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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 17, 1994 · Aerosport Scamp WT-B1 Scamp WT · N8490

Lake Wales, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lake Wales, FL
Aircraft
Aerosport Scamp WT-B1 Scamp WT
Tail Number
N8490
Operator
Crowley James H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA94LA143

THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE LOST POWER THEN RESTARTED, BUT AT PARTIAL POWER, AFTER A CROSSWIND TAKEOFF. WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. A WITNESS STATED HE DID NOT HEAR ANY CHANGE IN ENGINE POWER BEFORE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO INDICATION OF PREIMPACT DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VS) WHILE MANEUVERING RESULTING IN AN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL (INADVERTENT STALL) AND SUBSEQUENT IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 1994, about 1549 eastern standard time, a Aerosport Inc., Scamp WT-B1, N8490, registered to Gary I. Barnett, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while maneuvering in the vicinity of Lake Wales, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from River Ranch Resort about 5 minutes before the accident. Mr. Robert J. Warren, stated he purchased the airplane in February 1993, and had not registered it with the FAA. He sold the airplane to the injured pilot on the day of the accident. The airplane had been flown once since he purchased it from the registered owner currently on file with the FAA. He and the new owner added fuel to the airplane, and towed it to runway 34. The new owner wanted to do some high speed taxis on the runway. He started the airplane and took off. Mr. Warren stated he observed the airplane make a right turn out and climb to about 150 feet agl, the airplane was observed to reverse course and fly back towards the airport. Mr. Warren stated he was walking back to his golf cart when he heard a thud. He looked for the airplane and didn't see it and went over to the security gate and informed them of a possible airplane crash. They drove over to the approach end of runway 16 and saw the airplane and the pilot standing beside it. Upon their arrival the injured pilot asked them if he had taken off and if he had landed the airplane. He then asked them if he had stalled the airplane. Emergency personnel arrived and the injured pilot was transported to the hospital. The pilot stated in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that after making a crosswind turn the engine quit, and then came back alive, but at partial power. He then stalled the airplane while maneuvering in the forced landing. Examination of the airplane wreckage by the FAA revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure of the engine assembly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:49 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerosport Scamp WT-B1 Scamp WT
Tail NumberN8490
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCrowley James H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · 1834 CC TYPE1 · Reciprocating · 60
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data