ATL05LA073

Witnesses stated that they were watching the pilot perform an aerobatic maneuver described to be a "hammerhead stall." The airplane turned downwind then to base in what the witnesses said was a "3G turn to final approach." The airplane then proceeded to the show line and sank into some trees to the right of the spectators. The airplane then exited the tree line inverted and collided with the ground and burst into flames. The post-accident examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.

History of flight

On April 17, 2005, at 1505 eastern daylight time, an Anderson, Midget Mustang, Home built airplane, N416A, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees and burst into flames while maneuvering in Mullins, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot received fatal injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Marion County Airport in Mullins, South Carolina on April 17, 2005, at 1430.

Witnesses stated that they were watching the pilot perform aerobatic maneuvers. They observed the pilot do what is described to be a "hammerhead stall," then the airplane turned downwind then to base in what the witnesses said was a "3G turn to final approach." The airplane then proceeded to the show line and sank into some trees to the right of the spectators. The airplane then exited the tree line inverted and collided with the ground and burst into flames. One witness immediately telephoned the 911operator and reported the accident.

Personnel information

A review of records on file with the Airmen Certification Branch, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate on April 24, 1962, with a rating airplane single engine land. The pilot held a third class medical certificate issued August 25, 2004, with the restriction, "must wear corrective lenses." The pilot's biennial flight review was completed on February 5, 2005. Review of information provided by the Marion County airport manager revealed the pilot had logged 5,300 flight hours.

Aircraft information

Review of aircraft records on file with the FAA Aircraft Registry, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma revealed the aircraft was registered to the pilot. No airplane maintenance logs were recovered for examination.

Witness stated that the owner purchased the airplane in January 2005.

Meteorological information

At 1453, the Florence Regional Airport, Florence, South Carolina weather surface observation reported, winds 340-magnetic, at seven knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 20-degrees, Celsius, a dew-point -06-degrees, Celsius, and altimeter 30.29.

Wreckage and impact information

Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane on the ground in front of a local resident in a large field with impact marks present on multiple pine trees leading up to the airplane's final resting point. The right wing tip was separated 20 inches inboard from the tip and was resting 45 feet from the main debris field. The right aileron was separated and was found 65 feet from the main debris field. Engine accessories, flight instruments and the cabin were all consumed by fire. Witnesses reported that the engine was running when the plane collided with trees. Continuity was established from the propeller up to the engine accessories. Continuity was not established from the flight controls to the control surfaces due to the fire damage of the airplane. The post-accident examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure

Medical and toxicological information

The Marion County Coroner, Marion, South Carolina, performed the autopsy of the pilot on April 18, 2005. The reported cause of death was "cerebral avulsion secondary to aircraft collision." The Forensic Toxicology Research Section, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed postmortem toxicology of specimens of the pilot. The toxicology examinations were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol.

Additional information

The airplane was released to the next of kin on April 18, 2005.