Wolfe TITAN UNREG

Summary

On 24 July 2007, a Wolfe TITAN registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Surry, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 2007

Classification

Accident

Location

Surry, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Beaver Dam Airpark (VA33)

Coordinates

37.0442, -76.7681

Aircraft

Wolfe TITAN

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Surry → Surry

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07LA174

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot purchased the amateur-built airplane 2 days prior to the accident, and he had not flown it previously. He indicated to the airport manager that he planned to taxi the airplane on the grass runway. The airplane taxied back and forth on the runway several times. At an undetermined time, the airplane became airborne and subsequently impacted trees and terrain about 1/2 mile southwest from the airport. The airplane stuck trees, prior to impacting the ground at an estimated angle of about 70 degrees. Examination of the airplane, which included disassembly of the engine, did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The pilot's private pilot certificate was issued in October 1979, and he had not flown regularly in over 20 years. A friend of the pilot reported that he spoke with the pilot on the morning of the accident, and the pilot was "excited" that he purchased the airplane, and was looking forward to receiving flight instruction in it. Toxicological testing conducted on the pilot revealed the presence of Venlafaxine, a prescription antidepressant, also used for anxiety and panic disorders, present in his blood, urine, liver and gastric system. The level of Venlafaxine in the pilot's blood was nearly 10 times higher than expected with regular use of a high typical dose of the medication. The pilot's most recent airman medical certificate was issued about 23 years prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.