North American T-28C accident near Martinsburg, WV
On September 17, 2011, a North American T-28C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Martinsburg, WV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 17, 2011
- Place
- Martinsburg, WV
- Aircraft
- North American T-28C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.399°N, 77.990°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110918X02047
Official records · ERA11FA495
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On September 17, 2011, about 1434 eastern daylight time, a North American T-28C, N688GR, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with terrain during a low altitude aerobatic maneuver at the Eastern WV Regional Airport/Shepherd Field (MRB), Martinsburg, West Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 aerobatic demonstration flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight originated from MRB about 1425.The purpose of the flight was a 15 minute performance of aerobatic and non-aerobatic maneuvers by 6 pilots of the Trojan Horsemen Demonstration Team (Trojan Horseman) for Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House and Air Show at MRB. The accident flight occurred during the single performance of the Trojan Horsemen that day; a single performance of the Trojan Horseman was also scheduled for the following day. The pilot of the accident airplane was the No. 6 position for the Trojan Horsemen demonstration. As part of the flight, the Nos. 5 and 6 airplanes were to complete an opposing pass, crossing at show center at an altitude of 500 feet with smoke on, with an aileron roll immediately following the pass. After completion of the opposing pass, the accident pilot was to follow the formation with a four-point roll, and rejoin the formation behind the crowd. The accident occurred during the opposing pass maneuver.The pilot of N28XT who was flying in the No. 5 position reported
Probable cause
The pilot's impairment or incapacitation that occurred during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver due to complications from a recent heart attack, resulting in his inability to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's willingness to allow an airman with well-documented, severe coronary artery disease to perform high-risk, low-altitude a
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Browse: West Virginia · North American aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
