# NTSB ERA11CA337: Flightstar Flightstar II-SL, N533BK, Kingston, GA, June 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2011, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Kingston, GA - Coordinates: 34.203609, -84.973892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2036&lon=-84.9739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80732 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80732/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80732 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA337 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during low-altitude maneuvering flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05901S4), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901S4), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05901S4), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901S4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot stated that he was making low passes over a river while looking down at people who were on the river. After looking up, the pilot noticed that he was approaching the tree tops, added engine power, and raised the airplane's nose in order to avoid the trees. He stated that the airplane stalled and impacted the tree tops, after which it nosed over and fell about 50 feet to the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot stated that he was making low passes over a river while looking down at people who were on the river. After looking up, the pilot noticed that he was approaching the tree tops, added engine power, and raised the airplane's nose in order to avoid the trees. He stated that the airplane stalled and impacted the tree tops, after which it nosed over and fell about 50 feet to the ground. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, stated that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N533BK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N533BK-2012-03-08), registration cancelled 2012-03-08, S/N FS7522, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHTSTAR FLIGHTSTAR II-SL - Registry model: [Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II-SL](https://openairdocs.org/model/flightstar-flightstar-ii-sl) (registry code 05902OW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: FS7522 - Airframe hours: 256 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles B Kerce - Registered owner: Charles B Kerce - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 11, 2011 - Departed: RMG, Rome, GA - Destination: 8GA7, Kingston, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 54 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GVL ## 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 20110611010439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110611010439A), Jun 11, 2011: Flightstar FLIGHTSTAR II-SL, Kingston, GA, Substantial damage. On June 11, 2011 [privacy data omitted] a non-certificated pilot, departed from etowah bend (8GA7) airport located in Kingston, GA for a local VFR flight. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80732. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo (Courtesy FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 551 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.