Sutton Tailwind W-8L N12079

Summary

On 4 February 2001 at about 21:50 local time, a Sutton Tailwind W-8L registered N12079 was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada, 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

4 February 2001 at 21:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Reno, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

39.8392, -119.7469

Aircraft

Sutton Tailwind W-8L

Registration

N12079

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Reno → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX01LA087

2 people died.

The pilot performed aerobatics at low altitude and failed to maintain clearance from the gound resulting in a collision with the terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was engaged in aerobatic maneuvers at the time of the accident and impacted the ground during a roll. Several witnesses observed the airplane maneuvering at low altitude and estimated the airplane's height at 50 feet prior to commencing the roll. One witness said he did not hear any noise that would indicate engine trouble. Investigators established control continuity. The control yoke was U-shaped with a single handle in front of each pilot position. The left handle bent straight out to the left and twisted counterclockwise; the pilot was outside of the airplane on the left side. The pilot's right hand was lacerated in the palm near the thumb. The pilot's brother flew the airplane earlier in the day, and did not experience any difficulties with the airplane or engine. Investigators examined the engine and observed no discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. The kit builder's plans indicated that the airplane was not designed for aerobatics.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.