# NTSB GAA16CA166: Piper J5A, N41239, Lake Harbor, FL, March 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 25, 2016, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Harbor, FL - Coordinates: 26.692777, -80.809722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6928&lon=-80.8097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: South Florida FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall, spin, and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to maneuver at low altitude and chase birds away from designated fields. The pilot further reported that he had previously completed about 8 to 10 turns over the target field and during a steep "reversal turn" to the left the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot had no other recollection of the accident. According to a private pilot witness located about 700 feet from the accident airplane, he observed the accident airplane enter a "steep turn" to the left about 50 to 75 feet above the ground. The witness further reported that the airplane "stalled and spun into the ground", and that the engine noise became louder seconds before impact. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge in part states: an airplane will "stall at a higher indicated airspeed when excessive maneuvering loads are imposed by steep turns, pull-ups, or other abrupt changes in its flight path." Stalls entered from such flight situations are called "accelerated maneuver stalls," a term, which has no reference to the airspeeds involved. Stalls which result from abrupt maneuvers tend to be more rapid, or severe, than the unaccelerated stalls, and because they occur at higher-than-normal airspeeds, and/or may occur at lower than anticipated pitch attitudes, they may be unexpected by an inexperienced pilot. Failure to take immediate steps toward recovery when an accelerated stall occurs may result in a complete loss of flight control, notably, power-on spins. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to maneuver at low altitude and chase birds away from designated fields. The pilot further reported that he had previously completed about 8 to 10 turns over the target field and during a steep "reversal turn" to the left the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot had no other recollection of the accident. According to a private pilot witness located about 700 feet from the accident airplane, he observed the accident airplane enter a "steep turn" to the left about 50 to 75 feet above the ground. The witness further reported that the airplane "stalled and spun into the ground", and that the engine noise became louder seconds before impact. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge in part states: an airplane will "stall at a higher indicated airspeed when excessive maneuvering loads are imposed by steep turns, pull-ups, or other abrupt changes in its flight path." Stalls entered from such flight situations are called "accelerated maneuver stalls," a term, which has no reference to the airspeeds involved. Stalls which result from abrupt maneuvers tend to be more rapid, or severe, than the unaccelerated stalls, and because they occur at higher-than-normal airspeeds, and/or may occur at lower than anticipated pitch attitudes, they may be unexpected by an inexperienced pilot. Failure to take immediate steps toward recovery when an accelerated stall occurs may result in a complete loss of flight control, notably, power-on spins. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41239](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41239-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 5-1293, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J5A - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-1293 - Year built: 1941 - Airframe hours: 2560.7 - Engines: Continental C85-12P 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 2015 - Departed: PHK, PAHOKEE, FL - Destination: PHK, PAHOKEE, FL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 11,215 total, 68 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KPBI, 37 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 20160325002739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160325002739A), Mar 25, 2016: Piper J5A, Clewiston, FL, Destroyed. On March 25, 2016 at approximately 08:15 eastern day light saving time (EDT) I was notified via chain of command of an aircraft accident ^at 31 east corkscrew… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92909. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 475 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Eye Witness) (item 4, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Eye%20Witness)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Owner_Glades Ag Service) (item 5, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Owner_Glades%20Ag%20Service)-Master.PDF - Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge_Accelerated Stall (item 6, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439449&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilots%20Handbook%20of%20Aeronautical%20Knowledge_Accelerated%20Stall-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 7, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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. --- 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.