Titan TORNADO II accident near Catlett, Virginia, December 14, 2014
On December 14, 2014 at about 5:43 pm local time, a 1995 Titan TORNADO II, registered N50402, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Catlett, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 14, 2014 · about 5:43 pm local time
- Place
- Catlett, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Titan TORNADO II, built 1995 · all TORNADO IIs on the register
- Registration
- N50402 · no longer on the register · serial D96618COHK0196
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot departed on a local flight, his third flight in the accident airplane. Review of radar data indicated that the flight maneuvered in the local area for about 13 minutes before the accident occurred. One witness stated that the airplane was flying level about 150 feet above ground level when the engine began to sound like it was "missing." He then stated that the airplane then began a series of three 360-degree, level right-hand turns while over a wooded area. Upon completion of the third turn, the engine noise stopped, and the airplane descended vertically into the trees below. Examination of the accident site indicated a relatively short debris path, consistent with a steep descent. The witness observations and the impact geometry are consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. The engine was successfully operated after the accident at power settings ranging from idle to full power. While the weather conditions around the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide engine power settings, the airplane was maneuvering in level flight before the accident so the throttle was likely set above a glide power setting. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction; however, no definitive determination could be made regarding the engine's operational state at the time of impact.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 157 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 4.5 in the last 90 days; 4.5 in the last 30 days; 63.7 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 817 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 11, 2014; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 2200A (piston); 381 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HWY Warrenton VA at 5:30 pm
- Destination: HWY Warrenton VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from HWY, 4 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 N50402 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.