# NTSB CHI96LA325: Karr Titan Tornado, N238PW, Union Pier, MI, September 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1996, 16:21 local (20:21 UTC) - Place: Union Pier, MI - Coordinates: 41.809707, -86.679695 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8097&lon=-86.6797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10381/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA325 ## Probable cause the pilot not obtaining/maintaining altitude/clearance. Factors were the pilot not maintaining aircraft control and intentional aerobatics. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The aircraft was observed conducting aerobatics over Lake Michigan near a beach at Union Pier, Michigan. During the fifth successive 'hammerhead turn' the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the surface of the lake. A post accident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1996 at 1621 eastern daylight time, a Karr Titan Tornado, N238PW, was destroyed during impact with the surface of Lake Michigan (terrain) following a intentional low level aerobatic maneuver. The surviving passenger stated that the pilot was performing the fifth consecutive "hammerhead turn" when the accident occurred. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the passenger minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Valpariso, Indiana, about 1521, on a local flight. Witnesses at the scene confirmed the passenger's description of the accident, indicating that they observed the airplane doing low level aerobatic maneuvers at the time of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector determined that the pilot was holder of a student pilot's certificate and a third class medical certificate dated March 30, 1995. On the application for that medical the pilot stated that he had a total pilot time of 36 hours. A post accident examination of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies. The passenger reported no mechanical problems. The post mortem examination of the deceased pilot indicated he was afflicted with "Acute Viral Hepatitis B." There is no indication from the medical examiner's report that the disease had the potential of incapacitation for the pilot. The cause of death was indicated as from drowning. The aircraft wreckage was released to representatives of the owner on September 5, 1996. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N238PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N238PW-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N D93XXXCOHK0070 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KARR TITAN TORNADO (TITAN TORN) - Registry model: [Karr Tom TITAN TORNADO](https://openairdocs.org/model/karr-tom-titan-tornado) (registry code 05625ZM) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Rotax 582 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Patrick S. White - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: VPZ, VALPARIZO, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 36 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 19960901025419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960901025419A), Sep 1, 1996: Amtr TITANTORNADO, Union Pier, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into lake during low level aerobatic manuever. Went inverted. Engine quit. Pilot drowned. (-23) aircraft was destroyed during impact with the surface… 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.