Winters GLASAIR SH-2 N73VL

Summary

On 31 May 2003 at about 17:12 local time, a Winters GLASAIR SH-2 registered N73VL was involved in an accident near Riverside, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2003 at 17:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Riverside, California, United States

Nearest airport

Riverside Municipal (RAL)

Coordinates

33.9519, -117.4453

Aircraft

Winters GLASAIR SH-2

Registration

N73VL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Riverside → Hemet

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03LA176

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an abrupt, low altitude maneuver during the takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in a collision with terrain during the subsequent uncontrolled descent.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The experimental single-engine airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control after takeoff. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane takeoff, climb to 200 to 300 feet (agl), make a sharp left turn, and nose-dive into the ground. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies to the airframe or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.