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July 4, 2014 · Slaughter Mike CH601-HDS HDS · N4263

Frankston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2014
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Frankston, TX
Aircraft
Slaughter Mike CH601-HDS HDS
Tail Number
N4263
Operator
Buster Gary C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA342

The pilot and passenger were returning home after attending a fly-in at another airport. The passenger reported that, during the descent to land, the pilot spotted a boat on the lake that they were overflying and began to follow it at low altitude. The pilot then made a steep turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. The pilot then lost airplane control, and the airplane subsequently impacted the water. The pilot and passenger were rescued by nearby boaters. The airplane wreckage was not recovered from the water; neither the pilot nor passenger reported any anomalies with the airplane before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to make a steep turn at low altitude.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2014, at 1405 central daylight time, a Slaughter CH601-HDS ultralight airplane, N4263, impacted Lake Palestine, Texas, near Frankston, Texas, while maneuvering at low altitude. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Mineola Airport (3F9), Mineola, Texas, and was en route to Aero Estates Airpark (T25), Frankston, Texas. According to statements provided to FAA Inspectors and law enforcement officers, the pilot and his son were returning to T25 after attending a fly-in at 3F9. The son said that during their descent to T25, the pilot spotted a boat and began to follow it at low altitude. The pilot then made a steep turn and stalled the airplane, lost control, and impacted the water. The pilot and passenger were rescued by nearby boaters. The wreckage remained in the lake and was not available for examination. Neither occupant indicated there were any system malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident and indicated fuel exhaustion did not occur.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSlaughter Mike CH601-HDS HDS
Tail NumberN4263
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBuster Gary C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsReciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 6 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data