# NTSB MIA96LA219: Flightstar 2SL, Kiln, MS, August 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1996, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Kiln, MS - Coordinates: 30.372667, -89.451116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3727&lon=-89.4511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38079/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA219 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis A witness observed the aircraft take off from runway 18. According to the witness, after the aircraft reached an altitude of about 50 feet, it entered a steep right climbing turn, estimated at about 45-degree angle of bank. Reportedly, the airplane stalled, and collided with the ground in a nose down, right wing low attitude. According to the pilot, he saw another aircraft headed toward him, made a 90-degree right turn with full flaps, encountered turbulence and a downdraft, and collided with the ground. Review of surface weather information for the time period of the accident, revealed no record of turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1996, about 1015 central daylight time, a nonregistered Flight Star 2Sl airplane, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 demonstration flight, crashed on initial takeoff climb from Stennis International Airport, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The noncertificated pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the passenger conducted the takeoff with full flaps from runway 18. They were airborne at about 40 mph and were climbing through 100 feet in a nose high attitude in a prestall condition. Both wings were rocking from back and forth. He was about to raise the flaps when he saw a landing light coming straight at them. He told his passenger he had the flight controls and made a 90-degree turn to the right to avoid the airplane, rolled out and continued climbing. The airplane hit some turbulence and a downdraft. The right wing dropped down, and the airplane collided with the ground in a nose down, right wing low attitude with the engine running at full power. A witness stated, the airplane took off from runway 18. Upon reaching about 50 feet, the airplane started a steep right climbing turn estimated at about a 45-degree angle of bank. The airplane stalled, and collided with the terrain in a nose down, right wing low attitude. Examination of the aircraft wreckage by the FAA revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Review of surface weather information obtained from Gulfport, Mississippi, for the time period of the accident revealed no recorded record of turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear. Records on file with the United States Ultralight Association, and Experimental Aircraft Association revealed that the pilot does not have an exemption on file with either organization for the airplane being flown at the time of the accident. A record of diligent search conducted by FAA airman records, revealed neither the pilot or passenger was ever issued a recreational pilot or higher level airman certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Flightstar 2SL - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 120 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: Rotax 503 54 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul W. Mcdaniel - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 16, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: 3R6 - Airport: 3R6, Stennis International, runway 18, 8,499 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 10 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GPT, 70 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. --- 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.