Green Castle AVID FLYER AEROBAT N95GC

Summary

On 4 September 1996 at about 23:30 local time, a Green Castle AVID FLYER AEROBAT registered N95GC was involved in an accident near Oxford, Iowa, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 September 1996 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Oxford, Iowa, United States

Nearest airport

Green Castle (IA24)

Coordinates

41.7194, -91.7790

Aircraft

Green Castle AVID FLYER AEROBAT

Registration

N95GC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI96FA330

1 person died.

failure of the private pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed after takeoff, during the initial climb and turn to the crosswind leg; and a delay by the flight instructor (CFI) in taking remedial action to avoid a stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A flight instructor (CFI) and a private pilot were beginning a local instructional flight. They initiated a takeoff on runway 15, which contained a 90' wide sod area and a 24' wide asphalt area. A witness reported that [after lift-off], he observed the airplane 'banking into a turn, low to the ground, with its tail very low.' The private pilot reported that they 'were having trouble gaining enough airspeed and barely cleared the trees after takeoff.' He said the CFI assumed control of the airplane, and that they 'continued having trouble getting the proper amount of airspeed.' The next thing he remembered was 'the ground coming at them.' The private pilot did 'not recall hearing the engine miss.' According to operator personnel, the airplane stalled and 'spun' to the ground about 1/2 mile south of the runway. Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane crashed on slightly rising terrain. Corn stalks in the impact area were sliced at a descending angle, leading to a shallow impact crater. No preimpact flight control or engine control malfunction was discovered. The engine operated normally, when tested.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.