This finally popped up on the NTSB server this morning:
By the way, all the Europa crashes in the US have their reports
freely accessible at http://ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp
Just type europa in the Make/Model box
NTSB Identification: LAX07LA148
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, June 16, 2007 in Livermore, CA
Aircraft: Hill Europa XS, registration: N214KS
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any
errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been
completed.
On June 16, 2007, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Hill Europa
XS, N214KS, made a 180-degree turn and collided with terrain during the initial
climb from Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. The pilot, who
was the owner and builder, was operating the airplane under the provisions
of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally
injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local personal flight was originating
---From Livermore, with a planned destination of the Yosemite, California, area.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been
filed.
Family members of the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for it
to terminate at an airport around Yosemite, where both occupants planned to
spend
the day. They intended to be back in Livermore about 1830. The airplane was
assumed to be configured at the time of the accident with full fuel in the
internal
tank and one external fuel tank [a plastic container located just aft
of the internal fuel tank and behind the pilot seats].
The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) gathered
witness statements and conducted telephone interviews. One witness, who was a
certificated flight instructor (CFI), stated that the morning of the accident
he was planning to give instruction to a student. He was intending to perform
an instrument flight rules (IFR) departure and recalled that, about 0830, he was
holding short of runway 25R awaiting an IFR clearance. While sitting in the
run-up area, he noticed a white low-wing experimental airplane being cleared
for takeoff. The airplane departed and the air traffic control subsequently
cleared
the CFI to take position on the runway and hold.
The CFI further stated that he aligned his airplane with the runway centerline
and looked for the departed airplane ahead. He observed the airplane reach about
400 above ground level (agl) while approaching the end of the runway, passing
the identifier marking 7L. The airplane then sunk about 100 feet in a level
attitude. He noticed the airplane was to the north of the runway centerline
(right
side), and as it reached about 300 feet agl, it made a hard left turn. The
airplane continued to descend and reverse course. As the airplane came close
to completing a 180-degree turn, the nose dove toward terrain. The airplane
impacted in a near-vertical attitude and erupted into flames.
Additional witnesses recalled the accident airplane departing and reaching
between
200 to 400 feet agl. They observed it make a left turn and dive toward terrain.
Some pilot-witnesses stated that they thought the airplane had stalled through
the turn.
--------
Ira N224XS
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=121209#121209
|