History of Flight
At 1842 central standard time on May 20, 2022, a Cessna 140, N76075, impacted terrain near Wayne Municipal Airport. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under Part 91. The accident occurred during a traditional short takeoff and landing (STOL) event following the postponement of the scheduled STOL Drag races due to gusting northwest winds. After the postponement, several pilots wanted to perform traditional STOL on grass runway 31. A safety briefing was held with STOL Drag representatives, FAA inspectors, and pilots. The flying was optional and not part of the competition. Groups of five airplanes were organized. The accident airplane was last in the third group. Each airplane had performed two landings without incident. On the third approach, the accident airplane was lower than the preceding Zenith STOL 701. The pitch increased, the airplane rolled right, completed a 3/4-turn right spin, and impacted in a near-vertical attitude. A witness reported that about 45 seconds before the accident, he told the pilot over the radio to lower the nose, and again 15 seconds before. No communications were received from the accident pilot.
Personnel Information
The pilot's logbook showed about 310 hours in tailwheel airplanes, mostly in the accident airplane. On October 16, 2021, he had satisfactorily completed the STOL Drag training course and was issued a letter valid for 24 months.
Aircraft Information
The airplane's operating manual provided a stall speed table and suggested a glide speed to landing of 65-70 MPH. Video evidence showed no flaps extended on the accident approach, though flaps were used on a previous landing. According to the stall speed table, without flaps the stall speed would be between 49-40 MPH depending on power.
Meteorological Information
An hourly observation at the airport reported wind from 290° at 15 knots gusting to 21 knots. Witness video showed flags indicating gusty wind varying from 290° to nearly aligned with runway 31.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest about 1,600 ft from the runway 31 threshold and 250 ft right of the extended centerline. Flight control continuity was established with no preimpact anomalies. Fuel remained in both wings. The flap position could not be correlated due to impact damage. The engine was crushed rearward, and the airspeed indicator needle indicated about 57 MPH with a rub mark. No engine malfunctions were found. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses.
Organizational and Management Information
The event was conducted under a Certificate of Waiver issued to STOL Drag Events LLC, effective May 19-22, 2022. The waiver waived certain regulations, including minimum safe altitudes and left-hand turns. Traditional STOL operations were not authorized under the waiver. The FAA inspector-in-charge (IIC) was present during the pilot briefing and reportedly approved the traditional STOL during the waivered airport closure period. The IIC denied a request to continue past 1900 local. The president of STOL Drag Events organized the groups and stated that the flying was voluntary and not part of the event.