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October 30, 2004 · David Nielson Ison Hi-Max 1700 · N105DN

Hendersonville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 30, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hendersonville, NC
Aircraft
David Nielson Ison Hi-Max 1700
Tail Number
N105DN
Operator
James G Paine
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL05LA017

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff for the airplane's first test flight, the wind increased to approximately 25 knots. Climbout was normal, but with the increased wind, the airplane was increasingly harder to control. After turning crosswind at about 100 feet altitude, the airplane was caught in a wind shear, and he could not control the airplane. However, according to several witnesses, the airplane took off in calm winds. Witnesses stated that approximately 100 feet above ground level, the airplane banked 50 degrees left, the left wing dropped, and the airplane spun to the left about one-half turn before colliding with the ground. On-scene examination of the airplane found that it had collided with the ground in a steep nose down attitude.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On October 30, 2004, at 1045 eastern daylight time, N105DN, a David Nielson Ison Hi-Max 1700 amateur-built experimental airplane, registered to a private individual, and operated by the private pilot collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 14 at Air Museum Airport, Hendersonville, North Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local test flight. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident on October 30, 2004, at 1040. According to the pilot, the wind had increased to approximately 25 knots. Climb out was normal but with the increased wind, the airplane was increasingly harder to control. After turning crosswind at about 100 feet altitude, the airplane was caught in a wind shear, and he could not handle the airplane. The airplane collided with the ground in a flat plane. According to several witnesses, the airplane took off from runway 14. Witnesses stated that the winds were calm and at approximately 100 feet above ground level, the airplane banked 50 degrees left, the left wing dropped, and the airplane spun to the left about one-half turn before colliding with the ground. Witnesses stated that this was the airplane's first test flight. The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Ashville, North Carolina. The 1054 surface weather observation was: sky clear, visibility 5-statute miles, temperature 17-degrees Celsius, dew point temperature 15-degrees Celsius, wind 0-degrees at 0 knots, and altimeter 30.05. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the wreckage found that the airplane collided with the ground in a steep nose down attitude. The engine and cockpit were observed pointing upward and crushed aft. Both wings were bent forward and separated from their aft attachment point to the fuselage. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 EDT
Nearest AirportHendersonville (1nm)
Runway14
Runway Length3075 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDavid Nielson Ison Hi-Max 1700
Tail NumberN105DN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames G Paine
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · AO84-IV · Reciprocating · 60
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 59
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data