Flightstar INC FLIGHTSTAR II SC accident near Russell, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2022
On July 14, 2022 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 2001 Flightstar INC FLIGHTSTAR II SC, registered N6116U, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Russell, Pennsylvania (Shield Farm airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to climb over trees, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2022 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Russell, Pennsylvania · Shield Farm · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Flightstar INC FLIGHTSTAR II SC NO SERIES, built 2001
- Registration
- N6116U · registry record · serial 313
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot and his passenger lifted off about halfway down the 1,650 ft grass runway. During the initial climb, the airplane drifted to the left without gaining sufficient altitude to clear trees bordering the left side of the runway. As they approached the trees, the pilot increased the pitch attitude to clear them; in doing so, the airspeed degraded below the stall speed of 31 knots while simultaneously striking the tree branches. The airplane then descended and impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Engine sounds recorded on a wing-mounted video camera revealed the engine was operating normally during the entire flight. The debris path and impact signatures were consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Based on the evidence, the pilot turned towards the trees after takeoff and made a decision to fly over them. However, in doing so he exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. The investigation identified no issues that would have affected the airplane’s climb performance.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Capability exceeded
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hks 700E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 1,650 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from BFD, 20 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBFD 142353Z AUTO 35006KT 10SM CLR 22/11 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP195 T02220106 10250 20222 53005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record of Conversation_faa | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation_pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation_passenger | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Video Study | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Aircraft Performance Study | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Memo for Record_faa E-mail Summary and Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array_accident Site and Damage | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Onboard Video Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Attachment 1 to Onboard Video Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report_gps Data | data file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.