This Could Have Gone A LOT Worse

An LSA CFI earned her hourly rate the hard way last month when an aircraft checkout and stall series turned into an impromptu lesson in spin recovery... and was terminated by an off-field landing with injuries and damage to the airframe.

NTSB Identification: ERA10LA098
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, December 21, 2009 in Suffolk, VA
Aircraft: Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser, registration: N524SC
Injuries: 1 Serious, 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 December 21, 2009, at 1304 eastern standard time, a Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser, special light sport airplane, N524SC, operated by Tidewater Flight Center, was substantially damaged during collision with trees and terrain following an inadvertent spin and dive recovery near Suffolk, Virginia. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the certificated flight instructor was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight that originated at Chesapeake Regional Airport (CPK), at 1245, and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In both a telephone interview and a written statement, the pilot stated that he was recently issued his private pilot certificate and that the purpose of the flight was to be “checked out” in the Sportcruiser airplane. After departure, he flew the airplane a short distance to the training area to perform basic flight maneuvers. While flying about 2,500 feet mean seal level (msl); the pilot initiated a power-off stall. At the onset of the stall, he added power, the airplane “yawed left,” he applied right rudder and the airplane “snapped into a tight spin to the left.”

The instructor announced that she had the flight controls, and the pilot released the controls. The instructor verbalized her spin recovery control inputs as she performed them, but the airplane continued to spin and lose altitude. The airplane eventually stopped spinning, and during the post-spin dive recovery, the airplane struck trees and terrain, and came to rest inverted.

The flight instructor was interviewed by telephone and also provided a written statement. Her statement was consistent with the pilot’s. Both she and the pilot stated that it was a “surprise” how quickly the airplane rolled into the spin after the stall. Each of them also described the handling characteristics of the airplane as “touchy” and “sensitive” to control inputs, but during slow flight the controls were “mushy.”

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued February 26, 2008. The pilot reported 99 total hours of flight experience with no prior experience in the accident airplane make and model.

SportCruiser File Photo

A review of FAA airman records revealed that the flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. She also held a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. Her most recent FAA second class medical certificate was issued July 11, 2008. The flight instructor reported 470 total hours of flight experience with 20 total hours of experience in the accident airplane make and model.

According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2007 and had accrued 868 total aircraft hours. Its most recent conditional inspection was completed on November 17, 2009, at 82 total aircraft hours.

SportCruiser File Photo

At 1300, the weather reported at CPK, 10 miles east of the site, included scattered clouds at 4,900 feet and winds from 280 degrees at 6 knots. The visibility was 10 miles. The temperature was 7 degrees Celsius (C) and the dew point was -4 degrees C. The altimeter setting was 30.09 inches of mercury.

Examination of the airplane at the scene by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the engine compartment, and partial separation of the wings. The airplane was recovered from the site on December 29, 2009, and was scheduled for a detailed examination at a later date.

FMI: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20091222X60740&key=1