# NTSB NYC90DHA02: Snyder MA-5 Charger, N96CS, Hamburg, PA, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1990, 20:07 local (Jul 27, 1990, 00:07 UTC)
- Place: Hamburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.550518, -75.980552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5505&lon=-75.9806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DHA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DHA02

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. THE PILOT'S ABRUPT MANEUVER WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

EYEWITNESSES REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE MADE 'A STEEP PULL UP AND RIGHT TURN....THE NOSE DROPPED INTO A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND THE PLANE ROTATED ANOTHER 360 DEGREES...' BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96CS-1991-10-10), registration cancelled 1991-10-10, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNYDER MA-5 CHARGER (MA-5 CHARG)
- Registry model: [Snyder Clair E MA-5 CHARGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/snyder-clair-e-ma-5-charger) (registry code 056556B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 121
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald P. Grim
- Registered owner: Clair E. Snyder
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 24, 1990, 0 hours before
- Airport: 68PA, Don'S Place Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 342 total, 55 in this make and model, 604 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900726028729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900726028729A), Jul 26, 1990: Amtr MA5, Hamburg, PA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Pulled up in nose high climbing turn after gaining speed in ground effect. Stalled entered spin did not recover.

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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