Bryan, TX, USA
N53QB
PORBECK JOHN M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS
After a detailed preflight inspection and runup of the experimental airplane, the pilot intended to do solo pattern work before giving the airplane's owner a bi-annual flight review. The owner watched the airplane takeoff and start to climb, then turn toward a left crosswind to enter the pattern downwind. The owner stated that the airplane would have been encountering a quartering tailwind of about 6-7 knots during the turn to downwind. He then saw the left wing losing lift and the right wing tipping upward at the same time, and the airplane quickly losing altitude. The airplane was operating with full engine power. The airplane then impacted the ground and skidded about 49 yards along a grassy area before coming to rest. After the accident, the pilot stated that just after the airplane cleared the ground during takeoff, he began a climb and turned toward a downwind position. The airplane then suddenly began to stall. After adding power, the airplane started to recover, but the altitude was too low to complete the recovery. Examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine, airframe, or flight controls that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had a total time of 2,300 flight hours; however, he only had about 1.5 total hours in the accident airplane. He had flown the airplane 2 days before the accident flight for about 1 hour, and the accident flight was his second flight in the airplane. It is likely that the pilot was not sufficiently familiar with the flight characteristics of the light experimental airplane.
On August 13, 2011, approximately 0735 central standard time, a SlipStream Genesis homebuilt airplane, N53QB, registered to a private individual, stalled and impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from Coulter Field, Bryan, Texas. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The owner of the airplane reported that the pilot was hired to give him a bi-annual flight review in his newly acquired airplane. The pilot had test flown the airplane two days prior to the accident, but it was too hot to have two people in the airplane, so it was decided to conduct the review a few days later. After a detailed preflight inspection the pilot intended to do some pattern work prior to the review, flying the aircraft from the right seat by himself. The pilot completed a run up and started took off from runway 15, with a slight quartering head wind out of 200 degrees at 6-7 knots. The owner observed the airplane just beyond the end of the airstrip in the initial climb and ascending slowly. The airplane turned toward a left crosswind to enter the pattern downwind for runway 15. The owner stated that time the airplane would have been encountering a quartering tailwind. He then observed the airplane loosing lift on the left wing and the right wing tipped upward at the same time, quickly loosing altitude, with full engine power. The airplane then impacted the ground, skidded about 49 yards on the grass on a heading of approximately 350 degrees. The owner immediately jumped into his car and drove to the wreckage. The pilot was coherent, indicated that he could not feel his legs. Emergency responders and local authorities arrived and extracted the pilot out of the wreckage and transported him to a hospital. After the accident, the pilot stated that he was conducting a test flight of the airplane prior to taking the owner on a planned training bi-annual flight review. He said that just after the airplane cleared the ground, he began a climb and turned toward a downwind position. The airplane then suddenly began to stall. After adding power, the pilot started to recover, but the altitude was too low to complete the recovery. The airplane then impacted the ground. An FAA inspector who examined the airplane wreckage after the accident, reported that he did not find any anomalies with the engine, airframe, or flight controls. According to FAA records, the pilot held valid commercial and flight instructor certificates, with a total time of 2,300 flight hours. The pilot had about 1.5 total hours in the accident airplane.
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and attitude during a turn toward downwind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in the experimental airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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