Witnesses In Another Airplane Said They Saw The Attempted Maneuver

The pilot of a J3C Cub which went down in Lake Winnebago during Oshkosh resulting in two fatal injuries was attempting a hammerhead stall, according to another pilot who witnessed the maneuver. The NTSB's investigation into the matter is ongoing.

NTSB Identification: CEN11FA505
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 25, 2011 in Van Dyne, WI
Aircraft: PIPER J3L-65, registration: N81BF
Injuries: 2 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 July 25, 2011, at 1146 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N81BF, collided with the waters of Lake Winnebago, near Van Dyne, Wisconsin, following a loss of control while performing an aerobatic maneuver. The airline transport certificated pilot and the passenger on board were both fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at 1115.

The accident airplane departed OSH along with another Piper Cub for a local sightseeing flight over Lake Winnebago. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger in the other airplane stated both airplanes flew down the coastline at altitudes varying between 1,000 feet and 1,400 feet. They stated the accident pilot performed a maneuver that was described as being a Hammerhead. The airplane pitched up, climbed, and yawed to the left, entering a descent. During the course of the maneuver, the airplane became inverted and impacted the lake. They contacted air traffic control at OSH and circled the area until they saw a boat approach the accident site at which time they returned to OSH.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov