National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Final Report

Location: Grover, Wyoming Accident Number: WPR20CA266

Date & Time: August 10, 2020, 13:18 Local Registration: N298WY
Aircraft: Aviat A-1C-200 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted
Part 91: General aviation - Flight test
Under:

Analysis

The pilot in the experimental test airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to
conduct spin testing, in support of future airplane type certification. Prior to the accident, he
had completed seven power on test spins in which all spins exhibited no unusual or flat
tendency. During the accident flight, the test condition called for a spin from level flight, with
flaps up, and aft center of gravity, heavy weight, to the left, with aileron opposite of the turn.
After one 360o rotation, the nose was much higher above the horizon than prior test conditions.
The pilot applied corrective controls with no effect on any axis. The pilot was not able to
recover the airplane from the induced spin and subsequently disembarked the airplane about
10,180 ft mean sea level. The pilot deployed his emergency parachute and during his descent
he noted that the airplane was in a flat spin to ground impact. The airplane impacted the
ground and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot landed
hard and sustained serious compression fractures in L1 and L2.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane
that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot’s inability to regain airplane control after a pilot-induced spin conducted during a
flight test, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

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Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Attain/maintain not possible
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

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Factual Information

History of Flight
Maneuvering Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)
Maneuvering Loss of control in flight

Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Age: 49,Male
Flight instructor
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine Seat Occupied: Front
sea; Multi-engine land
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Balloon Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane Toxicology Performed: No
single-engine; Instrument airplane
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: April 1, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 23, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 34 hours (Total, this make and model), 3850 hours
(Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 65 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 45 hours (Last 30 days, all
aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Aviat Registration: N298WY
Model/Series: A-1C-200 Husky Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2018 Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) Serial Number: 3298
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 29, 2020 Condition Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2250 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 73.5 Hrs at time of accident Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, activated, Engine Model/Series: IO-360-C3B6
aided in locating accident
Registered Owner: Rated Power: 210 Horsepower
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAFO,6221 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 18:15 Local Direction from Accident Site: 183°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots / Turbulence Type /
Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 320° Turbulence Severity /
Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.2 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Afton, WY (AFO) Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Afton, WY (AFO) Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 12:16 Local Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Aircraft Fire: None
Injuries:
Ground Injuries: Aircraft None
Explosion:
Total Injuries: 1 Serious Latitude, 42.800556,-110.95777(est)
Longitude:

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Hicks, Michael
Additional Participating
Persons:
Original Publish Date: August 24, 2021 Investigation Class: 4
Note: This accident report documents the factual circumstances of this accident as described
to the NTSB.
Investigation Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101780

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 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an
independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the
Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation
accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety
recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the
safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The
NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports,
safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and
statistical reviews.

The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b),

precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report
related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from
a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible
under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.

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