Summary
On June 29, 2012, a Fields Mike HAWK SSC (N163F) was involved in an accident near Evansville, IN. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot, and the pilot's loss of control during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin.
On June 29, 2012, about 0800 central daylight time, a kit-built Hawk SSC light sport airplane, N163F, collided with terrain near Evansville, Indiana. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's wings and fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN12LA407. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N163F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot, and the pilot's loss of control during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 29, 2012, about 0800 central daylight time, a kit-built Hawk SSC light sport airplane, N163F, collided with terrain near Evansville, Indiana. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's wings and fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating from the Skylane Airport (K3EV), Evansville, Indiana, at the time of the accident.
According to a statement provided by the pilot, on initial takeoff, approximately 250 feet above ground level, he heard a loud “pop" from the back of the airplane and the airplane began to vibrate violently. The airplane shook violently before it began to spiral to the ground. The pilot later reported that his flight experience was consistent with a failure of his Warp Drive propeller.
The airplane had been partially disassembled before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was notified of the accident. An examination of the airframe by a responding FAA inspector had found the propeller secured in the propeller hub. No anomalies were detected with the airframe, engine, or propeller.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12LA407