Monday, May 09, 2022

Comp Air 8 SS52, N801DT: Fatal accident occurred May 08, 2022 in Grasmere, Owyhee County, Idaho

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho  

Bronco Aviation LLC


Location: Grasmere, Idaho
Accident Number: WPR22FA173
Date and Time: May 8, 2022, 14:19 Local 
Registration: N801DT
Aircraft: BLUE SIDE UP INC COMP AIR 8
SS52 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 8, 2022, about 1419 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Comp Air 8 SS52 airplane, N801DT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grasmere, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued an Alert Notification for the missing airplane after the pilot made a distress call. A search ensued and the airplane wreckage was located by a search and rescue helicopter about 7 miles southwest of Grasmere Airport (U91), Grasmere, Idaho.

Preliminary radar data showed that the airplane departed Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU), Boulder City, Nevada, at 1122. The data showed the airplane on a north-northeast track consistent with the pilot’s planned destination at cruise altitudes, between about 11,000 ft and 13,000 ft msl. About 1339, the airplane began a descent and then about 1357, turned towards the east. About 1410, the last radar return indicated that the airplane’s altitude was about 6,200 ft msl, and at a ground speed of 121 knots. Subsequently, the airplane impacted hilly terrain at an elevation of about 5,780 ft msl.

Examination of the accident site revealed a debris field about 150 ft long. The first identified contact was an area of disturbed dirt, that led to the area where the fuselage came to rest. Both wings and horizontal stabilizers separated during the accident sequence. The only portions of the airplane that were relatively intact were the vertical stabilizer and rudder. All flight control surfaces were found at the accident site.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BLUE SIDE UP INC
Registration: N801DT
Model/Series: COMP AIR 8 SS52 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Unknown 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTWF,4166 ft msl 
Observation Time: 13:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 52 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C /2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 11000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.65 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Boulder City, NV (BVU) 
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 42.188,-115.58407 (est)

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. 

Date: 08-MAY-22
Time: 20:10:00Z
Regis#: N801DT
Aircraft Make: COMP AIR
Aircraft Model: 8 SS52
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 2
Flight Crew 1 fatal
Pax 1 fatal
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
City: GRASMERE
State: IDAHO

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.