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Aftermath: Unforeseen Circumstances

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Two fatal accidents involving highly modified aircraft revealed that the interaction of multiple Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) can create unforeseen risks, exacerbated by inadequate FAA guidance for assessing their combined effects.
  • A significant contributing factor in both crashes was misleading or absent flight instrument markings (e.g., Vmc, maneuvering speed) that failed to reflect the altered operational limits introduced by the aircraft modifications.
  • Pilot operational decisions, including performing risky maneuvers and exceeding aircraft limitations (e.g., weight/CG), were also identified as crucial factors in the accidents.
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In February 2010, a CESSNA T337G Skymaster made a low pass over the runway at Farmingdale, New Jersey. As it pulled up, a six-foot piece of the right wing broke away; the ensuing crash, before the eyes of friends and relatives for whose benefit the pass was being made, killed all five aboard.

In August of the same year, in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, a Beech Baron crashed into a house. The pilot-owner of the Baron and a flight instructor died, and the house was destroyed by fire.

Peter Garrison

Peter Garrison taught himself to use a slide rule and tin snips, built an airplane in his backyard, and flew it to Japan. He began contributing to FLYING in 1968, and he continues to share his columns, ""Technicalities"" and ""Aftermath,"" with FLYING readers.

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