ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 282206
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| Date: | Monday 29 August 2022 |
| Time: | 12:04 |
| Type: |  Denney Kitfox 5 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N2723P |
| MSN: | C9404-002 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Wolf Lake Airport (4AK6), Wasilla, AK -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Test |
| Departure airport: | Wolf Lake Airport, AK (4AK6) |
| Wolf Lake Airport, AK (4AK6) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On August 29, 2022, about 1204 Alaska Daylight Time, a Charles Brad Story TT FOX amateurbuilt airplane, N2723P sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at the Wolf Lake Airport (4AK6), Wasilla, Alaska. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight.
According to witnesses, the airplane took off on runway 08 and then turned back toward the airport. The pilot made a radio call that he was turning downwind for landing. The accident occurred during the fifth flight of the phase 1 test flights after the pilot finished building the airplane. Witnesses heard changes in the engine rpm they described as the engine revving, going to idle, and surging. They also reported that the airplane was traveling “fast,” with pitch oscillations; the airplane approached the gravel runway in a right-wing-low turn as if it was going to land. The airplane then pitched down abruptly before striking trees about 60 to 80 ft before penetrating the side of a hangar, where it came to rest.
Data downloaded from an onboard device showed the airplane turned crosswind after takeoff then entered a right downwind for the runway. Once abeam the departure end of the runway, the airplane stopped its climb, began a descent, and turned toward the approach end of the intersecting gravel strip. The data also showed that the engine rpm changed from idle to maximum three times in the last 8 seconds of flight.
Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the rpm oscillations and pitch variations could not be determined with the available information.
Given the witness statements and that the pilot was turning toward the gravel runway, it is likely that he was experiencing an issue with the airplane that could not be determined with the available information.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/08/29/1-person-injured-airplane-crash-wolf-lake-airport/
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/aviation/2022/08/29/authorities-responding-to-plane-crash-at-wolf-lake-near-palmer/
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105826
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=2723P
Location
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Aug-2022 01:11 | Geno | Added |
| 30-Aug-2022 04:51 | RobertMB | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 01-Sep-2022 14:55 | AgOps | Updated [Total fatalities, Narrative] |
| 10-Sep-2022 04:36 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Location, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Category] |
| 08-Nov-2023 20:15 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Nature, Source, Narrative, Accident report, Photo] |
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