# NTSB MIA07CA100: Hillery W. Grice Alley Cat 1, N985GC, Fairhope, AL, May 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2007, 11:53 local (16:53 UTC) - Place: Fairhope, AL - Coordinates: 30.460556, -87.876945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4606&lon=-87.8769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65874/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA100 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain terrain clearance while completing a loop at an airshow, resulting in impact with the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - runway - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was completing his last maneuver (a loop) which would have culminated with a full-stop landing. He started the maneuver from the planned altitude of 150 feet and 140 miles-per-hour, and after reaching the top of the loop, recognized that the flight was slow. He continued the maneuver and was unable to accelerate and complete the maneuver. The airplane impacted the runway surface while in a "flat" attitude, but with a high rate of descent. He further stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative The pilot was completing his last maneuver (a loop) which would have culminated with a full-stop landing. He started the maneuver from the planned altitude of 150 feet and 140 miles-per-hour, and after reaching the top of the loop, recognized that the flight was slow. He continued the maneuver and was unable to accelerate and complete the maneuver. The airplane impacted the runway surface while in a "flat" attitude, but with a high rate of descent. He further stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N985GC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N985GC), registered now, S/N AC007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hillery W. Grice Alley Cat 1 - Registry model: [Grice Hillery W ALLEY CAT 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/grice-hillery-w-alley-cat-1) (registry code 05611KG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AC007 - Airframe hours: 85.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Operator: Robert H. Grice - Registered owner: Omega 1 corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2006 - Departed: 4R4, Fairhope, AL - Destination: 4R4, Fairhope, AL - Airport: 4R4, H L Sonny Callahan Airport, runway 19, 6,604 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,100 total, 80 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KBFM ## 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 20070519019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070519019379A), May 19, 2007: Amtr ALLEYCAT1, Fairhope, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) During aerobatics maneuvers the pilot was attempting a loop and failed to achieve the required height above the ground which resulted in a hard impact… 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.