# NTSB NYC05LA020: Unknown Sky Raider, Rappahannock Ac, VA, November 21, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 2004, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Rappahannock Ac, VA
- Coordinates: 38.240001, -77.248336
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2400&lon=-77.2483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Richmond FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA020

## Probable cause

The uncertificated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall, and collision with terrain.  A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing taxiing the airplane at a private airstrip, when it inadvertently became airborne.  The pilot then elected to practice some approaches to the 1,400 foot-long, turf runway.  He had been flying for about 10 to 15 minutes, and was in a right turn, at an altitude of about 150 feet, when the airplane "stalled."  The airplane pitched down and impacted the ground.  The pilot purchased the airplane about 2 years prior to the accident.  He had not accumulated any flight time.  The pilot had practiced taxiing the airplane for about 20 hours and intended to received some flight instruction at a later date.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions.

## Factual narrative

On November 21, 2004, about 1530 eastern standard time, an unregistered amateur built Sky Raider airplane, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, while maneuvering near a private airstrip in Rappahannock Academy, Virginia.  The uncertificated pilot sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he had not accumulated any flight time.  He purchased the airplane about 2 years prior to the accident, and had practiced taxiing the airplane for about 20 hours.  He intended to receive some flight instruction at a later date.

On the day of the accident, the pilot was practicing taxiing the airplane, when it inadvertently became airborne.  The pilot then elected to practice some approaches to the 1,400 foot-long, turf runway.  He had been flying for about 10 to 15 minutes, and was in a right turn at an altitude of about 150 feet, when the airplane "stalled."  The airplane pitched down and impacted the ground.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions.  Rotational damaged was noted on the propeller, and flight control continuity was verified to all primary control surfaces.

Winds reported at an airport located about 11 miles northwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident were calm.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Unknown Sky Raider
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: Rotax 41 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leo R. Croisetiene
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, Rappahannock Ac, VA
- Airport: None, runway N, 1,400 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; seat: single; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: EZF, 11 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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