Sportflight ASTRA HKS N940Z

Summary

On 25 August 2009 at about 22:21 local time, a Sportflight ASTRA HKS registered N940Z, operated by Johnson David C, was involved in an accident near Bloomfield, Indiana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 August 2009 at 22:21

Classification

Accident

Location

Bloomfield, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

39.0444, -87.0056

Aircraft

Sportflight ASTRA HKS

Registration

N940Z

Engines

1

Operator

Johnson David C

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bloomfield → Bloomfield

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA543

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that the airplane was flying from north to south over the airport. One witness, who was an instructor and builder of the accident airplane make and model, observed the airplane "initiate a steep climb and then an approximate 60 degree bank turn." He described the bank as "non-sustainable, too much slide." Another witness reported that while maneuvering for the landing, the airplane entered a "hard left bank at low altitude and went into the ground." Witnesses reported the sky was clear and the wind was calm. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine. Toxicology test results were consistent with the recent use of diphenhydramine, a sedating and impairing over-the-counter antihistamine often known by the trade name of Benadryl. The extent to which impairment from the medication may have played a role in the accident could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.