Maxair Drifter accident near Bumpass, Virginia, August 9, 2009
On August 9, 2009 at about 5:44 pm local time, a Maxair Drifter, registered N160HA, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bumpass, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The accelerated stall induced by the pilot in a steep turn to avoid obstacles during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s chosen takeoff path and the density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2009 · about 5:44 pm local time
- Place
- Bumpass, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maxair Drifter
- Registration
- N160HA · no longer on the register · serial 001-63-TT
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses described 3 amateur-built float planes in the cove where their boats were anchored. Several described two floatplanes departing “towards the water,” while the accident airplane taxied out toward open water and then “turned around and took off towards land.” One witness described the application of full power, and all of the witnesses described a steep left bank almost immediately after takeoff before the airplane descended nose down into the water, and submerged. One witness was "alarmed" by how close to shore the airplane was before it lifted off the water. He said, "As the aircraft banked left along the shoreline to head out into open water, I saw the aircraft attempt to make what looked like a very sharp turn to avoid the approaching tree line." The witness took photographs of the airplane in sequence during the accident flight. They illustrate the initial take off run; lift off, low-level banking turn along the lake shore, and the impact with the water. The curve of the shoreline tightened along the airplane's route of flight, and the airplane impacted the water where the shore was perpendicular to the flight path, and lined with tall trees. Many of the witnesses stated that the airplane “appeared to stall” before striking the water. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any mechanical deficiencies. The calculated density altitude at takeoff was 2,701 feet.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bumpass VA at 5:44 pm
- Destination: KXSA Tappahannock VA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 5:40 pm from LKU, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.