LAKELAND, FL, USA
N19FH
SOUTHERN COMFORT
WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW, THE FABRIC ON TOP OF THE UPPER WING STARTED SEPARATING FROM THE WING. THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING THE ACFT & TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, WHEN FLT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH FULL POWER, DUE TO LOSS OF AIRSPEED & ALT, THE PLT PARACHUTED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD & BURNED. THE PLT'S PARACHUTE OPENED JUST SECONDS BEFORE HE IMPACTED THE GROUND. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES DURING GROUND CONTACT AFTER INITIATING HIS BAIL-OUT AT APRX 500 FT. THE OWNER/BUILDER STATED THAT HE REALIZED THAT FABRIC OF AEROBATIC ACFT NORMALLY HAVE STICHES 1 INCH APART, BUT HE BUILT HIS WITH STICHES 2 INCHES APART. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE BUILT THE ACFT, HE DID NOT PLAN TO ALLOW AEROBATICS TO BE DONE WITH THE ACFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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