Snow ROCKET F1 accident near Borrego Springs, CA
On April 8, 2010, a Snow ROCKET F1 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Borrego Springs, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 8, 2010
- Place
- Borrego Springs, CA
- Aircraft
- Snow ROCKET F1 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.259°N, 116.321°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100408X95622
Official records · WPR10LA195
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 8, 2010, about 1258 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Snow Rocket F1, N28VS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Borrego Springs, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from the Borrego Valley Airport (L08), Borrego Springs, about 1250. Information provided by the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Chapter 36, revealed that the pilot was scheduled to participate in the annual Borrego Hammerhead Roundup aerobatic competition. The IAC Chapter 36 representative stated that prior to event registration, pilot's were allotted a 10-minute practice session in the designated aerobatic area. A witness located on the ramp of L08 reported that while working the aerobatic box, she first established radio contact with the pilot while he was in the primary holding area southeast of the airport. The pilot proceeded to fly into the designated aerobatic box and perform a sportsman sequence twice while receiving coaching from a person on the ground. He then performed a spin maneuver, which was followed by his departure of the aerobatic box to the north. The witness recalled that the pilot was requested to repeat the "goldfish figure" at which point she informed the pilot he had two minutes left on his allotted practice time. The
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain control due to the in-flight failure and separation of the pilot's flight control stick. The reason for the flight control stick failure could not be determined.
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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.
