Beechcraft HA-900XP | N900VA
February 7th, 2024 | Westwater, Utah
Accident Location
- City: Westwater
- State: Utah
- Latitude: 39.26625
- Longitude: -109.05652
- Airport ID:
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N900VA
- Make: Beechcraft
- Model: HA-900XP
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Multi Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Berliner, Paul
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 62
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 1st Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: February 7th, 2024
- Time: 10:50 AM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
- Total People Onboard: 2
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 1
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 2
- NTSB No: WPR24FA083
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilots did intentionally allow aircraft speed to decay for the purpose of stall warning testing in accordance with return to service directives. The pilot allowed the aircraft to enter high altitude stall and spin from which there is no recovery. The aircraft impacted in a nearly flat left spin and bounced 10 feet to its final resting location.
NTSB:
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that flight crew not be required to perform test pilot functions regarding extreme envelope excursions. The DTSB recommends that non test pilot qualified and designated flight crews do not accept any such assignments.
NTSB:
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.