Pilot Debrief

SHEPARD JIMMY D JR PITTS S1D near Port Richey, FL — 2012-05-21

Final reportERA12FA345
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Date
2012-05-21
Location
Port Richey, FL, USA
Aircraft
SHEPARD JIMMY D JR PITTS S1D
Registration
N360MW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to conduct aerobatic flight at a low altitude, which resulted in a collision with the water.

NTSB narrative

Several witnesses reported that the pilot was conducting aerobatic maneuvers over the Gulf of Mexico. The airplane initiated a loop between 300 to 500 feet above the water. At the top of the loop, while inverted, the airplane started the descent; however, the airplane was too low to recover. The airplane collided with the water in a nose-down, left-wing-low attitude. There was no noticeable change in engine noise during the accident sequence. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. According to the pilot’s wife, for the 4 days leading up to the accident, the pilot had symptoms of a cold and was prescribed Amoxicillin, an antibiotic which treats infections.On the day of the accident, the pilot did not complain of or was not known to have any issues with light headedness or dizziness. Based on this information the pilot did not appear to have a medical condition that would have contributed to the accident and witness accounts indicated the pilot was maneuvering the airplane until impact with the water. According to the operating rules section of 14 Code of Federal Regustions Part 91, which defines the restrictions on aerobatics, no person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents35

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