"Felt Like The Tail Was Thumping"

Location: Haskell, OK Accident Number: CEN20LA173
Date & Time: 05/09/2020, 0630 CDT Registration: N318WH
Aircraft: Titan TITAN TORNADO S Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On May 9, 2020, about 0630 central daylight time, an experimental Titan Tornado S airplane, N318WH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident about 3 miles north of Haskell Airport (2K9), Haskell, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he departed from 2K9 and climbed about 600 feet per minute to 2,000 ft where he intended to level off. He stated that the airplane was flying really well with no anomalies noted at that point. As he decreased the pitch attitude, very suddenly the airplane vibrated aggressively and it "felt like the tail was thumping." He decreased the engine power to slow the airplane and descend, but the thumping and vibrating continued. He pitched the airplane down and aimed to land in a field or on the riverbank. Before he was able to land, the airplane suddenly rolled inverted and descended into the trees.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the airplane was found in a densely wooded area with the right wing separated and significant impact damage to the entire airplane. The stabilator was found fractured and disconnected from the push/pull tube.

The wreckage has been retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov