Pilot Was Reported To 'Buzz' His Home Often

Such subjects have been in the news an awful lot this year, but it appears that an accident last month may, ultimately, be chalked up to an unsuccessful 'buzz' job. The pilot was a "longtime" Las Cruces, NM, resident.

Robert Steinmetz, a local physical therapist in Las Cruces for a number of years was killed when one of his aircraft's wings contacted the ground close to his home. Steinmetz, 54, was flying an experimental Rotax powered Zenair STOL CH-701, (FILE photo, above) that he built himself, when he impacted the ground, 'cartwheeling' the airplane.

NTSB Identification: DEN08LA040
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, December 15, 2007 in Las Cruces, NM
Aircraft: Garniss STOL 701, registration: N45500
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On December 15, 2007, at 1641 mountain standard time, a Garniss STOL 701, N45500, piloted by a sport pilot, was destroyed when the it struck terrain while maneuvering on the outskirts of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originating at an undetermined time from Las Cruces (LRU), New Mexico.

According to an FAA inspector, the pilot purchased the airplane approximately 2 months ago. His daughters told the inspector that every time he flew, he would "buzz" his house and "wig wag" his wings. He was wig wagging his wings when the left wing tip struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov