What happened
On March 26, 2006, a Sky Arrow 650 TCNS, registration I-RAWG, crashed at the Comiso airfield in Sicily during the "Vola sugli Iblei" airshow. The aircraft, carrying a pilot and one passenger, was performing a series of maneuvers following a low pass over runway 27. The pilot attempted to reverse the direction of flight to intercept the centerline of runway 09 for landing. During a climbing turn to the left, the aircraft lost airspeed and entered a left-hand spin. At an altitude of approximately 40 to 50 meters, the aircraft struck the ground in an olive grove, resulting in two fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and analyzed amateur video footage of the flight sequence. The wreckage was found in a clearing, with the aircraft striking the ground in a nose-down attitude. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the turn, the aircraft's aerodynamic characteristics, and local meteorological conditions. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's extensive background, noting his experience as a production test pilot, and confirmed the aircraft's airworthiness and maintenance status were up to date.
Findings
The investigation established that the accident was caused by a loss of control following a left-wing stall, which induced a spin. The sequence of events involved a right-hand climbing turn followed by a left-hand climbing turn, which depleted the aircraft's kinetic energy. To intercept the runway axis, the pilot increased the bank angle to approximately 60 degrees while simultaneously pulling back on the controls. This combination of high bank angle and low airspeed led to the stall of the inner wing.
Several contributing factors were identified:
- The aircraft's specific design, featuring a high-wing T-tail configuration and a pusher propeller, likely masked the onset of the stall by reducing aerodynamic buffet felt through the control column.
- Local wind variability in direction and intensity may have necessitated a tighter turn, prompting the pilot to increase the bank angle and pitch, thereby triggering the stall.
- The low altitude at the time of the stall left no margin for recovery.