# NTSB LAX94LA207: Griffin Titan Tornado, Buckeye, AZ, May 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1994, 19:15 local (May 2, 1994, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Buckeye, AZ - Coordinates: 33.380874, -112.549697 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3809&lon=-112.5497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28732 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28732/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA207 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor in the accident was his complete lack of any flight experience or instruction. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Witnesses stated that the student pilot, who had no confirmed flight experience, assembled the aircraft on the day of the accident at the airport from a kit of preassembled major components. The pilot told the witnesses that he was going to perform some taxi tests and proceeded to do several taxi runs along the runway. The aircraft was then observed to line up on the runway, add what was described as full power, then takeoff. The witnesses said the aircraft leveled off about 30 feet above the runway and flew down the complete length of the pavement. Past the departure end of the runway, the aircraft abruptly pitched nose down and impacted the ground about 1,000 feet from the runway end. An FAA inspector reported that control system continuity was established throughout the aircraft during his examination. The witnesses reported that the engine sounds were consistent and strong up to the point of ground impact. A review of FAA system records revealed no evidence of a registration or airworthiness certificate application by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1994, at 1915 mountain standard time, a noncertificated and unregistered homebuilt Titan Tornado airplane collided with the ground near the Buckeye, Arizona, airport. The accident occurred during the first test flight following construction of the aircraft. The aircraft was owned, constructed, and flown by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm winds. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate and was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident for a local test flight. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site where he examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses. The witnesses stated that the pilot, who had no confirmed flight experience, assembled the aircraft on the day of the accident at the airport from a kit of preassembled major components. The pilot told the witnesses that he was going to perform some taxi tests and proceeded to do several taxi runs along the runway. The aircraft was then observed to line up on the runway, add what was described as full power, then takeoff. The witnesses said the aircraft leveled off about 30 feet above the runway and flew down the complete length of the pavement. Past the departure end of the runway, the aircraft abruptly pitched nose down and impacted the ground about 1,000 feet from the runway end. The inspector reported that control system continuity was established throughout the aircraft during his examination. The witnesses reported that the engine sounds were consistent and strong up to the point of ground impact. A review of FAA system records revealed no evidence of a registration or airworthiness certificate application by the pilot. An autopsy and toxicological tests were performed by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. The toxicological tests were negative for alcohol and screened drug substances. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: GRIFFIN TITAN TORNADO (TITAN TORN) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: ROTAX 582 66 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: James R. Griffin, Jr. - Registered owner: Aircraft Not Registered - Departed: BXK - Airport: BXK, Buckeye Muni, runway 17, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none 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.