History of Flight
On May 9, 2008, at 1317 Mountain Standard Time, an Extra Flugzeugproduktions-und Vertriebs-GmBH EA-300/L, registration N133EE, collided with desert terrain near Queen Creek, Arizona. The airplane was operated by Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, serving as an instructor, and the airline transport pilot were killed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, about 1243.
The operator reported the airplane overdue from a practice upset recovery training flight. Around 1430, the operator and Mesa Police Air Support located the wreckage in flat desert terrain about 10 miles east of the airport. The two occupants were found approximately 50 feet north of the wreckage, wearing parachutes. The instructor pilot’s parachute had been activated and partially deployed; the pilot under instruction's (PUI) parachute had not been activated. No radio distress call was heard.
Radar data showed the airplane on a northeasterly track at 5,600 feet msl at 1313:56. By 1314:04, it was at 5,300 feet, in a slight descent. At 1314:15, the airplane was in an area about 800 feet across, altitude increased to 6,100 feet then decreased to 2,300 feet. The last radar return was at 1314:46 at 2,300 feet. The wreckage was within a few hundred feet of the last return.
The airplane was equipped with video and audio recording equipment; recordings were recovered. The video showed the airplane entering a vertical loop, performing a roll at the top that progressed into a left turning spin. The crew then stated something wrong with rudder control, the canopy opened, and they egressed.
Personnel Information
The instructor, age 57, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings; a flight instructor certificate; and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. He had 2,208.6 total hours, 269.2 hours in the Extra 300L. He served in the US Air Force, had 20 years of competitive aerobatics, and was employed by APS since May 2007.
The pilot under instruction, age 35, held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with single-engine and multi-engine land and sea ratings, type ratings for Bombardier CL604 and Hawker HS-125, and a flight instructor certificate. He reported 6,100 total flight hours.
Aircraft Information
The tandem-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear, single-engine aerobatic airplane, serial number 09, was manufactured in 1995. It was powered by a Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 engine and equipped with an MT-Propeller 3-bladed constant speed propeller. The last 100-hour airframe inspection was on April 17, 2008, at 1,734.13 hours total time. Engine inspections were also current.
Wreckage and Impact
The wreckage lay about 10 miles east of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, in flat desert terrain at 1,633 feet msl. The airplane was embedded tail-to-nose on a bearing of 112 degrees magnetic, with the fuselage at a 45-degree angle. The tail separated and lay about 3 feet in front. Canopy glass was shattered. Both wings had leading edge delamination. The nose and engine were removed from an indentation. Examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunction of engine or propeller.
Detailed examination of control systems showed the right wing aileron control tube buckled and separated; left aileron tubes continuous. Elevator control tube separated due to overload. Rudder cables were broomstrawed at the tail separation point; forward cables were intact and attached.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies on both pilots concluded they died of multiple injuries due to blunt force trauma. Toxicology tests for ethanol, cyanide, carbon monoxide, and drugs were negative; ibuprofen was detected in the urine of the instructor and blood of the other pilot.
Tests and Research
The on-board audio/video recorder was recovered but required special recovery due to corrupted files. Partial transcripts were made. The final maneuver showed a climbing loop with a roll at the top, developing into a left spin. After three turns, the canopy was released; after seven turns, the front pilot began to stand. The video ended at the beginning of the thirteenth turn, both pilots leaning outboard.
The last 1 minute 49 seconds of audio included the front pilot stating he wanted to do an 'avalanche' (loop with snap roll at top). After taking control, he said he broke something. The rear pilot stated recovery procedures but noted something wrong with the rudder. Air noise began, the rear pilot told the front to get out, and the recording ended 17 seconds later.
Airplane performance calculations using radar data showed an average descent rate of 7,034 feet per minute during the final 36 seconds. Estimated bailout altitude was 246 feet agl.
A test flight of the accident maneuver by APS personnel reported that with rudder held left, the airplane behaved as in the accident video.
Three wreckage examinations confirmed no pre-impact control system anomalies.