Niwot, CO, USA
N94CV
Syracuse Kitfox
Witnesses observed the airplane flying low over a reservoir, pull straight up, perform a "barrel roll", reverse direction, and depart the area. Approximately 30 minutes later, the airplane returned to the area, flying in an east to west direction, approximately 100 to 200 feet agl over the ice-covered reservoir. As the airplane reached the west end of the reservoir, the airplane went straight up and performed an aerobatic "barrel roll" maneuver. The airplane then descended straight down and impacted the edge of the ice-covered reservoir in a nose-down attitude. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded operation. The pilot had not logged any formal aerobatic training.
On December 24, 2005, approximately 0925 mountain standard time, a Syracuse Kitfox single-engine experimental airplane, N94CV, was destroyed when impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Niwot, Colorado. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and a private individual, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed Erie Municipal Airport, Erie, Colorado, approximately 0900. According to witness statements obtained by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder, Colorado, witnesses observed the airplane flying low over Panama Reservoir, pull straight up, perform a "barrel roll", reverse direction, and depart the area. Approximately 30 minutes later, the airplane returned to the area, flying in an east to west direction, approximately 100 to 200 feet agl over the ice-covered reservoir. As the airplane reached the west end of the reservoir, the airplane went straight up and performed an aerobatic "barrel roll" maneuver. The airplane then descended straight down and impacted the edge of the reservoir in a nose-down attitude. Several witnesses then notified the local authorities of the accident. According to an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, the airplane came to rest on top of the ice-covered reservoir adjacent to the shoreline. All flight control surfaces and airplane components were located in the debris area. On January 5, 2006, at the facilities of Beegles Aircraft Services, Greeley, Colorado, under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the airplane wreckage was examined. Examination of the airframe revealed the right wing was destroyed and the left wing exhibited leading edge to aft crush damage. The right side of the cockpit and cabin structure was crushed upward and aft. Control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the flight control surfaces. The three bladed propeller was splintered and fragmented. No anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine which would have precluded operation prior to impact. According to the pilot's logbook, he had accumulated 710 total flight hours, of which 54 hours were in the accident airplane, and no formal aerobatic training was logged.
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of aerobatic experience.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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