Pilot Debrief

DOYLE JAMES E SKYBOLT near Midlothian, TX — 2014-06-28

Final reportCEN14FA325
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Date
2014-06-28
Location
Midlothian, TX, USA
Airport
KJWY
Aircraft
DOYLE JAMES E SKYBOLT
Registration
N619PD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an inverted spin and subsequent collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

According to an aerobatic judge who was critiquing the flight, the pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers within the designated aerobatic box for the airport. The pilot had completed the planned maneuvers then asked the judge if he would watch him perform another maneuver—a "shoulder roll." After leveling off about 2,000 feet above ground level, the pilot performed and completed the maneuver; subsequently the airplane entered a knife-edge attitude followed by a clockwise inverted spin. Multiple witnesses observed the airplane in a flat spin and one witness estimated the airplane made 3 to 4 revolutions in the spin before it hit the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted west of the runway. All components were located at the impact site. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies. The pilot/owner had previously completed various modifications to the airplane; investigators were not able to determine if the changes made to the airplane would have affected the airplane's ability to recover from a spin or inverted spin.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the shoulder roll maneuver before losing control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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