JONESBORO, AR, USA
N4186C
Burgess SKYHOPPER
The aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately 15 feet AGL during the takeoff initial climb when it would no longer sustain flight. The airplane descended below powerlines and the pilot landed the airplane in a field to the right of the runway extended centerline, in order to avoid a residence located near the departure end of the runway. During the landing the aircraft contacted high weeds, the nose struck the ground, and the aircraft flipped over coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that there were no discrepancies with the airplane or the engine. Witnesses observed the airplane 'shake' and 'wobbling' descending to the ground. The runway at the unimproved and abandoned airport had not been mowed and tall grass prevailed for the entire length of the runway. At a field elevation of 262 feet and a temperature of 88 degree F., density altitude was calculated at 2,000 feet. The pilot upheld that his logbook had been destroyed and that he held a private pilot certificate. Research has not revealed any evidence of the issuance of a private pilot certificate.
On September 6, 1997, at 1400 central daylight time, a Burgess Skyhopper experimental airplane, N4186C, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during take-off from McDaniels Airstrip, Jonesboro, Arkansas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. No flight plan was filed for this local flight originating at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the Safety Board, that he had checked the weather earlier that day and that he had planned to execute a number of touch and go landings at the airstrip that afternoon. The "takeoff roll was normal, and all engine gauges indicated acceptable limits, including a reading of 2,400 rpm on the tachometer." Following rotation, the airplane ascended to approximately 15 feet AGL at which point it would no longer sustain airspeed or altitude. The pilot elected to land in a field to the right of the extended centerline of the runway, due to a house trailer located near the departure end of the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane flew under a powerline, descended into high growing weeds, and contacted the ground with the nose. Subsequently, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Witnesses, located off the departure end of the runway, observed the airborne airplane. The witnesses observed the airplane "shake" and "wobbling" as it attempted unsuccessfully to go over powerlines, then descend to the ground. The FAA inspector reported that the airplane sustained structural damage to the rudder and the canopy. The runway at the unimproved and abandoned airport had not been mowed and tall grass prevailed for the entire length of the runway. Local authorities reported that the pilot stated "the air was too hot for him to takeoff." Furthermore, during a telephone interview, with the Safety Board, the pilot stated that the condition of the air was "too thin and the airplane was not able to maintain flight." The FAA found no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing prior to the flight. The experimental-amateur built airplane was issued an FAA airworthiness certificate on December 18, 1987. The airplane was registered to the owner/operator on April 5, 1991. Gross weight of the airplane was 950 pounds (basic empty weight 836 pounds). On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the temperature was given as 86 degrees Fahrenheit and the airstrip elevation as 262 feet MSL. The 1350 surface observation for Jonesboro, Arkansas, gave the temperature as 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Density altitude was calculated, by the IIC at 2,000 feet. During several telephone interviews with the Safety Board, the pilot stated that his logbook had been destroyed. He further stated that he had attended flight training in Flint, Michigan, in 1974 and held a private pilot certificate. Registrar transcript records from Charles Stewart Mott Community College, Flint, Michigan, for the pilot, revealed that he was enrolled in a flight theory class in 1974; however, there was no record of flight training. To date, physical evidence of the certificate has not been presented to the Safety Board. A search of pilot certification records by the FAA and the Safety Board has not revealed any evidence of the issuance of a private pilot certificate to the pilot. A review of the FAA medical records revealed that the pilot was issued his first third class medical certificate and student pilot certificate on July 5, 1978, and subsequently in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997. With the issuance of the third class medical certificate on July 16, 1997, the pilot was issued student pilot certificate EE2409864. On this medical application, the pilot listed his total flight time as 265 hours.
The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain the aircraft's airspeed. Factors were the high density altitude and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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