May 31, Riverside, Calif. / Glasair SH-2

At about 1012 Pacific time, a Glasair SH-2 crashed following a loss of control just after takeoff from Riverside Airport. The pilot was killed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a special visual flight rules flight plan was filed. Witnesses said the airplane took off from runway 9, made a sharp left banking turn going almost inverted, then nose-dived into the ground. Witnesses also said that the engine appeared to be sputtering....

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Glasair SH-2 crashed shortly after takeoff from Riverside Airport, resulting in the pilot's death.
  • Witnesses observed the aircraft make a sharp left banking turn, almost invert, and nose-dive into the ground.
  • The engine was reportedly sputtering, and the accident occurred under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) despite a special VFR flight plan.
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At about 1012 Pacific time, a Glasair SH-2 crashed following a loss of control just after takeoff from Riverside Airport. The pilot was killed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a special visual flight rules flight plan was filed. Witnesses said the airplane took off from runway 9, made a sharp left banking turn going almost inverted, then nose-dived into the ground. Witnesses also said that the engine appeared to be sputtering.

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