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NTSB has finally posted some details on the Grand Canyon accident.
Looks like another stall/spin...
NTSB Identification: LAX04LA213
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 15, 2004 in Supai, AZ
Aircraft: Bachman Lancair IV P, registration: N299SD
Injuries: 4 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 May 15, 2004, at 1700 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur
built Bachman Lancair IV P airplane, N299SD, was destroyed when it
impacted terrain in the Grand Canyon near Supai, Arizona. The airplane
was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot and his
three passengers sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological
conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part
91 personal flight. The local flight departed the North Las Vegas
Airport, North Las Vegas, Nevada, at an unknown time. According to preliminary information provided by the Federal Aviation
Administration, the pilot contacted air traffic control and requested
flight following. The aircraft was radar contacted and flight following
was issued. Air traffic controllers reported losing radar contact with
the airplane at 16,500 feet msl at 1658. No distress calls were obtained
from the pilot.
Witnesses located within the Grand Canyon National Park told park
rangers they observed the airplane descending at a nose-low pitch
attitude, and "spinning or moving in some strange way" before impacting
terrain and catching fire. According to one witness, he heard the engine
"gear up then slow down repeatedly." Another witness reported hearing
the "engine revving at a high rate of speed."
The accident site was located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon at a
latitude and longitude of 36 degrees 11 minutes 05 seconds north and 113
degrees 02 minutes 38 seconds west, respectively. Photographs taken at
the accident site revealed the airplane was severely fragmented and
sustained fire damage throughout its entirety.
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