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August 9, 1985 · Richard A White Glasair SH-2 Glasair SH · N39RW

Rawlins, WY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Rawlins, WY
Aircraft
Richard A White Glasair SH-2 Glasair SH
Tail Number
N39RW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85FTE07

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT WITH THE ENG OPERATING AT LOW PWR BY THE SIGNATURES ON THE PROP. THE RADAR PLOT SHOWS THAT THE FLIGHT DESCENDED FROM APRX 15000 FT TO ABOUT 10000 FT IN APRX 1 MINUTE. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN A HIGH SPEED HIGH RATE OF DESCENT SPIRAL WHICH CHANGED TO A HIGH SPEED STALL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT AS NDICATED BY GRND CONTACT MARKS AND WRECKAGE CLUES THERE WAS A BROKEN CLOUD DECK AT APRX 4000 FT AGL. FRIENDS OF THE PLT DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD HAVE CONSCIOUSLY CLIMBED TO ABOVE 15000 FT WITHOUT OXYGEN, LEADING TO A CONCLUSION OF PLT INCAPACITATION PRIOR TO THE CLIMB AND CRASH. ATTEMPTED CONTROL INPUTS FROM THE WIFE COULD HAVE ALTERED THE ACFT PERFORMANCE AFTER PIC INCAPACITATION. DUE TO THE ACC TRAUMA NO CONCUSIONS WERE DRAWN FROM THE PLTS NREMAINS DURING ATUOPSY. THE FLT PATTERN IS THE MAIN EVIDENCE OF LACK OF PLT INPUT DURING THE FINAL MINUTES OF FLT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT WITH THE ENG OPERATING AT LOW PWR BY THE SIGNATURES ON THE PROP. THE RADAR PLOT SHOWS THAT THE FLIGHT DESCENDED FROM APRX 15000 FT TO ABOUT 10000 FT IN APRX 1 MINUTE. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN A HIGH SPEED HIGH RATE OF DESCENT SPIRAL WHICH CHANGED TO A HIGH SPEED STALL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT AS NDICATED BY GRND CONTACT MARKS AND WRECKAGE CLUES THERE WAS A BROKEN CLOUD DECK AT APRX 4000 FT AGL. FRIENDS OF THE PLT DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD HAVE CONSCIOUSLY CLIMBED TO ABOVE 15000 FT WITHOUT OXYGEN, LEADING TO A CONCLUSION OF PLT INCAPACITATION PRIOR TO THE CLIMB AND CRASH. ATTEMPTED CONTROL INPUTS FROM THE WIFE COULD HAVE ALTERED THE ACFT PERFORMANCE AFTER PIC INCAPACITATION. DUE TO THE ACC TRAUMA NO CONCUSIONS WERE DRAWN FROM THE PLTS NREMAINS DURING ATUOPSY. THE FLT PATTERN IS THE MAIN EVIDENCE OF LACK OF PLT INPUT DURING THE FINAL MINUTES OF FLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRichard A White Glasair SH-2 Glasair SH
Tail NumberN39RW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-E1A6D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data