Van Heeswyk Lightning accident near Marana, AZ
On June 1, 2008, a Van Heeswyk Lightning (airplane) was involved in an accident near Marana, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 1, 2008
- Place
- Marana, AZ
- Aircraft
- Van Heeswyk Lightning · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.409°N, 111.218°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080604X00790
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 1, 2008 about 0816 mountain standard time, an amateur built Van Heeswyk Lightning experimental airplane, N62JV, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Marana, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight originated from Ryan Field Airport, Tucson, Arizona, about 0559. Witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector (FAA) that they observed the airplane over fly a private airstrip at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level (agl) to the northwest. As the airplane passed over the end of the airstrip, witnesses reported observing the propeller assembly separate from the airplane followed by the engine "revving up". The airplane was observed making a "tear-drop" turn towards the airstrip and leveled out on a southeasterly heading about mid-length of the airstrip. The witnesses stated that the airplane continued flying on the runway heading. As the airplane passed over the end of the runway, it banked to the left and descended into terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 62, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot also possessed a repairman experimental aircraft builders certificate. A third-class airman medical certificate issued
Probable cause
The insufficient clamping force resulting in a fatigue fracture of the propeller extension attachment bolts and subsequent separation of the propeller assembly in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid an inadvertent stall while maneuvering during the emergency approach to the airport.
More accidents in AZ
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Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
