Hazelwood Michael S RV-8 N875MH
23 May 2009 · Decatur, Alabama, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 23 May 2009 at about 18:15 local time, a Hazelwood Michael S RV-8 registered N875MH, operated by Michael Hazlewood, was involved in an accident near Decatur, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Decatur, Alabama, United States
- Nearest airport
- Pryor Field (DCU)
- Coordinates
- 34.6539, -86.9453
- Aircraft
- Hazelwood Michael S RV-8
- Registration
- N875MH
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Michael Hazlewood
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Decatur → Muscle Shoals
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA09LA302
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The RV-8 pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the CJ-6A while maneuvering. This report was modified on September 10, 2010.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
This report was modified on September 10, 2010. Both pilots were friends and neighbors who were visiting an airport open house. Prior to returning to their home airport, the pilots discussed if they would be flying home together or separately. The pilot of the RV-8 decided to fly home separately, departed first, and performed some aerobatics near the airport traffic pattern. As the pilot of the CJ-6A prepared to depart, a photographer asked him to make some low passes over the runway, so that the photographer could take pictures. The CJ-6A took off and remained in the left airport traffic pattern. As the CJ-6A turned from base leg to final leg, the pilot of the RV-8 radioed via the common traffic advisory frequency that he was at the CJ-6A's 6 o'clock position, but did not provide distance information. He then radioed that he was at the CJ-6A's 4 o'clock position and again did not provide distance information. The CJ-6A then began a pass over the runway at approximately 200 feet above ground level. During that time, the RV-8 closed on the CJ-6A "dramatically," in excess of 30 knots, from above and behind. About the midpoint of the runway, the pilot of the CJ-6A began a climbing right turn. The RV-8's left wing then hit the CJ-6A, partially separating it. The RV-8 subsequently descended uncontrolled and impacted terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazelwood Michael S RV-8 | N875MH | Michael Hazlewood | Substantial |
| Nanchang China CJ-6A | N81817 | Billy Kennamore | Minor |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 2009 | Piper PA-22 | Tuskegee, Alabama, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Apr 2009 | Keeley/Tidd MK-1 | Demopolis, Alabama, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Dec 2009 | Piper PA-28-140 | Heflin, Alabama, United States | John Gilbert | Fatal | 1 |
| 15 May 2009 | Beechcraft A36 | Beauregard, Alabama, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 18 Jan 2009 | Maule MX-7-180C | Akron, Alabama, United States | Strickland Thomas M | No injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 2009 | Cessna 172S | Alabaster, Alabama, United States | Jerry D. Evan Jr. | No injuries | - |