PEACHTREE CITY, GA, USA
N911FM
Schmidt AIRSHARK II
Shortly after takeoff the airplane rolled to the left. Attempts to control the left roll were unsuccessful, and the airplane rolled to about a 90 degree left roll, descended, and crashed. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector disclosed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the flight control system. The pilot stated he believed he encountered wake turbulence from a corporate jet which departed ahead of him.
On June 6, 1999, about 1129 eastern daylight time, a Bruce A. Schmidt Airshark II, N911FM, registered to an individual, crashed shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field, Peachtree City, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the private-rated pilot received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he departed on runway 13. After takeoff the aircraft began to roll to the left and attempts to correct the roll with right roll control were unsuccessful. The controls were operational. He believed that he had encountered wake turbulence from a departing corporate jet. The aircraft continued to roll to the left and the left wing impacted the ground resulting in the accident. Witnesses stated that shortly takeoff on runway 13, the aircraft rolled to a 90-degree left bank. The aircraft then descended and the left wing contacted the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled about the wings and came to rest in the area between the runway and taxiway. A Diamond Jet had departed prior to N911FM; however, witnesses could not remember how long before. Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft's flight control systems.
The failure of the pilot to follow appropriate wake turbulence avoidance procedures, and wait an adequate amount of time prior to taking off behind a corporate jet.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
