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November 2, 2003 · Bartholomew Firestar · N432JR

Waxhaw, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Waxhaw, NC
Aircraft
Bartholomew Firestar
Tail Number
N432JR
Operator
Cornelius a Wolfe
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA033

The pilot stated he was on final approach at the JAARS-Townsend Airport. He realized that he was too high, so he made a 360-degree turn to the left followed by a 360-degree turn to the right. The turn rate was almost completed when the right roll rate increased due to encountering the wake turbulence from the initial 360-degree turn. The airplane stalled and collided with the trees and the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering on final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall and in-flight collision with trees and the ground.

Full Narrative

On November 2, 2003, at 1720 Eastern Standard Time, a Bartholomew Firestar, N432JR, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, stalled and collided with trees on approach for landing at JAARS-Townsend Airport, Waxhaw, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from Waxhaw, North Carolina, on November 2, 2003, at 1620. The pilot stated he realized he was too high on the approach, so he made a right 360-degree turn to the left followed by a 360-turn to the right. The turn rate was almost completed when the right roll rate dramatically increased due to wake turbulence from the initial 360-degree turn causing the right wing to stall and the airplane collided with the trees and ground. When asked what his airspeed was when the airplane stalled the pilot stated about 29 mph. Review of performance data from the Kolb Aircraft Company, revealed the Firestar airplane will stall in the clean and landing configuration at 33 mph.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 EST
Nearest AirportJaars-Townsend (0nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBartholomew Firestar
Tail NumberN432JR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCornelius a Wolfe
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 377 · Reciprocating · 35
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data