# NTSB ATL96LA048: Mcrae Titan Acft Tornado, N6234X, Pahokee, FL, February 15, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1996, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.809045, -80.66056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8090&lon=-80.6606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA048

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

Witnesses in the area stated that the aircraft was observed to be practicing maneuvers at about 1000 feet above the terrain. The aircraft appeared to stall and enter a spin prior to impacting the terrain.  Examination of the aircraft, engine, and related components revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On February 15, 1996, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Finley M. Mcrae, Titan Aircraft Tornado, N6234X, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain near Pahokee, Florida. The private pilot and his passenger were both fatally injured. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, personal flight. The flight departed Pahokee, Florida, at 1400 hours.

Witnesses in the area stated that the aircraft was observed to be practicing maneuvers at about 1000 feet above the terrain. The aircraft appeared to stall and enter a spin before impacting the terrain. The aircraft impacted the terrain southeast of the Pahokee Airport.

The aircraft, engine, and related components were examined by  FAA inspectors,  the examination revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The Rotax engine started and ran with no problems.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by Dr. Michael D. Bell from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiners Office, West Palm Beach, Florida.  The cause of death was found to be multiple injuries due to blunt trauma.  A toxicological examination was performed on the pilot by Dr. Dennis V. Canfield of the FAA Research Laboratory, and no drugs or alcohol were detected.

The operator of the aircraft failed to complete the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report upon request.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6234X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6234X-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N D92503S0HK0043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCRAE TITAN ACFT TORNADO (TITAN ACFT)
- Registry model: [Mcrae Finley M TORNADO KIT](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcrae-finley-m-tornado-kit) (registry code 05623GN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2503S0HK0043
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Ankrom
- Registered owner: Finley M Mcrae
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PHK
- Airport: PHK, Palm Beach County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 160 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 60 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 19960215001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960215001789A), Feb 15, 1996: Amtr TITANTORNADO, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Observed maneuvers low altitude. Stalled and spun in. Engine tested normal after crash.

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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