Accident occurred APR-20-96 at MEBANE, NC
Aircraft: VERNON L. COX COX-HAWK, registration: N7VC
Injuries: 1 Serious.
During cruise flight the pilot encountered adverse weather ahead.
He initiated a 180-degree turn but inadvertently entered clouds. The pilot became
spatially disoriented and the airplane began descending with the airspeed increasing
beyond Vne. The aileron system then failed and 2 of the 6 flying wires for the left wing
also failed. The flight descended below the base of the clouds about 1,300 feet above
ground level and the pilot made a forced landing into a field. After touchdown in a rough
field the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest upright. The pilot did not obtain a
weather briefing before takeoff, and the airplane was not equipped with instruments for
controlling the airplane without reference to terrain.
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane
not equipped with appropriate instrumentation which led to the pilot's inability to
maintain control and spatial disorientation. In addition, during an attempted recovery
from the loss of control, the airplane exceeded Vne which resulted in failure of the
aileron flight control system and flying wires. Contributing to the accident was the
failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather briefing and the unsuitable terrain
encountered during the forced landing.
Accident occurred JUL-11-96 at SPANISH FORK, UT
Aircraft: Hanks AVID FLYER, registration: N3086G
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot stated that performance after takeoff was less than he
normally anticipated. He was unable to maintain level flight, and the engine rpm decayed.
The pilot made a forced landing in an area of tall grain, and the airplane nosed over,
sustaining substantial damage. The airplane was below gross weight at the time of the
flight; density altitude was about 6700 feet. No evidence was found to explain the partial
loss of power.
Probable Cause
partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident
was: the tall grain crop that was encountered during the forced landing.
Accident occurred MAY-17-96 at ROCKFORD, MI
Aircraft: JOHNSON AVID FLYER, registration: N4274A
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that he was climbing, 300 to 400 feet above
ground level, when the engine suddenly lost power. After two to three seconds, the engine
"fired" for "another second" then lost power again. He selected a road
to conduct a forced landing. He reported that during the landing "the vertical
velocity was too fast." The landing gear collapsed and the left wing collided with a
post. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of engine control or flight control
malfunction and no anomalies with fuel or oil. The piston rings were "seized on the
piston."
Probable Cause
engine overtemperature which occurred for an undetermined reason. A factor was the
excessive descent rate.
Accident occurred MAY-18-96 at HAYS, KS
Aircraft: SCHLITTER RANS S6ES COYOTE II, registration: N4307N
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that after taking off from runway 16, he
partially retracted the wing flaps. After reducing the flaps, the airplane stalled, and
settled back onto the runway. It then departed the runway to the east and impacted a
concrete wall. The pilot did not report any airplane or engine malfunction.
Probable Cause
failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, when it settled back to the
runway after lift-off. A factor relating to the accident was: premature raising of the
flaps after lift-off.
Accident occurred MAY-25-96 at MOORESVILLE, IN
Aircraft: DICKINSON FISHER CLASSIC, registration: N6292B
Injuries: 1 Minor.
The pilot reported that it was the first flight of his home built
airplane. The airframe was new but he bought a used engine which had 211 total hours on
it. The aircraft had not been inspected for airworthiness by the FAA and had not been
certified prior to the first flight. The pilot reported that he climbed to 700 feet AGL
and flew for 12 minutes, and then the engine quit. He reported that he could not get to an
open field and landed in a wooded area. The airplane landed in the trees which cushioned
the impact with the ground. The examination of the aircraft revealed that the engine had
not seized. The prop was rotated and the engine exhibited continuity. The engine was
examined and no discrepancies were noted. The fuel tank was inspected and no discrepancies
were found. The fuel pump was inspected and it was determined that the pump was an
aviation fuel pump with the designed "weep hole." The fuel pump's inlet and
impulse hoses had sharp bends in them.
Probable Cause
the pilot failed to maintain adequate altitude and clearance from the trees, and had made
an improper in-flight decision when he got to far from a suitable landing area. The reason
for the loss of power failure was undetermined.
