Chris Mitchell TITAN TORNADO N259CM
18 June 2009 · Chadbourn, North Carolina, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 18 June 2009 at about 23:07 local time, a Chris Mitchell TITAN TORNADO registered N259CM, operated by Shannon L. Harrelson, was involved in an accident near Chadbourn, North Carolina, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 23:07
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Chadbourn, North Carolina, United States
- Coordinates
- 34.3031, -78.8225
- Aircraft
- Chris Mitchell TITAN TORNADO
- Registration
- N259CM
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Shannon L. Harrelson
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Chadbourn → Chadbourn
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA09LA356
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb following a loss of engine power. The reason for the power loss was not determined.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Witnesses observed the pilot perform a normal engine run-up prior to takeoff. Shortly after takeoff they heard a momentary reduction in power, followed by an increase, before the engine completely lost power. The pilot initiated a right turn back to the airstrip and the witnesses observed the airplane stall, enter a spin, and impact the ground. Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the airplane impacted the ground at a steep angle and came to rest inverted. Fuel spillage was evident at the accident site. The fuel selector handle was found in an intermediate position (not on or off); however, this condition was observed after the extraction of the pilot from the wreckage. The engine was sent to the manufacturer’s facilities where a test run was performed. Multiple runs were accomplished and no evidence of a malfunction or failure was noted.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 2009 | Cirrus SR22 | Elkin, North Carolina, United States | Obi-1 At Pensacola Inc | No injuries | - |
| 14 Dec 2009 | Boeing MD | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | American Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 2009 | Remos REMOS G-3/ | Sims, North Carolina, United States | Massey John Thomas | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 2009 | Cessna R182 | Hayesville, North Carolina, United States | Houston Air Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Aug 2009 | Beechcraft C24R | Sylva, North Carolina, United States | Lovins Branch & Company PC | Fatal | 2 |
| 24 Apr 2009 | Cessna 177 | Kinston, North Carolina, United States | Rogerson Benjamin | No injuries | - |