N34BJ

Substantial
None

BIRCHLER BOYD EAGLE 540S/N: BJ-1

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, June 9, 2012
NTSB Number
CEN12CA360
Location
Kokomo, IN
Event ID
20120612X52521
Coordinates
40.521945, -86.054725
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 adequate clearance from the trees during a low-level aerobatic maneuver.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N34BJ
Make
BIRCHLER BOYD
Serial Number
BJ-1
Year Built
2007
Model / ICAO
EAGLE 540

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BILLY WERTH AIRSHOUS LLC
Address
14372 BROOK MEADOW DR
Status
Deregistered
City
MC CORDSVILLE
State / Zip Code
IN 46055-8816
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot planned to depart the runway and then turn left towards a row of trees for an aerobatic demonstration at a local airshow. At a set distance from the trees, his plan was to roll the airplane inverted and then climb away from the trees. However, during the performance, he realized the airplane wasn’t going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that he applied more controls in order to increase the climb angle, but the airplane collided with the trees. The pilot continued the airplane’s climb and returned to the airfield for a landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and horizontal stabilizer during the collision with the trees. The pilot reported that the primary cause of the accident was “misjudgment in the distance”. He also reported that there were occasionally gusty winds, but was unable to ascertain whether the winds were a factor or not.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12CA360