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NTSB Report
July 20, 1986 · Weiss-Haynes Stits SA6B · N3HW
Big Creek, ID
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Big Creek, ID
Aircraft
Weiss-Haynes Stits SA6B
Tail Number
N3HW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86FA174
N3HW, A STITS SA6B, WAS BEING FLOWN FROM AN AIRSTRIP WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 7,800 FEET. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE TREES, STRUCK THE GROUND, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING CLIMBOUT IT FELT LIKE THE CONTROLS WEREN'T RESPONDING TO HIS INPUTS AND THAT THEY WERE SLUGGISH EVEN THOUGH, DURING THE RUNUP, THE CONTROLS HAD RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 350 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME. THE PLT HAD FLOWN INTO THIS AIRPORT BEFORE BUT NEVER IN THE STITS SA6B. THE ACFT WAS OVER THE MANUFACTURERS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT WITH AN AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY (C.G.). THE KIT MANUFACTURER STATES THAT AN AFT C.G. WILL PRODUCE SLUGGISH CONTROL RESPONSES. TREES WERE PRESENT AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AND A SLIGHT TAILWIND WAS PRESENT.
Full Narrative
N3HW, A STITS SA6B, WAS BEING FLOWN FROM AN AIRSTRIP WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 7,800 FEET. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE TREES, STRUCK THE GROUND, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING CLIMBOUT IT FELT LIKE THE CONTROLS WEREN'T RESPONDING TO HIS INPUTS AND THAT THEY WERE SLUGGISH EVEN THOUGH, DURING THE RUNUP, THE CONTROLS HAD RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 350 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME. THE PLT HAD FLOWN INTO THIS AIRPORT BEFORE BUT NEVER IN THE STITS SA6B. THE ACFT WAS OVER THE MANUFACTURERS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT WITH AN AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY (C.G.). THE KIT MANUFACTURER STATES THAT AN AFT C.G. WILL PRODUCE SLUGGISH CONTROL RESPONSES. TREES WERE PRESENT AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AND A SLIGHT TAILWIND WAS PRESENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MDT
Nearest AirportBig Creek Airport (0nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length3550 ft
Runway Width110 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWeiss-Haynes Stits SA6B
Tail NumberN3HW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT