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NTSB Report
October 17, 1987 · Extra Flugzeugbau 230 · N230WF
Arcadia, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Arcadia, FL
Aircraft
Extra Flugzeugbau 230
Tail Number
N230WF
Operator
Thomas W Fuller
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA88FA008
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING EXHIBITION AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW. THE ACFT HAD JUST COMPLETED A PORTION OF THE PLANNED LOW ALT AEROBATIC SEQUENCE WHICH INCLUDED A TAIL SLIDE & 3 ROLLS WITH THE NOSE OF THE ACFT POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND AT A 45 DEG ANGLE. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER THE TAIL SLIDE, THE ACFT COMPLETED 4 ROLLS INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 3, & THAT THE NOSE WAS POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND AT ABOUT A 60 DEG ANGLE INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 45 DEG ANGLE. AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE 4TH ROLL, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OUT OF THE LOW ALT DIVE AT ABOUT 100 FT. THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO RISE, BUT THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY COULD BE AFFECTED.
Full Narrative
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING EXHIBITION AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW. THE ACFT HAD JUST COMPLETED A PORTION OF THE PLANNED LOW ALT AEROBATIC SEQUENCE WHICH INCLUDED A TAIL SLIDE & 3 ROLLS WITH THE NOSE OF THE ACFT POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND AT A 45 DEG ANGLE. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER THE TAIL SLIDE, THE ACFT COMPLETED 4 ROLLS INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 3, & THAT THE NOSE WAS POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND AT ABOUT A 60 DEG ANGLE INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 45 DEG ANGLE. AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE 4TH ROLL, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OUT OF THE LOW ALT DIVE AT ABOUT 100 FT. THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO RISE, BUT THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY COULD BE AFFECTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 EDT
Nearest AirportCarlstorm (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftExtra Flugzeugbau 230
Tail NumberN230WF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThomas W Fuller
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360A1E · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:48
Weather SourceWFAC