Amateur-built Drifter 912 accident near Homestead, Florida, May 5, 2008
On May 5, 2008 at about 11:20 pm local time, a amateur-built Drifter 912, registered N5318F, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Homestead, Florida (Richards Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn to the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, resulting in an accelerated stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 2008 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Homestead, Florida · Richards Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Drifter 912
- Registration
- N5318F · no longer on the register · serial PG8563
- 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 was performing practice emergency landings with the engine at an idle setting. While on the approach, he maneuvered the airplane in a right bank to transition from the base to final approach leg of the traffic pattern. During the turn, the right wing stalled and the airplane began a spin. The pilot reported that as he recovered the airplane from the dive it simultaneously collided with the terrain in a wings-level attitude. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He further stated that accident could have been prevented if he had maintained a higher airspeed and attempted a shallower, coordinated bank.
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 approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- 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 › Incorrect use/operation
Dual student
- Flight time: 160 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 40 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 04FA Homestead FL at 10:45 pm
- Destination: 04FA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,630 ft by 212 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from TMB, 7 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.