Plane Destroyed By Impact With The Ground, Pilot Slightly Injured

A pilot flying an Acro-Sport I near Midland, LA earlier this month suddenly found himself unable to control the airplane after feeling something snap in his control stick. According to the NTSB's preliminary report, the pilot was able to parachute safely to the ground, but the airplane suffered a much worse fate.

NTSB Identification: CEN13LA225
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, April 12, 2013 in Midland, LA
Aircraft: Atkins Acro-Sport I, registration: N5897
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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 April 12, 2013, about 1500 central daylight time, an Atkins Acro-Sport 1 airplane, N5897, was destroyed by impact after the pilot parachuted from the airplane. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to, and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local area flight originated from the Le Gros Memorial Airport (3R2) and was operated in a Notice to Airman (NOTAMed) aerobatic box, west of the airfield at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, at 3000, feet while applying aft control stick to start a vertical acrobatic maneuver, there was a snap felt by the pilot through the airplane's control stick, followed by a total loss of pitch control in the airplane. The pilot stated that he momentarily attempted to troubleshoot the problem with no success. With no pitch control, the pilot parachuted from the airplane.

(Acro-Sport I image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov