Chino Airport, Chino, California

Location: Chino Airport is located 3 miles south east of Chino, California.

History:

Chino Airport Today:  Intensive flight training; Aerobatics; Banner towing; Helicopter and Military operations;



Airport Services and Amenities:  Advantage Avionics; Aircraftsman, Inc.; Championship Aviation, Inc.; Corona Aircraft Sales; Du Bois Aviation; Dukes Flying Club; Inland Valley Aviation, LLC; Nu Vista Helicopters; Rogers Aviation; Zemlock Helicopter Service;

Special Events and Attractions: Angel Stadium; Beaches; Skiing; Victoria Gardens; SoCal EAA/Warbird Squadron 16 gathers at Yank's Air Museum, Stearman Rd., Chino Airport, CA. 8am to 3 pm; 1st & 3rd Sat. of each month. Contact:  714-964-4864 or 909-597-1735 http://www.warbirdsusa.org

Airport Area Accident History:

Accident occurred Tuesday, November 06, 2007 in Chino, CA
Aircraft: Beech A100, registration: N30GC
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 November 6, 2007, at 0918 Pacific standard time, a Beech A100 (King Air), N30GC, impacted trees about 3/4 mile from the departure end of runway 26R at Chino Airport (CNO), Chino, California. The wreckage came to rest inverted in an open field located on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) facility near the airport. The owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial instrument rated pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed from CNO to Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), Visalia, California. The main wreckage came to rest at GPS coordinates of 33 degrees 58.680 minutes north latitude and 117 degrees 39.609 minutes west longitude.

The right engine, which separated from the fuselage, was located in the debris field and sustained fire damage. A post impact fire also erupted at the left engine area, which remained attached to a portion of the wing and fuselage.

Chino airport recorded the following weather conditions at the time of the accident: winds were calm; visibility was 1/4 mile in fog; the vertical visibility was 100 feet; both the temperature and dew point were 11 degrees Celsius; and the altimeter setting was 30.03 inches of Mercury.

Air traffic control (ATC) personnel from the Pomona radar sector of Southern California (SoCal) TRACON (SCT) released the flight. The flight departed IFR from CNO en route to VIS. SCT personnel did not have two-way communication with the accident flight. Normal services were provided by CNO tower personnel.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that after departure from runway 26R, the primary radar target dropped off the radar scope at 800 feet.

According to Champion Air Services at CNO, the airplane had been topped off with 51 gallons of fuel prior to the flight. Champion Air Services fuels with Jet-A fuel only.

Responding FAA inspectors were informed by friends of the owner that he flies to Visalia at least once a week to oversee a business that he operates in the area. The accident pilot was not the regular pilot for the company, but was named on the insurance policy as an approved pilot-in-command.

A witness at the accident site, located at the youth authority facility at the CDCR parking lot, about 150 yards northeast of the main wreckage, reported hearing a crashing sound. When he looked to the south, he saw the accident airplane impact the ground on the right side. A portion of the right wing and engine struck the ground and "burst into flames." The airplane then cartwheeled and came to rest upside down about 100 yards from where he first observed the airplane impact the ground. He notified the CDCR control tower of the accident and responded to the site to render aid to the occupants of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, additional CDCR officers responded to the site and put out the fire located at the left engine area.

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Accident occurred Tuesday, September 25, 2007 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2007
Aircraft: Langley Tri-Quickie, registration: N33LQ
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The pilot stated that while taking off on Runway 26R the airplane pitched up, which resulted in a tail strike. The pilot reported that he was able to "...[get] the nose down, but [the airplane] pitched up again for another tail strike." The pilot revealed that after he "chopped the power" the airplane drifted off the runway to the left and subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing, coming to rest in an inverted position approximately 70 feet off the south side of the runway. The pilot stated that no mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane prior to the takeoff. The pilot further stated that the airplane was equipped with a trim control (reflexor) on a push-pull cable that was mounted on the center console aft of the control stick, and operated opposite the "normal" nose up - aft, nose down - forward positions. The pilot reported that he didn't notice the trim position prior to flight and was not able to perform the required [trim] action
"at a critical time." The pilot stated, "Failure to observe [the trim] position and reset [the trim] makes this accident 'pilot error.'" As a result of the impact forces both wings and canard were sheared off, the engine separated, and the fuselage was separated forward of the tail section.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The premature rotation of the airplane on the takeoff roll as a result of the pilot failing the verify the elevator trim position, resulting in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain during an aborted takeoff.

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Accident occurred Friday, August 10, 2007 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/31/2007
Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta, registration: N10QD
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The helicopter landed hard during a practice autorotation maneuver. Following the private pilot's unsuccessful attempt at a 180-degree autorotation, the certificated flight instructor instructed him to perform the maneuver again. The private pilot entered the autorotation and as the descent proceeded, he utilized the collective to maintain the rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) within the normal operating range. Through the turn, the instructor noticed that the helicopter was gradually assuming a nose-low attitude. The instructor advised the student to level the helicopter and continue to maneuver through the turn. The instructor subsequently assumed authority of the flight controls and the helicopter continued to descend through 100 feet above ground level (agl). The helicopter was at an airspeed of 40 knots and vibrating with the low rotor warning horn sounding when the instructor leveled the helicopter as it simultaneously contacted the ground. The
helicopter touched down hard and slid on its belly to the edge of the runway surface. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. He stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had assumed authority of the controls earlier in the maneuver.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The private pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and main rotor rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and subsequent hard landing. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

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Accident occurred Thursday, July 26, 2007 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2007
Aircraft: Cessna 305-C, registration: N919BD
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that he had been cleared to land on runway 26R and he set up for a normal landing. He then reported that as he touched down everything seemed normal, when suddenly the airplane ground-looped to the right, substantially damaging the landing gear and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The weather was clear and the winds were from 290 degrees at 5 knots.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

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Accident occurred Saturday, July 14, 2007 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/31/2008
Aircraft: Beech 58, registration: N141DH
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
As the airplane was accelerating down the runway for departure approaching a rotation speed around 50 to 60 knots, the nose began to rise. The pilot then retarded the throttles to the idle position after smelling what he believed was a burning electrical odor. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skid to a stop. An examination performed by a mechanic revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the electrical system or landing gear. There was no evidence of an electrical overheat condition or fire. Upon activation of the system, the landing gear operated as designed in both extension and retraction. The landing gear is operated by an electric motor. If the landing gear selector handle was in the retracted position, during rotation, as the weight came off the wheels, the landing gear system would retract.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to ensure the landing gear selector handle was in the extended position prior to departure, which resulted in a premature retraction.

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Accident occurred Friday, May 25, 2007 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/26/2008
Aircraft: Skygear Skygear, registration: N51291
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
The recently constructed amateur-built experimental airplane was in its initial flight test phase and was in the traffic pattern at the airport. Witnesses said it stalled and collided with terrain in a nose down attitude. The airplane had accumulated approximately 8 hours total flight time. An individual who was assisting the pilot with the certification of the airplane reported that it was about 100 pounds heavier than the original design specified due to intentional modifications that were made during construction. Most of the additional weight was located in the tail section. On the day of the accident, the pilot had loaded into the front seat numerous heavy items in an attempt to move the CG forward. The items included a metal workbench vise, a metal toolbox, and a large box of construction staples. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no abnormalities, which would have precluded normal operation. The person assisting with certification
stated that the original concept airframe was built in Korea and consisted of a metal frame covered with cloth. The pilot had the accident airplane built in China but with the metal frame covered in hand laid fiberglass.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in an inadvertent stall.

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Accident occurred Monday, October 23, 2006 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/28/2008
Aircraft: Aero Commander 112, registration: N1022J
Injuries: 2 Serious.
During the takeoff climb the engine began to run rough, and was not producing enough power to sustain flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that there was no remaining runway when the engine began to lose power, and he made a forced landing in an open field. An annual inspection had been completed on the airplane 14 days prior to the accident, and this was the first flight since the inspection. During the annual inspection, the fuel system had been inspected. The inspection included de-fueling the fuel tanks to seal the wing leading edge rivets. The fuel tanks were serviced, and no leaks were observed. An inspection checklist for the fuel system identified various items for inspection at the 50 and 100-hour inspections. During the 50-hour inspection, the drain valves, vent lines and vents, filler cap, anti-siphoning valves, and fuel system placards are examined. In the 100-hour inspection, the internal tank inspection, gages,
transmitters, fuel line fittings, vent lines, and vents, and the fuel vent line drain assembly beneath the fuselage is removed and cleaned. Following the annual inspection, the airplane sat on the ramp for 2 weeks before the accident flight. On the accident flight, the CFI stated that he and the owner/passenger did a thorough preflight with no discrepancies noted. According to the flight manual, during the preflight inspection, the pilot is to check that both the left and right wing fuel tank vents are unobstructed. The postaccident airframe inspection revealed that the left and right wings' fuel vent lines were clogged with dirt at each end, and their associated unions were also packed with dirt. The vent lines and unions were removed and shipped to the Safety Board's materials laboratory for further inspection. The fuel vent lines were found intermittently clogged with dirt at multiple locations along the length of the lines. The vent lines were cut
open and the dirt removed for examination. Insect carcasses were found in the vent lines. According to the airframe manufacturer, there are three fuel vent lines; one at each wing, and one located on the belly of the airplane. If both the main fuel vent lines (left and right wings) become clogged, the belly fuel vent line would not be able to compensate for the clogged vent lines, and fuel flow to the engine would be restricted.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

A loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff due to blocked fuel vent lines that resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot-in-command (CFI).

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Accident occurred Friday, July 28, 2006 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2006
Aircraft: Robinson R-22B, registration: N475SH
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The helicopter collided with the ground and rolled over following a loss of directional control while hovering. The student pilot performed a 90-degree pedal turn to the right. As he completed the turn he encountered a right crosswind and began to lose control of the helicopter. The helicopter yawed to the left and drifted into a run-up area. The student asked the certified flight instructor (CFI) to take control. The CFI applied left pedal, causing the left yaw to progress into a spin. Before he realized his mistake and made a corrective input, the helicopter hit the ground and rolled onto its left side. The CFI stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The Automated Surface Observation System located at the airport reported that the winds were from 240 degrees at 8 knots.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision and incorrect remedial action. A factor was the student pilot's loss of control in a hovering turn.

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Accident occurred Wednesday, June 28, 2006 in Chino Hills, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/28/2008
Aircraft: Bell 206B, registration: N205LA
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The pilot was flying for a local news service when he heard a loud bang, and made an off-airport precautionary landing. After landing, he reduced the throttle setting to ground idle and locked the flight controls. He exited the helicopter and attempted to locate the source of the noise he had heard. The pilot stated that he found nothing wrong and re-entered the helicopter to resume the flight. After he brought the helicopter into a hover and started to transition into forward flight, the helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground. An examination of the helicopter systems revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions, failures, or damage which would explain the loss of control.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

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Accident occurred Thursday, April 21, 2005 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/7/2005
Aircraft: Rankin Quickie Q2, registration: N8337F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway and collided with a runway light during landing. The pilot had landed his airplane in a crab with a left 20-degree 15-knot crosswind. He said his efforts at redirecting the airplane away from the light were not successful and the airplane collided with the runway light. The pilot had departed from the airport about 45 minutes before the accident. At the time of his departure, the wind was essentially the same as when the accident occurred.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

