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NTSB Report
May 7, 1989 · Smithgall Pitts Special S-1C · N7VC
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Aircraft
Smithgall Pitts Special S-1C
Tail Number
N7VC
Operator
Vernon L Cox
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89DMG03
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WHICH CULMINATED IN A SPIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE FOUND HIMSELF IN A POSITION FROM WHICH THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. WHILE STILL DESCENDING, THE AIRCRAFT HIT TREES & CRASHED. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO CRAWL AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT BEGAN BURNING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO INSURE RECOVERY FROM AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER AND SPIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WHICH CULMINATED IN A SPIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE FOUND HIMSELF IN A POSITION FROM WHICH THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. WHILE STILL DESCENDING, THE AIRCRAFT HIT TREES & CRASHED. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO CRAWL AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT BEGAN BURNING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftSmithgall Pitts Special S-1C
Tail NumberN7VC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorVernon L Cox
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 22 kt, gusting 29 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC