# NTSB ERA09CA177: HI-Max 1700R, Windham, NH, February 17, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 17, 2009, 14:51 local (19:51 UTC)
- Place: Windham, NH
- Coordinates: 42.803054, -71.28833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8031&lon=-71.2883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Allentown FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA177

## Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from houses while flying an unregistered experimental, amateur-built airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Intentional act](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051000): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Pilot; cases with it: [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot was flying an unregistered experimental, amateur-built airplane. The husband of the pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that his wife departed from a pond covered with ice. His wife flew around the local area, just above the trees, at 200 feet. The airplane was heading towards a housing area and pulled up just before it collided with the roof of a private residence. The airplane glanced off the roof, hit another residence, and came to rest on the ground inverted. The pilot informed her husband that the rudder on the airplane was stuck. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed no anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The non-certificated pilot was flying an unregistered amateur-built airplane. The husband of the pilot informed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that his wife departed from a pond covered with ice. His wife flew around the local area, just above the trees, at 200 feet. The airplane was heading towards a housing area and pulled up just before it collided with the roof of a private residence. The airplane glanced off the roof, hit another residence, and came to rest on the ground inverted. The pilot informed her husband that the rudder on the airplane was stuck. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed no anomalies with the airplane. The husband stated the airplane did not have any logbooks. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator attempted to contact the pilot and her husband several times by telephone with negative results. An NTSB Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report form was sent to the pilot by NTSB via Federal Express. The completed form was not received by NTSB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HI-Max 1700R
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: UNKNOWN
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Departed: NONE, Windham, NH
- Destination: NONE, Windham, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; seat: front; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: MHT, 22 nm away

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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