Cruz SE5A Replica accident near Phoenix, AZ
On October 9, 2009, a Cruz SE5A Replica (airplane) was involved in an accident near Phoenix, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 9, 2009
- Place
- Phoenix, AZ
- Aircraft
- Cruz SE5A Replica · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.688°N, 112.082°W
- NTSB ID
- 20091009X80940
Official records · WPR10LA010
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Excerpt ATC package - Personnel Statements: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 9, 2009, at 1354 mountain standard time, an experimental Cruz SE5A Replica biplane, N3944U, crashed into a scrap metal yard about 1/2 mile north of the airport shortly after takeoff from the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot operated the borrowed airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot, the sole occupant was killed. The airplane was thermally consumed in the post-impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan had been filed. One witness' attention was drawn to the accident airplane because he heard an unfamiliar sounding engine. He saw the airplane depart runway 25L at an altitude of about 150 to 200 feet, in a normal climb attitude. He stated that the airplane made a left crosswind turn; however, it rolled into a right spin. From the witnesses position he was able to see about 2.5 rotations before seeing a cloud of smoke; he estimated the airplane reached an altitude of about 500 feet. The witness reported that the climb appeared normal and the engine was running smoothly and producing takeoff power. Another witness in a parking lot reported that his attention was drawn to the airplane due to its low altitude; he estimated that the airplane was no more than 100 feet. The airplane passed overhead traveling in a westbound direction in level flight. The airplane then pitched up, and took an erratic turn to the right. As the airplane exited the turn it was in a nose up attitude, it flew another 100 feet and then s
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin and impact with the ground.
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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.
