Weiss LANCAIR N244RR

Summary

On 18 July 2009 at about 19:05 local time, a Weiss LANCAIR registered N244RR, operated by Ron Weiss, was involved in an accident near Santa Clarita, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2009 at 19:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Clarita, California, United States

Nearest airport

Whiteman Airport (WHP)

Coordinates

34.4014, -118.4236

Aircraft

Weiss LANCAIR

Registration

N244RR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Ron Weiss

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

El Monte → Whiteman

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA357

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and control while maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness in the area of the accident observed the low flying airplane enter into a steep, almost vertical, climb. Near the top of the climb, the witness thought that the engine power was reduced to idle and that it appeared that the airplane stalled during the vertical maneuver. The witness estimated that the airplane tumbled two or three times before entering a downward spiral. The airplane then made two full rotations in the spiral at a 45-degree angle until it impacted a roadway. The witness reported that he could clearly see the rudder and ailerons moving until the impact, and believed that the pilot was manipulating the controls in an attempt to regain control of the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed and control of the airplane during the maneuver sequence and did not have sufficient altitude to recover before ground impact. Toxicology testing of the pilot detected buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine in the liver and kidney. A review of the pilot’s medical history revealed that he had been under treatment for heroin addiction with buprenorphine at the time of the accident, but the role of any potential impairment due to his medical condition and/or the use of the medication could not be conclusively established. The pilot had not indicated either his condition or his medication use on his most recent application for a Federal Aviation Administration airman medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.