Harleman Tornado II accident near Molino, FL
On February 1, 2002, a Harleman Tornado II (airplane) was involved in an accident near Molino, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 1, 2002
- Place
- Molino, FL
- Aircraft
- Harleman Tornado II · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 30.717°N, 87.383°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020205X00186
Official records · MIA02LA058
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Transcript of Telephone Communications #1-Pilot's Wife: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Transcript of Telephone Communications-Titan Aircraft (kit manufacturer): Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Transcript of Telephone Communications #2-Pilot's Wife: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
On February 1, 2002, about 1630 central standard time, an experimental Harleman Titan Tornado II, motor glider, registered to a private individual, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a static line strung between the tops of power line support towers and crashed during an approach to a private airstrip near Molino, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated glider pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft departed Coastal Airport, Pensacola, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to a brother of the pilot, an eyewitness stated that he observed the aircraft over fly the north-south oriented agricultural airstrip and make a left course reversal to enter a downwind leg and approach for a landing in a northerly direction. At about 700 feet south of the runway's southern threshold, the aircraft's fixed landing gear collided with one of two side by side static wires strung between the tops of two power transmission line towers, and the aircraft impacted the ground. The towers support east-west running power transmission lines that are easily seen and avoided, however, the static wires run above the power lines and are thinner in cross section. According to an FAA inspector, two additional eyewitnesses stated that the aircraft actually made two approaches to the airstrip. The first approach and landing was uneventful. It was the second approach that resulted in the wire collision and plunge to the ground. According to the FAA air
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance, resulting in the in-flight collision with a static wire and an uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's impairment resulting from the use of unapproved medication.
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Browse: Florida
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
