Hazelwood Michael S RV-8 accident near Decatur, AL
On May 23, 2009, a Hazelwood Michael S RV-8 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Decatur, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 23, 2009
- Place
- Decatur, AL
- Aircraft
- Hazelwood Michael S RV-8 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.654°N, 86.945°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090525X10235
NTSB summary
This report was modified on September 10, 2010. On May 23, 2009, about 1315 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-8, N875MH, and an experimental Nanchang China CJ-6A, N81817, collided in midair shortly after takeoff from Pryor Field (DCU), Decatur, Alabama. The RV-8 was substantially damaged and the CJ-6A sustained minor damage. The certificated private pilot onboard the RV-8 was killed and the certificated private pilot onboard the CJ-6A incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the planned flights to Big River Airpark (5AL5), Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The personal flights were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The RV-8 departed DCU about 1305 and the CJ-6A departed DCU about 1310. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed several witnesses and the pilot of the CJ-6A at the accident site. They reported that there was an "open house" at DCU. The accident pilots were friends and neighbors, who were visiting the airport. The pilots departed DCU with the intention of returning to their home airport. Prior to takeoff from DCU, the pilots did not preplan any formation flying. The RV-8 departed first, performed aerobatics over the runway and in the traffic pattern, then orbited the airport at a higher altitude. The CJ-6A departed and remained in the traffic pattern for a low pass over the runway. The pilot of the RV-8 then flew in formation with the CJ-6A during the low pass. The RV-8 began to overtake the CJ-6A, while the pilot of the RV-8 anno
Probable cause
The RV-8 pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the CJ-6A while maneuvering. This report was modified on September 10, 2010.
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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.
