Center Charles C X-5 accident near Ghent, NY
On April 4, 2010, a Center Charles C X-5 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ghent, NY. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 4, 2010
- Place
- Ghent, NY
- Aircraft
- Center Charles C X-5 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.330°N, 73.655°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100404X15924
Official records · ERA10LA206
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On April 4, 2010, about 1337 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Center X-5, N25761, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after departure from a private field in Ghent, New York. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was destined for Pittsfield Municipal Airport (PSF), Pittsfield Massachusetts. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a witness, who was also a friend of the pilot, the pilot initially departed from Kline Kill Airport (NY1), Ghent, New York, and landed on a 1/2-mile long private field to attend a lunch gathering. After lunch, the pilot and a passenger departed for a brief sightseeing flight, and then returned to the same field. About 45 minutes later, the pilot boarded the airplane with another passenger, with the intention of departing the area. The witness watched as the pilot checked the flight controls and throttled the engine up and down prior to the takeoff. The pilot then taxied the airplane to the end of the field, and began the takeoff roll immediately after he reached the end of the field. As the airplane climbed, it slowed until it appeared to "hang in the air," before it banked left, pitched down, and impacted the ground. The witness reported that the engine sound was smooth and continuous through the climb, and until impact. The airplane impacted the ground "hard," and immediately caught fire. PERSONNEL INFORMATION
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment.
More accidents in NY
- Airbus Industrie A300B4-605R, Nov 12, 2001
- Boeing 747-131, Jul 18, 1996
- Bombardier Inc DHC-8-402, Feb 13, 2009
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-40, Apr 12, 2025
- Piper PA-31-350, Dec 15, 1989
Browse: New York
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
