# NTSB FTW00LA143: Lewis Spitfire/Raven, N17ST, Albuquerque, NM, May 6, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 2000, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.10997, -106.619232 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1100&lon=-106.6192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49202 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49202/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the approach, a witness observed the experimental aircraft 'make a right turn from the downwind leg to base leg when it appeared to stall.' Subsequently, the aircraft 'pitched nose down into a steep angle all the way to impact.' The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, did not find any evidence of mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented airframe or engine operation prior to the impact. The non-certificated pilot's injuries precluded his submission of data during the investigation. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2000, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Lewis Spitfire/Raven, experimental amateur built airplane, N17ST, impacted the terrain while executing a downwind to base turn at the Coronado Airport, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The non-certificated pilot, sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. One witness reported observing the aircraft flying a traffic pattern for runway 3. He observed the aircraft "make a right turn from the downwind leg to base leg when it appeared to stall." Subsequently, the aircraft "pitched nose down into a steep angle all the way to impact." The FAA inspector responding to the site examined the airplane and found structural airframe damage. The wood propeller was shattered. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Fuel was found in the carburetors. The FAA inspector reported that he did not find any evidence of mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented airframe or engine operation prior to the impact. The pilot's spouse reported that the pilot's injuries precluded his submission of data during this investigation. The Safety Board did not take possession of the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17ST-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N LSS0034, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LEWIS SPITFIRE/RAVEN (SPITFIRE/R) - Registry model: [Lewis Thomas R SPITFIRE/RAVEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-thomas-r-spitfire-raven) (registry code 05602H3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LSS0034 - Engines: Rotax reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Megumi Hirayana - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 4AC - Airport: 4AC, Coronado, runway 3, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; seat: front; flight hours: 100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 15 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 20000506005659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000506005659A), May 6, 2000: Amtr SPITFIRERAVN, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 6, 2000, at 1100 MST, an amature built spitfire/raven, N17ST collided with terrain 1 mile south of Coronado Airport in Albuquerque, new Mexico,… 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.