# NTSB NYC89DNE02: Smith Mini DSA-1, N21H, Sterling, CT, May 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1989, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, CT
- Location: 41.7076° N, 71.8287° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sterling, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7076&lon=-71.8287&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89DNE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89DNE02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, AND THE AIRCRAFT'S RESULTANT UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED PERFORMING AEROBATICS BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND, IN AN INVERTED, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PILOT'S RECORDS INDICATE A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 600 HOURS, OF WHICH ABOUT 3 HOURS WERE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT. RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS IN THE PRECEDING 8 1/2 YEARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21H-1991-08-21), registration cancelled 1991-08-21, S/N 384015A (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINI DSA-1
- Registry model: [Smith Miniplane DSA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-miniplane-dsa-1) (registry code 835010P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3840-15A
- Engines: FRANKLIN SPORT 48 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Navan, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 3, 1980, 4 hours before
- Departed: R11, RICONN, RI
- Destination: R11, RICONN, RI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890512011319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890512011319A), May 12, 1989: Amtrsm DSA1, Sterling, CT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Low altitude acrobatics. Hammerhead stall. Entered inverted spiral, stopped rotation dived vertically into ground.

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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