Page:Aircraft Accident Report for 1972 Sacramento Canadair Sabre accident.pdf/32

- 29 - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WASHINGTON, D.C.

ISSUED: December 28, 1972

Adopted by the NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD at its office in Washington, D. C. on the 13th day of December 1972

FORWARDED TO:

Honorable John H. Shaffer

Administrator

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

Washington, D. C. 20591

In the course of the investigation of the September 24, 1972, accident in Sacramento, California, involving Canadair Ltd., Sabre Mark 5, N275X, the National Transportation Safety Board examined the pilot's proficiency for the operation, the certification of experimental aircraft, and the associated regulatory provisions. The airport's environmental aspects, which had a direct bearing on the catastrophic consequences of this accident, were also considered.

The aircraft was operated under a Special Airworthiness Certificate with an experimental classification for exhibition purposes. The operating limitations stipulated, among other things, that the aircraft could be operated only by a pilot authorized under a letter of authority issued by the Administrator. The pilot involved held such a letter, which authorized him to operate this aircraft for the purpose of pilot proficiency and exhibition flying. The letter limited his proficiency operations to an area within 100 miles of two specified airports and limited the takeoffs and landings for proficiency flights to those airports, except for emergency reasons.

The restrictions imposed upon the pilot in connection with his proficiency flying contrasted strongly with the lack of restrictions on his operation of the aircraft for exhibition purposes. Part 21 of the Federal