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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 23, 2010 · Hall Thomas K Kitfox Speedster · N211ES

Defiance, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Defiance, OH
Aircraft
Hall Thomas K Kitfox Speedster
Tail Number
N211ES
Operator
Paul a Drasutis
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA266

The pilot was performing low-level passes over a pond when the accident occurred. A video shot by a witness shows the airplane at or below treetop height during the maneuvers. The pilot reported that when he was climbing after the last pass the airplane developed a sink rate that increased until the airplane contacted the ground. The aircraft fuselage was bent during the impact and the passenger suffered a serious injury. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and witnesses reported hearing the engine until the airplane impacted the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On May 23, 2010, at 1535 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Hall Kitfox Speedster, N211ES, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while performing low-level passes near a residence in Defiance, Ohio. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received serious injuries. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Defiance County Airport (DFI), Defiance, Ohio, at about 1500. During a telephone interview the pilot stated he made a couple of approaches to a field near a friend’s house because his passenger wanted to take some pictures. He stated when the airplane reached an altitude of about 300 feet above the ground after the last approach, it developed a sink rate. He stated the sink rate continued to increase and he located a small clearing in which to land the airplane. He stated the airplane touched down in a level attitude at which time the landing gear collapsed. He stated he was descending to an altitude of about 100 feet above the ground during the approaches. In his written statement the pilot reported he made 3 to 4 practice landing approaches to a farm field using a right hand traffic pattern. At the end of the last approach, the pilot felt a “negative ‘G’” on the airplane while it was in a wings level climb, 10 to 15 degrees nose up, with full power at an altitude of 500 to 600 feet above the ground. He reported the descent rate increased and he was able to maintain “forward speed.” He reported, “…I noticed trees coming up on the right, I made the decision to execute emergency landing procedures.” During the first impact with the ground the main landing gear collapsed and during the second impact, damaged the aircraft fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The passenger reported to local authorities that they were flying circles over the house when the airplane lost power and descended impacting the terrain. A witness reported seeing the airplane make a low pass from south to north over a neighbor’s pond. The airplane circled to the east and appeared to be climbing “very slowly.” He stated the airplane then appeared to be losing altitude as it headed directly toward his house. The airplane “turned quickly” to the east and contacted the ground. He stated the airplane was about treetop level during the maneuver and he heard the engine until the airplane impacted the ground. Another witness videotaped the airplane until 30 seconds before the accident. This witness reported, “The pilot was flying well below 100ft-150ft. The pilot was dive bombing over the pond showing off to his friends. ... The pilot pulled up to miss the trees. He pulled up too steep and caused the plane to stall making the plane drop out of the sky.” Screen shots of the video show the airplane maneuvering at tree top level behind a residence. The pilot purchased the airplane in December 2009, however, it was still registered to the previous owner. The pilot reported having a total flight time of 90.5 hours, with 9.2 hours in this make and model airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:35 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHall Thomas K Kitfox Speedster
Tail NumberN211ES
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul a Drasutis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBombardier · ROTAX (ALL) · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time20:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data