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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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November 7, 1985 · Carothers Monoplane · N44XP

Lincoln, NE

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lincoln, NE
Aircraft
Carothers Monoplane
Tail Number
N44XP
Operator
Charles E Carothers
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC86FCJ01

THE PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS WHILE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED FOR A PROMOTIONAL VIDEO. ON THE LAST PASS OVER THE ARPT THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED AND BEGAN A SIDE SLIP WITH THE LEFT WING DOWN. AT A VERY LOW ALT AGL THE ACFT APPEARED TO STALL AND ASSUME A HIGHER SINK RATE, STRIKING THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING & NOSE. THE PLTS HEAD HIT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE AND HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE PLT DID NOT REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS AND EXPIRED ON 1/3/86. TWO OF THE PLTS FRIENDS, WHO WERE ALSO AEROBATIC PLTS, REVIEWED THE VIDEO TAPES AND CONCLUDED THAT THE PLT MAY HAVE HAD A MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT AND WAS TRYING TO LAND WITHOUT TOTAL CONTROL. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND AND THE PLTS LAST MEDICAL EXAM ON 10/10/85 REVEALED NO ABNOMALITIES. THE VIDEO CAMERAMAN, WHO HAD MADE OTHER VIDEOS WITH THE PLT, SAID THAT THE PLT APPEARED UNSUALLY NERVOUS BEFORE THE FLT, HE ALSO SAID THAT THE LAST APPROACH TO THE FIELD WAS NOT A NORMAL ONE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS WHILE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED FOR A PROMOTIONAL VIDEO. ON THE LAST PASS OVER THE ARPT THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED AND BEGAN A SIDE SLIP WITH THE LEFT WING DOWN. AT A VERY LOW ALT AGL THE ACFT APPEARED TO STALL AND ASSUME A HIGHER SINK RATE, STRIKING THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING & NOSE. THE PLTS HEAD HIT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE AND HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THE PLT DID NOT REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS AND EXPIRED ON 1/3/86. TWO OF THE PLTS FRIENDS, WHO WERE ALSO AEROBATIC PLTS, REVIEWED THE VIDEO TAPES AND CONCLUDED THAT THE PLT MAY HAVE HAD A MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT AND WAS TRYING TO LAND WITHOUT TOTAL CONTROL. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND AND THE PLTS LAST MEDICAL EXAM ON 10/10/85 REVEALED NO ABNOMALITIES. THE VIDEO CAMERAMAN, WHO HAD MADE OTHER VIDEOS WITH THE PLT, SAID THAT THE PLT APPEARED UNSUALLY NERVOUS BEFORE THE FLT, HE ALSO SAID THAT THE LAST APPROACH TO THE FIELD WAS NOT A NORMAL ONE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:44 CST
Nearest AirportPester Skyranch (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length1700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCarothers Monoplane
Tail NumberN44XP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCharles E Carothers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-CIC · Reciprocating · 200
Seats1

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data