Aviation Accident Summary FTW95LA026

MOUNTAIN VIEW, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N64BG

GEORGE SPACEWALKER 1

Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INSPECTOR, THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE TURNED BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE WITNESS FURTHER REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING SLOW AND 'WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED.' ACCORDING TO THE FAA INSPECTOR, THE RIGHT WING WAS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE, AND THE WOODEN PROPELLER WAS 'SHATTERED.' THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN FREELY DUE TO REAR CASE/MAGNETO DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE CRANKSHAFT, RODS, AND PISTON ASSEMBLIES HAD CONTINUITY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT OPERATOR REPORT, THE PILOT HAD THE PROPELLER 'REPITCHED', AND DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT 'IT DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE THE THRUST IT SHOULD HAVE.'

Factual Information

On October 23, 1994, at 1530 central daylight time, an experimental Spacewalker 1, N64BG, was substantially damaged while maneuvering after takeoff at a private airstrip near Mountain View, Oklahoma. The student certificated pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. A witness reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, that shortly after takeoff, the airplane turned back towards the runway, the right wing dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. The witness further reported the airplane was flying slow and "would not pick up speed." The FAA inspector reported the following information. The airplane came to rest 21 feet from the initial ground scar. The right wing was separated from the airplane, and the wooden propeller was "shattered." The engine would not turn freely due to rear case/magneto damage; however, the crankshaft, rods, and piston assemblies had continuity. According to the pilot operator report, the pilot had the propeller "repitched", and during the accident flight "it did not seem to have the thrust it should have."

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRED AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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