Spane RV-4 accident near Wichita, KS
On February 17, 2006, a Spane RV-4 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wichita, KS. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 17, 2006
- Place
- Wichita, KS
- Aircraft
- Spane RV-4 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.748°N, 97.221°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060221X00214
NTSB summary
On February 17, 2006, approximately 1514 central standard time, a Spane RV-4, N437T, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Colonel James Jabara Airport (AAO), Wichita, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 without a flight plan. At the time of the accident, the pilot and passenger on board the airplane suffered serious injuries. Nine days after the accident, the passenger, also the pilot's wife, died. The cross country flight to Mexico, Missouri, was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported that during takeoff roll, the canopy came open. The pilot tried to close the canopy. The airplane got airborne, went into a nose high attitude, and then came down hard. The airplane subsequently went off the right side of runway 36 (6,100 feet by 100 feet, dry concrete). The pilot said that he did his run-up check and took the runway for takeoff. The airplane rotated, took off, and was climbing when approximately 80 feet above the ground, the canopy opened. The pilot said the canopy went to the full open position and the airplane subsequently yawed 45 degrees right. The pilot lowered the airplane's nose, applied full left rudder, and reduced engine power to idle. The pilot said he then switched hands on the control stick and with his right hand, reached up and pulled the canopy closed. He said his airspeed was just above the stall speed and his wings were level. The airplane was approximately 20 feet abov
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preparation prior to takeoff, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in a stall and subsequent crash. Factors contributing to the accident were the unsecured canopy latch, the pilot's diverted attention, and the stall mush.
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Browse: Kansas
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
