Dial David L TITAN TORNADO II N158TX

Summary

On 19 May 2012 at about 21:00 local time, a Dial David L TITAN TORNADO II registered N158TX was involved in an accident near Checotah, Oklahoma, 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

19 May 2012 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Checotah, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Private Airstrip (NONE)

Coordinates

35.4725, -95.5733

Aircraft

Dial David L TITAN TORNADO II

Registration

N158TX

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Checotah → Checotah

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA307

1 person died.

The noncertificated pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After takeoff, the airplane leveled off about 100 ft above ground level; accelerated; made a steep, nearly vertical, nose-up climb; and then sharply banked left. The airplane then suddenly stalled and "nose-dived" into the ground. A witness reported that, in the past, he and his neighbors had frequently seen the pilot perform this type of maneuver. One person reported that, in the past, the pilot seemed to enjoy "showing off" for people when he was flying. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Federal Aviation Administration records showed that the pilot did not hold a valid pilot certificate and that his previously issued student pilot certificate had expired in 2003. Toxicological testing detected low levels of methamphetamine in the pilot's cavity blood and urine, indicating that the pilot took some form of the drug before the crash. However, insufficient evidence was available to determine whether the drug had been medically prescribed or was being used recreationally. Thus, it could not be determined if the pilot's performance was impaired by either the drug, an underlying medical condition, or withdrawal symptoms at the time of the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.