13) VMC ROLL OVER, U-FIT

Grumman GA-7 | N887CC

February 1st, 2024 | Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Accident Location

  • City: Coatesville
  • State: Pennsylvania
  • Latitude: 39.993333
  • Longitude: -75.900833
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N887CC
  • Make: Grumman
  • Model: GA-7
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Multi Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Ganow, Samuel
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 65
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: Basic Med
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: February 1st, 2024
  • Time: 1:30 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Initial Climb
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: ERA24FA103
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 13) VMC ROLL OVER, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB has determined the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in both the decision to takeoff with known mechanical deficiencies, water and debris in the fuel tanks, and in the proper handling of the loss of thrust of the right engine immediately after takeoff. The aircraft was pulled hard right and the right prop was never feathered, causing an eventual Vmc roll to the right, a deadly turn into the dead engine, and near vertical impact north of the extended centerline of the departure runway. The pilot was under undue pressure to fly the aircraft due to a social media aircraft owner that needed to meet a specific schedule.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be especially conscious of aircraft just having undergone extensive maintenance for first flights and to not be rushed to fly. The handling of a loss of thrust in a multi engine aircraft requires proper rehearsal and conditioning in order to lower the nose, raise the landing gear, and feather the failed engine as a conditioned response. The DTSB recommends that no turns of any kind be initiated until at least 1000 AGL and then never to turn in to the dead engine in this AQP scenario.

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.