OV-10 accident at fire station base

Casualties unknown • Hollister, CA, US

An OV-10 aircraft crashed near a fire station following an unusual flight attitude, resulting in heavy engine and propeller damage.

What happened

An OV-10 was operating near the fire station where the pilot was based. Witnesses at the station observed the aircraft flying at approximately 200 feet agl. During this pass, the aircraft entered a right roll that brought it to a near inverted attitude. The pilot appeared to attempt to level the wings by reversing the direction of the roll. However, the aircraft subsequently impacted the ground in a 90-degree right bank with a nose down pitch attitude of approximately 30 degrees.

Witnesses noted that both engines sounded normal as the aircraft passed their location prior to the impact. The accident resulted in no injuries reported among witnesses, though the aircraft sustained significant damage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-06-10 Rockwell OV-10A accident near Hollister, CA?

An OV-10 aircraft crashed near a fire station following an unusual flight attitude, resulting in heavy engine and propeller damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-06-10 involved a Rockwell OV-10A, registration N94LM, operated by Bureau OF Land Management, at Hollister, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate ground clearance altitude while performing a low-level aerobatic maneuver. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08164. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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