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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 13, 1997 · Devendorf Glassair GL25 Glassair G · N28BD

Congress, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1997
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Congress, AZ
Aircraft
Devendorf Glassair GL25 Glassair G
Tail Number
N28BD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX97LA158

Two witnesses, one of whom is a pilot, both stated that they observed the aircraft when it was approximately 1,000 feet agl until impact, and that it appeared to be in an inverted spin. After observing the crash site, an FAA airworthiness inspector stated that the aircraft appeared to have contacted the ground in an inverted attitude with little or no forward velocity. The postcrash examination did not disclose any preexisting flight control, fuel, or engine systems malfunctions or mismanagement. Also, the toxicological results did not disclose any impairment of the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to recover from an inverted stall/spin prior to impact with the ground. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.

Full Narrative

On April 13, 1997, at 1154 hours mountain standard time, a Devendorf Glassair GL25, N28BD, was destroyed when it impacted the ground in the vicinity of Congress, Arizona. The private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injures. The flight originated at the Eagle Roost Airport, Aguilla, Arizona, on the day of the accident about 1140 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. Two witnesses, one of whom is a pilot, both stated that they observed the aircraft when it was approximately 1,000 feet agl until impact, and that it appeared to be in an inverted spin during that time. An airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, went to the accident site and examined the wreckage and engine. In his report, the inspector said that the aircraft appeared to have contacted the ground in an inverted attitude with little or no forward velocity. The inspector noted that no airworthiness discrepancies were noted with either the engine or airframe during the examination. The pilot's medical certificate had expired almost 2 years prior to the date of the accident. The pilot's logbook was not located to ascertain his total flight hours and time in the aircraft, or to determine if he had any prior instruction in spin recovery techniques. The forensic toxicology report from the FAA Civil Aeronautical Medical Institute stated that no controlled substances or other debilitating drugs were found. It was not possible to test for carbon monoxide or cyanide due to lack of suitable specimens.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:54 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDevendorf Glassair GL25 Glassair G
Tail NumberN28BD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 10 kt
Visibility65 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data