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NTSB Report
September 12, 1992 · Warren-Thomas BD-5J · N45DH
Chico, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chico, CA
Aircraft
Warren-Thomas BD-5J
Tail Number
N45DH
Operator
Hoover David
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX92LA381
THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF AN AEROBATICS DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT AT AN AIR SHOW. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT PERFORM A 'SPLIT S' MANEUVER, DURING WHICH TIME THE EXPERIMENTAL MICRO JET WAS ROLLED INVERTED TO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED FROM THE ENTRY PORTION OF THE MANEUVER IN A WINGS LEVEL DIVE TO ABOUT A 60 TO 70 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. A VIDEO TAPE TAKEN BY A SPECTATOR SHOWS THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ATTITUDE DID NOT CHANGE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AEROBATIC MANEUVER RECOVERY ALTITUDE.
Full Narrative
THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF AN AEROBATICS DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT AT AN AIR SHOW. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT PERFORM A 'SPLIT S' MANEUVER, DURING WHICH TIME THE EXPERIMENTAL MICRO JET WAS ROLLED INVERTED TO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED FROM THE ENTRY PORTION OF THE MANEUVER IN A WINGS LEVEL DIVE TO ABOUT A 60 TO 70 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. A VIDEO TAPE TAKEN BY A SPECTATOR SHOWS THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ATTITUDE DID NOT CHANGE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:52 PDT
Nearest AirportCHICO (1nm SE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftWarren-Thomas BD-5J
Tail NumberN45DH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHoover David
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsMicroturbo · TRS-18-046 · Turbojet · 220
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC