# NTSB ERA23LA329: Eipper Formance Mxii, N1624Z, Holy Hill, SC, August 9, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 9, 2023, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Holy Hill, SC - Coordinates: 33.30183, -80.391977 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3018&lon=-80.3920&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - 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): 192837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192837/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192837 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA329 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude and a collision with a hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the accident make and model airplane. ## 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: [Eipper Formance MXII, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902KP), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Eipper Formance MXII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05902KP), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Eipper Formance MXII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05902KP), [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. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Eipper Formance MXII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05902KP), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Eipper Formance MXII, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902KP), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eipper Formance MXII, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902KP), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in this make and model airplane, and he planned to complete a few high-speed taxi runs before deciding to takeoff. During the first high-speed taxi attempt, the pilot lifted the nose wheel up, and after riding on the rear wheels he increased engine power to “slightly lift off”; however, the airplane quickly climbed to 30 or 40 feet above ground level within a few seconds. Subsequently, the pilot reduced power to land, but the airplane immediately entered an aerodynamic stall and rolled to the left. The airplane continued to descend and impacted a hangar which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further added that he was unfamiliar with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1624Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1624Z), registered now, S/N 1764 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EIPPER FORMANCE INC MXII (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Eipper Formance MXII](https://openairdocs.org/model/eipper-formance-mxii) (registry code 05902KP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1764 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: ROTAX 582 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: 5J5, Holly Hill, runway 4-22, 3,900 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 243 total, 0 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: OGB, 25 nm away - METAR: KOGB 092353Z AUTO 20004KT 10SM CLR 28/23 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP134 T02780228 10322 20278 53006 ## 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 20230809012229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230809012229A), Aug 9, 2023: Eipper Formance Inc MXII, Holly Hill, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot stated as follows: the original plan for the afternoon was to do a few high speed taxi and get used to the aircraft on the ground. On the first run I… ## Other investigations on N1624Z (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 WPR14CA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA347), Aug 16, 2014: Eipper Formance Mxii (N1624Z), Salt Lake City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192837. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16357303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16392631&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20(Pilot)-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16392791&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-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. --- 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.