# NTSB NYC07CA215: Ebersole Hummel Ultra Cruiser, Newry, PA, September 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 1, 2007, 17:54 local (21:54 UTC)
- Place: Newry, PA
- Coordinates: 40.395832, -78.453887
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3958&lon=-78.4539&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA215

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while maneuvering.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional

## Analysis

The un-registered amateur built Hummel Aviation Ultra Cruiser departed the airport on the second flight of the day.  After maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport, the airplane flew at a low altitude, and descended towards the approach end of the runway opposite of its initial departure.  The airplane subsequently struck trees near the end of the runway.  Examination of a broken tree branch, identified as the initial impact point, and the wing of the airplane revealed that the airplane impacted the tree in wings level attitude.  No evidence of any pre-impact failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine were noted.  The pilot held a student pilot certificate, which was issued more than 9 years prior to the date of the accident flight.  No maintenance records were available; however, according to witnesses, the accident flight was the second flight since the pilot had completed construction of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to several witnesses, the un-registered amateur built Hummel Aviation Ultra Cruiser departed the airport on the second flight of the day.  After maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport, the airplane flew at a low altitude, and descended, toward the approach end of the runway opposite of its initial departure.  One witness watched as the airplane struck trees near the end of the runway, and the other witness lost sight of the airplane before hearing the sounds of impact.  Another witness commented that he heard the engine operating continuously, with no noted changes in engine rpm.  Examination of a broken tree branch, identified as the initial impact point, and the wing of the airplane revealed that they both exhibited signatures consistent with a wings level impact attitude.  No evidence of any pre-impact failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine were noted.  The pilot held a student pilot certificate, which was issued more than 9 years prior to the date of the accident flight.  No maintenance records were available; however, according to witnesses, the accident flight was the second flight since the pilot had completed construction of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ebersole Hummel Ultra Cruiser
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: UNKNOWN
- Engines: Hummel Engines 1/2 VW 37 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 7G4, Newry, PA
- Destination: 7G4
- Airport: 7G4, Blue Knob Valley Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: fatal; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 8 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: AOO, 9 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.