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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 25, 2016 · Piper J5A · N41239

Lake Harbor, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lake Harbor, FL
Aircraft
Piper J5A (1941)
Tail Number
N41239
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA166

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to maneuver at low altitude and chase birds away from designated fields. The pilot further reported that he had previously completed about 8 to 10 turns over the target field and during a steep "reversal turn" to the left the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot had no other recollection of the accident. According to a private pilot witness located about 700 feet from the accident airplane, he observed the accident airplane enter a "steep turn" to the left about 50 to 75 feet above the ground. The witness further reported that the airplane "stalled and spun into the ground", and that the engine noise became louder seconds before impact. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge in part states: an airplane will "stall at a higher indicated airspeed when excessive maneuvering loads are imposed by steep turns, pull-ups, or other abrupt changes in its flight path." Stalls entered from such flight situations are called "accelerated maneuver stalls," a term, which has no reference to the airspeeds involved. Stalls which result from abrupt maneuvers tend to be more rapid, or severe, than the unaccelerated stalls, and because they occur at higher-than-normal airspeeds, and/or may occur at lower than anticipated pitch attitudes, they may be unexpected by an inexperienced pilot. Failure to take immediate steps toward recovery when an accelerated stall occurs may result in a complete loss of flight control, notably, power-on spins. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall, spin, and impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to maneuver at low altitude and chase birds away from designated fields. The pilot further reported that he had previously completed about 8 to 10 turns over the target field and during a steep "reversal turn" to the left the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot had no other recollection of the accident. According to a private pilot witness located about 700 feet from the accident airplane, he observed the accident airplane enter a "steep turn" to the left about 50 to 75 feet above the ground. The witness further reported that the airplane "stalled and spun into the ground", and that the engine noise became louder seconds before impact. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge in part states: an airplane will "stall at a higher indicated airspeed when excessive maneuvering loads are imposed by steep turns, pull-ups, or other abrupt changes in its flight path." Stalls entered from such flight situations are called "accelerated maneuver stalls," a term, which has no reference to the airspeeds involved. Stalls which result from abrupt maneuvers tend to be more rapid, or severe, than the unaccelerated stalls, and because they occur at higher-than-normal airspeeds, and/or may occur at lower than anticipated pitch attitudes, they may be unexpected by an inexperienced pilot. Failure to take immediate steps toward recovery when an accelerated stall occurs may result in a complete loss of flight control, notably, power-on spins. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J5A
Tail NumberN41239
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12P · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data