# NTSB WPR11LA324: M Squared Sprint 1000, N648MA, Heise, ID, July 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2011, 13:01 local (19:01 UTC) - Place: Heise, ID - Coordinates: 43.633609, -111.68222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6336&lon=-111.6822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81095 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA324 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81095/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81095 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA324 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05904JY), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05904JY), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05904JY), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05904JY), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904JY), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Over the 7 months preceding the accident, the owner had conducted extensive work on the experimental light sport airplane, including the installation of new sails (fabric wing covers). The accident flight was a test flight following this work. Before the flight, the owner and the pilot completed a preflight inspection, an engine run-up, and a complete check of the control surfaces, with no anomalies noted. The owner, who remained on the ground and witnessed the accident, reported that, after taking off and climbing to 150 feet above ground level, the pilot made a 180-degree turn. The airplane was in a shallow climb at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level when it appeared to stall. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended in a steep left bank to ground impact. The owner ran to the airplane, and, while awaiting emergency responders, he spoke to the pilot, who said "I had no ailerons." The pilot's report of a loss of aileron control is consistent with the degradation of roll control authority during an aerodynamic stall. According to the owner, the pilot did not have any previous flight experience in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2011, at 1301 mountain daylight time, an experimental light sport M Squared Sprint 1000 aircraft, N648MA, collided with the ground following a loss of control while maneuvering near Heise, Idaho. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed. According to the owner of the aircraft, over the 7 months preceding the accident, the aircraft was "completely overhauled and refurbished including new sails and motor inspection." The accident flight was a test flight following this work. Before the flight, the owner and the pilot reexamined the aircraft and "confirmed all controls, instruments, fittings and connections." An engine run-up was completed, and the engine was "running smoothly." The owner witnessed the accident, and he reported that, after takeoff, the pilot made a 180-degree turn. He further reported that the aircraft was in a "slight climb" at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level when it appeared to stall. The left wing dropped, and the aircraft descended in a steep left bank to ground impact. The owner ran to the aircraft, and while awaiting emergency responders, he spoke to the pilot, who said "I had no ailerons." The pilot also told the owner that he did not have engine trouble. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land airplane rating that was issued on November 15, 1978. His most recent medical certificate was issued on March 3, 1986. According to the owner, the pilot did not have any previous flight experience in the accident aircraft make and model. Aircraft records provided by the owner indicated that the aircraft's most recent condition inspection was completed on December 8, 2007, at an aircraft total time of 810 hours. The owner purchased the aircraft in November 2010, and transported it by trailer to his residence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N648MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N648MA-2017-09-26), registration cancelled 2017-09-26, S/N 7771600M-2005, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: M Squared Sprint 1000 - Registry model: [M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/m-square-m-square-sport) (registry code 05904JY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7771600M-2005 - Airframe hours: 810 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clark B. Millet - Registered owner: Clark B. Millet - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 8, 2007 - Departed: Heise, ID - Destination: Heise, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: IDA, 19 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 20110704012489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110704012489A), Jul 4, 2011: M-Square M-SQUARE SPORT, Ririe, ID, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Took off from a small field in this experimental aircraft for a brief test flight. While flying a small rectangular course he adjusted… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81095. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 614 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Last Inspection Record (item 3, .PDF, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Last%20Inspection%20Record-Redacted.PDF - Last Inspection Sign Off (item 4, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Last%20Inspection%20Sign%20Off-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Records (item 5, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374275&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Records-Redacted.PDF 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.