Amateur-built FISHER FP 404 accident near Lillian, Alabama, March 22, 2010
On March 22, 2010 at about 9:51 pm local time, a amateur-built FISHER FP 404, registered N6587V, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lillian, Alabama (Shields Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 2010 · about 9:51 pm local time
- Place
- Lillian, Alabama · Shields Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built FISHER FP 404
- Registration
- N6587V · no longer on the register · serial 71427
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental, amateur-built airplane was equipped with a 48-horsepower engine. The pilot reported that he obtained weather information via television; however, he did not receive a weather briefing from a flight service station prior to the local flight. The pilot attempted to depart on runway 27; a 2,175-foot-long, 80-foot-wide, turf runway. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of approximately 50 mph, the wind pushed the airplane to the right and the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The wind then caused an increase in airspeed and the airplane became airborne. The airplane banked right and the pilot was unable to correct with left aileron and left rudder control input. The airplane subsequently impacted bushes and the fuselage separated. The recorded wind at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 33 knots. The peak wind was recorded from 230 degrees at 33 knots. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weather planning › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 326 hours in all; 15 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 2, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 153 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2009; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 540 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AL55 Lillian AL at 9:51 pm
- Destination: AL55 Lillian AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,175 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 13 knots, gusting 33
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PNS, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.