Maxair Drifter accident near Bumpass, VA
On August 9, 2009, a Maxair Drifter (airplane) was involved in an accident near Bumpass, VA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 9, 2009
- Place
- Bumpass, VA
- Aircraft
- Maxair Drifter · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.038°N, 77.759°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090809X35032
Official records · ERA09LA452
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 9, 2009, about 1344 eastern daylight time, an experimental Maxair Drifter floatplane, N160HA, was substantially damaged following a loss of control after takeoff from the surface of Lake Anna, near Bumpass, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, that was departing at the time, and was destined for Tappahannock-Essex County Airport (KXSA), Tappahannock, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In written statements, witnesses described 3 float planes in the cove where their boats were anchored. Several described two floatplanes departing “towards the water,” while the accident airplane taxied out toward open water and then “turned around and took off towards land.” One witness described the application of full power, and all of the witnesses described a steep left bank almost immediately after takeoff before the airplane descended nose down into the water, and submerged. One witness was "alarmed" by how close to shore the airplane was before it lifted off the water. He said, "As the aircraft banked left along the shoreline to head out into open water, I saw the aircraft attempt to make what looked like a very sharp turn to avoid the approaching tree line." The witness took photographs of the airplane in sequence during the accident flight. They illustrated the initial take off run; lift off, low-level banking turn along the lake shore, and the impa
Probable cause
The accelerated stall induced by the pilot in a steep turn to avoid obstacles during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s chosen takeoff path and the density altitude.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
- Beech B99, Sep 23, 1985
- Beech 65, Sep 10, 1995
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Browse: Virginia
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
