Gray SKYBOLT N80TG

Summary

On 13 November 2004 at about 20:00 local time, a Gray SKYBOLT registered N80TG was involved in an accident near St. Clair, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 November 2004 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

St. Clair, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.8256, -82.5133

Aircraft

Gray SKYBOLT

Registration

N80TG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Clair → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI05CA029

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper spin recovery procedure, which resulted in a failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the intentional spin. An additional cause was the pilot's inability to maintain clearance to the trees and terrain during recovery. Contributing factors were the intentional spin initiated by the pilot and the trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amateur-built aircraft was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. The pilot reported that he initiated a spin beginning about 3,000 feet above ground level. Once the aircraft entered the spin, he counted 2 full revolutions and then "centered the stick and rudder pedals" for recovery. However, the aircraft continued to spin. The pilot stated that he held neutral control positions for an additional 6 to 8 revolutions, at which time he elected to apply opposite (right) rudder and control stick inputs. The opposite control inputs had no effect and the aircraft continued the left spin. The pilot noted that he next applied full engine power for "about 2 or 3 seconds and it felt like it had no effect." The pilot noted: "As I got closer to the ground I again went neutral on the controls and I don't know why but the plane stopped spinning, I pulled the stick full back to pull out but I was [too] close to the ground. I estimate I was 40 to 50 feet agl when I went into the trees. I think I bounced off several trees before the plane hit the ground." The Federal Aviation Administration publication Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3, stated that spin recoveries should be initiated by reducing engine power to idle, neutralizing the aileron position, applying full opposite rudder against the rotation of the spin, and providing a "positive and brisk" forward movement of the control stick to break the stall. The handbook noted that "aileron control opposite the direction of the spin may . . . aggravate the situation. It also stated: "Slow and overly cautious control movements during spin recovery must be avoided. . . . A brisk and positive technique on the other hand, results in more positive spin recovery."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.