# NTSB ATL92LA068: Maxair 582, Willacoochee, GA, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1992, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Willacoochee, GA
- Coordinates: 31.340148, -83.040283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3401&lon=-83.0403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF FLIGHT CONTROL, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND A FRIEND HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE AND HAD COMPLETED AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF ENGINE RUNUPS AND HIGH SPEED TAXIING. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MAINTENANCE, ALL SYSTEMS WERE REPORTEDLY OPERATIONAL. DURING A HIGH SPEED TAXI THE PILOT LIFTED OFF AND CLIMBED OUT FROM THE PASTURE. THE FLIGHT APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE PILOT STARTED A CLIMBING TURN. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND CRASHED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS, ALSO AN ULTRALIGHT PILOT, NEITHER HE NOR THE OWNER WAS AWARE OF THE PILOT'S INTENTIONS TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT REGISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FAR'S. THE TWO SEAT ULTRALIGHT- TYPE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AN EXEMPTION TO FAR PART 103.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MAXAIR 582
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX 582 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Palks, Warren, doing business as 1
- Registered owner: Palks, Warren
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VDI, 30 nm away

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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