PENCE SPRINGS, WV, USA
N113JN
Nations ACRO SPORT II
The student pilot was conducting a local flight with a passenger. The student pilot elected to engage in aerobatics. While at 1,000 feet agl, the student pilot attempted his first roll ever in the accident airplane. He entered a roll to the left, and then accidentally transitioned into a spin. He reduced the power, placed the pilot's stick to neutral, added full right rudder to counter the spin to the left. However, the airplane impacted terrain. Flight control continuity was established, and a witness reported hearing the engine operating until impact. The student pilot had a total of 75 hours of flight experience, and 25 hours in make and model. Included in the 75 hours, was 4 hours of dual instruction in a tailwheel equipped airplane, which included 'some' aerobatic training. In addition, the student had received spin, and spin recovery training. The student pilot had successfully completed 10 to 15 rolls in an Acro Sport I, and felt comfortable attempting a roll in the Acro Sport II.
On May 22, 1999, about 2015 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Acro Sport II, N113JN, was destroyed after it impacted terrain near Pence Springs, West Virginia. The certificated student pilot received serious injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness at the Hinton-Alderson Airport, Pence Springs, West Virginia, the pilot did one takeoff, and one landing before taxing back to pickup his 15 year old son. The pilot then taxied to the runway, and departed. After becoming airborne, the airplane made a right turn to the south, and the witness did not mention the airplane returning. About 2015, several witnesses that where fishing along the Greenbrier River, reported that the airplane approached the accident site from the northeast, and started to execute a loop. Halfway through the loop, the airplane entered a spin, and the spin continued until the airplane impacted the ground. One of the witnesses reported a reduction in engine noise when the airplane was halfway through the loop. He then heard it increase while the airplane was in the spin. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the wreckage on May 24, 1999, at the accident site. He verified flight control continuity. He also verified crankshaft, piston, valve train, and accessory gearbox continuity. He observed fuel in the line that connected the engine to the airframe. According to the student pilot, he had a total of 75 hours of flight experience, and 25 hours in the accident airplane. Included in the 75 hours, was 4 hours of dual instruction in a tailwheel equipped airplane, which included "some" aerobatic training. In addition, the student had received spin, and spin recovery training. Regarding the day of the accident, the student pilot stated that he was attempting a roll for the first time in the accident airplane. He entered a roll to the left, at 1,000 feet agl, and then accidentally transitioned into a spin. He reduced the power, placed the pilot's stick to neutral, and added full right rudder to counter the spin to the left. The airplane remained in the spin until impacting terrain. The passenger was in the front seat of the Bi-wing tandem seat airplane. The student pilot added that he had successfully completed 10 to 15 rolls in an Acro Sport I, and felt comfortable attempting a roll in the Acro Sport II, a two place version of the Acro Sport I.
The student pilot's improper decision to perform aerobatics, and his failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an inadvertent spin. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of aerobatic experience.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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