Iniziative Industriali Italian SKY ARROW 600 N454SA

Summary

On 8 October 2008 at about 00:15 local time, a Iniziative Industriali Italian SKY ARROW 600 registered N454SA, operated by Northfield Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Malibu, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

8 October 2008 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Malibu, California, United States

Coordinates

34.0361, -118.6669

Aircraft

Iniziative Industriali Italian SKY ARROW 600

Registration

N454SA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Northfield Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Monica → Santa Monica

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09FA005

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low-altitude maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform a maneuver at a low altitude that was insufficient to allow him to recover from the loss of control. Contributing to the occupants’ injuries was the inadequacy of the restraint system design by the manufacturer.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane fly at a low altitude over the water and, during a steep left turn, nose over and impact the water about 50 yards offshore. First responders rescued the pilots, a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a pilot who was receiving instruction, who told them that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The CFI succumbed to his injuries 17 days later. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with a shoulder harness restraint that connected to the crotch strap; however, there was no lap belt installed. Examination of the restraint system webbing revealed no visual signs of distress or damage. During the impact sequence, the rear bulkhead separated from the fuselage allowing the rear seat and CFI to be pushed into the front seat. The investigation determined that the airplane had been designed without a lap belt restraint. The inadequacy of the restraint system likely exacerbated the CFI's injuries. The requirements under the American Society for Testing and Materials international standards stated that there must be a seat belt and harness for each occupant and adequate means to restrain the baggage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.