NTSB Posts A Prelim On The Nancy Lynn Investigation

NTSB Identification: NYC07FA007
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, October 14, 2006 in Culpeper, VA
Aircraft: Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH 300, registration: N168EX
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On October 14, 2006, about 1300 eastern daylight time, an Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH 300, N168EX, was destroyed when it impacted terrain at Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Culpeper, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The local air show flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who had been attending the show, the pilot had been performing aerobatic maneuvers for about 6-7 minutes along runway 04-22 when the accident occurred. At the time of the accident, the pilot was performing "multiple snap rolls on a 45-degree down line," and during the maneuver, the inspector heard the announcer state that the airplane was in "the fourth turn of a five turn demonstration." The inspector also noted the altitude of the airplane in reference to the ground and shouted "NO", as he "did not believe the aircraft could make another turn and clear the ground."

Another witness observed the airplane "descending rapidly straight towards the ground at a point approximately 1/3 of the way down runway 22." He estimated that it was "approximately 30-40 feet agl [when] the pilot attempted to pull out of the downward angle and regain level flight."

A third witness noted that the pilot "was just about to finish her maneuver when she seemed to be accelerating towards the ground." He "only caught the last few seconds, [but] noticed that she snapped the wings level and contacted the ground (grass area east of runway 22) on all three wheels, a 3-point landing." The airplane "continued on the grass and it seemed that the right wing started to lift, then the aircraft started to tumble..."

A fourth witness "[became] concerned that the airplane seemed to be very low when the rotations stopped. The airplane stopped rotation but was still descending and angled slightly towards the runway. There was a quick roll to the left and pitch up shortly followed by the left wing impacting the ground. I believe the airplane cartwheeled once before going out of sight as there is a ground depression on the other side of the runway."

A review of video footage revealed that the airplane (file photo, below) completed two left-turning rolls at an approximately 45-degree descent angle, but during a third roll, the trajectory changed toward a vertical descent. Following that, three additional left rolls were also completed in an approximately vertical-descent trajectory. After recovering from the last roll, the airplane stabilized in an estimated 45-degree nose-down, 20-degree left-wing-down attitude. The airplane continued to descend, and as a distant tree line came into the camera's view, the airplane's nose began rising, to where it was nose-level when the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane then disappeared into a depressed area behind the runway.

An examination of the accident site revealed a 950-foot wreckage path that began about 200 feet to the east of the runway, then continued along a general path of 240 degrees magnetic, and ended at the main wreckage, about 50 feet from the runway's edge. Initial ground scars along the wreckage path correlated to the airplane's three landing gear and the left wingtip.

All flight control surfaces were accounted for at the scene. Left wing remnants were found along the wreckage path, while most of the right wing came to rest next to the main fuselage.

The main fuselage was on its right side at the time of examination; however, witnesses reported that it had initially come to rest inverted and was rolled to rescue the pilot. The fuselage was charred in the cockpit area, and the only indicating gauge was the altimeter, which was set at zero feet.

Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the rudder and elevator.

The propeller was shattered, and there was no evidence of mechanical engine failure. Video footage also revealed constant engine power throughout the accident sequence.

The airplane had been inspected by FAA personnel prior to the air show for currency of inspections and any visual defects, none of which were noted.

Weather, reported at an airport 20 nautical miles to the northeast, at l253, included clear skies, visibility 10 statute miles, winds from 280 degrees true at 11, gusting to 16 knots, temperature 57 degrees F, dew point 25 degrees F. The wreckage was subsequently moved to a storage facility in Clayton, Delaware.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov