Amateur-built FIRESTAR accident near West Blocton, Alabama, February 6, 2011
On February 6, 2011 at about 10:45 pm local time, a amateur-built FIRESTAR, registered N43341, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near West Blocton, Alabama. 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 student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 6, 2011 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- West Blocton, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built FIRESTAR
- Registration
- N43341 · no longer on the register · serial FS 692
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses stated that they observed the airplane make a low pass down a private runway. Upon reaching the end of the runway, the airplane started a steep climb, estimated to be 45 degrees or greater, at a slow airspeed. The right wing then dropped, the airplane stalled, entered a spin, and disappeared from view behind a tree line. The witnesses stated the engine was running until the airplane disappeared from view. The student pilot stated that he was on climbout, made a right turn and leveled out when the right wing dropped and the airplane entered a spin before colliding with trees. A postaccident examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction prior to the accident. A successful engine testrun was subsequently conducted. Toxicology testing of postaccident specimens from the student pilot revealed that Methadone and Nordiazepam were present in the blood. The student pilot stated he had been taking Methadone at the time of the accident for back pain. While the investigation considered that the student pilot may have been impaired by the medication or by the condition for which it had been prescribed, the role of any possible impairment in the accident could not be conclusively determined.
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
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Use of medication/drugs › Student pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 131 hours in all; 101 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 131 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 500 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 760 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 DCDI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: West Blockon AL at 10:44 pm
- Destination: West Blocton AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from BHM, 25 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.
Other NTSB records under N43341 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.