Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA08CA011

Alburgh, VT, USA

Aircraft #1

N58MB

Smith Miniplane DSA-1

Analysis

According to the pilot, he "left Franklin County State Airport (FSO) at 16:00. Flew west from FSO to practice aerobatic maneuvers. After fifteen (15) minutes of aerobatic practice [he] flew to Northern Lights airfield with [the] intention to land and observe first flight of recently assembled Steerman biplane from the air. Upon observing that the Steerman biplane was not out on the airfield ramp, [he] decided to fly west of [the] field for more aerobatic practice. After 10 minutes of aerobatic practice proper altitude diminished, and during inverted flight and while rolling to upright, [the] airplane "dished out", losing altitude and heading. As a result, [the] right wing struck tree tops and separated from [the] airplane. [The] airplane rolled and tumbled, which resulted in the left wing departing as well. [The] airplane then impacted the ground in an inverted position, bounced approximately seventy five (75) feet, impacted the ground also in an inverted position, and rolled against the tree line."

Factual Information

According to the pilot, he "left Franklin County State Airport (FSO) at 16:00. Flew west from FSO to practice aerobatic maneuvers. After fifteen (15) minutes of aerobatic practice [he] flew to Northern Lights airfield with [the] intention to land and observe first flight of recently assembled biplane from the air. Upon observing that the biplane was not out on the airfield ramp, [he] decided to fly west of [the] field for more aerobatic practice. After 10 minutes of aerobatic practice proper altitude diminished, and during inverted flight and while rolling to upright, [the] airplane "dished out", losing altitude and heading. As a result, [the] right wing struck tree tops and separated from [the] airplane. [The] airplane rolled and tumbled, which resulted in the left wing departing as well. [The] airplane then impacted the ground in an inverted position, bounced approximately seventy five (75) feet, impacted the ground also in an inverted position, and rolled against the tree line."

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during aerobatic maneuvers which resulted in a loss of control and in-flight collision with trees.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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