BECKERT BRUCE A RV-6
Au Gres, MI — May 13, 2012
Event Information
| Date | May 13, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN12CA294 |
| Event ID | 20120514X31656 |
| Location | Au Gres, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 44.00000, -83.66666 |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | BECKERT BRUCE A |
| Model | RV-6 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with the water.
Full Narrative
The pilot contacted his friend and told him to be at the beach and watch for the airplane. The friend reported that he saw the airplane make about three passes up-and-down the beach. On the third pass he said the airplane made a steep left turn, which he believed resulted in a stall. The airplane impacted the water, just offshore. Several other witnesses responded and aided in removing the pilot from the airplane and water. The airplane’s forward fuselage was heavily damaged during the impact and came to rest in about 5 feet of water. The pilot reported that as he arrived at the peninsula, he proceeded across the shoreline and then crossed the beach; he dropped to an altitude of approximately 100 feet. He added that he made a right turn, then after passing the bridge, he made a tight left turn and “felt a bump/drop, as if my left wing lost lift”. He added that he leveled off, slightly nose high, and headed in an east, south east direction. The pilot could not recall any further details of the accident.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.