Accident occurred JUN-07-96 at LONGVIEW, TX
Aircraft: Fredenburg CHALLENGER II, registration: N2087P
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
During the landing, the ultralight kit airplane struck a ditch
trencher, trailer, and trees. Prior to the impact, witnesses heard the engine at idle, the
pilot "gave a little gas" and the "motor revved." Flight control
continuity was confirmed. Examination did not reveal any water or debris in the fuel
system nor engine anomalies that would have contributed to the accident. The commercial
pilot-in-command, who held neither an FAA medical certificate nor a flight instructor
certificate, was flying with the owner/student pilot until the owner became familiar with
the Challenger II. In 1991, the commercial pilot-in-command received a 0.5 hour
introductory flight in a Challenger II airplane. He had flown a single seat ultralight
vehicle for 85.5 hours in the 15 months prior to the accident. In May 1996, he had
completed "3 or 4 landings" solo in the Challenger II and flown 2.5 hours with
the current owner/student pilot. The student pilot/owner had received 7.4 hours dual
instruction in an ultralight vehicle and was endorsed to solo the Challenger ultralight.
The owner had signed the document to place the Challenger under an ultralight vehicle
registration; however, the airplane was still registered with the FAA as an experimental
airplane at the time of the accident.
Probable Cause
the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of
total experience in the make/model.
Accident occurred JUL-13-96 at STONEVILLE, SD
Aircraft: Sauder AVID FLYER HH, registration: N399S
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
The pilot stated that while in cruise flight, the engine lost
power without warning. He made a forced landing in a "rugged" hay field. Also,
he said the landing was hard, which resulted in the damage to the airplane. The pilot said
he had no knowledge of why the engine lost power. An FAA inspector examined the airplane;
he said there was fuel present after the accident and that he could find no reason for the
engine not to operate.
Probable Cause
loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was:
rough/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area.
Accident occurred SEP-01-96 at UNION PIER, MI
Aircraft: KARR TITAN TORNADO, registration: N238PW
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor.
On September 1, 1996 at 1621 eastern daylight time, a Karr Titan
Tornado, N238PW, was destroyed during impact with the surface of Lake Michigan (terrain)
following a intentional low level aerobatic maneuver. The surviving passenger stated that
the pilot was performing the fifth consecutive "hammerhead turn" when the
accident occurred. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the passenger minor injuries.
The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No
flight plan was on file. The flight departed Valpariso, Indiana, about 1521, on a local
flight.
Accident occurred OCT-06-96 at STANWOOD, WA
Aircraft: Crouch Avid MARK IV, registration: N518DC
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
On October 6, 1996, about 1545 Pacific daylight time, a Crouch
Avid Mark IV home built airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, collided with a fence
during an emergency landing and was substantially damaged near Stanwood, Washington. The
emergency landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise. The commercial
pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and
no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Arlington, Washington,
and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
Accident occurred OCT-27-96 at MERRITT ISLAND, FL
Aircraft: LINDBERG KITFOX IV, registration: N11LG
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On October 27, 1996, about 1455 eastern standard time, a Lindberg
KitFox IV collided with the ground during an uncontrolled descent at Merrit Island,
Florida. The homebuilt kit airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions
of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the
personal flight. The private pilot and a flight instructor were fatally injured. The
airplane was destroyed by a post impact fire. The flight was originating at the time of
the accident.
Accident occurred DEC-09-96 at ROCKLEDGE, FL
Aircraft: Pereyra AVENTURA II, registration: N32913
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
On December 9, 1996, at 1038 eastern standard time, a Pereyra
Aventura II, N32913, collided with the ground during an attempted emergency landing near
Rockledge, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part
91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the
accident. The experimental airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received minor
injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The flight departed a private airstrip near
Rockledge, Florida, at 1035. According to the pilot, as the airplane climbed through 300
feet following the takeoff, the engine lost power. After attempts by the pilot to restart
the engine failed, he selected a forced landing area. During the landing, the airplane
collided with the ground beyond the intended landing area.
Accident occurred NOV-01-96 at TUCSON, AZ
Aircraft: Rainey RANS S-12, registration: N95HS
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On November 1, 1996, about 1743 hours mountain standard time, a
homebuilt experimental Rainey Rans S-12, N95HS, collided with the ground following an
in-flight loss of control near Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft was owned and operated by the
pilot and was on a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed
at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground
collision sequence. The certificated private pilot and the one private pilot passenger
onboard sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from Tyler Field, a private
ultralight airpark in Marana, Arizona, at 1720.
Accident occurred MAR-22-97 at WASILLA, AK
Aircraft: David Williams KITFOX, registration: N9KF
Injuries: 1 Minor.
