# NTSB WPR19FA159: Titan Titan II, N4362V, Summerville, OR, June 5, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: June 4, 2019, 19:43 local (Jun 5, 2019, 02:43 UTC) - Place: Summerville, OR - Coordinates: 45.490833, -118.00888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4908&lon=-118.0089&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19FA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99550/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99550 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA159 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Versteeg Robert H JR TITAN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=056051O), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Versteeg Robert H JR TITAN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056051O), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Versteeg Robert H JR TITAN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056051O), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Versteeg Robert H JR TITAN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=056051O), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Versteeg Robert H JR TITAN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056051O), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot was seen by witnesses flying at low altitude, which they described as near treetop and powerline level. One witness reported that the airplane entered a “straight up” climb about 300 ft, then dove to the ground and leveled the airplane about 50 ft above ground; the pilot did this three times before the accident occurred during the fourth maneuver. Another witness reported that, during the last maneuver, at the top of the climb, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, spun to the left, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Given the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and spin. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2019, about 1943 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Titan II airplane, N4362V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Summerville, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Family members reported that the pilot recently purchased the airplane and completed its assembly three days before the accident. They stated that the accident flight was the pilot’s third flight since assembly. Witnesses in the area of the accident site reported seeing the airplane flying at treetop or power line level. One witness reported that he watched the airplane climb “straight up” about 300 ft, then dive to the ground and level out about 50 ft above ground level three times before the accident maneuver. Another witness reported observing similar maneuvers with the pilot “gunning the engine hard, then backing off.” This witness reported that, during the last maneuver, at the top of the climb to 300 ft, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, spun to the left, and impacted the ground. The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing on the pilot’s tissue, with negative findings for all tested-for drugs. The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration pilot or medical certificate. The pilot’s family reported that the pilot did not keep track of any flight hours. The wreckage was located in a flat, open field. All major structural components were located with the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was established for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. Examination of the engine revealed that all four spark plugs exhibited signatures consistent with normal wear. The crankshaft was manually rotated by hand at the propeller. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine valve train. Thumb compression was obtained on all four cylinders. No anomalies were revealed with the engine driven fuel pump, or the carburetors. The fuel filter appeared free of debris. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4362V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4362V-2019-08-28), registration cancelled 2019-08-28, S/N D969112COHK0203, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Titan TITAN II (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Versteeg Robert H JR TITAN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/versteeg-robert-h-jr-titan-ii) (registry code 056051O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul) (registry code 55592, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: D969112COHK0203 - Year built: 2010 - Engines: Rotax 912UL reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LGD, La Grande, OR - Destination: LGD, La Grande, OR - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: fatal; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KLGD, 12 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 20190604005879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190604005879A), Jun 4, 2019: Versteeg Robert H Jr TITAN II, Summerville, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witnesses state non-rated pilot was performing steep climbs and turns, followed by steep descents at approximately 300' AGL just prior to, and including the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99550. 10.3 MB in all. - Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 5 pages, 2 photos, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9728547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19FA159%20Witness%20Statements-Rel.pdf - Exam notes (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1 photo, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9729019&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20Notes%20-%20WPR19FA159-Rel.pdf - Autopsy memorandum for record (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11896970&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Autopsy%20Memo%20for%20Record-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 671 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11894793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19FA159%20Toxicology%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 9.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11897846&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19FA159%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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.