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July 30, 2017 · Menzimer Gary Ray Firestar II · UNREG

Westfield, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Westfield, PA
Aircraft
Menzimer Gary Ray Firestar II (1997)
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
GAA17CA536

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported in a written statement that he had recently purchased the accident airplane, and upon receiving it, he completed numerous taxi runs in a straight line but did not attempt to take off due to poor weather. He added that the airplane was hard to taxi in a straight line. He further reported that, days later, with improved weather, he decided to complete a "test flight." He reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane "immediately started to drift to the left," and as the airplane continued to climb, the airplane "continued to make a left turn." He added that he applied right rudder and aileron and increased the power from 1/2 to 3/4 full but that the airplane continued to the left. He reported that he flew in the local area for about 20 minutes and could not resolve the left turning issue and that he was then concerned about the remaining fuel quantity, so he attempted to land at his private airstrip. He reported that he attempted two approaches, but the airplane continued turning to the left toward trees, and he performed go-arounds. During the third approach, he decided he would attempt to "touch down as quickly as possible," but during the landing flare, the airplane continued to the left and impacted trees. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported, "after replaying the accident in my mind, I decided that when I was doing my test taxiing, I might have been introvertly [sic] pressing the left trim button on the control stick. I might have done this several times which resulted in the crash." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. He also did not report that he had received any recent flight training. A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported that he located the electric rudder trim switch on top of the control stick and observed the rudder trim servo in the full-left-trim position. He further reported that the accident airplane was unregistered because the registration certificate had lapsed. He reported that the pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, was required to renew the registration certificate. He added that the pilot reported to him that he had not flown as pilot-in-command for 20 years. A technical representative for the experimental airplane kit manufacturer reported that the original kit design did not include electric trim for any flight control surfaces.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane without recent flight training and his inadvertent application of left electric rudder trim before flight and a subsequent loss of airplane control.

Full Narrative

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported in a written statement that he had recently purchased the accident airplane and upon receiving it, he completed numerous taxi runs in a straight line, but did not attempt to takeoff due to poor weather. He added that the airplane was hard to taxi in a straight line. He further reported that days later, with improved weather, he decided to complete a "test flight." During the initial climb, he reported that the airplane "immediately started to drift to the left" and as the airplane continued to climb, the airplane "continued to make a left turn." He added that he applied right rudder, aileron, and increased the power from 1/2 to 3/4 full, but again the airplane continued to the left. He reported that he flew in the local area for about 20 minutes and could not resolve the left turning issue, and he then had concerns about the remaining fuel quantity, so he attempted to land at his private airstrip. He reported that he attempted two approaches, but the airplane continued turning to the left toward trees and he performed go-arounds. During the third approach, he decided he would attempt to "touch down as quickly as possible," but during the landing flare the airplane continued to the left and impacted trees. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported, "after replaying the accident in my mind, I decided that when I was doing my test taxiing, I might have been introvertly [sic] pressing the left trim button on the control stick. I might have done this several times which resulted in the crash." The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. He also did not report that he had received any recent flight training. A Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector reported that, he located the electric rudder trim switch on top of the control stick and observed the rudder trim servo in the full left trim position. He further reported that, the accident airplane was unregistered since the registration certificate had lapsed. He reported that the pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, was required to renew the registration certificate. He added that the pilot reported to him that he had not flown as pilot in command for 20 years. A technical representative for the experimental airplane kit manufacturer reported that the accident airplane builder kit original design does not include electric trim for any flight control surfaces.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSharretts (0nm SSW)
Runway28
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMenzimer Gary Ray Firestar II
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 54
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data