History of Flight
On May 11, 2013, at approximately 1545 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Steen Skybolt, registration N858RS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering at a private airport in Windsor, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight destined for a private field in Louisburg, North Carolina, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the pilot, after takeoff he intended to perform a few maneuvers before departing the area. The takeoff was normal. He executed two flybys along the runway in an easterly direction. At the end of the second flyby, he pulled up to between 300 and 500 feet and performed a wingover to the left. During the recovery at the bottom of the wingover, he noticed the engine rpm decreasing through 2000 rpm. He advanced the throttle, but there was no response from the engine. The airplane then descended into a wheat field on a southeast heading and impacted terrain.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for multi-engine land, commercial privileges for single-engine land and sea, and type ratings for several aircraft including B-747, BE-1900, BE-300, CA-212, DC-3, DC-3S, DC-3TP, G-1159, L-382, and SA-227. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 8, 2012. He reported 19,275 total flight hours, with 178 hours in the accident make and model. His most recent flight review was completed on August 28, 2009.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was an experimental amateur-built tandem cockpit biplane stressed for normal aerobatics. Its structure consisted of a welded tube fuselage and wooden wings covered in fabric. It was powered by a four-cylinder, 180-horsepower, air-cooled engine. The stall speed was approximately 60 mph. The special airworthiness certificate was issued in 1981. The aircraft had a previous accident on April 11, 2002, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, when a previous operator lost directional control during landing rollout (SEA02LA068). The pilot purchased the airplane on September 4, 2003. The most recent conditional inspection was completed on May 17, 2012, at which time the airframe had accrued 921 total hours and the engine 2,906 total hours.
Meteorological Information
The recorded weather at Northeastern Regional Airport (EDE), Edenton, North Carolina, approximately 18 nautical miles east of the accident site at 1555, included wind 200 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 26°C, dew point 20°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.81 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
The accident occurred at Todd's Airport, Windsor, North Carolina, a private uncontrolled airport. It had one runway in a 10/28 configuration. Runway 10 was turf, approximately 3,160 feet long and 78 feet wide. No runway markings or lighting were installed.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane impacted in a wheat field adjacent to the runway. Two 40-foot-long impressions in the wheat, oriented on a south-southeast heading, ended at the point of initial ground contact. The impressions matched the geometry of the main landing gear. The airplane made initial ground contact with the left lower wing first, then traveled about 200 feet before coming to rest.
Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Control continuity was established from the cockpit to the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The empennage appeared undamaged, while the left lower wing displayed crush and compression damage. The right lower wing displayed compression damage, and the front and rear spars were broken on both upper and lower wings. The upper wings were bent downward from their normally mounted position. The G-meter indicated 5.5 Gs positive and 3.5 Gs negative.
Approximately 10 gallons of fuel were in the fuel tank, and oil was present in the engine. The propeller could be rotated by hand, and compression was detected on all cylinders. Push rods showed no evidence of damage. Intake and exhaust valves and rocker arms were functional, and drivetrain continuity was verified. The propeller blades were all bent forward with outer portions curled aft, indicative of rotation. Both magnetos were in good condition with internal gears turning upon engine rotation, and all engine controls were connected with positive control. The Ellison throttle body injection plate moved completely and freely, and its inlet screen displayed a small amount of debris. Fuel was present at the inlet, the main fuel strainer was clean, and no corrosion was found in the bottom of the bowl. The inside of the exhaust pipe was dry and white with no indication of oil, and no oil, fuel, or exhaust was present on the exterior of the engine.
Tests and Research
Aerobatic maneuvers are flight paths putting aircraft in unusual attitudes. Aerobatics consist of five basic maneuvers: lines (horizontal and vertical), loops, rolls, spins, and hammerheads. According to the pilot, he was performing a wingover when the accident occurred. A wingover consists of a 180-degree reversal of direction through vertical and horizontal planes, combining a climbing turn for 90 degrees and a descending turn for 90 degrees, recovering at approximately the same airspeed and altitude at which it began.
According to 14 CFR Part 91, no person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface.
Additional Information
During a review of photographs discovered via internet search, it was determined that the pilot had performed aerobatic flight in close proximity to the ground prior to the accident. A photograph taken on November 27, 2004, showed the pilot performing a departure maneuver from his home field with the airplane in a high angle of attack and steep bank close to the ground.