Hopkins R and M PROTECH PT-2 N523MH

Summary

On 31 May 1992 at about 18:30 local time, a Hopkins R and M PROTECH PT-2 registered N523MH, operated by Hopkins, Richard G., was involved in an accident near Landrum, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 1992 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Landrum, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Fairview (33A)

Coordinates

35.1703, -82.1801

Aircraft

Hopkins R and M PROTECH PT-2

Registration

N523MH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Hopkins, Richard G.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL92LA114

Nobody was injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT OF THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A GRASS RUNWAY. ON THE INITIAL CLIMB, HE OBTAINED AN AIRSPEED OF 45 KNOTS, AND AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. WHEN HE COULD NOT CLIMB HIGHER THAN 40 FEET, HE ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON THE GRASS. HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE, AND THE NOSE DROPPED SHARPLY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. A POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND NONE WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 4 HOURS SINCE NEW; THIS WAS ALSO THE PILOT'S TOTAL FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.