You Can't Be TOO Careful When Learning A New Airplane

The transition to a new airplane can occasionally be difficult, even hazardous. In the case of a Kentucky accident, the new owner of Pulsar N97JW found it to be a fatal one. The Pulsar (File Photo, below) went down next to the small grass runway at Samuels Airfield, in Bardstown, KY, during what was reported by the FAA to be a low-altitude flight or a high-speed taxi attempt. An airport official, Mike Forsee, reported that the deceased, Carl R. McDaniel, (62) of Shepherdsville, was the only person aboard, and that he had purchased the plane earlier in the day.

ANN made a polite attempt to contact the aircraft kit manufacturer, Pulsar Aircraft, for more information. Our reporter was met with hostility by company officials and hung up on... twice. Pulsar Aircraft has had some history of questionable business dealings (reported previously by ANN) and some credibility issues after a number of false and/or conflicting  statements were made by company representatives. This has resulted in their earning a "Not Recommended" rating for the next edition of the Kindred Spirit Press's SportPlane Resource Guide.

** Report created 12/4/2003 Record 7 **
IDENTIFICATION
 Regis#: 97JW Make/Model: EXP Description: PULSAR EXP
 Date: 12/03/2003 Time: 2215
 Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
 Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
 City: BARDSTOWN State: KY Country: US

DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED DURING A HIGH SPEED TAXI, ONE PERSON ON BOARD WAS FATALLY INJURED, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED, BARDSTOWN, KY

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
 # Crew: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
 # Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
 # Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: UNK
 
OTHER DATA
 Activity: Pleasure Phase: Taxi Operation: General Aviation
 Departed: BARDSTOWN, KY Dep Date: 12/03/2003 Dep. Time:
 Destination: BARDSTOWN, KY Flt Plan: NONE Wx Briefing: N
 Last Radio Cont: NONE  Last Clearance: NONE
 FAA FSDO: LOUISVILLE, KY (SO01) Entry date: 12/04/2003

FMI: www.faa.gov