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Accident occurred Monday, April 11, 2005 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/28/2006
Aircraft: Clark Aerosport Scamp, registration: N234HC
Injuries: 1 Minor.
The airplane nosed over during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. Just prior to the accident flight, the pilot adjusted the mixture control at the carburetor because previous test flights indicated that the mixture was running too rich. He contacted the carburetor manufacturer and was advised to adjust the setting no greater than one turn. The pilot adjusted the setting one complete turn. Following an operational ground test at 2,700 rpm (full power is 3,600 rpm), he departed and climbed the airplane to 300 feet. The engine did not develop full power and he attempted to correct the problem by leaning the mixture. The condition worsened so he landed the airplane in a field. The airplane was going through its Phase I flight test and the airframe and engine had accumulated approximately 6 hours. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures with the airplane or engine.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

a loss of engine power due to the pilot/builder's excessive adjustment (lean) of the mixture setting at the carburetor. The pilot/builder's failure to perform a more comprehensive ground test prior to flight was a factor.

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Accident occurred Wednesday, March 30, 2005 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/7/2005
Aircraft: Cessna 172L, registration: N7832G
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over during the landing rollout. The pilot's first landing attempt was unsuccessful due to an unstabilized approach in a gusty crosswind condition. The pilot was able to maintain a stabilized approach during the second landing. The pilot reported that after touchdown the airplane was struck by a gust of wind. The right wing dipped down, the nose pitched forward, and the propeller struck the runway. The airplane veered off the runway and came to rest inverted. Tower personnel reported winds from 040 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 30 knots, at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the pilot's inadequate compensation for a gusting crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control.

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Accident occurred Saturday, March 26, 2005 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/25/2006
Aircraft: North American AT-6C, registration: N7055H
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
A North American AT-6C was taxiing onto the runway for takeoff and collided with a Cessna 172K that was stationary and awaiting takeoff clearance. The ground collision occurred after the North American pilot received a clearance to depart. As he was taxiing toward the approach end of the runway from behind the Cessna's position, the airplane's propeller sliced into the outboard portion of the Cessna's left wing.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles while taxiing.

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Accident occurred Sunday, December 07, 2003 in Chino Hills, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/30/2005
Aircraft: Piper PA-28R-200, registration: N16264
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
The airplane collided with mountainous terrain at the 1,400-foot level during a night visual flight rules (VFR) flight in weather conditions that included a 1,500-foot overcast ceiling and a visibility of 2 miles in fog. There was no record that the noninstrument rated pilot requested or received a weather briefing. The departure and destination airports are separated by a range of low hills, which rise to 1,781 feet mean sea level (msl). Recorded radar data disclosed that while flying over the low-lying coastal plain the airplane maintained a relatively steady course and speed. Near the accident site and the hilly terrain, the airplane performed a series of S-turns, then two 360-degree left turns, followed by another series of S-turns. The airplane was in the process of another left 360-degree turn when the target disappeared very close to the ground impact point.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by which he conducted VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions. Mountainous terrain, dark night conditions and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing are contributing factors.

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Accident occurred Monday, September 01, 2003 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/25/2003
Aircraft: Bell 47D1, registration: N64580
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The helicopter's main rotor struck the tail boom while the pilot was practicing a run-on landing. While the student pilot was attempting to execute a landing, he touched down on the heels of the skids. The helicopter rocked forward and the pilot pulled back on the cyclic. As a result, the main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom. No mechanical problems were noted with the helicopter. The student pilot had accumulated about 58 hours in helicopters, with 7 as pilot-in-command. The operator reported that students were not permitted to practice run-on landings during solo flight.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the student pilot's inappropriate remedial action through the application of excessive aft cyclic during a run-on landing. A factor in the accident was the student's disregard for company procedures.

