Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G accident near Astoria, IL
On May 31, 1996, a Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G (airplane) was involved in an accident near Astoria, IL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 31, 1996
- Place
- Astoria, IL
- Aircraft
- Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 40.220°N, 90.350°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05741
NTSB summary
On May 31, 1996, at 0915 central daylight time, a Gray Miniplane DSA-1-G, N611SU, operated by a commercial instrument rated pilot collided with the terrain while maneuvering in Astoria, Illinois. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The flight originated from Lacon, Illinois, at approximately 0830 cdt. A friend of the pilot's stated that the pilot had called him at 0800 stating that he was going to fly down to visit and that he would fly over his residence to notify him of his arrival in the area. This friend reported to an Officer at the Fulton County Sheriff's Police Office that upon the pilot's arrival in the area, he was performing "some stunts" over his house. He stated that when the pilot performed a loop he came to close to the ground and the airplane crashed in a bean field. This witness stated the pilot "liked to perform the stunts and he had performed the stunts before." Two other witnesses stated they heard the airplane in the area for 15-20 minutes prior to going outside to watch it. They stated they watched the airplane for approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident. They stated that during this time the pilot was performing stunts approximately 50 to 75 feet above a treeline which surrounded an open field. One of these witnesses stated that it appeared the pilot was attempting an "upside down loop" when he "crashed nose first into the field, close to the fence row." Post accident inspection of the airplane wreckage was conduc
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain while performing an aerobatic maneuver.
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Browse: Illinois
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
