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Correction attempt in fatal plane crash

Report says Bath Twp. pilot tried to ascend, declared emergency in foggy, misty weather

By John Higgins
Beacon Journal staff writer

POSTED: 07:50 a.m. EST, Dec 31, 2008

The pilot of the single-engine plane that crashed in Lake Township on Dec. 19 had attempted to correct his approach to Akron-Canton Airport.

The pilot attempted to head north and climb when he declared an emergency, according to a federal report.

The private Piper Saratoga crashed in a residential neighborhood beside a vacant home, killing Michael Connell, 45, of Bath Township.

The preliminary report of the National Transportation Safety Board, which was released today, does not state a cause of the accident or whether Connell had further communication with the airport tower after declaring an emergency.

Connell was the only person on board the seven-passenger aircraft and there were no injuries on the ground.

''No anomalies were noted with the flight control system that would have precluded normal operation,'' according to the report. ''The landing gear was extended.''

The wreckage path was about 290 feet long and the propeller was separated from the engine and ''exhibited S-shaped bending consistent with engine power,'' according to the report.

Connell was returning to Akron-Canton Airport from College Park, Md., shortly before 6 p.m. when the crash occurred about two miles northeast from the airport.

''Preliminary radar data shows that the airplane maintained assigned headings and altitudes while en route to CAK,'' the report said.

During his approach, Connell communicated with the tower, asking if there were any reports of icing. He was told no and the tower did not receive any icing reports from Connell, according to the report.

The near-freezing temperature and a dew point near zero created misty, foggy conditions that required the use of nighttime instruments.

At 5:35 p.m., visibility was 10 miles, with broken clouds at 700 feet above ground level and overcast conditions at 1,400 feet.

At 5:51 p.m., just two minutes before the crash, visibility dropped to 9 miles with wind at 11 knots. The layer of soupy weather dropped lower, with broken clouds at 500 feet and overcast conditions at 1,000 feet. By 6:09 p.m., visibility had dropped to 2.5 miles with mist.

The transportation board noted that the tower informed Connell that he was veering too far left. Connell decided that rather than adjust his path, he would try the approach again by flying the plane in a 360-degree circle to better line up with runway 23.

The tower instructed him to climb to and maintain 3,000 feet. Connell told the tower he was headed due north and climbing. He then declared an emergency.

Connell was a prominent Republican political consultant. He founded New Media Communications in Richfield, which developed campaign Web sites for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and President George W. Bush.

Connell and his wife, Heather, had been married about 18 years and have four children between the ages of 10 and 17. The Connell family is well known at St. Hilary Church in Fairlawn, where they are members and their children have attended classes.

In 2005, the Connells began organizing an annual mission trip to El Salvador from the parish. It was known as the Serving Christ Through His Poor, El Salvador Mission.

Connell held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He reported a total flight time of 510 hours at the issuance of his last medical certificate, dated Oct. 19, 2007, the report said.

John Higgins can be reached at 330-996-3792 or jhiggins@thebeaconjournal.com.

The pilot of the single-engine plane that crashed in Lake Township on Dec. 19 had attempted to correct his approach to Akron-Canton Airport.

The pilot attempted to head north and climb when he declared an emergency, according to a federal report.

The private Piper Saratoga crashed in a residential neighborhood beside a vacant home, killing Michael Connell, 45, of Bath Township.

The preliminary report of the National Transportation Safety Board, which was released today, does not state a cause of the accident or whether Connell had further communication with the airport tower after declaring an emergency.

Connell was the only person on board the seven-passenger aircraft and there were no injuries on the ground.

''No anomalies were noted with the flight control system that would have precluded normal operation,'' according to the report. ''The landing gear was extended.''

The wreckage path was about 290 feet long and the propeller was separated from the engine and ''exhibited S-shaped bending consistent with engine power,'' according to the report.

Connell was returning to Akron-Canton Airport from College Park, Md., shortly before 6 p.m. when the crash occurred about two miles northeast from the airport.

''Preliminary radar data shows that the airplane maintained assigned headings and altitudes while en route to CAK,'' the report said.

During his approach, Connell communicated with the tower, asking if there were any reports of icing. He was told no and the tower did not receive any icing reports from Connell, according to the report.

The near-freezing temperature and a dew point near zero created misty, foggy conditions that required the use of nighttime instruments.

At 5:35 p.m., visibility was 10 miles, with broken clouds at 700 feet above ground level and overcast conditions at 1,400 feet.

At 5:51 p.m., just two minutes before the crash, visibility dropped to 9 miles with wind at 11 knots. The layer of soupy weather dropped lower, with broken clouds at 500 feet and overcast conditions at 1,000 feet. By 6:09 p.m., visibility had dropped to 2.5 miles with mist.

The transportation board noted that the tower informed Connell that he was veering too far left. Connell decided that rather than adjust his path, he would try the approach again by flying the plane in a 360-degree circle to better line up with runway 23.

The tower instructed him to climb to and maintain 3,000 feet. Connell told the tower he was headed due north and climbing. He then declared an emergency.

Connell was a prominent Republican political consultant. He founded New Media Communications in Richfield, which developed campaign Web sites for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and President George W. Bush.

Connell and his wife, Heather, had been married about 18 years and have four children between the ages of 10 and 17. The Connell family is well known at St. Hilary Church in Fairlawn, where they are members and their children have attended classes.

In 2005, the Connells began organizing an annual mission trip to El Salvador from the parish. It was known as the Serving Christ Through His Poor, El Salvador Mission.

Connell held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He reported a total flight time of 510 hours at the issuance of his last medical certificate, dated Oct. 19, 2007, the report said.

John Higgins can be reached at 330-996-3792 or jhiggins@thebeaconjournal.com.



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connelly

Posted 09:23 PM, 12/30/2008

Hmm. Very sorry, he was much Loved. I'm gonna guess icing.

But, why the gear down if he was ascending for a go around?

One of those wierd cases of wind sheer? Whatever reason, I'm very sorry for family's and friends loss.


r m kraus
Akron, OH

Posted 12:05 AM, 12/31/2008


the BJ fosters inflammatory and baseless comments in this comment box.

kraus


r m kraus
Akron, OH

Posted 12:10 AM, 12/31/2008

there are two articles in the Beacon on this subject, both by Higgins. A comment on one article contradicts a comment on the other article.

kraus


CRYSTIN69
AKRON, OH

Posted 09:44 AM, 12/31/2008

BUT WAS HE WEARING HIS SEATBELT? - USUALLY THAT IS IN THE REPORT - WEATHER THEY ARE IN THE VEHICLE OR NOT. JUST FIGURED I'D ASK.


RETIRED COP WIFE

Posted 09:57 AM, 12/31/2008

hey JFK JR had the same kind of plane


News hound2
pittsburg, pa

Posted 01:21 PM, 12/31/2008

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6772
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Connell_declared_emergency_before_fatal_crash_1230.html
Sum more info for reads of OHIO.COM
















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