On July 30, 1983, a Great Lakes 2T-1A-Z (registration N5761N) was involved in an aviation accident near Davis, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft performing aerobatic maneuvers collided with an open plowed field, resulting in fatal traumatic injuries to both occupants. No evidence of pre-impact failure found; toxicology negative.
Accident Overview
The aircraft collided with the ground while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot had scheduled a number of aerobatic flights for various people. During the last flight of the day, the aircraft crashed in an open, plowed field. Weather was not a factor in the accident.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft impacted the ground in a 30-degree nose-down attitude and traveled forward 35 feet after impact. The empennage was not damaged. The wings were destroyed but remained attached to the fuselage. The aircraft remained upright. The engine remained attached, but the engine mount was collapsed. The floor and landing gear were collapsed. The integrity of the flight control system was established. There was no evidence of an in-flight failure of the structure or powerplant.
Occupant Information
Both occupants had worn their seat belts and shoulder harnesses, which were intact. Both occupants received fatal traumatic injuries. There was no evidence of pre-impact factors that might have detracted from the pilot's ability to operate the aircraft. The toxicological reports for both occupants were negative for drugs and alcohol.