Christen A 1 N436C

Summary

On 22 June 2014 at about 19:45 local time, a Christen A 1 registered N436C, operated by Martin KI, was involved in an accident near Tampa, Florida, 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

22 June 2014 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Tampa, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Tampa Executive Airport (VDF)

Coordinates

28.0139, -82.3450

Aircraft

Christen A 1

Registration

N436C

Category

Airplane

Year built

1988

Engines

1

Operator

Martin KI

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tampa → Tampa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14LA305

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane take off from a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Witness statements and a video revealed that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane entered a steep left turn about 30 ft above ground level. The airplane then turned about 270 degrees, with continuous engine noise, before descending nose down into the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not have his five-point harness buckled during the flight. Although the pilot's widow reported that the pilot probably crashed the airplane on purpose because they had been separated about 1 year and she had moved out of their residence 4 days before the accident, it could not be determined if the accident occurred as a result of an intentional act by the pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.