# NTSB LAX02LA155: Mueller Skyraider 1, N571AM, Elko, NV, May 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2002, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.852222, -115.818054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8522&lon=-115.8181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54664/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54664 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA155 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, 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, maneuvering - 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 airplane collided with the ground in a 20-degree nose low attitude. Witnesses who saw the crash stated that the airplane appeared to be "hovering in the air" about 200 feet above the ground when it swiftly pitched nose down and dove towards the ground. The airplane was "silent" prior to its impact with terrain. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed flight control system continuity, fuel present at the accident location, and an undamaged propeller. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2002, at 0950 Pacific daylight time, an amateur built experimental Mueller Skyraider 1, N571AM, collided with the ground 3 miles north of Elko, Nevada. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was destroyed in the accident sequence. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight that departed from the Elko airport, (EKO) at 0848, and no flight plan had been filed. According to witnesses who saw the crash, the airplane was first spotted flying overhead, possibly as low as 200 feet. At this time, the airplane was completely "silent" and appeared to be "hovering in the air" with no apparent movement. A moment later, the airplane swiftly pitched down, gained speed, and impacted terrain. Post accident investigation revealed evidence of a nose low impact. The nose and engine had been crushed back through the firewall and into the cockpit. Flight control system continuity from the control surfaces to the cockpit was present, the propeller was undamaged, and fuel was found at the accident location. Neither the airplane's maintenance records nor the pilot's personal flight records could be located. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N571AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N571AM-2002-08-28), registration cancelled 2002-08-28, S/N 111, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mueller Skyraider 1 - Registry model: [Mueller Arthur V SKYRAIDER 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/mueller-arthur-v-skyraider-1) (registry code 05610XL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 111 - Engines: Bombardier Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arthur V. Mueller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KEKO, Elko, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KEKO, 3 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 20020509007819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020509007819A), May 9, 2002: Amtr SKYRAIDER1, Elko, NV, No damage, 1 fatal. (.19) On may 9, 2002, at 0950 pacific daylight time, an amateur built experimental mueller skyraider 1, N571AM, collided with the ground under undetermined… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54664. 78 KB in all. - FAA Conversation Record (item 1, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Conversation%20Record-Master.PDF - FAA Conversation Record #2 (item 2, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Conversation%20Record%20%232-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-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.