# NTSB CHI98LA197: Wolfe Pulsar 582, N177TW, Greenfield, IN, June 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 1998, 16:33 local (21:33 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, IN - Coordinates: 39.790157, -85.769348 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7902&lon=-85.7693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10912 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10912/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA197 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to obtain control of the aircraft during the recovery from a stall. Factors associated with the accident were the intentional stall initiated and the low altitude which did not allow a full recovery from the stall condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - emergency equipment - selected, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was practicing power on stalls at 1,800 feet agl when the nose of the airplane fell through the straight vertical. He reported that he pulled back on the control yoke in an attempt to recover instead of pushing forward. He reported the airplane was beginning to recover; however, he determined that he could not completely recover prior to impacting the terrain so he deployed the ballistic recovery system on the airplane. The airplane impacted the terrain in a nose low attitude and slid approximately 200 feet prior to the pilot being able to manually deflate the parachute. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 1998, at 1633, central daylight time, the pilot of a Wolfe Pulsar 582, N177TW, impacted the terrain following a loss of control while practicing stalls near Hancock, Indiana. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 Part 91. The flight originated in New Castle, Indiana, at approximately 1410. The airplane was being operated in Visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot stated he was practicing steep turns and stalls in various configurations at an altitude of 1,800 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that during his second "cruise power" stall the nose fell through to straight vertical, and he pulled back on the stick rather than pushing forward. The pilot said he tried for several seconds to recover from the stall. He reported the wing was just starting to come up when he determined that he could not successfully recover without hitting the terrain. The pilot stated that at about 400 feet AGL he activated the BRS (ballistic recovery system) parachute, which deployed and slowed the aircraft prior to impact with the terrain. The airplane was dragged approximately 200 feet from the point of impact by the still-inflated parachute. He reported he had to open the canopy, exit the airplane, and pull the parachute down in order for the airplane to stop. The nose gear and engine mounts were substantially damaged, the right gear leg slightly delaminated. According to the pilot, the parachute shrouds cut through and damaged the aft fuselage. The canopy, cockpit, wings, tail, and fuel tank were all undamaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177TW-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 177, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WOLFE PULSAR 582 - Registry model: [Wolfe Thomas M PULSAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/wolfe-thomas-m-pulsar) (registry code 05620SB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 177 - Airframe hours: 83 - Engines: Rotax ROTEX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas M. Wolfe - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 5 hours before - Departed: UWL, NEW CASTLE, IN - Destination: MQJ, MOUNT COMFORT, IN - Airport: MQJ, Mount Comfort ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 203 total, 83 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 19 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 19980606046619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980606046619A), Jun 6, 1998: Amtr PULSAR, Greenfield, IN, No damage. (-23) Pilot was doing full stalls. The aircraft upon stalling, pitched down and the pilot failed to release the back pressure on the elevator, when the… 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.