Pilot Debrief

TEMPLE BENJAMIN FREEDOM MASTER FM-2 near East Haddam, CT — 2016-07-23

Final reportERA16LA267
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Date
2016-07-23
Location
East Haddam, CT, USA
Airport
42B
Aircraft
TEMPLE BENJAMIN FREEDOM MASTER FM-2
Registration
N282XT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the initial climb.

NTSB narrative

According to witnesses, the commercial pilot performed an engine run-up and then departed the airport in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The airplane climbed to about 400 ft above ground level, entered a steep left bank then a spin, and descended behind trees. Video recorded by one of the witnesses showed the airplane in the spin and also revealed that the engine was operating until it impacted a house. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot did not have much flight time in the accident airplane, and most of the accident airplane's initial test flights were completed by another pilot. There were no entries in the pilot's logbook associated with the accident airplane make and model. Given the lack of mechanical malfunctions and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airplane control during the initial climb.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine run-up if unsure of aircraft handling.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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