Timothy J Cowper PITTS SPECIAL S-1E N85AT

Summary

On 29 September 2013 at about 19:55 local time, a Timothy J Cowper PITTS SPECIAL S-1E registered N85AT, operated by Cowper Timothy J, was involved in an accident near Edinburg, New York, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 September 2013 at 19:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Edinburg, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Plateau Sky Ranch Airport (1F2)

Coordinates

43.2178, -74.1161

Aircraft

Timothy J Cowper PITTS SPECIAL S-1E

Registration

N85AT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2012

Engines

1

Operator

Cowper Timothy J

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Edinburg → Edinburg

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA434

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane maneuvering at low altitude after it departed from the airport. One witness recalled hearing normal engine noise followed by an increase in engine speed. When he looked in the direction of the airplane, he observed it in a nose-down bank. The airplane then disappeared behind a tree line and crashed. The wreckage was found in a wooded area about 1/2 mile south-southwest of the airport. The wreckage was confined to one area with no discernible linear wreckage path noted, which was consistent with an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Most of the wreckage was consumed in a postcrash fire. Flight control continuity was established from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.