Pilot Debrief

CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO E162 near El Dorado, KS — 2009-03-19

Final reportCEN09FA220
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Date
2009-03-19
Location
El Dorado, KS, USA
Airport
CEA
Aircraft
CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO E162
Registration
N162CE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The failure of the Ballistic Recovery System to disconnect due to twisted attachment straps.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting spin testing in an experimental, pre-production, light sport airplane. The airplane was equipped with a non-production Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) chute which was modified to allow for chute jettison after chute deployment. During a full aft center of gravity (CG) test flight, the airplane was placed in a left spin. The pilot attempted to recover from the spin but was unsuccessful. The pilot described the spin as "uncontrollable." After three turns the pilot elected to deploy the BRS, as per the briefed procedures. After BRS deployment, the airplane continued to spin, twisting the BRS chute attachment straps. The pilot attempted to jettison the chute, but could not due to the twisting of the straps. The parachute-equipped pilot remained with the airplane until it reached the ground in the BRS chute. The airplane was substantially damaged when it was drug by the chute in surface winds. The winds four minutes after the accident, 30 miles to the southwest, were reported as being at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. After the accident the manufacturer made design changes to the airplane's elevator, aileron, and rudder systems to improve the airplane's spin recovery capabilities.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the spin testing before losing control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8