Chris Mitchell TITAN TORNADO accident near Chadbourn, NC
On June 18, 2009, a Chris Mitchell TITAN TORNADO (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chadbourn, NC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 18, 2009
- Place
- Chadbourn, NC
- Aircraft
- Chris Mitchell TITAN TORNADO · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.303°N, 78.823°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090618X14855
Official records · ERA09LA356
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On June 18, 2009, about 1907 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Chris Mitchell Titan Tornado II S, N259CM, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and impact with terrain near Chadbourn, North Carolina. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The non-certificated pilot was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated at a private, residential airstrip in Chadbourn at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported that the pilot taxied the airplane to the end of the grass airstrip, where he performed an engine run-up; all seemed normal with the engine. Immediately after takeoff, a reduction in engine power was observed. Power then increased, followed by another power reduction and the airplane stopped climbing. The pilot initiated a right-hand turn back toward the airstrip. One witness reported that the engine completely lost power. While in the turn, the witnesses observed the airplane stall and enter a spin at about 100 feet above ground level, from which it impacted the ground. One of the witnesses owned the airstrip where accident airplane was hangared. He stated that he was a close friend of the pilot. He could not provide any details on the inspection history of the airplane or the total flight time of the pilot, however he did state that the pilot was using automotive gasoline in the airplane. He thought that the engine had been recently removed and repaired due to cylinder cracks. A
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb following a loss of engine power. The reason for the power loss was not determined.
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Browse: North Carolina
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
