Pilot Debrief

STOLP STARDUSTER SA-300 near Newton, NC — 2014-05-26

Final reportERA14FA256
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Date
2014-05-26
Location
Newton, NC, USA
Aircraft
STOLP STARDUSTER SA-300
Registration
N4493
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to recover from an intentional spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of adequate spin entry and recovery training.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of adequate spin entry and recovery training.

NTSB narrative

Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane spiral to the ground. A review of a video recorded by another witness revealed that, during the flight, the airplane entered a left spin and completed about seven revolutions before descending behind a treeline and impacting a wheat field. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A flight instructor reported that the pilot had been attempting to teach himself aerobatics in his experimental, amateur-built airplane before the accident and that he had provided the pilot one aerobatic lesson in the pilot's airplane. The flight instructor noted that the pilot's knowledge and skill level with spin entry and recovery were inadequate. The pilot subsequently contacted the flight instructor on two more occasions and requested more training. The flight instructor agreed to do the training as long as it was performed in his airplane; however, the pilot would not agree to use the instructor's airplane and did not receive further aerobatic training.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have sought formal training before attempting aerobatics.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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