Safety Board Notes Nothing Wrong With Glasair GS-2 Prior To Crash

The NTSB Tuesday released its preliminary report on last Wednesday's crash of a Glasair Aviation Sportsman 2+2 during a photo shoot with the Outdoor Channel's "Wings To Adventure" program. Here's the text of the report:

On July 27, 2005, about 0940 central daylight time, a Glasair GS-2; N105TW, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with the terrain while in the landing pattern at Wautoma Municipal Airport (Y-50), Wautoma, Wisconsin. The flight was operating as a photographic documentary flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot received fatal injuries. The flight had originated from Y-50 and the accident occurred between the base leg and final in the traffic pattern.

Witnesses observed the aircraft (file photo of type, above) conduct a steep climbout after takeoff, turn downwind, and reduce power with a downwind altitude of about 200-300 feet AGL, and the aircraft then was observed to yaw left and right, and enter a steep left turn. An increase in power was heard, and then the aircraft impacted the terrain. A post impact fire occurred.

Inspection of the airframe, engine, and flight controls disclosed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov