# NTSB CEN11LA672: Porbeck John M Slipstream Genesis, N53QB, Bryan, TX, August 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2011, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC) - Place: Bryan, TX - Coordinates: 30.715555, -96.331108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7156&lon=-96.3311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81923 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA672 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81923/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81923 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA672 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and attitude during a turn toward downwind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in the experimental airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Porbeck John M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05622GO), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Porbeck John M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05622GO), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Porbeck John M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05622GO), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Porbeck John M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05622GO), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis After a detailed preflight inspection and runup of the experimental airplane, the pilot intended to do solo pattern work before giving the airplane's owner a bi-annual flight review. The owner watched the airplane takeoff and start to climb, then turn toward a left crosswind to enter the pattern downwind. The owner stated that the airplane would have been encountering a quartering tailwind of about 6-7 knots during the turn to downwind. He then saw the left wing losing lift and the right wing tipping upward at the same time, and the airplane quickly losing altitude. The airplane was operating with full engine power. The airplane then impacted the ground and skidded about 49 yards along a grassy area before coming to rest. After the accident, the pilot stated that just after the airplane cleared the ground during takeoff, he began a climb and turned toward a downwind position. The airplane then suddenly began to stall. After adding power, the airplane started to recover, but the altitude was too low to complete the recovery. Examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine, airframe, or flight controls that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had a total time of 2,300 flight hours; however, he only had about 1.5 total hours in the accident airplane. He had flown the airplane 2 days before the accident flight for about 1 hour, and the accident flight was his second flight in the airplane. It is likely that the pilot was not sufficiently familiar with the flight characteristics of the light experimental airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2011, approximately 0735 central standard time, a SlipStream Genesis homebuilt airplane, N53QB, registered to a private individual, stalled and impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from Coulter Field, Bryan, Texas. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The owner of the airplane reported that the pilot was hired to give him a bi-annual flight review in his newly acquired airplane. The pilot had test flown the airplane two days prior to the accident, but it was too hot to have two people in the airplane, so it was decided to conduct the review a few days later. After a detailed preflight inspection the pilot intended to do some pattern work prior to the review, flying the aircraft from the right seat by himself. The pilot completed a run up and started took off from runway 15, with a slight quartering head wind out of 200 degrees at 6-7 knots. The owner observed the airplane just beyond the end of the airstrip in the initial climb and ascending slowly. The airplane turned toward a left crosswind to enter the pattern downwind for runway 15. The owner stated that time the airplane would have been encountering a quartering tailwind. He then observed the airplane loosing lift on the left wing and the right wing tipped upward at the same time, quickly loosing altitude, with full engine power. The airplane then impacted the ground, skidded about 49 yards on the grass on a heading of approximately 350 degrees. The owner immediately jumped into his car and drove to the wreckage. The pilot was coherent, indicated that he could not feel his legs. Emergency responders and local authorities arrived and extracted the pilot out of the wreckage and transported him to a hospital. After the accident, the pilot stated that he was conducting a test flight of the airplane prior to taking the owner on a planned training bi-annual flight review. He said that just after the airplane cleared the ground, he began a climb and turned toward a downwind position. The airplane then suddenly began to stall. After adding power, the pilot started to recover, but the altitude was too low to complete the recovery. The airplane then impacted the ground. An FAA inspector who examined the airplane wreckage after the accident, reported that he did not find any anomalies with the engine, airframe, or flight controls. According to FAA records, the pilot held valid commercial and flight instructor certificates, with a total time of 2,300 flight hours. The pilot had about 1.5 total hours in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53QB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53QB-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N JMP-01, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PORBECK JOHN M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS - Registry model: [Porbeck John M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS](https://openairdocs.org/model/porbeck-john-m-slipstream-genesis) (registry code 05622GO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Compact Ra MZ202](https://openairdocs.org/engine/compact-ra-mz202) (registry code 14700, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JMP-01 - Airframe hours: 60 - Engines: COMPACT RA MZ202 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph Maxim - Registered owner: Joseph Maxim - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: CFD, Bryan, TX - Destination: CFD, Bryan, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: CFD, Coulter Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: serious; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,300 total, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CFD, 1 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 20110813021889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110813021889A), Aug 13, 2011: Porbeck John M SLIPSTREAM GENESIS, Bryan, TX, Destroyed. The pilot was conducting the first test flight on the aircraft. The owner of the aircraft was observing the test flight from the ramp. The owner stated that… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 2, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81923. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Owner/Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Owner%2FWitness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Photo 1 Accident Site (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Accident Site (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Airplane and Engine Specifications (item 6, .PDF, 386 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20and%20Engine%20Specifications%20-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.