Semple SMYTH SIDEWINDER accident near Oklahoma City, OK
On January 8, 1996, a Semple SMYTH SIDEWINDER (airplane) was involved in an accident near Oklahoma City, OK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 8, 1996
- Place
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Aircraft
- Semple SMYTH SIDEWINDER · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.511°N, 97.761°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05122
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 8, 1996, at 1657 central standard time, a Smyth Sidewinder, N86S, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The private pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from the Sundance Airpark located near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at approximately 1655. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a flight plan was not filed. According to a witness, the pilot agreed to purchase the airplane from him approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before the accident. The witness and the pilot flew the accident aircraft locally for an "orientation ride" for "approximately 10 minutes." After landing, the witness put an additional 11 gallons of fuel in the aircraft, in preparation for the pilot's trip home to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The witness further stated that he suggested to the pilot that he takeoff with the fuel selector on the right tank because, of the 3 fuel tanks in the aircraft, it had the most fuel in it. The witness stated that the last time he looked in the cockpit, the fuel selector was on the right tank. According to witnesses, the airplane departed from runway 17 and was observed turning east. At approximately a quarter of a mile from the airpark, when the airplane was approximately 500 feet AGL, the engine began to "sputter." Approximately 8 seconds later, the engine "quit." The airplane continued east and was observed by one witness to make a gentle bank to the right an
Probable cause
The pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while coping with the emergency, which resulted in and inadvertent stall and subsequent spin. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's lack of experience in type of airplane, and habit interference with respect to use of the fu
More accidents in OK
- Cessna 421C, Sep 4, 1983
- Cessna 421C, Dec 21, 1995
- Extra EA 400, Aug 4, 2018
- Piper PA-32R-300, Sep 5, 2009
- Cessna 500, Mar 4, 2008
Browse: Oklahoma
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
