Schweizer SA 2-37A N61474

Summary

On 19 February 1998 at about 18:47 local time, a Schweizer SA 2-37A registered N61474, operated by Pegasus Technologies, Inc, was involved in an accident near Green Cove Sprg, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 February 1998 at 18:47

Classification

Accident

Location

Green Cove Sprg, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Reynolds Airpark (41J)

Coordinates

29.9800, -81.6709

Aircraft

Schweizer SA 2-37A

Registration

N61474

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Pegasus Technologies, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98FA047

2 people died.

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s); and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering the airplane for a forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and collision with a house boat (residence).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After 2 successful landings during a familiarization flight, the pilots took off from runway 5 for continued closed pattern work. Witnesses stated that they observed the airplane in a climb attitude about 200 to 300 feet agl. They said they heard the engine noise decrease, as if it was powered back. Witnesses stated that the airplane's nose was lowered slightly, and the airplane began a left turn back toward the Airpark. They stated the airplane's bank angle increased to between 60 and 70 degrees, and the nose dropped as if the airplane had stalled. The airplane impacted nose down into a docked, unoccupied house boat. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preexisting deficiencies. The pilot operating handbook stated in part: 'Avoid attempting to accelerate, then turn back to the runway or to another landing area by over-banking or skidding the aircraft. Stall speed increases significantly with increased angle of bank, and stall characteristics are aggravated by a skidded turn.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.