# NTSB CHI95DCA01: Yakovlev YAK-52, N2215C, Caruthersville, MO, November 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report - Date: November 29, 1994, 15:53 local (21:53 UTC) - Place: Caruthersville, MO - Coordinates: 36.170284, -89.660964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1703&lon=-89.6610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95DCA01 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95DCA01 ## Probable cause The insufficient altitude (300 feet above the airport) at which an aerobatic maneuver was attempted by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT AND PERFORMED A ROLL AT 1000 FEET. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ROLLING INVERTED A SECOND TIME AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE NOSE THEN DROPPED TO NEAR VERTICAL, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED, AND WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST CRASH FIRE. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 29, 1994, at 1553 central standard time (CST), a Yakovlev YAK-52, N2215C, operated as a personal airplane by Harlass P. Moore of Caruthersville, Missouri, impacted level terrain at the Caruthersville Municipal Airport (M05), Caruthersville, Missouri, and was destroyed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, had originated from West Memphis, Arkansas, at an undetermined time, and no flight plan was filed. Upon arrival at M05, the airplane was observed overflying the airport, then making a second pass and performing a roll over the airport at approximately 1000 feet above ground level (agl) and continuing southeast. A short time later the airplane was observed approaching from the southeast, rolling inverted at approximately 300 feet agl, and stabilizing inverted for a few seconds. The nose then dropped to near vertical, and the airplane impacted the ground near the airport boundary. The commercial rated pilot sustained fatal injuries, and a post-crash fire occurred. The cockpit area was destroyed, and minor damage occurred to the surrounding crops and field. CREW INFORMATION The pilot was the sole occupant, and held a commercial pilot certificate with privileges for single and multi engine land airplanes, instrument airplane, and flight instructor rating for single engine airplanes. He held a current class-2 medical certificate with no limitations, and a statement of demonstrated ability for 20/50 vision in the left eye. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a Yakovlev YAK-52, serial number 888413, certificated in the experimental category, which had accrued a total of 680 flight hours. It was powered by a single Vendeneyev M-14P, 360 horsepower reciprocating engine. The last inspection performed was an annual conducted on November 12, 1994, 5 flight hours prior to the accident. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual meteorological condition existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. No ceilings or restrictions to visibility were reported. The winds were light and variable. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest upright, on the edge of the impact crater, at the airport boundary. The impact was slightly inverted, approximately 105 degrees nose down, with the right wing 15 degrees low. The airplane came to rest pointing 270 degrees magnetic, which was opposite the original direction of flight. The left wing separated from the fuselage, and was located 190 feet on a heading of 170 degrees from the initial impact point. The fuel tank separated, and was located 95 feet on a heading of 160 degrees from the impact. Rib parts were located 140 feet on a heading of 160 degrees from the impact point. Miscellaneous parts were scattered for approximately 200 feet in all directions. FIRE A post crash fire occurred, destroying the center section of the airplane. The local fire department extinguished the fire after their arrival on scene. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL An autopsy was performed, with no pre-existing deficiencies noted. Toxicology results were negative. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to Moore Flying Service, Incorporated, on November 30, 1994. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2215C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2215C-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 888413 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: YAKOVLEV YAK-52 - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK 52](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-52) (registry code 9830220) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 888413 - Airframe hours: 680 - Engines: VENDENEYEV M-14P 360 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harlass P. Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1994, 5 hours before - Departed: WEST MEMPHIS, AR - Airport: M05, Caruthersville Memorial, runway 18, 3,805 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,000 total, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19941129039779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941129039779A), Nov 29, 1994: Yaklev YAK52, Caruthersville, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed making a low level roll over runway. Lost it inverted. Nose dropped near vertical. Impacted runway. 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.