# NTSB NYC95LA214: Gillet C.P. 328, N4171G, Fire Island, NY, September 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 1995, 13:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Fire Island, NY - Coordinates: 40.740222, -73.079162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7402&lon=-73.0792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39045 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39045/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA214 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilots to maintain control of the airplane while performing aerobatics. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, copilot/second pilot - stall/spin - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot/owner departed with another pilot for a local flight. About 25 minutes later, witnesses 3/4 mile off shore observed the airplane impact the water from a descending spin. Examination revealed no preimpact failure of the airplane or engine. The kit airplane was designed for aerobatic flight. The pilot/owner was not known to have performed aerobatic maneuvers. The other pilot owned an aerobatic airplane, and was known to have performed aerobatics. He had 1750 hours total time; 280 hours in a Pitts S-2 and 1 hour in this make and model. He was observed 2 hours earlier that day in another airplane performing aerobatics over the water near the area of the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 1995, at 1325 eastern daylight time, a Gillet, a homebuilt airplane, N4171G, was destroyed when it struck the water 3/4 mile south of the Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island, New York. The private pilot/owner of the airplane was fatally injured, and a second pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal flight that departed the Republic Airport, Farmingdale, New York, about 1300. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, the pilot's wife stated that the pilot departed home, about 0930. The pilot's plan had been to fly to Groton, Connecticut. A friend of the second pilot reported that he owned a Pitts S-2, and he performed aerobatic maneuvers in that airplane. The friend dropped the second pilot off at the Republic Airport that morning, and then drove out to the Robert Moses State Park, and observed him perform aerobatics over the water. When the friend returned to the airport to pick him up, she found a note which stated that he went flying with another pilot. According to witnesses in a boat, they observed N4171G during the last 300 feet of a descending spin and impact with the water. One witness stated: I looked up and saw a small white airplane at low altitude (maybe 200 feet) in a spin heading downward, at a slight angle toward the water. Within 10 to 15 seconds, the plane crashed about 300 feet from where my boat was. I didn't see any smoke or fire. An examination of the wreckage was conducted on September 7, 1995, under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. The examination revealed no pre-impact failures of the airplane or engine. Control continuity was confirmed to the pilot's flight controls from the airplane's ailerons, rudder, and elevator. The airplane was constructed by the owner, and issued an FAA Airworthiness Certificate on March 20, 1994. The airplane kit manufacture's specifications described the airplane to be "fully aerobatic." The pilot/owner had accumulated over 500 hours of total pilot experience, of which about 239 hours were in this airplane. He was not known to have performed aerobatic maneuvers. The second pilot held a Private Pilot Certificate. He was reported to have about 1,750 hours of total pilot experience, 280 hours in the Pitts S-2, and about 1 hour in this make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4171G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4171G-1997-03-25), registration cancelled 1997-03-25, S/N 232 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GILLET C.P. 328 - Registry model: [Gillet Patrice B PIEL EMERAUDE CP-328](https://openairdocs.org/model/gillet-patrice-b-piel-emeraude-cp-328) (registry code 7020246) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 232 - Airframe hours: 239 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Patrice B. Gillet - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1995, 20 hours before - Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 520 total, 239 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ISP, 10 nm away ## 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 19950904027859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950904027859A), Sep 4, 1995: Amtr PIETENPOL, Fire Island, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed in a spin offshore until water impact. Two low aerobatic time pilots on board. 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.