# NTSB LAX98LA227: de Havilland DH-82A, N5050C, Sedona, AZ, July 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1998, 19:10 local (Jul 11, 1998, 02:10 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.940826, -111.940467 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9408&lon=-111.9405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30144/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA227 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain a visual clearance with the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was filming a commercial and was making coordinated low passes with a car on the ground while attempting to drop a mailbag into the car for purposes of the commercial story line. On the last pass, the pilot impacted the top 2 1/2 feet of a tree while flying about 50 to 60 mph. He reported that the tree was off the aircraft nose and stated that he never saw it. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident, nor was there any visibility restriction. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1998, at 1910 hours mountain standard time, a Dehavilland DH-82A, N5050C, impacted a tree while maneuvering in Red Rock Canyon near Sedona, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated in Sedona at 1810. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was filming a car commercial for a production company and was making coordinated passes with a car on the ground and a helicopter was flying behind them with a camera. They had been flying approximately 1 hour. The pilot made several low passes while attempting to drop a mailbag into the car for purposes of the commercial story line. He reported that on the last pass, he had about 90 feet to go before he was supposed to pull up. He was between the helicopter and the car when he hit the top 2 1/2 feet of a cedar tree. The pilot said it was "dead center" off the aircraft nose and stated that he never saw it. He was flying about 50-60 mph when he impacted the tree. The filming was stopped about 6 seconds before the accident occurred. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident, nor was there any visibility restriction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5050C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5050C), registered now, S/N NL875, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DH-82A - Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NL875 - Engines: de Havilland GIPSY MAJOR 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Elvis Baker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial, private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,170 total, 20 in this make and model, 3,076 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG, 20 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 19980710016499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980710016499A), Jul 10, 1998: Dhav DH82, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. (.4)On July 10, 1998, at 1910 hours mountain standard time, a Dehavilland DH-82A, N5050C, impacted a tree while maneuvering in red rock canyon near Sedona,… 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.