# NTSB CEN19LA087: Warner Aerocraft Space Walker II, N1778, Devine, TX, February 27, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 27, 2019, 16:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Devine, TX
- Coordinates: 29.274999, -98.877502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2750&lon=-98.8775&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - San Antonio FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99030/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA087

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05636LL), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636LL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05636LL), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05636LL), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05636LL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting a personal fight over his private airstrip when the airplane collided with trees while in a descent to make a low pass over the runway. The forward fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage during the accident. The pilot does not recall the final portion of the flight besides a brief memory of the airplane descending toward trees in a 90° nose-down pitch attitude. The pilot does not recall if the airplane had any mechanical malfunctions during the flight. A witness reported hearing a reduction in engine power shortly before the accident; however, based on the pilot’s statement, it is likely that he had reduced engine power to descend toward the runway for a low pass. Additionally, an examination of the airplane and its engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. Based upon the pilot’s recollection that the airplane was in a vertical nose-down descent, it is likely the airplane exceeded its critical angle of attack while maneuvering near the runway, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with trees and terrain.

## Factual narrative

On February 27, 2019, about 1638 central standard time, a Warner Aerocraft Space Walker II airplane, N1778, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Devine, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to overfly his private airstrip to evaluate the runway surface condition and to view wildlife. The pilot remembers an uneventful takeoff from Castroville Municipal Airport (CVB), Castroville, Texas, flying to his airstrip, and maneuvering near the north end of the airstrip as he prepared to make a low pass over the runway. The pilot does not recall the remaining portion of the flight besides a brief memory of the airplane descending toward trees in a 90° nose-down pitch attitude. The pilot does not recall if the airplane had any mechanical malfunctions during the flight. The pilot’s wife was in the kitchen when she heard her husband’s airplane overfly their residence a couple of times. She subsequently went outside and saw the airplane make a shallow turn to the north and estimated that it was higher than a nearby water tower. She noted that it was during this turn that she realized there was no engine sound coming from the airplane. The airplane then began a slow descent toward the tree line at the northern end of their property. She realized that the airplane had crashed when she saw a brief “puff of dust” among the trees. Based upon photographs of the accident site, there was tree damage preceding the grass runway. The airplane impacted the ground just beyond the trees resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage and left wing. A postaccident examination confirmed proper flight control continuity. A fluid consistent with aviation fuel was observed inside the fuel filter assembly. A visual examination of the engine crankcase did not reveal any holes, cracks, or oil leaks, and the engine crankshaft rotated smoothly with no binding. Internal engine and valve train continuity were confirmed, and compression and suction were observed on all cylinders while the crankshaft was rotated. The spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normal engine operation. Both magnetos provided spark on all leads when rotated with an electric drill motor. A partial disassembly of the engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical failure with the cylinders, connecting rods or pistons, or their respective bearings. Adequate lubrication was observed throughout the engine and there was no evidence of oil starvation or excessive heat. The carburetor exhibited no evidence of malfunction when it was disassembled. The engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1778](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1778-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N TB006, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Warner Aerocraft Space Walker II
- Registry model: [Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/timothy-barrow-space-walker-ii) (registry code 05636LL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: TB006
- Year built: 2018
- Airframe hours: 26.3
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 18, 2019
- Departed: CVB, Castroville, TX
- Destination: CVB, Castroville, TX
- Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway 17, 1,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 22,182 total, 15.6 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4.2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: CVB, 5 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 20190227016299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190227016299A), Feb 27, 2019: Timothy Barrow SPACE WALKER II, Castroville, TX, Substantial damage. On February 27, 2019, at 1638 CDT, a Timothy Barrow, Space Walker II experimental amateur built aircraft bearing registration number N1778, registered to…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99030. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12740354&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum of conversation (durwood blasingame) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12739644&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Durwood%20Blasingame)-Rel.pdf
- Witness statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 303 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12739634&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20-%20Witness%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA wreckage examination summary (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12739524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20-%20FAA%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf
- Weather data (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12739302&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20-%20Weather%20Data-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 323 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12739332&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06%20-%20Photos-Rel.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.

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