# NTSB LAX96LA137: Bumford GR-7, N555GR, Temecula, CA, March 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 17, 1996, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Temecula, CA - Location: 33.5742° N, 117.1285° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRENCH VALLEY (F70), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5742&lon=-117.1285&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29392 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29392/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA137 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in inadvertent entry into a spin. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's lack of recent experience in fixed wing aircraft, his lack of experience in the make and model of airplane, and the lack of altitude to recover from an inadvertent spin. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot had recently purchased the airplane, and reportedly, this was his first flight in the plane. Witnesses stated the airplane took off and climbed to about 2,000 feet agl in the traffic pattern. The airplane was observed to maneuver through a full right roll and recover; then it entered a 2-turn spin to the right. Witnesses said the spin stopped, then started again, this time to the left. The left spin continued to ground impact. No discrepancies were identified during an examination of the wreckage. The pilot was a military aviator assigned to fly Sikorsky CH53E helicopters. A review of available pilot records did not disclosed evidence of recent fixed-wing flight activity. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 1996, at 1000 hours Pacific standard time, a Bumford GR-7 homebuilt experimental formula one racer, N555GR, collided with the ground following an in-flight loss of control during climb out from the French Valley airport, Temecula, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was beginning a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airport and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. FAA inspectors from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site, interviewed witnesses, and examined aircraft records and the wreckage. The aircraft was assembled in 1988 and had accrued a total time of 93 hours. An annual inspection was endorsed in the aircraft records on March 15, 1996. Prior to the annual, the aircraft had been stored in a disassembled state for an undetermined period of time. The pilot had recently purchased the aircraft and this was reportedly his first flight in it. Ground witnesses stated the aircraft took off and climbed to about 2,000 feet agl in the traffic pattern. The aircraft suddenly performed a full right roll, and recovered. Then the aircraft entered a 2-turn spin to the right. The witnesses said the spin stopped, then started again, this time to the left. The left spin continued to ground impact. The FAA inspectors stated that no discrepancies were identified during an examination of the wreckage. The pilot is a military aviator assigned to fly Sikorsky CH53E helicopters. Review of available pilot records disclosed no evidence of recent fixed-wing flight activity. An autopsy was performed by the Riverside County Coroner with specimens retained for toxicological analysis. The results of the toxicological tests were negative for alcohol and all screened drug substances. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555GR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555GR-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUMFORD GR-7 - Registry model: [Bumford James G GR-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/bumford-james-g-gr-7) (registry code 05612JZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 93 - Engines: Continental C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gregory T. Riddle - Registered owner: Bill A. Larson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1996, 1 hours before - Departed: F70 - Airport: F70, French Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,039 total, 1 in this make and model, 839 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 1.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RIV, 22 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 19960317005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960317005799A), Mar 17, 1996: Amtr GR7, Rancho Calif, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. First flight after purchase. After takeoff at 2000FT rolled stalled. Spun in. Lacked fixed wing recent activity. 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.