Pilot Debrief

COOPER MICHAEL C RV 8A near Advance, NC — 2015-09-02

Final reportERA15FA335
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Date
2015-09-02
Location
Advance, NC, USA
Airport
8A7
Aircraft
COOPER MICHAEL C RV 8A
Registration
N393MC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilots' failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.

NTSB narrative

The pilots, who co-owned the airplane, departed for a personal flight and, after completing one circuit around the airport traffic pattern, were performing a low-altitude, high-speed pass over the runway. About halfway down the runway length, the airplane entered a barrel roll to the left and, after passing through 180 degrees of roll, began a descent that continued to ground contact. Postaccident examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Although the rear seat flight control stick was found separated and had not been properly secured in compliance with a service bulletin, it was damaged in a manner consistent with the impact and likely did not contribute to a loss of control. The pilots' decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude significantly diminished their margin for error, and once the airplane began to descend while maneuvering, the pilots likely did not have adequate time to recover before impacting the ground.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff after the initial pitch down.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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