# NTSB GAA17CA299: Thomas E Hudzinski Backcountry Super CR, N484WT, Talkeetna, AK, May 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2017, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.320556, -150.093612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3206&lon=-150.0936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95222/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95222 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA299 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05634BO), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05634BO), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634BO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Pressures/demands](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md?model=05634BO), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05634BO), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05634BO), [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: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634BO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while participating in a slow flight competition, he was over the target area for the radar speed check about 30 ft above the ground, at 17 mph ground speed, when the left wing stalled. He added that he did not have sufficient altitude to recover. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while participating in a slow flight competition, he was over the target area for the radar speed check about 30ft. above the ground, at 17 mph ground speed, when the left wing stalled. He added, that he did not have sufficient altitude to recover. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N484WT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N484WT), registered now, S/N BC31411007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS E HUDZINSKI BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Thomas E Hudzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-e-hudzinski-backcountry-super-cr) (registry code 05634BO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BC31411007 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 460 - Engines: Aerosport Power IO-375 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 15, 2016 - Departed: TKA, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: TKA, Talkeetna, AK - Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2016; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 460 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.47 inHg - Observed at: PATK ## 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 20170521011019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170521011019A), May 21, 2017: Thomas E Hdzinski BACKCOUNTRY SUPER CR, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot was flying his SQ2, a highly modified experimental stol aircraft, at the edge of its stall envelope. The headwind subsided, resulting in a loss of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95222. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 856 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 769 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.