Pilot Debrief

HILLAM SCOTT L RANS S 10 near Shepherd, TX — 2014-02-16

Final reportCEN14FA140
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Date
2014-02-16
Location
Shepherd, TX, USA
Aircraft
HILLAM SCOTT L RANS S 10
Registration
N3000V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to attempt aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic flight instruction.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of aerobatic flight instruction.

NTSB narrative

A ground witness reported that the pilot made a radio transmission announcing his intention to perform a rolling maneuver. He and another ground witness stated that they then saw the airplane roll through an inverted position and then transition into a steep, high-speed dive. The left wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane continued in a near-vertical descent until ground impact. Postaccident examination revealed that the left front wing spar had fractured near the left wing root due to overload. No records were found indicating that the noncertificated pilot had received dual flight instruction for aerobatics, and the pilot's friend reported that he did not think that the pilot had ever received any aerobatic flight training. A review of the pilot's journal revealed that he had recently attempted solo aerobatics in the accident airplane, which resulted in high-speed spiral dives at airspeeds higher than the never exceed speed for the airplane. The pilot likely attempted an aerobatic maneuver that exceeded the airplane's design limitations, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane. Toxicological reports revealed the presence of amlodipine, a blood pressure medication, in the urine and liver, and autopsy results indicated that the pilot had hypertension; however, it is unlikely that the hypertension or the medication used for its treatment contributed to the accident. Tramadol and its metabolite, which are analgesics, were also present in the urine and liver. Insufficient evidence was available to determine whether the pilot's use of tramadol contributed to his decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers without training or impaired his ability to complete the maneuver successfully.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have refrained from attempting aerobatic maneuvers without training.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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