# NTSB SEA98LA147: Pilgrim Steen Skybolt, N21SP, Curtis, WA, July 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1998, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Curtis, WA - Coordinates: 46.47031, -123.080513 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4703&lon=-123.0805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA147 ## Probable cause Loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis The pilot, who owned the airplane and was an experienced aerobatic pilot, stated that he had taken off, accelerated along the runway, then pitched up to about 30 degrees and had climbed out to about 500 feet above ground level. He then pitched over to level to accelerate and initiated a turn to the right, with the intent of climbing out to an aerobatic practice box. He stated that when he pitched over, he felt negative 'G' loading, and the airplane appeared to perform a portion of an outside snap roll, with the right wing dropping and nose going down violently. The airplane then pointed down very steeply about 90 degrees off heading to the right. He stated that an attempt was made to pull out, but the airplane was in a high speed stalled condition, so he pushed the throttle full open and pushed the nose straight down to relieve the stalled condition and again attempted a recovery. This time, the airplane was not stalled and he was able to initiate a pull out. During the recovery attempt, the airplane impacted a road, slightly tail low, and the propeller struck the ground, leaving several prop strikes in the asphalt. The airplane bounced off the road at a 45 degree angle, then impacted a power pole. The pilot noted at the G meter was pegged at +13 G and -5 G. No preexisting mechanical anomalies that could have resulted in loss of control were found by FAA inspectors who inspected the wreckage. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1998, approximately 1315 Pacific daylight time, a Pilgrim Steen Skybolt, N21SP, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain when the pilot was unable to maintain control during climbout shortly after takeoff from Chehalis, Washington, for a practice aerobatic flight in the local area. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, had minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no report of an ELT actuating. The pilot, who owned the airplane and was an experienced aerobatic pilot, stated that he had taken off, accelerated along the runway, then pitched up to about 30 degrees and had climbed out to about 500 feet above ground level. He then pitched over to level to accelerate and initiated a turn to the right, with the intent of climbing out to an aerobatic practice box. He stated that when he pitched over, he felt negative "G" loading, and the airplane appeared to perform a portion of an outside snap roll, with the right wing dropping and nose going down violently. The airplane then pointed down very steeply about 90 degrees off heading to the right. He stated that an attempt was made to pull out, but the airplane was in a high speed stalled condition, so he pushed the throttle full open and pushed the nose straight down to relieve the stalled condition and again attempted a recovery. This time, the airplane was not stalled and he was able to initiate a pull out. During the recovery attempt, the airplane impacted a road, slightly tail low, and the propeller struck the ground, leaving several prop strikes in the asphalt. The airplane bounced off the road at a 45 degree angle, then impacted a power pole. The pilot noted that the G meter was pegged at +13 G and -5 G. No preexisting mechanical anomalies that could have resulted in loss of control were found by FAA inspectors who inspected the wreckage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21SP-1999-03-10), registration cancelled 1999-03-10, S/N P3 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pilgrim STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB) - Registry model: [Pilgrim STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilgrim-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565508) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: P3 - Airframe hours: 880 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540J4A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cedric J. Zabriskie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1998, 22 hours before - Departed: 0WA2, CURTIS, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,307 total, 225 in this make and model, 2,135 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19980724024849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980724024849A), Jul 24, 1998: Amtr SKYBOLT, Curtis, WA, Substantial damage. .4)The pilot, who owned the airplane and was an experienced aerobatic pilo t, stated that he had taken off, accelerated along the runway, then pitched up to… ## Other investigations on N21SP (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN89LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA006), Oct 4, 1988: Pilgrim Steen Skybolt (N21SP), Rawlins, WY, substantial damage 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.