Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CEN10LA470
AERO SP Z O O AT-4 LSA — Delaware, OH
| Date | July 28, 2010 |
| Location | Delaware, OH |
| Aircraft | AERO SP Z O O AT-4 LSA |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 63 |
| Pilot total time | 1,280 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 6 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
Several witnesses, who were close to the airport, reported seeing the airplane enter the traffic pattern for a landing. The witnesses stated that the airplane made steep turns, with the wings near vertical, at high angles of attack, while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. The witnesses also said it appeared the airplane then did a "backward roll," entered a spin, and descended to the ground. The airplane impacted trees and terrain near the approach end of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane wreckage revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.