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NTSB Report

May 4, 2009 · Polaris Motors 582 FIB · N171MB

Lexington, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 2009
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Lexington, SC
Aircraft
Polaris Motors 582 FIB
Tail Number
N171MB
Operator
David Elgin Rowe
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09LA281

According to the passenger, her father was the pilot. She stated that neither one of them had ever been in the experimental airplane before. She added that they "put their seatbelts on took off and came down." The passenger also reported that the engine ran continuously throughout the accident sequence. The pilot's son, who was watching the takeoff, stated that after rotation and during the climb, the airplane started a turn to the left toward rising terrain. The pilot attempted to climb over the rising terrain and trees. It appeared to the son that the airplane stalled and crashed into the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed no abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model airplane.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 2009, about 1345 eastern daylight time, an experimental Polaris Motors 582 FIB weight-shift aircraft, N171MB, crashed into trees and subsequently the ground shortly after takeoff from Lake Murray, Lexington, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The non-certificated pilot and passenger received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the passenger, her father was the pilot. She stated that neither of them had ever been in the airplane before. She added that they "put their seatbelts on took off and came down." When asked if the engine ran normally throughout the accident sequence, she replied, "yes it was running and sounded normal and never stopped." The pilot's son, who was watching the takeoff, stated that after rotation and during the climb, the aircraft started a turn to the left toward rising terrain. The pilot attempted to climb over the rising terrain and trees. It appeared to the son that the aircraft stalled and crashed into the trees. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the airplane substantially damaged with the wings folded up and aft. Examination of the engine found both carburetors separated from the engine and hanging loose. Both carburetors had fuel in the fuel lines and float bowls. The engine was rotated and compression and engine continuity were established through to the accessory section. During examination of the spark plugs, an excess amount of fuel was found in the No. 1 cylinder. Examination of the three-bladed composite propeller found one propeller blade broken mid-span, while the remaining two propeller blades were not damaged and no scoring was noted on the blades' leading edges or surfaces.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPolaris Motors 582 FIB
Tail NumberN171MB
Aircraft CategoryWsft
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Elgin Rowe
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582E · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data