5) BUZZING / ACRO, C-FIT

Beechcraft T-34A | N268AF

June 7th, 2024 | Deer Harbor, Washington

Accident Location

  • City: Deer Harbor
  • State: Washington
  • Latitude: 48.619748
  • Longitude: -123.04244
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N268AF
  • Make: Beechcraft
  • Model: T-34A
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Anders, William A.
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 90
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: Basic Med
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: June 7th, 2024
  • Time: 11:40 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA184
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 5) BUZZING / ACRO, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot elected to commence an aerobatic routine over water, and did not allow sufficient altitude for recovery from the loop maneuver. Video evidence shows the aircraft in an aggressive pull up just before impact, where it was likely in a very high G accelerated stall. The pilot at age 90, did not have a pilots license or medical on record at the time of the accident. The pilot had pre arranged to perform this aerial demonstration for those that would be watching from a boat nearby.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft add conservatives altitude buffer margins during intentional acrobatic maneuvers, especially over open water where depth perception can sometimes be compromised. The DTSB recommends that pilots who are advanced in age always fly with a qualified safety pilot in order to prevent future fatal altitude miscalculations such as this one.

NTSB: NONE

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.