Accident Overview
On August 17, 2020, at approximately 0756 central daylight time, a Czech Sport Sportcruiser airplane, registration N467SC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gober, Texas. The aircraft was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained serious injuries.
Pilot Accounts
According to the student pilot, he was performing a power-off stall recovery maneuver. He recalled feeling the nose drop, then pitching the nose down and applying full power. As airspeed increased, he was unable to pitch the nose up or arrest the descent.
The flight instructor stated that she guided the student in performing a power-off stall, directing him to pitch the airplane 10° nose high and hold right rudder to maintain coordination until the stall. When the stall occurred, she instructed the student to pitch the nose down 10°, increase power, and partially raise the flaps. The instructor observed the student pitch the airplane to a near-vertical attitude and add full power. The student turned the yoke, and the airplane began to spin. The instructor took control and attempted spin recovery but could not regain directional control.
Avionics Data
Data from the airplane’s onboard avionics showed that at 1256:27, the airplane was configured with 30° flaps and a 15° nose-high attitude, with airspeed slowing through the expected stall speed of 37 knots. The pitch then decreased. At 1256:32, the airplane reached a 60° nose-low attitude and began a roll to the right. By 1256:34, the airplane was 80° nose low with a right bank of 90°. The roll continued until the airplane became inverted with a pitch attitude of about 50° nose low.
Parachute Deployment and Damage
The flight instructor deployed the airframe parachute, and the airplane landed in an open field. Impact signatures indicated that after landing, surface wind caught the parachute, dragging the airplane across the field. The airplane then flipped, causing substantial damage to the empennage and wings.
Flight Control Condition
Neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot reported any flight control malfunction.