# NTSB CHI07LA272: Clifford Titan Tornado II, N39YP, Henning, MN, August 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2007, 20:23 local (Aug 17, 2007, 01:23 UTC) - Place: Henning, MN - Coordinates: 46.366144, -95.468779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3661&lon=-95.4688&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66458/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA272 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall and low airspeed while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low altitude of the maneuver. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane owned and piloted by a private pilot was reported maneuvering at a low altitude over a house when it spiraled in a nose down attitude following an increase in engine noise. No anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal airplane operation. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2007, at 2023 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Titan Tornado II, N39YP, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain while maneuvering near a house about three miles north of Henning, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated from a private airstrip at 1930. A witness stated that the airplane was headed in a northerly direction when it flew over a house and began turning to the west. The turn continued toward a southwesterly direction at which time the witness lost sight of the airplane. The witness stated that as the airplane was banking from the west and heading southeast, he heard the steady drone followed by a spike in engine noise. After the engine accelerated sharply, he heard nothing for a few seconds and then heard the crash. The witness stated that he was not sure of the airplane’s altitude, but the pilot had flown low over the house numerous times in the past to say hello. Another witness reported that the airplane was flying low comparing it to a "crop duster." The airplane turned to the east followed by an increase in engine speed when it "twisted" while descending "straight down" impacting the ground. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the propeller was separated mid span and was resting about 15 feet behind the tail of the airplane. The airplane wing exhibited a slash mark consistent with a propeller strike. No anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal airplane operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39YP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39YP-2008-05-29), registration cancelled 2008-05-29, S/N D00912SOHK0365, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Clifford Titan Tornado II - Registry model: [Heschke Clifford TITAN TORNADO II](https://openairdocs.org/model/heschke-clifford-titan-tornado-ii) (registry code 05613UZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: D00912SOHK0365 - Airframe hours: 778 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2007, 17.6 hours before - Departed: PVT, Ottertail, MN - Destination: PVT, Ottertail, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 754 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: ADC, 18 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 20070817020069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070817020069A), Aug 17, 2007: Amtr TORNADOII, Henning, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23)On 08/16/2007 at approximately 1930 hrs the pilot [privacy data omitted], departed from his home airfield located a couple of miles south of ottertail, MN… 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.