ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 316478
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Tuesday 4 July 2023 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Type: |  Steele Steen Skybolt |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N32WM |
| MSN: | 1 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 148 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Aliceville, AL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Test |
| Departure airport: | Aliceville-George Downer Airport, AL (AIV/KAIV) |
| Aliceville-George Downer Airport, AL (AIV/KAIV) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On July 4, 2023, about 0900 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Steen Skybolt, N32WM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Aliceville, Alabama. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 post-maintenance test flight.
According to the pilot, the airplane had been “sitting for several years” when he purchased it. After 2 years of maintenance and repairs, he completed numerous engine runs and taxi tests and was then ready to fly the airplane. On the day of the accident, he flew two test flights at the George Downer Airport (AIV), Aliceville, Alabama. Following the second test flight, he determined that there was sufficient fuel to fly around the traffic pattern and to fly the airplane in ground effect to further assess the airplane’s handling characteristics. After a normal flight around the traffic pattern and a flight in ground effect nearly to the end of the runway, the pilot applied engine power to perform a go-around maneuver; however, when he attempted to push in the carburetor heat, the knob was stuck in the ON position. Given the airplane’s position on the runway and a ditch and chain link fence at the edge of the airport property, the pilot made the decision to fly a “real easy left turn” back to the runway. During the turn, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot leaned the fuel mixture and changed fuel tanks; however, he could not restore engine power. During a forced landing into trees, the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The airplane came to rest in swampy terrain.
Examination of the airplane was pending its recovery from the accident site.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
FAA
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 05-Jul-2023 21:31 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 12-Jul-2023 20:20 | Captain Adam | Updated |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation