Hitchens EDI 90FT N900EH

Summary

On 11 December 2005 at about 22:50 local time, a Hitchens EDI 90FT registered N900EH, operated by Joel D. Pressly, was involved in an accident near Chehalis, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 December 2005 at 22:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Chehalis, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Chehalis-Centralia (KCLS)

Coordinates

46.6769, -122.9828

Aircraft

Hitchens EDI 90FT

Registration

N900EH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Joel D. Pressly

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Olympia → Chehalis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA06LA026

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's loss of control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons while on a one-half mile straight-in VFR GPS final approach. Factors included his unsuccessful remedial action, and contact with the terrain in an open soft field.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on a one-half mile VFR GPS straight-in final approach, the pilot lost control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons. The aircraft then rolled into a bank angle of about 90 degrees, and began to descend toward the terrain with the engine producing power at a very high RPM. The pilot was not successful in making a complete recovery from the loss of control, and during his attempted remedial action, the right wing of the aircraft made contact with the terrain. The aircraft struck the ground numerous times over a distance of 320 feet, ultimately coming to rest with the wings separated from the fuselage at the end of the aforementioned wreckage track. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft and engine by an FAA Airworthiness inspector, as well as a follow-up inspection of the aircraft by the NTSB IIC and the same Airworthiness Inspector, did not reveal any evidence of an engine malfunction or any pre-impact anomaly in the aircraft's structure or flight control system. Due to the extent of his injuries, the pilot did not remember anything about the accident or about being on an approach to the airport.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.