Layson Stanley B STEEN SKY BOLT N233VW

Summary

On 27 June 2009 at about 13:14 local time, a Layson Stanley B STEEN SKY BOLT registered N233VW, operated by Marks Donald E, was involved in an accident near High Point, 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.

Date

27 June 2009 at 13:14

Classification

Accident

Location

High Point, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Darr Field (NC03)

Coordinates

35.9050, -79.9872

Aircraft

Layson Stanley B STEEN SKY BOLT

Registration

N233VW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Marks Donald E

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Thomasville → High Point

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA371

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings during his second flight in the newly-acquired airplane. According to witnesses, after landing long on the 2,365-foot turf and gravel runway, the pilot initiated another takeoff and climb. The airplane subsequently began to turn, and the left main landing gear struck unmarked power lines 34 feet off the ground, about 110 yards beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane then cartwheeled into the ground and caught fire. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Toxicological testing indicated that the pilot used a prescription sleep aid the previous evening, but that impairment at the time of the accident was unlikely. The pilot was required to wear corrective lenses; however, it is unknown if he was wearing them at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.