# NTSB MIA08CA127: Lima Sky Raider I, N2642F, Homestead, FL, June 27, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2008, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.55861, -80.514999
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5586&lon=-80.5150&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA127

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lima R/Noyes J SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056241X), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Lima R/Noyes J SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=056241X), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Lima R/Noyes J SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056241X), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lima R/Noyes J SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056241X), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was flying an amateur-built Sky Raider I, an experimental light sport aircraft. He stated to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he had purchased the airplane approximately 3 hours prior to the accident flight. The previous owner briefed him on some of the flying characteristics of the airplane, but the pilot had no flight experience in the make and model airplane. The pilot took off on runway a 9, a 2,620-foot long turf runway. About 2 or 3 seconds after becoming airborne, a gust of wind yawed the airplane 45 degrees to the right, toward several hangars and electrical power lines. The pilot attempted to gain sufficient altitude to clear the obstacles, but the airplane abruptly stalled, rolled to the right, and impacted the roof of a hangar. The pilot did not report any preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. The reported wind at an airport about 7 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 110 degrees at 11 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was flying an amateur-built Sky Raider I, an experimental light sport aircraft. He stated to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he had purchased the airplane approximately 3 hours prior to the accident flight. The previous owner briefed him on some of the flying characteristics of the airplane, but the pilot had no flight experience in the make and model airplane. The pilot took off on runway a 9, a 2,620-foot long turf runway. About 2 or 3 seconds after becoming airborne, a gust of wind yawed the airplane 45 degrees to the right, toward several hangars and electrical power lines. The pilot attempted to gain sufficient altitude to clear the obstacles, but the airplane abruptly stalled, rolled to the right, and impacted the roof of a hangar. The pilot did not report any preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. The reported wind at an airport about 7 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 110 degrees at 11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2642F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2642F-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N 001, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lima Sky Raider I
- Registry model: [Lima R/Noyes J SKYRAIDER I](https://openairdocs.org/model/lima-r-noyes-j-skyraider-i) (registry code 056241X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 447](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-447) (registry code 55576, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: Rotax 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J Bigelow
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2008
- Departed: 04FA, Homestead, FL
- Destination: 04FA
- Airport: 04FA, Richards Field Airport, runway 9, 2,620 × 212 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: single; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 7 nm away

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.

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