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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 3, 2001 · Bass Moni · N117JB

Locust Grove, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Locust Grove, GA
Aircraft
Bass Moni
Tail Number
N117JB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL02LA009

The aircraft executed a high-powered pass approximately 25 feet above ground level down runway 07, then performed an abrupt pull-up into steep climbing loop maneuver. About 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the aircraft was inverted at the top of the loop, then it rolled upright and entered what appeared to be a stall, followed by a spin, and collided with the ground. Two witnesses reported the engine "burped," while other witnesses reported the engine sounded as if it were running smoothly. Examination of the wreckage revealed the nose section was separated, and the wings displayed extensive perpendicular crush damage. Continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. Engine continuity was established and both cylinders exhibited compression when the engine was turned by hand.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain.

Full Narrative

On November 3, 2001, at 1310 eastern standard time, a James E. Bass, Moni Motor Glider, N117JB, collided with the ground while maneuvering at Mallard's Landing, a private airstrip, in Locust Grove, Georgia. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, and the personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the airline transport pilot received fatal injuries. The local flight departed Locust Grove, Georgia, at an undetermined time. The aircraft and several others were participating in a fly-in at Mallard's Landing. According to witnesses, the aircraft executed a high-powered pass approximately 25 feet above ground level down runway 07, then performed an abrupt pull-up into steep climbing loop maneuver. About 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the aircraft was inverted at the top of the loop, then it rolled upright and entered what appeared to be a stall, followed by a spin, and collided with the ground in an 80-degree nose-low attitude. Two witnesses reported the engine "burped," while other witnesses reported the engine sounded as if it were running smoothly. Examination of the accident site revealed wreckage debris was scattered over an area approximately 40 feet square in the back yard of a residence adjacent to the sod runway. Debris from the propeller spinner and cowling was embedded in the ground, and the propeller assembly was separated and found 30 feet from the main wreckage. The nose section was separated, and the wings displayed extensive perpendicular crush damage from the leading edge aft. Continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. Engine continuity was established and both cylinders exhibited compression when the engine was turned by hand. The carburetor was destroyed. The Operator's Manual for the Rotax 447 engine states on Page 4-3, "This engine is not suitable for acrobatics (inverted flight, etc.)," and on Page 4-2, "Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made after sudden engine stoppage." The postmortem examination of the pilot was performed on November 4, 2001, by Dr. John B. Parker at the Henry County Medical Center Morgue in Stockbridge, Georgia. Blount force trauma The Forensic toxicology was performed by the FAA Toxicology and Accident Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, drugs and alcohol. The aircraft maintenance logbooks were not recovered for examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 EST
Nearest AirportMallard'S Landing (0nm)
Runway07
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBass Moni
Tail NumberN117JB
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 447 · Reciprocating · 40
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data