# NTSB CHI96LA188: Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G, N611SU, Astoria, IL, May 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1996, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Astoria, IL - Coordinates: 40.219802, -90.349845 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2198&lon=-90.3498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10267 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10267/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA188 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain while performing an aerobatic maneuver. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis Witnesses reported seeing the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers prior to the accident. They stated the pilot was performing a loop when he got too close to the ground during the maneuver. The airplane impacted the terrain near a treeline which surrounded the open field over which the maneuvers were being performed. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1996, at 0915 central daylight time, a Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G, N611SU, operated by a commercial instrument rated pilot collided with the terrain while maneuvering in Astoria, Illinois. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The flight originated from Lacon, Illinois, at approximately 0830 cdt. A friend of the pilot's stated that the pilot had called him at 0800 stating that he was going to fly down to visit and that he would fly over his residence to notify him of his arrival in the area. This friend reported to an Officer at the Fulton County Sheriff's Police Office that upon the pilot's arrival in the area, he was performing "some stunts" over his house. He stated that when the pilot performed a loop he came to close to the ground and the airplane crashed in a bean field. This witness stated the pilot "liked to perform the stunts and he had performed the stunts before." Two other witnesses stated they heard the airplane in the area for 15-20 minutes prior to going outside to watch it. They stated they watched the airplane for approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident. They stated that during this time the pilot was performing stunts approximately 50 to 75 feet above a treeline which surrounded an open field. One of these witnesses stated that it appeared the pilot was attempting an "upside down loop" when he "crashed nose first into the field, close to the fence row." Post accident inspection of the airplane wreckage was conducted by Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office in Springfield, Illinois. Their inspection of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any anomalies which would have resulted in the accident. A review of excerpts from the pilot's logbook indicated that he had performed aerobatic maneuvers at least nine times. These logbook entries include notations for Aileron Rolls, Hammerheads, Snap Rolls, Loops, and Rolls. Five of these entries are logged as being flow in the accident airplane. A post mortem examination of the pilot was conducted by the Fulton County Coroner's Office on June 1, 1996. Toxicological tests were performed by the State of Illinois and the FAA Civil Aeronautical Medical Institute. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N611SU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N611SU-2002-04-22), registration cancelled 2002-04-22, S/N 43, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G - Registry model: [Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G](https://openairdocs.org/model/gray-miniplane-dsa-1-g) (registry code 83501D1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 43 - Airframe hours: 109 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven L. Umphress - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, May 20, 1996 - Departed: C75, LACON, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 987 total, 24 in this make and model, 381 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIA, 42 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 19960531012239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960531012239A), May 31, 1996: Amtr DSA1G, Astoria, IL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (.4)Witnesses reported seeing the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers prior to the accident. They stated the pilot was performing a loop when he got too close… 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.