Pilot Debrief

YAKOVLEV YAK 52 near Redlands, CA — 2010-02-08

Final reportWPR10FA131
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Date
2010-02-08
Location
Redlands, CA, USA
Airport
REI
Aircraft
YAKOVLEV YAK 52
Registration
N52VY
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and altitude sufficient to recover from a low-level aerobatic maneuver.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that the pilot completed several loops and other aerobatic maneuvers over the course of about 10 minutes. The airplane then began a spin from a low altitude and continued in a "corkscrew" path until colliding with the ground. Ground scar analysis and wreckage fragmentation disclosed that the airplane impacted in a slight nose-low attitude at a relatively low airspeed, an indication that the pilot was likely recovering from the spin at the time of impact. An examination of the wreckage revealed that all major components were accounted for at the accident site; flight control continuity could not be established due to the extensive fragmentation of the wreckage. The pilot had amassed 21.1 hours flight time in the make/model airplane, which included 7.7 hours of dual aerobatic training and 5.2 hours of solo aerobatic time.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to perform aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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