Fallbeck DYKE DELTA JD2 accident near Safford, AZ
On October 21, 1995, a Fallbeck DYKE DELTA JD2 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Safford, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 21, 1995
- Place
- Safford, AZ
- Aircraft
- Fallbeck DYKE DELTA JD2 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.832°N, 109.710°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04718
Official records · LAX96LA003
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On October 21, 1995, around 1036 hours mountain standard time, a Fallbeck Dyke Delta JD2, N515D, collided with terrain while performing an undetermined maneuver during a flight test about 10 miles southeast of the Safford Municipal Airport, Safford, Arizona. The experimental airplane was destroyed and the certificated commercial pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was owned, operated, and built by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Safford at 1010. This was reportedly the first flight since the pilot had towed the airplane on its main landing gear wheels from St. Louis, Missouri, to Safford. The owner of Safford Aviation reported that he had spoken with the pilot prior to his departure. The pilot had recently completed a modification to the airplane's wings which consisted of the installation of fixed tabs on the wing tip's trailing edges. This was to be the first test flight since the tabs were installed and that the tabs were designed to improve the airplane's slow speed flight characteristics. The pilot indicated that he planned to fly to the designated practice area to perform a test flight. He planned to evaluate the tabs effectiveness and record any changes to the airplane's controllability at approach speed. He also mentioned that his air speed indicator might be inaccurate. After the pilot taxied for takeoff, the owner heard the pilot initiate an engine run-up, during which time he heard a magneto check and the prop being cycled. He said none of the run-up sounds we
Probable cause
Improper planning/decision by the owner/builder (pilot), which resulted in his failure or inability to recover from a stall/mush condition.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
