Sorensen SPRINT MXII N460JS

Summary

On 5 November 2012 at about 17:35 local time, a Sorensen SPRINT MXII registered N460JS, operated by Darrel G. Sorensen, was involved in an accident near Groesbeck, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 November 2012 at 17:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Groesbeck, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Private (PVT)

Coordinates

31.4278, -96.4708

Aircraft

Sorensen SPRINT MXII

Registration

N460JS

Category

Airplane

Operator

Darrel G. Sorensen

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Groesbeck → Groesbeck

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA046

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the noncertificated airplane during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s physical and psychological impairment.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed his private airstrip to the south for a local flight. GPS data indicated that the pilot flew the airplane to an area about 15 miles southwest of the departure airstrip and then made several low-altitude circling maneuvers in this area before heading back toward the airstrip. The pilot then flew several circling maneuvers east of the airstrip followed by a low pass to the south. The airplane then climbed and again maneuvered east of the airstrip before continuing to the south end of the airstrip; however, it made a 180-degree turn and subsequently departed to the north and then returned to land. A witness reported that the pilot appeared to abort the landing and that the airplane pitched up and then banked left and descended into the trees. The airplane came to rest in the trees about 15 feet above the ground. The witness reported that the engine continued to run after the impact. Flight control continuity was established during the postaccident examination of the airplane, which did not have an airworthiness certificate. Postaccident weight and balance calculations indicate that the airplane's center of gravity (CG) was aft of the maximum aft CG limit. However, given that the pilot was able to take off without any problems, the airplane was likely controllable even though the CG was aft of its maximum limit. Toxicological results and medical records indicate the pilot was likely experiencing some level of impairment due to diagnosed, chronic, medical and psychiatric conditions and the effects of the medications he was taking for these conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.