Butzbach SMITH MINIPLANE DSA1 N40DB

Summary

On 16 September 2003 at about 01:31 local time, a Butzbach SMITH MINIPLANE DSA1 registered N40DB was involved in an accident near Escondido, 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.

Date

16 September 2003 at 01:31

Classification

Accident

Location

Escondido, California, United States

Coordinates

33.1833, -117.0000

Aircraft

Butzbach SMITH MINIPLANE DSA1

Registration

N40DB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lake Wohlford → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03LA289

1 person died.

The pilot's low level aerobatic maneuver and his failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with the ground while maneuvering. The pilot flew over the airport approximately 50 to 100 feet above ground level (agl), and then entered a barrel roll. The pilot lost altitude at the end of the maneuver and impacted the ground. The debris field was approximately 150 square feet. The top wing of the biplane was sheared off and control continuity was unable to be established due to the damage sustained to the airplane. The pilot had around 1,700 hours total flying time, with limited aerobatic experience.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.