Titan Aircraft TORNADO accident near Richland, NY
On July 2, 1996, a Titan Aircraft TORNADO (airplane) was involved in an accident near Richland, NY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 2, 1996
- Place
- Richland, NY
- Aircraft
- Titan Aircraft TORNADO · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.569°N, 75.971°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06335
NTSB summary
On July 2, 1996, at 0707 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Titan Tornado, was destroyed when it impacted the ground while on approach to a private grass strip near Richland, New York. The certificated student pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the Richland Airport, about 0630. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector stated that the student pilot/owner departed the Richland Airport to fly to his co-owner's farm, about 4 miles from the airport. Witnesses stated to the FAA Inspector that they observed the airplane circle the co-owner's cut grass strip and start an approach. One witness reported that when the airplane flew over a hedge row, the nosed pitched and the airplane climbed to about 150 feet. The nose of the airplane was then observed to drop, and the airplane descended and struck the ground at a 45 degree nose down angle. The co-owner stated to the FAA Inspector that he and the student pilot (SP) had purchased the airplane from Titan Aircraft, the manufacturer of airplane kits. The airplane had been assembled and flown for about 80 hours by Titan, before it was purchased by the pilots. The co-owner stated that it had been purchased as an ultralight. It had been equipped with a 10 gallon fuel tank, and without an airworthiness certificate. Examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact failure of the airframe of engine. A certified flight instructor stated to the FAA I
Probable cause
failure of the student pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during an apparent go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's lack of certification, and inadequate certification/approval of the aircraft.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
