Hillery W Grice ALLEY CAT 1 N985GC

Summary

On 19 May 2007 at about 16:53 local time, a Hillery W Grice ALLEY CAT 1 registered N985GC, operated by Robert H. Grice, was involved in an accident near Fairhope, Alabama, 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

19 May 2007 at 16:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairhope, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

H L Sonny Callahan Airport (4R4)

Coordinates

30.4606, -87.8769

Aircraft

Hillery W Grice ALLEY CAT 1

Registration

N985GC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert H. Grice

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Air Race/Show

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairhope → Fairhope

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07CA100

1 person was seriously injured.

The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain terrain clearance while completing a loop at an airshow, resulting in impact with the runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was completing his last maneuver (a loop) which would have culminated with a full-stop landing. He started the maneuver from the planned altitude of 150 feet and 140 miles-per-hour, and after reaching the top of the loop, recognized that the flight was slow. He continued the maneuver and was unable to accelerate and complete the maneuver. The airplane impacted the runway surface while in a "flat" attitude, but with a high rate of descent. He further stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.