Thomas C Sikes LOEHLE 5151 MUSTANG accident near Chehalis, WA
On August 27, 2014, a Thomas C Sikes LOEHLE 5151 MUSTANG (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chehalis, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 27, 2014
- Place
- Chehalis, WA
- Aircraft
- Thomas C Sikes LOEHLE 5151 MUSTANG · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 46.670°N, 122.979°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140826X30535
Official records · WPR14FA355
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 26, 2014, about 1830 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sikes Loehle 5151 Mustang, N73144, was destroyed during collision with terrain and a post-crash fire following an uncontrolled descent during initial climb about 0.13 miles east of the approach end of runway 34, Chehalis-Centralia Airport (CLS), Chehalis, Washington. The pilot, who was the registered owner of the airplane and the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane, which was originating at the time of the accident, was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), a witness, who was a professional pilot, reported that while driving along the airport's south perimeter road he observed the accident airplane taxi onto the grassy area, which extended south of the approach end of runway 34, and commence its takeoff roll. The witness stated that during the takeoff roll he observed the airplane bounce several times, as the terrain seemed to be uneven, and subsequently the airplane became airborne, but only after it had proceeded up on the runway surface. The witness further stated that he observed the airplane depart in an unstable climb, rocking back and forth on both its lateral and pitch axis. The witness opined that the airplane subsequently made a right 180-degree turn at an altitude of about 500 feet above ground level
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was that pilot’s psychiatric disease, which impaired his decision-making ability.
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Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
