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August 8, 2009 · Stump Bradley Kolb M3X · N2456

Calhoun, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2009
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Calhoun, TN
Aircraft
Stump Bradley Kolb M3X
Tail Number
N2456
Operator
Bradley Stump
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09LA450

According to a witness, he observed the airplane climb straight up and then do a “cartwheel” and come straight down before leveling out. He watched as the airplane did this maneuver two more times. On the third time the airplane went straight up and flipped over backwards, and at about 200 feet above ground level started to spin before colliding with the ground. The airplane was not certificated for aerobatics. Examination of the airframe, engine and system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. Toxicological testing detected a prescription painkiller, a prescription anti-nausea medication, and an over-the-counter antihistamine in specimens from the pilot. No blood was available, so it was not possible to estimate when the substances might have most recently been used or whether the pilot may have been impaired by one or more of the medications at the time of the accident. The pilot had neither noted the use of any medications nor the presence of any conditions requiring the use of medications at the time of his most recent application for a Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing aerobatics.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2009, at 1015 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bradley Stump Kolb M3X, N2456, was substantially damaged following a loss of control in-flight and ground impact in Calhoun, Tennessee. The certificated private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, and a passenger were killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Hardwick Field (HDI), Cleveland, Tennessee, at an undetermined time. According to a witness, who heard the airplane passing by, looked up and observed it climb straight up and then do a “cartwheel” and come straight down then level out. The pilot did this maneuver three times, however on the third time the airplane went straight up and “flipped over backwards, at about 200 feet above the ground the airplane started spinning, and then collided with the ground”. The witness contacted 911 and reported the accident. The pilot, age 53, held a private pilot certificate, with airplane single-engine land ratings. In addition, he held a third-class medical certificate issued on October 17, 2007, with no restrictions. The pilot’s most recent medical certificate indicated that he had accumulated 85 hours of flight time. The pilot’s logbook was not recovered for examination. The two-seat, high wing, fixed tricycle gear, serial number (S/N) M3X6-4-0084, was manufactured in 2008. It was powered by a Hirth rear mounted 270-hp engine and equipped with a fixed pitch composite propeller. Review of the airplane’s logbook revealed that the airplane’s last conditional inspection was performed on March 25, 2009, and had accumulated a total time of 27.2 hours. A review of the airplane’s operating limitations, item 14 states that “This aircraft is prohibited from aerobatic flight, that is, an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in the aircraft’s attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight.” Examination of the wreckage by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found that the airplane had impacted trees and the ground at near vertical nose down attitude substantially damaging the engine, cockpit, wings, empennage and stabilizers. Examination of the airframe, engine and system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. An autopsy was performed on the pilot on August 10, 2009, by the University of Tennessee Medical Center, University Pathologists, P.C., in Knoxville, Tennessee. The autopsy findings included, “Multiple blunt force injuries.” Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology report indicated that the carbon monoxide and cyanide tests were not performed. No ethanol was detected in vitreous, but Diphenhydramine, Normeperidine and Promethazine was detected in the liver and spleen. The pilot’s most recent application for 3rd class FAA Airman Medical Certificate, dated October 17, 2007, noted no medications and no conditions requiring the use of medications.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStump Bradley Kolb M3X
Tail NumberN2456
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBradley Stump
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHirth · 3500 SER · Reciprocating · 270
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data