Galbraith Piel Emeraude accident near Hot Springs, SD
On June 11, 2002, a Galbraith Piel Emeraude (airplane) was involved in an accident near Hot Springs, SD. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 11, 2002
- Place
- Hot Springs, SD
- Aircraft
- Galbraith Piel Emeraude · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 43.368°N, 103.388°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020617X00902
Official records · CHI02LA159
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 11, 2002, at 0940 mountain daylight time (mdt), a Galbraith Piel Emeraude, N71PE, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of power and subsequent loss of control while practicing touch and goes. The airplane was on takeoff climb from runway 19 (4,505 feet by 100 feet, dry/asphalt) at Hot Springs Municipal Airport (HSR), Hot Springs, South Dakota. The pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. According to an eyewitness, the aircraft departed HSR heading southbound. He stated that the aircraft was approximately 200 - 300 feet above ground level (agl) when he saw the left wing dip and then stabilize. He reported that 15 - 30 seconds later the aircraft made a sharp right turn followed by approximately one and a half turns before impacting the field. Another witness reported that he observed the aircraft doing touch and go landings prior to the accident. He stated that the aircraft had departed the south end of the runway and was approximately one half mile from the airport when he saw a white streak behind the airplane. The witness reported that the aircraft appeared to turn back to the airport. According to the witness, the engine noise decreased and the aircraft went nose down, impacting the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The 78 year old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and multi-
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to the connecting rod fatigue failure during takeoff climb.
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Browse: South Dakota
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
