# NTSB LAX01LA229: Smith FW-190, N376FW, Reedley, CA, July 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 2001, 17:50 local (Jul 1, 2001, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Reedley, CA - Coordinates: 36.666389, -119.449722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6664&lon=-119.4497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA229 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot lost control of the airplane during takeoff. The pilot stated he took off on too hot of a day with a high density altitude and failed to maintain sufficient airspeed to keep from stalling the airplane. The airplane inadvertently rolled to the left over the departure end of the runway. The pilot continued with the roll in an attempt to level the wings before impacting terrain. Two witnesses reported they observed the airplane takeoff then turn toward the left. They then observed the wings rock from side to side before the airplane rolled left and pitch nose down. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2001, at 1750 Pacific daylight time, a Smith FW-190 single engine experimental airplane, N376FW, impacted terrain about 0.5-miles west of the Reedley Municipal Airport, Reedley, California, shortly after takeoff. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed runway 33 on a local area demonstration flight for a prospective buyer. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he reported the temperature was 106 degrees Fahrenheit, and a prospective buyer of the airplane wanted to observe a demonstration flight. The pilot elected to takeoff and fly around the traffic pattern for the buyer. The pilot stated that during the climb, over the runway departure end, approximately 800 feet, the airplane rolled to the left inverted. The pilot did not intend on rolling the airplane, but decided to continue with the roll to right the airplane. As the wings rolled level, the pilot saw he was dangerously close to the ground. The airplane impacted the ground with the left wing and cart wheeled. A farmer, who witnessed the accident, assisted the pilot from the airplane. Two witnesses reported they observed the airplane takeoff then turn toward the left. They then observed the wings rock from side to side before the airplane rolled left and pitch nose down. According to the pilot, he took off on too hot of a day with a high density altitude, and did not maintain sufficient airspeed to keep from stalling the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N376FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N376FW-2002-01-11), registration cancelled 2002-01-11, S/N 217, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith FW-190 - Registry model: [Smith George V FW-190](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-george-v-fw-190) (registry code 05616JW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 217 - Airframe hours: 500 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George V. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: O32, Reedley, CA - Airport: O32, Reedley Municipal, runway 33, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 600 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 16 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 20010630014799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010630014799A), Jun 30, 2001: Amtr FW190, Reedley, CA, No damage. (-23) On 06/30/01, at 1757 hours PDT, an experimental/amateur-built focke wulf, model FW-190, was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after… 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.