N555X

Substantial
Serious

Robert J. Goodyear Hummel BirdS/N: HB-3460

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
NTSB Number
MIA07CA078
Location
Lakeland, FL
Event ID
20070910X01351
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBERT J. GOODYEAR
Serial Number
HB-3460
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2005
Model / ICAO
Hummel BirdFK9
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
1
FAA Model
HUMMEL BIRD

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
GOODYEAR ROBERT J
Address
2639 COUNTY ROAD 55
City
NEWTON
State / Zip Code
AL 36352-7305
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he had completed several laps around the ultralight traffic pattern at Lakeland Linder Airport, when he decided to land. He entered left traffic, and while on left downwind for a landing on the ultralight runway 27, at and altitude of 400 feet AGL, he noticed another aircraft about 1,500 feet ahead of him and at a slightly lower altitude. He further stated that while turning to left base, he noticed that his airspeed was 70 mph, his altitude was 400 feet, and the airplane in front of him had slowed down considerably. When turning final, he was at an altitude of 300 ft. AGL, his airspeed was 65 MPH, and he was closing on the aircraft that was ahead him. At this point the pilot said he reduced his airspeed to just below 60 MPH. When he slowed down he noticed that the aircraft ahead of him started to increase altitude, and he was still closing on that aircraft, so the pilot said he decided to go around on the inside. He made a pretty hard bank to the left, felt the left crosswind get under his wing. His airspeed was just below 55 MPH, and he was at an altitude of 195 feet AGL, when his aircraft stalled. The pilot that as he made corrections in an attempt to recover, his aircraft abruptly turned right, causing his head to strike the canopy, and he lost consciousness. According to the pilot, that was the last thing he remembered until he awakened in the hospital the next day. The pilot said that prior to the accident there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to his aircraft or any of its systems.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA07CA078