Greco DRIFTER 912 N5318F

Summary

On 5 May 2008 at about 23:20 local time, a Greco DRIFTER 912 registered N5318F was involved in an accident near Homestead, Florida, United States. 2 people were 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

5 May 2008 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Homestead, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Richards Field Airport (04FA)

Coordinates

25.5586, -80.5150

Aircraft

Greco DRIFTER 912

Registration

N5318F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Homestead → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX08LA130

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn to the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, resulting in an accelerated stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot was performing practice emergency landings with the engine at an idle setting. While on the approach, he maneuvered the airplane in a right bank to transition from the base to final approach leg of the traffic pattern. During the turn, the right wing stalled and the airplane began a spin. The pilot reported that as he recovered the airplane from the dive it simultaneously collided with the terrain in a wings-level attitude. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He further stated that accident could have been prevented if he had maintained a higher airspeed and attempted a shallower, coordinated bank.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.