Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airpseed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The unlicensed pilot was flying his unregistered-homebuilt airplane when the accident occurred. The airplane was observed flying at about 50 feet above a highway. A witness reported that the airplane 'seemed to hover for just a second and then fell to the ground nose first.' the investigation did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Monday, June 28, 1993, at about 1845 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Titan Tornado, owned and operated by Edwin B. Wadsworth, of Glen Cove, New York, impacted on a highway, 1 mile north of the Lufker Airport, East Moriches, New York. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. According to witness reports and a video tape, the unlicensed pilot had been performing low level passes and steep climbs in the vicinity of the airport. A witness observed the airplane flying along a highway at about 50 feet where, "The plane seemed to hover for just a second and then fell to the ground nose first." Another witness indicated that Edwin Wadsworth had considered this airplane an Ultralight. Post accident investigation revealed that the airplane weighed 420 pounds. Further, the manufacture of the airplane kit indicates that this model will normally cruise at approximately 90 to 100 miles per hour. The weight and speed of this airplane both exceed 14 CFR 103 limitations for Ultralight Vehicles. -