# NTSB ERA15LA052: Dehavilland Tiger Moth DH 82A, N28681, Williamson, GA, November 15, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2014, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Williamson, GA - Coordinates: 33.183334, -84.371665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1833&lon=-84.3717&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA052 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at an insufficient altitude to fully recover before collision with obstacles and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane's engine power and performance were "good," and the airplane demonstrated its "gentle" handling characteristics through both left and right 30-degree banking turns. The airplane crossed the airport about traffic pattern altitude and then entered a vertical, nose-down descent. The pilot reported that he could not recall how the airplane transitioned from level flight to a nose-down descent. However, it is likely that the pilot did not maintain airspeed and that the airplane exceeded its critical angle-of-attack. During the descent, the pilot held the control stick fully aft, and the elevator gained enough authority to allow him to level the airplane just above ground level as he flew it between a parked airplane and the airport restaurant. The airplane then collided with a flagpole, the restaurant, and terrain before coming to rest upright. The pilot said that, once the airspeed increased sufficiently during the descent, he had full flight control authority. He reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2014, about 1030 eastern standard time, a DeHavilland DH82A Tiger Moth, N28681, was destroyed during collision with structures and terrain following a loss of control in flight at Peach State Airport (GA2), Williamson, Georgia. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, while his pilot-rated passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from GA2 about 1020. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The pilot was interviewed by telephone and provided a written statement. He said the purpose of the flight was to familiarize the passenger with the operation of the airplane. According to the pilot, the preflight inspection, engine start, warm-up, taxi, and takeoff were conducted with no anomalies noted. He briefed the passenger that he would depart from runway 31, perform some turns, and return over the airport in order to enter a right downwind for landing on runway 13. The airplane's engine power and performance were "good" and the airplane demonstrated its "gentle" handling characteristics through both left and right 30-degree bank turns. The pilot said he crossed the airport about traffic pattern altitude, and then remembered being in a vertical, nose-down descent. He said he had no recollection of how the airplane transitioned from level flight to descending nose down. The pilot stated that he held the control stick fully aft during the descent, and that the elevator gained enough authority to level the airplane just above ground level, as he flew between a parked airplane and the airport restaurant. The airplane then collided with a flagpole, the restaurant, and terrain before coming to rest upright. The pilot said that once the airspeed increased sufficiently during the descent, he had full flight control authority. Photographs of the wreckage by a local media outlet revealed that the entire tube and fabric structure of the airplane was completely destroyed. A flag and flagpole were seen entangled with the wreckage. The engine and propeller were not visible. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1945. Its most recent annual inspection was completed October 3, 2014, at 1,749 total aircraft hours. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued in April 8, 2014. The pilot reported 1,400 total hours of flight experience, of which 305 were in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28681](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28681-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N PG621-81, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND TIGER MOTH DH 82A - Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: PG621-81 - Year built: 1945 - Airframe hours: 1749 - Engines: DEHAV ENG GIPSY MAJOR 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harwell David C - Registered owner: Harwell David C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2014, 5 hours before - Departed: GA2, Williamson, GA - Destination: GA2, Williamson, GA - Airport: GA2, Peach State, runway 13, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 22, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,400 total, 305 in this make and model, 1,360 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: 6A2, 6 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 20141115022009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141115022009A), Nov 15, 2014: Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, Williamson, GA, Substantial damage. On 11/15/2014, N28681 1945 tiger moth dh 82A was on a pleasure flight over Williamson, GA. As it approach peachstate airport (GA2) pilot in command stated the… ## Other investigations on N28681 (1) 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. - [NTSB BFO93LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA078), May 9, 1993: de Havilland DH-82A (N28681), Frederick, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND FUEL CONTAMINATION, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90390. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Maintenance History (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20History%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photographs (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs%20(Courtesy%20of%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.