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Accident occurred Sunday, November 10, 2002 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2004
Aircraft: Beech A36, registration: N69DG
Injuries: 2 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
The airplane collided with a power line during the initial climb of an instrument departure. Prior to departure, the pilot received weather briefings reporting that localized ground fog engulfed the airport of intended departure . While holding short of the runway, the ground controller read the departure clearance to the pilot. The pilot in turn copied, and read back part of the clearance, which excluded the departure frequency. After take off, he started a climbing left turn and the controller directed him to contact departure. Not knowing the frequency, he requested that the tower advise him as to what frequency to change to; the tower replied with the appropriate frequency. The pilot glanced at his radios and noted that the active and standby frequencies were not tuned into the frequency the tower had prescribed. He reached over and input the frequency that corresponded with the tower's assignment. After tuning in the correct frequency, he looked
back at the instrument panel and then outside the cockpit. He noticed that wires were directly in his flight path, with a building close behind them. The left wing impacted a power line and the airplane came to rest in a pasture; a post impact fire consumed the airplane. The airport's weather observation facility reported that 5 minutes after the accident the runway visual range was less than 1/4 statute miles visibility and vertical visibility was 100 feet.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

the pilot's failure to understand his IFR clearance, which resulted in a diversion of his attention during the initial climb, and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft.

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Accident occurred Tuesday, October 29, 2002 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/28/2004
Aircraft: Hubbard StddHmltn GlasairIIS, registration: N98TR
Injuries: 2 Minor.
All engine power was lost upon reaching between 150 and 200 feet above the runway during initial climb. The pilot made a forced landing, and the airplane collided with an automobile before coming to rest in an open field about 100 yards beyond the departure end of the runway. The local area flight was performed by the airplane's owner/builder as a sales demonstration for the prospective purchaser, who was the passenger in the airplane. The wing tanks contained about 30 gallons of fuel, and the fuel selector was on the "Both" tanks position. When the pilot first attempted to depart the engine did not respond normally, so the pilot aborted the attempt. The accident occurred during the pilot's subsequent attempted departure. The pilot opined that his experimental airplane's engine lost power because of a lack of, or intermittent, fuel supply.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

Fuel starvation for undetermined reasons.

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Accident occurred Sunday, April 08, 2001 in Chino, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/28/2001
Aircraft: Piper PA-24-250, registration: N6240P
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The pilot said he initiated a go-around on his first attempted landing because the runway wasn't clear. He forgot that he raised his landing gear. He was wearing a new noise attenuating headset that changed the sounds he normally heard when flying his airplane. He did not recognize the gear warning horn during the accident landing. He recalled that the gear warning horn was still sounding as he removed his headset.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A factor was the pilot's failure to use the landing checklist.

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Accident occurred Saturday, August 26, 2000 in CHINO, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/1/2001
Aircraft: Steinke EARLY BIRD -JENNY, registration: N593JN
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The engine lost power during cruise flight at 1,800 feet msl and the airplane nosed over during an attempted forced landing in a field about 1/2 mile from the destination airport. Each fuel tank was at half capacity. Movement of the throttle valves inside the carburetors corresponded to movement of the throttle lever inside the cockpit. Operation of the primer button injected fuel into the carburetor intake body. The vacuum fuel pump was the primary feed for the engine. This pump could not be tested, as the engine could not be run. The electric fuel pump operated after vigorously cycling the master power switch several times between the on and off positions. The spark plugs were not wet with fuel or oil, and they exhibited characteristics of normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The engine lost power for undetermined reasons and nosed over in a soft field during the resulting forced landing.

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Accident occurred Saturday, January 08, 2000 in CHINO, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/19/2001
Aircraft: Hawker Siddeley HUNTER F MK 4, registration: N72602
Injuries: 1 Serious.
During a visual approach, as the airplane was turned onto the base leg, the engine stagnated as the pilot attempted to add power. Unable to increase engine power, the pilot force landed in an open farm field. Just before touchdown, he ejected from the airplane. He was seriously injured when seat-man separation was not achieved. Maintenance records were not available for the engine. While the reason for the engine's failure to accelerate was not determined, an analysis of fuel from the airplane revealed there was significant particulate contamination in the fuel.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the particulate contamination in the fuel.

Chino Airport Approach / Landing: