# NTSB SEA96LA090: Miller MA-5 Charger, N36CM, Kennewick, WA, May 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 1996, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Kennewick, WA - Coordinates: 46.210525, -119.159873 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2105&lon=-119.1599&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42363/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA090 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's lack of total and recent flight experience. ## 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 - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis A witness reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane attained an altitude of approximately 250 feet when the airplane 'stalled' and rolled to the left. The nose of the airplane dropped and the airplane collided with the terrain in a steep descent. The witness stated that the engine appeared to be running at impact, and there were no unusual engine sounds. The student pilot was reported to have recently purchased the airplane, and except for a one hour dual instructional flight in a Cessna 150, the pilot had not flown for approximately 40 years prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 1996, at 1330 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Miller MA-5 Charger, N36CM, registered to and operated by a student pilot, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from Vista Field, Kennewick, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured. A personal friend to the pilot witnessed the accident and reported that the pilot had recently purchased the airplane. The friend also reported that the pilot had not flown for several years (approximately 40 years) prior to the purchase of the airplane, and that he (the pilot) did not hold a pilot's certificate. The friend reported that the airplane took off on runway 20, and that the takeoff and climb out were "shaky." The friend stated that the airplane attained an altitude of approximately 250 feet, when it "stalled" and rolled to the left. The nose of the airplane dropped and the airplane collided with the airport perimeter fence in a near vertical attitude. The friend reported that "the engine appeared to be running at impact. No unusual engine sounds were heard." The friend continued to add that the pilot had flown with an instructor in a Cessna 150 for about one hour a few days before the accident. Federal Aviation Administration records indicate that the student pilot's last medical certificate was a third class medical dated 9/22/95. At that time, the student pilot did not report any total flight hours. The medical certificate prior to the 9/22/95 certificate was dated 4/27/92. At this time, the student pilot reported a total flight time of 20 hours, with zero hours in the previous six months. The student pilot has not responded to requests made by the National Transportation Safety Board to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36CM-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N CM1, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MILLER MA-5 CHARGER (MA-5 CHARG) - Registry model: [Miller Charles E MA-5 CHARGER](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-charles-e-ma-5-charger) (registry code 05655W4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CM1 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James M. Grow - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: S98, Vista Field, runway 20, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 20 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PSC, 5 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 19960505009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960505009349A), May 5, 1996: Amtrmq CHARGERMA5, Kennewick, WA, Substantial damage. Stalled on climbout. Dived into fence. New purchase. No checkout. Not flown for years except 150 with a CFI 1HR. 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.