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February 5, 2000 · Izatt Mitchell U2 Mitchell U · N3249Z

Jean, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 5, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Jean, NV
Aircraft
Izatt Mitchell U2 Mitchell U
Tail Number
N3249Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA091

The owner flew the airplane to the dry lake where the accident occurred and conducted a series of introductory flights for the pilot, who had indicated an interest in purchasing the airplane. He said he spent some time instructing the pilot on the characteristics of the single seat, delta winged airplane to include taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. The pilot flew the airplane twice, the first time for about 1 hour and the second also for 1 hour, which culminated in the accident. When the airplane did not return to his location after being gone for an hour or so, the owner became concerned and took another airplane to look for it. He spotted the wreckage, landed, and went to the pilot's assistance. While waiting for medical help, the pilot told the owner that he had inadvertently let it get slow, stalled it, and the airplane inadvertently entered a spin. The pilot said he had almost recovered from the spin but ran out of altitude and hit the ground. According to the owner, the pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The owner reported that the fuel tanks contained fuel at the crash site. He said he constructed the airplane in 1983 and has flown it about 265 hours. There were no known discrepancies prior to the accident. FAA inspectors and police pilots from the Las Vegas Metro Police department examined the airplane and reported there were no obvious mechanical discrepancies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin.

Full Narrative

On February 5, 2000, at 1525 hours Pacific standard time, a amateur-built Izatt Mitchell U2 airplane, N3249Z, collided with the ground on a dry lakebed near Jean, Nevada. The airplane was operated by the owner/builder under 14 CFR Part 91, and the pilot was a perspective purchaser of the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from the dry lakebed about 1430. According to the owner, the pilot is a neighbor of his and was interested in purchasing the airplane. The owner flew the airplane out to the dry lake where the accident occurred and conducted a series of introductory flights for the pilot. He said he spent some time instructing the pilot on the characteristics of the single seat, delta winged airplane to include taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. The pilot flew the airplane twice, the first time for about 1 hour and the second also for 1 hour, which culminated in the accident. When the airplane did not return to his location after being gone for an hour or so, the owner became concerned and took another airplane to look for it. He spotted the wreckage, landed, and went to the pilot's assistance. While waiting for medical help, the pilot told the owner that he had inadvertently let it get slow, stalled it, and the airplane inadvertently entered a spin. The pilot said he had almost recovered from the spin but ran out of altitude and hit the ground. According to the owner, the pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The owner reported that the fuel tanks contained fuel at the crash site. He said he constructed the airplane in 1983 and has flown it about 265 hours. There were no known discrepancies prior to the accident. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors and police pilots from the Las Vegas Metro Police department examined the airplane and reported there were no obvious mechanical discrepancies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:25 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftIzatt Mitchell U2 Mitchell U
Tail NumberN3249Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKfm · 107 · Reciprocating · 25
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point15 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data