T Bird T BIRD II N154ZX

Summary

On 15 April 2009 at about 19:00 local time, a T Bird T BIRD II registered N154ZX, operated by Fasking Daniel M, was involved in an accident near Carlock, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 April 2009 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Carlock, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

40.6000, -89.0575

Aircraft

T Bird T BIRD II

Registration

N154ZX

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Fasking Daniel M

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carlock → Carlock

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA265

Injuries not recorded.

The pilot's failure to gain sufficient altitude during the takeoff in order to avoid contacting the cameraman. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was taking off at an airspeed of 40 miles per hour when the right main landing gear contacted a cameraman who was sitting on the grass airstrip. The cameraman, who was seriously injured, was going to film the light sport airplane as it took off and flew directly over him. The uncertificated pilot stated that he was not able to gain sufficient altitude to avoid contacting the cameraman. The pilot purchased the airplane approximately 2 months prior to the accident. His logbook showed 2 entries for a total of 3.3 hours of dual flight time in another make and model airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.