Pilot Practicing Aerobatic Routine For Newburgh, NY Air Show Fatally Injured

The NTSB has released its preliminary report from an accident which occurred August 28 in which an experimental amateur-built Giles 202, N18FJ, was destroyed when it collided with terrain after experiencing an in-flight separation of the tail section in Newburgh, New York.

The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local aerobatic demonstration flight was operating over runway 09/27 at Stewart International Airport (SWF), and was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The purpose of the flight was to practice for an air show routine scheduled to be performed the following day at the New York Air Show. Witness statements and video recordings indicate that the airplane had performed 4 or 5 maneuvers and was about 2 minutes into the routine when the tail suddenly separated from the fuselage. At that time, the airplane was performing an aileron roll while climbing at about a 35-45 degree angle. Several witness photographs showed the tail section twisting toward the right before completely separating from the fuselage. The airplane subsequently impacted a grass field about 1,100 feet south of the runway centerline. Airport personnel recovered the tail section and debris from the north side of the runway, about 1,500 feet northeast of the main wreckage.

The fuselage came to rest on its left side and was heavily fragmented. The right wing separated from the fuselage and came to rest about 30 feet southwest of the main wreckage. The left wing was also separated and found adjacent to the main wreckage. Both wings showed heavy fragmentation of the leading edge, and large sections had fractured and separated from each wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the control stick to the both ailerons and the elevator through overload fractures in the rod ends of the push-pull tubes. Continuity was established from the rudder pedals, which had separated from the fuselage structure, to the rudder through overload fractures in the left rudder cable and in the right rudder control horn. The vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator remained relatively intact. The structure below and forward of the horizontal stabilizer was found fragmented and separated from the rest of the tail assembly. The rudder and its hinges were found completely separated from the vertical stabilizer.

The engine came to rest partially embedded in soil with both of the wooden propeller blades separated near the hub.

The engine and airframe were retained for further examination. Additionally, three video cameras were recovered from the wreckage and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory for examination.

(Giles 202 pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov