# NTSB FTW98FA316: Nord Stampe SV4C, N123SV, Ovilla, TX, July 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1998, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Ovilla, TX - Coordinates: 32.509651, -96.800483 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5097&lon=-96.8005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98FA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA316 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while performing aerobatic maneuvers. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field - bail-out/emergency ejection - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was performing precision aerobatic maneuvers in preparation for an upcoming overseas competition. A witness stated that she observed the airplane in a near vertical dive. The witness reported hearing the sound of the engine "revving up" during the descent. Physical evidence and signatures at the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted the ground in a nearly vertical attitude in a slight right turn. The pilot's 5-point seat belt harness system was found unfastened, suggesting she was attempting to bail out. A review of the airframe and engine records did not reveal evidence of any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects. During examination of the wreckage, flight control continuity was confirmed, and no anomalies were noted that would have prevented normal aircraft flight. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1998, at 0715 central daylight time, a Nord Stampe SV4C acrobatic airplane, N123SV, was destroyed following a loss of control while maneuvering near Orvilla, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the local acrobatic flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from the Eagle's Nest Estates Airport (2TSG), near Midlothian, Texas, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. According to the operator, the airplane departed for a scheduled early morning precision aerobatics flight in preparation for an upcoming overseas aerobatics competition. A witness who resides approximately two miles north of the accident site, reported observing the airplane practicing acrobatics maneuvers within the approved acrobatics box. The witness further stated that she observed the airplane "attempting to recover to the upright position from a nose dive." During the recovery maneuver, the airplane entered an "arching left turn which continued to ground impact." The witness further reporting hearing the sound of the engine revving up during the attempted recovery sequence. She added that the airplane disappeared out of her sight descending out of control. The wreckage of the 1946 vintage Belgian designed, French built biplane was found by law enforcement officers in an open pasture approximately a mile southwest of the O'Brien Airpark (F25), near Orvilla, Texas. Physical evidence and signatures at the accident site indicate that the airplane impacted the ground in a nearly vertical attitude in a slight right turn, on a measured heading of 135 degrees. All of the aircraft components were located within a 40 foot radius of the point of impact. Continuity was established to all the flight controls. There was no evidence of pre-impact or post impact fire. The pilot was wearing an emergency parachute. She was operating the airplane from the aft seat. Examination of the 5-point restraining system for the aft seat by the investigator in charge did not reveal any signs of deformation or stretching of the webbing. Fire/rescue personnel that responded to the accident site confirmed that the pilot was found unrestrained in the area of the aft seat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N123SV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123SV-2000-06-26), registration cancelled 2000-06-26, S/N 294 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nord (SNCAN) STAMPE SV4C (STAMPE SV4) - Registry model: [Nord STAMPE SV4C](https://openairdocs.org/model/nord-stampe-sv4c) (registry code 6383006) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 294 - Airframe hours: 2900 - Engines: Renault 4PO3A 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don C. Peterson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1998, 55 hours before - Departed: 2TS6, MIDLOTHIAN, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,050 total, 150 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 180 °F, dew point 154 °F ## 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 19980720047189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980720047189A), Jul 20, 1998: Ovilla, TX, No damage. (-23) While performing aerobatic maneuvers, the aircraft was seen to descen d in a nose-down attitude, impacting the ground while in a turning recovery… 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.