Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB DFW08LA197
Marshall James J Cozy MK IV — Midlothian, TX
| Date | July 24, 2008 |
| Location | Midlothian, TX |
| Aircraft | Marshall James J Cozy MK IV (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event |
| Pilot age | 58 |
| Pilot total time | 13,700 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 81 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wall of the rock quarry.
NTSB findings
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven-Response/compensation - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-(general)-(general)-Pilot - C
What happened
The experimental airplane flew through a 100 foot deep rock quarry at high speed at an estimated altitude of 20 to 30 feet above ground level. One witness said he waved at the airplane as it flew directly toward him then banked away from his bulldozer and pitched up to avoid a rock pile. The airplane then collided with the quarry wall about 20 feet from the floor of the quarry. Examination of the propeller blades revealed damage that was consistent with engine power at the time of impact.