# NTSB GAA19CA429: Flightstar Sportplanes Flightstar II, Coward, SC, June 28, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2019, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Coward, SC - Coordinates: 33.989723, -79.756942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9897&lon=-79.7569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99740 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99740/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99740 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA429 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb, 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: [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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot reported that, during the initial climb after takeoff from an off-airport field, he decided to turn the airplane toward more favorable terrain to continue the climb. He added that the airplane then encountered a quartering tailwind, and about 30 ft above ground level, it aerodynamically stalled and then impacted a pole and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane was near its gross takeoff weight but that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The noncertificated pilot reported that, during the initial climb after takeoff from an off-airport field, he decided to turn the unregistered aircraft toward more favorable terrain to continue the climb. He added that the airplane then encountered a quartering tailwind, and about 30 ft above ground aerodynamically stalled, and impacted a pole and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane was near gross takeoff weight, but there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station, located 12 miles east of the accident, reported that, about 43 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 8 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 33°C (91°F), dew point 18°C (64°F). The pilot departed the aircraft to the west. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Flightstar Sportplanes Flightstar II - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Engines: Rotax 503 53 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Departed: PVT, Coward, SC - Destination: PVT, Coward, SC - Airport: PVT, private - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: minor; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KFLO, 12 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99740. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.