# NTSB MIA89FA101: North American T-28C, N775CH, Titusville, FL, March 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1989, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Location: 28.5148° N, 80.7992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SPACE COAST RGNL (TIX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5148&lon=-80.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA101

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EXECUTION OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER RESULTING IN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - improper, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush (cause)

## Analysis

THE AEROBATIC QUALIFIED PILOT WAS PRACTICING A CUBAN 8 TYPE OF MANEUVER. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE MANEUVER WAS PERFORMED IN A REVERSE MANNER. WHEN THE PILOT PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED THE MANEUVER, HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO CLIMB (SUFFICIENTLY) BEFORE MAKING A 180 DEG ROLL & GOING DOWN THE BACK SIDE OF THE MANEUVER. HOWEVER, JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, AFTER COMPLETING THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MANEUVER, THE ACFT WAS IMMEDIATELY ROLLED 180 DEG WITHOUT CLIMBING (SUFFICIENTLY). SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING RECOVERY FROM THE DESCENT ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE MANEUVER, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO THE GROUND & CRASHED IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N775CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N775CH-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 140639 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-28C
- Registry model: [North American T-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-28c) (registry code 6402507) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 140639
- Airframe hours: 8742
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820 1425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Avtec Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: TIX
- Airport: TIX, Titusville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 18 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX

## 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 19890310003599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890310003599A), Mar 10, 1989: Namer T28*, Titusville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled aircraft while performing a cuban 8 for airshow practice. Failed to recover. Had acrobatic 200 foot waiver.

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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