Schoepflin DA-4-550 accident near Viola, ID
On September 9, 2012, a Schoepflin DA-4-550 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Viola, ID. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 9, 2012
- Place
- Viola, ID
- Aircraft
- Schoepflin DA-4-550 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.829°N, 116.998°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120910X71500
Official records · WPR12LA410
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 8, 2012, about 1800 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur built Schoepflin DA-4-550 airplane (super buccaneer), N550YS, while maneuvering over a private residence, impacted the ground near Viola, Idaho. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a business flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage in the post impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. Responding law enforcement personnel from the Latah County Sheriff's Department reported that the pilot had been hired to do a flyby during a Republican gathering. For some unknown reason, the airplane began circling the group and the pilot was dropping streamers from the airplane. Witnesses report that the pilot was flying low, about 800 feet above ground level (agl), over a large crowd. The airplane appeared to be in slow flight, and as the airplane entered into a steep turn, the airplane stalled and spun to the ground. Witnesses also reported that the engine was running and sounded "strong." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident, and reported that the majority of the airplane had burned in the postimpact fire. The engine was recovered for further examination. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 56, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. He held a third-class medical issued on September 6, 2011, with the restrictio
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall/spin with insufficient altitude to recover.
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Browse: Idaho
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
