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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 24, 1998 · Pilgrim Steen Skybolt Steen SKYB · N21SP

Curtis, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Curtis, WA
Aircraft
Pilgrim Steen Skybolt Steen SKYB
Tail Number
N21SP
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA147

The pilot, who owned the airplane and was an experienced aerobatic pilot, stated that he had taken off, accelerated along the runway, then pitched up to about 30 degrees and had climbed out to about 500 feet above ground level. He then pitched over to level to accelerate and initiated a turn to the right, with the intent of climbing out to an aerobatic practice box. He stated that when he pitched over, he felt negative 'G' loading, and the airplane appeared to perform a portion of an outside snap roll, with the right wing dropping and nose going down violently. The airplane then pointed down very steeply about 90 degrees off heading to the right. He stated that an attempt was made to pull out, but the airplane was in a high speed stalled condition, so he pushed the throttle full open and pushed the nose straight down to relieve the stalled condition and again attempted a recovery. This time, the airplane was not stalled and he was able to initiate a pull out. During the recovery attempt, the airplane impacted a road, slightly tail low, and the propeller struck the ground, leaving several prop strikes in the asphalt. The airplane bounced off the road at a 45 degree angle, then impacted a power pole. The pilot noted at the G meter was pegged at +13 G and -5 G. No preexisting mechanical anomalies that could have resulted in loss of control were found by FAA inspectors who inspected the wreckage.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of control for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 1998, approximately 1315 Pacific daylight time, a Pilgrim Steen Skybolt, N21SP, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain when the pilot was unable to maintain control during climbout shortly after takeoff from Chehalis, Washington, for a practice aerobatic flight in the local area. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, had minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no report of an ELT actuating. The pilot, who owned the airplane and was an experienced aerobatic pilot, stated that he had taken off, accelerated along the runway, then pitched up to about 30 degrees and had climbed out to about 500 feet above ground level. He then pitched over to level to accelerate and initiated a turn to the right, with the intent of climbing out to an aerobatic practice box. He stated that when he pitched over, he felt negative "G" loading, and the airplane appeared to perform a portion of an outside snap roll, with the right wing dropping and nose going down violently. The airplane then pointed down very steeply about 90 degrees off heading to the right. He stated that an attempt was made to pull out, but the airplane was in a high speed stalled condition, so he pushed the throttle full open and pushed the nose straight down to relieve the stalled condition and again attempted a recovery. This time, the airplane was not stalled and he was able to initiate a pull out. During the recovery attempt, the airplane impacted a road, slightly tail low, and the propeller struck the ground, leaving several prop strikes in the asphalt. The airplane bounced off the road at a 45 degree angle, then impacted a power pole. The pilot noted that the G meter was pegged at +13 G and -5 G. No preexisting mechanical anomalies that could have resulted in loss of control were found by FAA inspectors who inspected the wreckage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPilgrim Steen Skybolt Steen SKYB
Tail NumberN21SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540J4A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data