# NTSB CEN13LA034: US Light Hornet, N2482J, Mont Belvieu, TX, October 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 2012, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Mont Belvieu, TX - Coordinates: 29.759145, -94.870796 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7591&lon=-94.8708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85461 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85461/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85461 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate airspeed management while maneuvering in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s low altitude, which did not allow for a stall recovery. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [US Light HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902M8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [US Light HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05902M8), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [US Light HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md?model=05902M8), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [US Light HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05902M8), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [US Light HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902M8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis A witness observed the airplane flying low over a field and reported that the occupants smiled and waved to him. The witness, who was driving a tractor, estimated that the airplane’s airspeed was about 40 mph, which was near the airplane’s reported stall speed. The witness observed the airplane maneuver over power lines before it descended to the terrain. A postimpact fire ensued and consumed most of the fuselage and left wing. At the time of the accident, wind was reported as gusty. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The airplane’s maneuver over power lines at a slow speed in gusty wind conditions is consistent with an aerodynamic stall; however, the airplane’s low altitude did not allow for a stall recovery. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 28, 2012, about 1710 central daylight time, Hornet experimental light sport airplane (E-LSA), N2482J, impacted a rice field near Mont Belvieu, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were both fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged and a post impact fire ensued. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, that operated without a flight plan. The local flight originated from Baytown, Texas, at an unknown time. According to a witness interviewed by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the airplane flew low across a field. The airplane passed overhead and he could see the occupants’ faces as they smiled and waved. The witness was driving a tractor, and estimated the airplane’s speed about 40 miles per hour. The airplane flew south towards power lines, climbed to avoid them, and began a turn. The airplane was about 100 feet above the ground before it descended in a nose down attitude towards the terrain. The witness reported gusty wind at the time of the accident. A post impact fire consumed a majority of the fuselage and left wing. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the airplane. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 52, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine-land. The pilot was issued a third class medical certificate on August 31, 2011, with the restriction that he must have glasses available for near vision. On his medical certificate application, the pilot reported accumulating 378 hours of total time, with 150 hours in the preceding six months. The pilots log book was not located during the course of the investigation. The pilot purchased the airplane on October 17, 2012, and his flight experience in the make and model could not be determined. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was manufactured in 2000, by US Light Aircraft Corporation. The airplane’s airworthiness certificate was issued in October, 2007, in the E-LSA category. The Hornet is a single engine, high wing, tandem two-seat, fixed gear airplane. It was powered by a 65-horsepower Hirch 2706 engine configured in a pusher configuration which drove a four-blade composite propeller. Pilots report the Hornet’s stall speed between 35 and 40 mph. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1650, an automated weather reporting facility located at Ellington Field (KEFD), Houston, Texas, located about 18.5 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 330 degrees at 11 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 32 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.14 inches of mercury. An amateur weather reporting station near the accident site (KTXMONTB1) reported wind from the northwest at 2 miles per hour (mph) gusting to 11 mph. This isconsistent with the witness’s statement. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was conducted on the pilot by Forensic Medical Management Services, Beaumont, Texas, as authorized by the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Chambers County, Texas. The autopsy ruled the cause of death as blunt force injuries and the manner of death an accident. Forensic toxicology was conducted on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2482J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2482J-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 001, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: US LIGHT AIRCRAFT CORP HORNET - Registry model: [US Light HORNET](https://openairdocs.org/model/us-light-hornet) (registry code 05902M8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Hirth 2706](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-2706) (registry code 33703, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 001 - Engines: HIRTH 2706 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: 54T, Baytown, TX - Destination: 54T, Baytown, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 378 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KEFD ## 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 20121028023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121028023729A), Oct 28, 2012: US Light Aircraft Corp HORNET, Baytown, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot was flying approximately 50 off the ground over farm land. Eye witness stated aircraft flew right over him while he was driving his tractor in the field.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85461. 1.7 MB in all. - Photo 1: Wreckage overview (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Wreckage%20overview-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Wreckage overview 2 (item 2, .PDF, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Wreckage%20overview%202-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Correspondence: FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Pilot reported stall speeds of Hornet E-LSAs (item 5, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Pilot%20reported%20stall%20speeds%20of%20Hornet%20E-LSAs-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.