longsword is capable of both atmospheric and exo-atmospheric flight and can be operated remotely or by a 2 manned flight crew consisting of the commander and pilot, whom may assume the role of a sensor technician. The C712 Longsword is the 6th variant of the Longsword program and has several sub variants incorporated to its class during the human-covenant war, the craft that was involved in the crash was of the F model used widely by the Air Force. It measures a length if 33.5m, 39.4m in width, and 6.73m in height with a BEW of 180 metric tons. This particular class entered widespread production during the covenant war with an estimated 10,000 active units in service with the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. It's small size defeats the capability of carrying additional ordnance towards its internal bomb bay with a variety of its defenses being complemented towards the outer hull, reducing it radar cross sectional area.

History 1.3.2

The particular Longsword involved during the crash with the tail registration AF-586 entered service in the 20th of April, 2530. It was constructed at the C712 assembly line at Kenosha Mars by the Misriah Armory. This variant was involved during the Harvest Campaign during 2526-2531 and the battle Vodin in 2532 before being assigned to the 37th Electronic Combat Squadron over Troy on the 1st of December, 2535. Preceding flight crews and maintenance reported multiple snags towards the navigational equipment, particularly the instrument departure and orbital reference system as well as reported issues with the flap retract system. Upon further investigation after the crash, it was determined that the flap setting was in proper operation and that all snags were signed with no concerns to the navigational instruments with references to the FDR.

Damages 1.3.3

The damages sustained after the crash were severe having both wings being dismantled from the craft and hull ruptures towards the upper and under parts of the hull. The debris field was measured to being around 1900 feet from its initial point of impact. After entering the stall, the pilots lost most directional control before applying maximum power to recover from the stall. The craft attained an approximate 200 knots before striking its left wing onto the R/W removing the wing into 2 separate pieces from the fuselage before going airborne to a maximum altitude of 35 feet and impacting the ground. The craft traveled at a 90° angle on its left side for 400m, then rolling over where the surface of the R/W is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the craft and slamming its right wing onto the R/W. The impact force the wing struck the ground caused the right wing to be dismantled from the fuselage. The entire L/D gear assembly was also removed from the craft with the control surfaces such as the inboard flaps, speed breaks, and ailerons being removed after ground contact. Heavy bend forces were involved such

Colonial Transportation Safety Board Investigation

Class Of Investigation

This was a class 4 type investigation

Class 4 Occurence

A class 4 occurrence is a type of investigations in which may involve serious injury(s) or fatalitie(s). There may be a small release of dangerous goods and moderate damage to property and/or environment. The likelihood of identifying new safety lessons and of advancing transportation safety by reducing risks to persons, property, or the environment is low.

Investigator-In-Charge

Dwaipayan Yuzuvendra: Is the lead investigator responsible for leading and assessing all given factors up until and during the time of the crash. The investigative team he had assembled for this case consisted of 3 experienced investigators all of which were among the team responsible in determining the cause of the downing of the national holiday. Before being employed by the CTSB, he was a pilot for the UNSC and for 2 major commercial carriers before joining the CTSB in 2492 and participating in several CTSB investigations.

Public Materials

Images

Aerodrome illustration depicting the point of impact

UNSC logo located at the tail of the craft

Glossary (In Given Order)

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) - The basis for the worldwide system of civil time. It is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) - Pilot to craft operations utilizing references towards craft instrumentation for guidance.

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) - Repeated automated broadcast issued hourly providing weather related information, runway status, and all relevant information directed to flight crews.

Runway Visual Range (RVR) - Distance over which a pilot of a craft on the centreline of the runway can see the runway surface markings delineating the runway or identifying its centre line. 

Instrument Landing System (ILS) -  A precision runway approach aid based on two radio beams which together provide pilots with both vertical and horizontal guidance during an approach to land.

Runway (R/W) - A movement area at ports intended for departures and arrivals.

Means Sea Level (MSL) - An average level of the surface of one or more of Earth's bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may be measured.

Pilot Monitoring (PM) - Oversees the actions of the pilot flying and monitors all craft instrumentation data.

Landing (L/D) - The act of one object making contact towards the surface of another object.

Pilot flying (PF) - Responsible in conducting all flight inputs during flight.

Unified Earth Government (UEG) - Central civilian government that administers Earth and its colonies throughout a portion of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way galaxy. 

Statue Miles (SM) - A unit of measurement that equivalates to 5,280 feet in length.  

Upper Winds (FD) - Alphanumeric forecasts of wind and temperature aloft for various altitudes.  

Above Ground Level (AGL) - A measurement of height with respect to the surface.  

Basic Empty Weight (BEW) - The weight of the aircraft without passengers, baggage or usable fuel.   

Flight Data Recorder (FDR) - Electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.    

Pilot Report (PIREP) - A report of the actual weather conditions as encountered by pilots. 

Flight Level (FL) - An aircraft's altitude at standard air pressure read by hundreds of feet.