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Crash Investigator Says Plane Lifted Off, Veered, Hit Antenna
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Published: July 20, 2008
At Vandenberg Airport, where Harlan Northcott's Beechcraft Bonanza crashed Thursday afternoon, killing him, Patricia Snyder, 49, and Tyler McLellan, 15, an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board offered more information Saturday about what happened.
The Beechcraft's propeller hit an antenna 212 feet left of the center of the 150-foot-wide runway, said NTSB investigator Corky Smith at a briefing Saturday afternoon. The plane, Smith said, was 45 to 49 feet in the air when it hit the 49-foot-tall glide slope antenna, used to help pilots in instrument-guided landings.
Though it was raining, "weather is not a factor in this accident, period," Smith said.
Smith added that he hoped to conclude his examination of the debris today, after which the debris will be turned over to Northcott's insurance representatives.
"We'll be looking at the man, the machine and the environment," Smith said of the investigation.
While Smith conducted his investigation, the family of Northcott, 81, made plans for a memorial barbecue, to be held today at his Sun City Center home.
"There will be a memorial service held tomorrow at his home at 6:30 p.m., for family and friends" Northcott's son, Glenn, said Saturday. "We are going to celebrate the good things he did."
For 20 years, Northcott flew for Angel Flights, volunteering his time and the airplane. He loved to help people like Snyder, who was on her way home after receiving treatment at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.
"He always liked throwing parties and opening his home to anybody and everybody, so we are going to do just what he always wanted," Glenn Northcott said. "He always liked throwing barbecues."
Glenn Northcott said his father liked good music and good times. He liked all kinds of music. He loved to play, but he couldn't hold a tune, the son said.
Northcott's favorite song, said Glenn Northcott, was "Jolly Jolly Sixpence," which he liked to sing with his grandchildren.
"Our prayers go out to the families of Patricia and Tyler," he added. "I was in contact with one of the other families. My dad had flown her on previous Angel Flights. The whole thing is just tragic. The world lost a young man who hadn't even gotten started with his life and two adults who seem to be wonderful people who are full of life. And I can tell you at 81, you couldn't tell him his life was anywhere near over. His life had just begun. He would point his finger at you and say, 'I may be 81 on the outside, but I am 16 on the inside.'"
Smith said Saturday that he was going to examine the airframe, engine and propeller of Northcott's plane.
A witness driving south on Interstate 75 saw the plane taking off, then start to drift to the left over the last third of the runway with the main landing gear retracted before hitting a pole, Smith said. The witness said the plane then cartwheeled before landing right side up and bursting into flames.
An initial examination of the crash debris determined that the plane was 45 to 49 feet in the air when it hit a glide slope antenna, used to help pilots land, Smith said, adding that he has a year to complete his investigation, which only determines facts. The NTSB board will determine a cause, he said.
Smith said the witness account appears to be accurate, except for the fact that the witness thought the plane's right wing hit the pole, or antenna, when in actuality it was the propeller.
Northcott had a current pilot certification with instrument rating, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said. His medical certificate, which he received in August, was also current. The FAA requires that every two years, pilots show they are in good health, have good eyesight, a good mental state and are taking only approved medications, Bergen said.
There is no upper age limit for pilots, she said. "There are many people in their 80s or 90s who have pilot certifications."
As inspectors worked over the wreckage of his father's airplane Saturday, Glenn Northcott read something he wrote to honor the man who died helping others.
"If my father could say or do anything at this moment in time, he would simply say: 'Don't let your hearts be filled with sadness or grief, but get up and get on with life. Put some pep in your step, a smile on your face and give everyone you love a great big bear hug.'"
Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.
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