Swich II N4663A
6 October 1992 · El Mirage, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 6 October 1992 at about 18:00 local time, a Swich II registered N4663A, operated by Irwin, Thomas M., was involved in an accident near El Mirage, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- El Mirage, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.5609, -121.9902
- Aircraft
- Swich II
- Registration
- N4663A
- Category
- Glider
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Irwin, Thomas M.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX93LA005
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT/OWNER'S IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL STALL, INADVERTENT SPIN, AND INABILITY TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN DUE TO THE INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT (VERTICAL STABILIZER) DESIGN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT OVER A DRY LAKE TO TEST A MODIFICATION ON THE MOTORIZED GLIDER. THE PILOT TOLD FRIENDS THAT HE INTENDED TO 'DO SOME STALLS.' AFTER EXECUTING SOME BASIC TURNS AND TAKEOFFS AND LANDING, THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AREA. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SPIN AND SAW IT CRASH. THE PILOT/OWNER RECENTLY INSTALLED A VERTICAL STABILIZER BETWEEN THE EXISTING RUDDERVATORS FOR BETTER LATERAL STABILITY IN THE MOTORIZED GLIDER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. A HOME BUILT DESIGN ENGINEER REPORTED THAT THE INCLUSION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WOULD ADVERSELY EFFECT THE SPIN RECOVERY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT BY BLANKING OUT THE SIDE OF THE RUDDERVATOR OPPOSITE TO THE SPIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft C-23 | Fullerton, California, United States | Eldon R. Howe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 150 | San Jose, California, United States | Veda Corporation | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 182N | San Ardo, California, United States | Soil Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Grumman G-164B | Dixon, California, United States | Sunrise Duster, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Bellanca 7ECA | Apple Valley, California, United States | Chester Waite | Serious injuries | - |