# NTSB ATL92LA056: JR. Ace E, N1337M, Statesville, NC, March 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1992, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Statesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.779716, -80.880043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7797&lon=-80.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DURING A STEEP TURN AT LOW LEVEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING OVER RUNWAY 02 AT ABOUT 50-65 FEET AGL. AS IT NEARED THE 'T' INTERSECTION OF ANOTHER RUNWAY IT BANKED STEEPLY & ESTABLISHED A CLOSE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 02, AT THE SAME LOW ALTITUDE. ONCE PAST THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD A STEEP BANK WAS BEGUN TO A BASE/FINAL LEG, ACCORDING TO A WITNESS. DURING THE STEEP TURN, DESCRIBED AS GREATER THAN 60 DEGREES, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED OUT OF VIEW OF THE WITNESS BEHIND INTERVENING TREES. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS A RADIO CALL WAS MADE ON UNICOM THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD CRASHED. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS A PILOT CERTIFICATE NOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1337M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1337M-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 325, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JR. ACE E
- Registry model: [White John R JR ACE MODEL E](https://openairdocs.org/model/white-john-r-jr-ace-model-e) (registry code 0030528) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 325
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tager, William
- Registered owner: Tager, William
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NONE, GASTONIA, NC
- Airport: SVH, Statesville Muni, runway 2, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 20 nm away

## 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 19920308005169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920308005169A), Mar 8, 1992: Amtraa JUNIORACE, Statesville, NC, Substantial damage. Crashed in near vertical turn near end of runway. Prior low pass an low pattern. Fuel tank empty. No pilot license.

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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