Toledo, WA, USA
N3086G
Hanks Avid Flyer
The pilot reported that upon returning to the airfield, he announced that he was going to accomplish a simulated loss of power descent from 3,000 feet. The pilot was spiraling to the left while keeping his touchdown point in view. The airspeed was approximately 75-80 mph with a descent rate of 800-900 feet per minute. The pilot reported that when he came around on his last turn, he attempted to arrest the turn to land down the runway, however, the airplane did not respond as anticipated to his inputs. The pilot neutralized the ailerons and used full right rudder. Before he was able to arrest the turn, the aircraft collided with the terrain in a nose low attitude. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.
On July 10, 2003, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time an experimental Hanks Avid Flyer, N3086G, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain at the Toledo-Winlock Memorial Field, Toledo, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. In a written statement, the pilot reported that upon returning to the airfield he announced that he was going to accomplish a simulated loss of power descent from 3,000 feet. The pilot stated that he was spiraling to the left while keeping his touchdown point in view. The airspeed was approximately 75-80 mph with a descent rate of 800-900 feet per minute. The pilot reported that when he came around on his last turn, he attempted to arrest the turn to land down the runway, however, the airplane did not respond as anticipated to his inputs. The pilot neutralized the ailerons and used full right rudder. Before he was able to arrest the turn, the aircraft collided with the terrain. A Deputy from the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, who responded to the accident site, reported that the aircraft was located on the east end of the airport. The Deputy reported that the aircraft had significant damage on the front end of the aircraft and was "nosed into the ground." The Deputy reported that the pilot, when asked if he recalled what happened stated, "it appeared he spun in." After the aircraft was recovered from the accident site, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Seattle, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the aircraft. The inspector reported that flight control continuity was established to each flight control surface. The pilot also reported to the inspector and reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2, that there was no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a simulated emergency descent. Inadequate remedial action was a factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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