Aviat A-1 N623KD

Summary

On 29 May 2004 at about 19:40 local time, a Aviat A-1 registered N623KD was involved in an accident near Harwood, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2004 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Harwood, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Coover Flying Field (PVT)

Coordinates

29.6964, -97.4997

Aircraft

Aviat A-1

Registration

N623KD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harwood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04FA144

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff, a witness observed the airplane depart to the south and climbed vertically at an approximate 85 degree angle, with the rudder deflected to the right. When it reached the apex of the climb, approximately 200-250 feet above ground level, it began to "fly backwards like a kite," and the engine was "throttled back." The airplane then made a descending left hand turn in an approximate 45-50 degree nose down attitude. While in the descent, the elevator was deflected to the full up position. The witness then observed the left wing "drop" and the upward deflection on the elevator decreased. At this point, and while still in the descent, the right aileron was deflected to the full up position, and the airplane's wings leveled out, while the engine "throttled back up to full power." The right aileron stayed deflected, and the airplane turned to the right and contacted the ground with the right wing tip first followed by the engine. Another witness reported that the 410-hour pilot "almost always" performed this type of take-off, and he has observed the pilot perform this maneuver "recently and frequently." Flight control continuity was established throughout the airplane at the accident site. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe. The airplane was found to be within weight and balance limits.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.