N1932H

Substantial
None

Hilderson Oswald Aventura HPS/N: 0018

Accident Details

Date
Friday, October 31, 2008
NTSB Number
ERA09CA046
Location
Weirwood, VA
Event ID
20081110X52158
Coordinates
37.466388, -75.856941
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following an in-flight encounter with turbulence during approach, which led to a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and subsequent forced landing into trees.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N1932H
Make
HILDERSON OSWALD
Serial Number
0018
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2002
Model / ICAO
Aventura HPBPAT
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HILDERSON OSWALD J
Address
18783 SW 344TH DR
Status
Deregistered
City
HOMESTEAD
State / Zip Code
FL 33034-4513
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot of the Aventura HP experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) amphibian airplane, the weather was clear with winds from the southwest at 5 to 10 knots. He stated that after refueling, he departed for a second flight and after 20 minutes, he prepared to land. On an extended downwind leg, at 1,100 feet above ground level (AGL) and about to turn base leg, he encountered some turbulence. He increased power and got out of it, only to enter turbulence again. The airplane went into a dive and at one time he only saw the sky, meaning the airplane was inverted and cutting the fuel flow off to the engine. He was able to regain control and fly the airplane. However, without engine power he was gliding for the woods. The airplane was too close to the trees, and his only option was to reduce airspeed to near stalling and mush down on the treetops. The airplane then started to fall down about 30 feet and stopped with the left wingtip on the ground and the nose 6 feet off the ground. The reported wind, at an airport about 12 miles northwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 250 degrees at 9 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA046