Power loss may have contributed to second plane crash into home

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 | 1:25 p.m.

Las Vegas Plane Crash

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A plane crashed into a Las Vegas Valley home on Thursday for the second time in a week. Firefighters responded immediately to calls from citizens about a low-flying plane over Highway 95 that was on fire. The plane was heading to California.

Plane crash

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Safety advocates to meet tonight about two Las Vegas airplane crashes (9-3-2008)
Pilot dies after plane crashes in Las Vegas neighborhood (8-28-2008)
Plane crash's victims were elderly couple (8-23-2008)

As the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation into two airplane crashes within six days, a preliminary report released today says a loss of engine power may have contributed to the second disaster.

The Piper Navajo Chieftain had taken off from North Las Vegas Airport shortly after 2:30 p.m. Aug. 29, the preliminary report said.

The pilot, William Leahy, Jr., of Redlands, Calif., was flying to Palo Alto, Calif., but turned around shortly after takeoff, the report said. He reported a loss of power as he tried to return to the airport, but crashed into a home on North Jones Boulevard near Cheyenne Avenue after hitting a tree, three power lines and then into the house, the report said.

All five people inside the home survived the crash after they ran from the house.

It could take six months to a year before the investigation is completed.

On Aug. 22 an experimental aircraft with a 76-year-old pilot with 40 years of experience crashed into a home on Langdon Way after taking off from North Las Vegas Airport. The crash killed the pilot, Mack Creekmore Murphree Jr., of Dayton, Nev., and two people in the house, 80-year-old Jack Costa and 76-year-old Lucy Costa.

The preliminary report issued by the NTSB in the first crash said that the four-seat, rear propeller Velocity 137 RG took off about 6:28 a.m. Moments later the aircraft crashed through the roof of the home.

The flight of the Velocity was the first from North Las Vegas Airport and the first time a supercharger attached to the engine to boost power had been used.

The NTSB is continuing to investigate the cause of this crash and results could take from six months to a year.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By Doug_Rodrigues

9/5/08 at 11:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

Depending on the type of turbo-charger, or super-charger, a failure can result in either a restricted or a blocked intake. Either way, you're going to go down.

Prior to takeoff, the pilot had radioed the tower a request to remain in the traffic pattern, probably to remain close to the airport while he gained altitude. Such a request isn't out of the ordinary. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way. Most unfortunate are the lack of open areas on the departure end of the runway. Homes don't belong in an area where crashes can occur.
By DavidMorgan

9/6/08 at 4:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

The reporter got everything but what happened to the pilot of the Navajo. Not everyone read the first article.
By Doug_Rodrigues

9/6/08 at 8:16 p.m.

Suggest removal

I think I missed an article. For the Navajo, there was an engine failure with a fire after takeoff, he was trying to turn around but landed between two houses. Pretty good trick for a 40 foot wingspan airplane. Be tough enough for a little Cessna single engine to do. That's all I know? The guy was a good pilot to pull that off. I'm sure if it was within the ability of the Navajo to make it back to the airport, that's exactly what he would have done