Porterville Municipal Airport, Porterville, CA

Location :

History :

Porterville Municipal Airport Today:




Airport Services and Amenities:
Special Events:

Airport Area Accident History:
Accident occurred Friday, April 13, 2007 in Porterville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/27/2007
Aircraft: Bellanca 7GCBC, registration: N30WH
Injuries: 1 Minor.
The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over when the pilot attempted to execute a go-around. The pilot entered the landing pattern and made two landing approaches, both of which he terminated with a go-around. The pilot said that on his third approach he made a poor landing and attempted a go-around. He applied full power and the airplane veered left and ran off the side of the runway. The airplane nosed over when it encountered ploughed furrows adjacent to the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

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

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

===
Accident occurred Wednesday, September 06, 2006 in Porterville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/29/2007
Aircraft: North American OV-10A, registration: N419DF
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
The airplane impacted rising mountainous terrain in a box-like canyon while performing mission-related low altitude aerial surveillance. The pilot was under contract to fly California Department of Forestry (CDF) personnel over an area where three fires had occurred and to search for newly developing fires. During the 14-minute-long flight, the pilot proceeded to the designated area and commenced providing his observer-crewmember with a viewing opportunity. The pilot flew up and down the canyon's drainage area, which was surrounded by higher elevation terrain. Witnesses initially observed the airplane flying 1,000 to 1,500 feet above ground level (agl). Subsequently, the airplane was observed flying 100 to 150 feet agl. Seconds before the crash, a witness located 3/4-mile downslope from the accident site observed the airplane proceeding over progressively higher elevation terrain while flying between 400 to 600 feet agl, and with its nose pitched upward
at a 40-degree angle. Another witness about 1/2-mile downslope from the accident site reported hearing airplane engine noise consistent with high rpm, the sound of a crash, and the sound of a falling tree followed by an explosion. The airplane impacted 125-foot-tall trees on 25- to 40-degree upsloping terrain, fragmented, and was destroyed by the post impact fire. Wreckage from the airframe and all six propeller blades were examined on the 6,240-foot mean sea level mountainside. The turboprop engines were subsequently recovered and torn down. A plethora of evidence was found consistent with rotational operation at high power followed by sudden stoppage. No evidence of any preimpact airframe or engine malfunction was observed. CDF had published a restriction specifying that the accident airplane not be flown lower than 500 feet agl during missions. The restriction document was found in the airplane wreckage. Additionally, CDF had not authorized the pilot
to fly missions at any time below 500 feet agl.

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

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering over rising terrain in a box canyon. Also causal was the pilot's failure to adhere to procedures/directives regarding minimum altitude requirements.

===
Accident occurred Thursday, September 15, 2005 in Porterville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/20/2005
Aircraft: Beech 95-B55, registration: N127F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot failed to extend the landing gear prior to landing and ribs were damaged in the belly section of the airplane. He initially entered the landing pattern for runway 12, which was the active runway in use. After the pilot was established in the pattern, the wind changed and an airplane departed runway 30. The pilot decided to change his landing pattern and crossed midfield where he entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 30. Upon entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 30, the pilot retracted the landing gear to decrease the required engine performance for the airplane. The pilot turned base and then final while extending the flaps and failed to lower the landing gear prior to landing on the runway. No mechanical anomalies were reported.

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

the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing.

===
Accident occurred Sunday, July 20, 2003 in Porterville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/28/2004
Aircraft: Bell 47G-2A, registration: N4774S
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
During an agricultural spray flight, when the helicopter's drive system disconnected from the engine, the helicopter yawed and descended about 10 feet into the underlying cotton field. The helicopter rolled upon impacting the uneven terrain. Prior to the event, the pilot heard the transmission make a loud noise and the engine oversped. The helicopter's drive system was examined, and 12 bolts on the planetary gear flange were found broken due to fatigue.

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

Fatigue-induced failure of bolts in the helicopter's rotor drive flange, which resulted in a total loss of torque to the rotor drive shaft .

===
Accident occurred Friday, June 13, 2003 in Porterville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/3/2004
Aircraft: Bell 47-G4, registration: N9017N
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
While en route to a field for an aerial pesticide application, the helicopter pitched nose down and impacted the ground. Two roads ran perpendicular to the accident site; one ran east/west, and the other ran north/south. The pilot departed from a service truck in a southwest direction. The destination field was 2 miles southwest of the service truck. As the pilot crossed the east/west road, he made a wide, left turn, traveling northbound. At the intersection of the two roads, the helicopter maneuvered up and over power lines that were parallel to the east/west road. The helicopter turned left about 90 degrees (west), followed by another left turn of 90 degrees (south). The nose suddenly pitched down, and the helicopter impacted the ground. The wreckage site was 1/2 block north from the intersection of the two roads. Post examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

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

loss of control for undetermined reasons.

===
Accident occurred Saturday, October 05, 2002 in Porterville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/29/2004
Aircraft: Quicksilver Challenger II, registration: None
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The unregistered airplane experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff. The noncertificated pilot executed a forced landing in a field, which resulted in the left main landing gear separating when it contacted a tree. The pilot was not aware that the airplane did not comply with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 103, which specifies the requirements an aircraft must meet to operate as an ultralight vehicle rather than an airplane.

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

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.



Porterville Municipal Airport Approach / Landing: