# NTSB ERA22LA305: Duffy Russell A Slingshot, N63RD, Shirley, NY, July 9, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 9, 2022, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Shirley, NY · On runway
- Coordinates: 40.821954, -72.866907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8220&lon=-72.8669&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105443/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105443
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA305

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing leading to an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with the ground.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Duffy Russell A SLINGSHOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05604LM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Duffy Russell A SLINGSHOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05604LM), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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: [Duffy Russell A SLINGSHOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05604LM), [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.

- [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Duffy Russell A SLINGSHOT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05604LM), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the airplane inadvertently became airborne during a high-speed taxi test. After becoming airborne, the pilot elected to conduct a local flight to test the performance of the airplane and its newly-installed engine. While on approach back to the airport, the pilot stated that he allowed the airplane get too slow, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at about 25 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane then impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63RD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63RD), registered now, S/N SS-RAD, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DUFFY RUSSELL A SLINGSHOT
- Registry model: [Duffy Russell A SLINGSHOT](https://openairdocs.org/model/duffy-russell-a-slingshot) (registry code 05604LM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul) (registry code 55592, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SS-RAD
- Year built: 2019
- Engines: BMW 1150R 86 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: HWV, Brookhaven Airport, runway 15, 4,222 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; student; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 70 total, 0 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KHWV
- METAR: METAR KHWV 091456Z AUTO 36007KT 10SM CLR 27/13 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02670128 51009

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105443. 4.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14336857&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14337215&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 891 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14337511&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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