6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Beechcraft V-35B | N2UZ

January 25th, 2025 | Charlottesville, Virginia

Accident Location

  • City: Charlottesville
  • State: Virginia
  • Latitude: 38.0975
  • Longitude: -78.455972
  • Airport ID: KCHO

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N2UZ
  • Make: Beechcraft
  • Model: V-35B
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Hippert, Brent Eugene
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 73
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: January 25th, 2025
  • Time: 12:35 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot encountered an engine failure in day VMC conditions, and passed up numerous open fields in an attempt to proceed towards the airport, KCHO. The pilot was in contact with the control tower at KCHO and did declare an emergency, and noted that he did not think that he would make it to the airport. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 3 and reported the airport in sight, but crashed approximately 2.7 sm southeast of the runway. It is not clear yet whether the aircraft was fully stalled prior to impact or possibly landed under control in a wooded area. The aircraft caught fire upon impact.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves for any abnormal in flight, to include the loss of engine power, and be fully prepared to choose a full flaps, gear up landing in any open area while that option is still available. The DTSB highly recommends that pilots DO NOT pass up any suitable field in hopes of making it to the runway.

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.