TOWNSVILLE, NC, USA
UNREG
ADVANCE AVIATION BUCCANEER II
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE, GRASS AIRSTRIP. HE REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A BEE OR WASP FLEW INTO THE COCKPIT, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CHANGE HIS TAKEOFF PATTERN. HE PULLED THE AIRCRAFT UP, AND LOST AIRSPEED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND IMPACTED A TREE. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WITH THE AIRCRAFT LODGED IN THE TREE. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN REVOKED BECAUSE OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT REGISTERED, AND NO MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE LOCATED.
On August 23, 1994, at 1855 eastern daylight time, an Advance Aviation Buccaneer II collided with trees during takeoff from a private, grass airstrip in Townsville, North Carolina. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt, unregistered aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. A witness, who was at the airstrip waiting to take off behind the accident aircraft, reported that as the aircraft reached about 40 feet above ground level, it veered to the right, and impacted trees. The aircraft came to rest in the trees, with the engine still running. The pilot shut down the engine, and was assisted out of the aircraft. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, a bee or wasp flew into the cockpit, "which caused me to change my take off pattern." He pulled the aircraft up, and lost airspeed. The aircraft veered to the right, into an oak tree. The motor was still running after the accident. A search of Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the pilot's medical certificate had been revoked because of coronary heart disease. The aircraft was owned by the pilot, but was not registered, and no registration number was affixed to the fuselage. There were no maintenance records found which documented any aircraft or engine inspections. The pilot did not comply with 14 CFR Part 830, requiring the completion of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report).
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
