Pilot Debrief

AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8KCAB near Rhine, GA — 2021-09-12

Final reportERA21FA355
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Date
2021-09-12
Location
Rhine, GA, USA
Aircraft
AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8KCAB
Registration
N390PE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A collision with trees during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver for unknown reasons.

NTSB narrative

A witness, who was a friend of the pilot, stated the pilot had mentioned feeling dizzy and nauseous while performing aerobatics during a flight earlier on the day of the accident and landed due to vomiting. Later that same day, the pilot departed his private airstrip and headed to a nearby field where the witness was located with the intention of searching for birds. While the witness was in the field, the pilot flew past him and circled for a second pass. During the second pass, the pilot descended below the tree line and initiated an aileron roll. However, the pilot abruptly stopped the maneuver halfway through and the aircraft flew into the trees at full engine power. The airplane sustained impact damage to the fuselage, while the instrument panel and cockpit were destroyed. Postaccident examination of the flight control system and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. To what degree the pilot’s symptoms of dizziness and nausea from earlier in the day had resolved, persisted, or progressed at the time of the accident flight is unknown. If the pilot was still feeling unwell at the time of the flight, this may have impaired his ability to execute the aileron roll.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have refrained from aerobatics after feeling dizzy and nauseous.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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