# NTSB CHI79FEM29: Smith Sport Aire, N6171U, Elk Rapids, MI, July 15, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 15, 1979
- Place: Elk Rapids, MI · ELK RAPIDS, MI
- Location: 44.8980° N, 85.4045° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elk Rapids, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8980&lon=-85.4045&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEM29
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEM29

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1462  79/7/15    ELK RAPIDS,MI       SMITH SPORT AIRE    CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 24, 488
        TIME - 1307                    N6171U              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 240 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HESSEL,MI                   ACME,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6171U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6171U-1980-09-11), registration cancelled 1980-09-11, S/N M-102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH SPORT AIRE
- Registry model: [Smith Sport Aire M - 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-sport-aire-m-1) (registry code 056011K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790715017039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790715017039A), Jul 15, 1979: Amtrtn SPORTAIRE2, Elk Rapids, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot engaged in buzzing and aerobatics. Aircraft stalled and spun into the ground.

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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