Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB MIA08FA091
AeroFab Lake LA-250 — Skaneateles, NY
| Date | April 18, 2008 |
| Location | Skaneateles, NY |
| Aircraft | AeroFab Lake LA-250 |
| Purpose of flight | Instructional |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Simulated/training event |
| Pilot age | 43 |
| Pilot total time | 10,024 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 23 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1, 1 serious |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Instructor/check pilot - C
What happened
According to a witness, he was outside in his yard when he saw the accident airplane flying north of his house. The airplane then turned on its side and continued to descend. Shortly thereafter, he heard the engine “rev-up,” and the next thing he heard was a “crunching noise.” He drove in the direction of the airport, and saw the tail of the airplane in a wooded area. The paramedics stated that the certified flight instructor (CFI) was alert, conscious and oriented. The CFI told them that he and the private pilot were simulating an engine failure and that he “lost airspeed thus causing the crash.” The CFI did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine and system components revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction.