# NTSB ATL82FLG13: Smith Miniplane, N1CJ, Swansea, SC, August 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1982, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Swansea, SC
- Location: 33.7490° N, 81.1075° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Swansea, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-81.1075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLG13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLG13

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT TO PRACTICE AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. HE HELD A CURRENT CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER WHICH AUTHORIZED HIM TO PRACTICE LOW LEVEL AEROBATICS BELOW 1500 FT ABOVE THE SURFACE. FOUR KNOWN WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT PULL UP FROM A LOW ALTITUDE, THEN FALL AND SPIN TO THE GROUND. ONE WITNESS, A PRIVATE PILOT, ROPORTED THAT THE PILOT PULLED THE PLANE UP, AS IF HE WAS PERFORMING A LOOP. AT THE TOP OF THE CLIMB, THE NOSE CAME DOWN, AND REPORTEDLY, THE PLANE BEGAN TO SPIN INVERTED. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, NO EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND EXCEPT FOR IMPACT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1CJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1CJ-1982-11-24), registration cancelled 1982-11-24, S/N LN1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINIPLANE
- Registry model: [Smith MINIPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-miniplane) (registry code 835015Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: LN-1
- Airframe hours: 538
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G4 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth G. Moyer
- Registered owner: Kenneth G. Moyer
- Departed: SC13, DARDEN AIRPORT, SC
- Destination: SC13, DARDEN AIRPORT, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 187 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820819039609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820819039609A), Aug 19, 1982: Amtrsm DSA1, Swansea, SC, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed after what one witness described as inverted spin from very low altitude.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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