Airborne STREAK 2 N155TD

Summary

On 9 January 2010 at about 21:08 local time, a Airborne STREAK 2 registered N155TD, operated by Donald Wright, was involved in an accident near Lake Isabella, 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

9 January 2010 at 21:08

Classification

Accident

Location

Lake Isabella, California, United States

Coordinates

36.7983, -119.7417

Aircraft

Airborne STREAK 2

Registration

N155TD

Engines

1

Operator

Donald Wright

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lake Isabella → Lake Isabella

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA104

2 people died.

The pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported the pilot appeared to be performing aerobatic maneuvers and attempting to perform loops, as the airplane made numerous nose-high and nose-low maneuvers. Estimates of the airplane's altitude varied between 300 and 500 feet above ground level. The witnesses stated that the airplane was in level flight when the nose pointed down steeply 45-90 degrees, and then started to transition up. Just after the nose went above the horizon, the right wing folded upward. The engine then lost power and the airplane entered into a free fall. A post accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the fracture surface of the wing spar were consistent with overload forces being applied to the airframe. The pilot did not hold a pilot or medical certificate. Post-mortem toxicology testing on the pilot was consistent with use of methamphetamine, marijuana, and diazepam, but there was no urine or blood available for testing; therefore, it was not possible to estimate the last time when the substances might have been used or whether the pilot may have been impaired by that use. The operating limitations for the airplane noted that it was prohibited from aerobatic flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.