NTSB Factual Report

On October 28, 2004, about 1720 central daylight time, a Huber DR 107 single-engine experimental airplane, N255HR, was destroyed following a loss of control while maneuvering near Fletcher, Oklahoma. The private pilot, sole occupant of the tailwheel equipped airplane, was fatallly injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a private airport near Fletcher, Oklahoma, approximately 15 minutes prior to the mishap.

An eyewitness to the mishap reported observing the airplane performing acrobatic maneuvers at high altitude for about 10 minutes. He then observed the airplane enter a spin. He reported that the airplane continued to spin down until it was close to the ground. The airplane then stopped spinning and the nose started to rise before impacting the terrain at a steep angle. The airplane then bounced, rolled inverted, and again impacted the terrain before bursting into flames. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position, approximately 50 feet from the witness, in a grassy field.

Another witness was looking out the driver side window of his truck when he first observed the airplane "come up even with his truck." He reported that the left wing impacted the ground first and the airplane skipped, rolled across the ground, and burst into flames.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and reported that the airplane was consumed by post-impact fire. According to the inspector, control continuity was established to all flight controls and no mechanical malfunctions were found. All major aircraft components were accounted for at the accident site. A ground scar identified the point of first impact and was located approximately 100 feet from the main wreckage.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land airplanes. His last third class FAA medical certificate was issued on March 5, 2003. The pilot's personal logbooks were not available for review during the course of the accident investigation.

The airplane, manufactured by the pilot, was an experimental DR 107, serial number 94-0255. The airplane consisted of a fabric covered, truss type, welded steel tube fuselage. The one-piece wing was constructed of wood. A four cylinder reciprocating Textron Lycoming engine and fixed pitch aluminum propeller was installed. The airplane's logbooks were not available for review during the course of the investigation; therefore, the airframe and engine time, and the date and type of the last inspection could not be determined.

The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of specimens of the pilot. The results of analysis were negative for volatiles.

At 1655, the weather observation facility at Henry Post Army Airfield (FSI), near Fort Sill, Oklahoma, located 14 nautical miles southwest from the site of the accident, was reporting the wind from 180 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure setting of 29.91 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate planning/decision to conduct an aerobatic maneuver without sufficient altitude to recover.