On March 22, 1997, about 1225 Alaska standard time, an
experimental homebuilt David Williams Kitfox, N9KF, crashed during a forced landing about
6 miles northeast of Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight
rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane,
registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot,
the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On
March 24, 1997, at 0850, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), he was departing a
private airstrip next to Wolf Lake, Alaska. The pilot departed from runway 6 after
performing a stop-and-go. The airplane climbed to about 200 feet above the ground and the
pilot heard a loud popping sound. The engine quit running and he made a turn toward a
nearby road. The pilot made an emergency landing on the road but the right wing struck a
tree during the landing roll. The pilot indicated the engine, a modified 100 horsepower
Subaru engine, had accrued about 60 hours since being installed.
Accident occurred DEC-15-96 at MONTGOMERY, AL
Aircraft: Wiedemann KIT FOX, registration: N19VX
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
On December 15, 1996, about 1515 central standard time, a
Wiedemann experimental airplane, N19VX, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14
CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine rpm on initial takeoff climb,
and crashed during a forced landing in the vicinity of Montgomery, Alabama. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained
substantial damage and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated about
5 minutes before the accident.
Accident occurred DEC-31-96 at KEY BISCAYNE, FL
Aircraft: farman, ohtm SEARAY, registration: N91036
Injuries: 1 Minor.
On December 31, 1996, about 1100 eastern standard time, a
homebuilt amphibious Searay, N91036, registered to a private individual, nosed over on
landing on the Intercoastal waterway near Key Biscayne, Florida. Visual meteorological
conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91
personal flight. The airline transport - rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor
injuries. The time and place of departure has not been determined. According to FAA
airworthiness personnel who examined the airplane at the accident site, the landing gear
was extended upon touchdown on the waterway. The airplane was observed to be nosed over in
the waterway.
Accident occurred FEB-22-97 at BILLINGS, MT
Aircraft: HALL KITFOX, registration: N87TJ
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.
On February 22, 1997, approximately 1610 mountain standard time,
a Hall Kitfox, N87TJ, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, sustained
substantial damage during collision with terrain while maneuvering immediately following
takeoff from a private airstrip approximately 5 nautical miles north of Billings, Montana.
The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight, which was
personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from a private airstrip
located adjacent to the accident site. The pilot's wife, who witnessed the accident,
reported that after takeoff the pilot turned to over-fly the airstrip and the aircraft
"was pushed down to the ground." An acquaintance of the pilot who visited with
him in the hospital following the accident, reported that the pilot had indicated he was
approximately 100 feet above ground when the aircraft descended into the terrain. The
acquaintance, who owns the property upon which the accident occurred, reported observing
propeller slash marks at the site.
Accident occurred MAR-30-97 at PERRY TOWNSHIP, PA
Aircraft: Harold SUPER KOALA, registration: N4424V
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On March 30, 1997, at 1520 eastern standard time, a homebuilt
airplane, N4424V, was substantially damaged when it struck the ground while in a spin,
about 1 mile east of a private airstrip in Perry Township, Pennsylvania. The certificated
commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions
prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the private strip, about 1500. No
flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a
witness, he observed the pilot perform takeoffs and landings at the private strip, prior
to the accident flight. After the last landing, the pilot appeared to refuel the airplane,
and then departed with a passenger. About 20 minutes later, the witness heard an
airplane's engine "power up," and turned to observe the accident airplane in a
descending spin, about 2,000 feet above the ground. After about two to three spins, the
engine sound decreased, and the airplane continued to spin until it struck the ground.
Another witness outside of his home stated that he heard an airplane flying over. When he
heard a "sharp snap," he looked in the direction of the airplane. He estimated
that the airplane was about 1,500 to 2,500 feet above the ground, and descending in a
wide, swirling motion, counter clockwise. The airplane came to rest about 2,000 feet from
his residence. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, examination of
the airplane's engine revealed clean spark plugs, and compression in both cylinders when
the propeller was rotated. Fuel was observed in the fuel tank and both carburetors. The
carburetor fuel filter inlet screens were absent of debris. Examination of the fuselage
revealed control continuity from the pilot's controls to the airplane's rudder, elevator,
and ailerons. The right rear jury strut was found "broken" from the rear spar
attaching point, with the base plate still intact. The fabric cover surrounding the hole
was worn and tattered.
