# NTSB GAA15CA053: Aero SP Z O O AT 4 LSA, N344UA, Colorado Springs, CO, April 30, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 29, 2015, 18:10 local (Apr 30, 2015, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.945835, -104.569999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9458&lon=-104.5700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Uncontrolled descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91101/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91101
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA053

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane not certified for aerobatic flight, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The Flight Instructor (CFI) piloting the airplane reported he was not performing aerobatic maneuvers; however, a review of the onboard airplane video by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Safety Inspector revealed that the pilot had been performing aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane not certified for aerobatic flight. During the flight, the airplane entered a spin, descended uncontrolled, and impacted a creek bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine compartment, wings, fuselage, and tail section. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to flight, which would have prevented normal airplane operations. According to Aero Sp. Z.O.O AT-4 LSA Pilot Operating Handbook, aerobatics and intentional spins are prohibited.

## Factual narrative

The Flight Instructor (CFI) piloting the airplane reported he was not performing aerobatic maneuvers; however, a review of the onboard airplane video by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Safety Inspector revealed that the pilot had been performing aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane not certified for aerobatic flight. During the flight, the airplane entered a spin, descended uncontrolled, and impacted a creek bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine compartment, wings, fuselage, and tail section. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to flight, which would have prevented normal airplane operations. According to Aero Sp. Z.O.O AT-4 LSA Pilot Operating Handbook, aerobatics and intentional spins are prohibited.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N344UA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N344UA-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N AT4-019, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO SP Z O O AT 4 LSA (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-sp-z-o-o-at-4-lsa) (registry code 060004P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AT4-019
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 945
- Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX 912ULS 93 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Springs Aviation, doing business as Gobosh Aviation
- Registered owner: Springs Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 27, 2015, 44 hours before
- Departed: KFLY, Peyton, CO
- Destination: KFLY, Peyton, CO
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Video recording device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 7, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 5,100 total, 2 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KFLY

## 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 20150429005659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150429005659A), Apr 29, 2015: Aero Sp Z O O AT-4 LSA, Colorado Spring, CO, Destroyed. On 4/29/2015 at aprox 1810 hrs MDT, aircraft N344UA, an AT-4LSA, crashed in a wooded area NE of Colorado springs co. Aircraft was on a recreational flight with…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91101. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum For Record GAA15CA053 FAA Inspector Conversation (Carsten) (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20GAA15CA053%20FAA%20Inspector%20Conversation%20(Carsten)-Master.PDF
- Memorandum For Record GAA15CA053 Pilot Conversation (Tanner) (item 3, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428853&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20GAA15CA053%20Pilot%20Conversation%20(Tanner)-Master.PDF
- Memorandum For Record GAA15CA053 Weather (KFLY) (item 4, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20GAA15CA053%20Weather%20(KFLY)-Master.PDF
- Photograph 1: Photograph of Airplane Substantial Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Photograph%20of%20Airplane%20Substantial%20Damage%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.

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