# NTSB MIA97LA245: Louttit Celebrity, N729BL, Ridgeland, SC, September 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1997, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Ridgeland, SC - Coordinates: 32.47908, -80.980583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4791&lon=-80.9806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA245 ## Probable cause the in-flight failure of the upper wing spar wood resulting in a forced landing in swampy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - wing,spar - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis While maneuvering the airplane through aerobatic loops, and after completing five successfully, the pilot said he was at the bottom of the sixth loop when he heard a 'loud noise.' He then saw the top fabric was ripped aft, and he could see the fabric aft of the trailing edge. He turned the airplane towards the airport in attempt to land on runway 03. The pilot stated that it took full engine power to maintain a 1,500 feet per minute rate of descent. He intended to land on the grass on the side of the runway, but could not make the field and was forced to land in a swamp with overgrown with vines, and 4 to 5 feet deep water. There was a 'G' meter on the airplane and the pilot said during the loop the meter was indicating 3.4. The meter was rated at 4.0 and was tested at 6.0. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the wood forward of both upper wing spars had failed. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1997, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Louttit Celebrity, N729BL, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, local personal flight, had a structural failure while maneuvering near Ridgeland, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight had originated from Ridgeland Airport at 0950. While maneuvering the airplane through aerobatic loops, and after completing five successfully, the pilot said he was at the bottom of the sixth loop when he heard a "loud noise." He then saw the top fabric was ripped aft, and he could see the fabric aft of the trailing edge. He turned the airplane towards the airport in an attempt to land on runway 03. The pilot stated that it took full engine power to maintain a 1,500 feet-per-minute rate of descent. He intended to land on the grass on the side of the runway, but could not make the field and was forced to land in a swamp with overgrown vines, and 4 to 5 feet deep water. There was a "G" meter on the airplane and the pilot said during the loop the meter was indicating 3.4. The meter was rated at 4.0 and was tested at 6.0. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the wood forward of the wing spar had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N729BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N729BL-2006-03-23), registration cancelled 2006-03-23, S/N RIL-1, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LOUTTIT CELEBRITY - Registry model: [Louttit Robert I CELEBRITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/louttit-robert-i-celebrity) (registry code 05628FL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: RIL-1 - Airframe hours: 132 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert I. Louttit - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1997, 33 hours before - Departed: 3J1 - Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland, runway 3, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 238 total, 127 in this make and model, 194 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970917044899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970917044899A), Sep 17, 1997: Amtr CELEBRITY, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Top fabric ripped off wing on pullout from a loop. Unable sustain flight full power. Wood leading edge failed. (-23) on 09/17/97 pilot was performing… 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.