Ultralight aircraft accidents, experimental aircraft accidents, light sport aircraft accident reports 4

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Ultralight Aircraft Accident Data

Aircraft: MUSICK/TERRATORN TIERRA II, registration: N349SM
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

THE OWNER OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT HAD PURCHASED IT FROM THE BUILDER. HE POSSESSED NEITHER AN FAA MEDICAL, NOR A PLT CERTIFICATE, & HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT. HE TOLD A WITNESS THAT HE INTENDED TO TAXI IT (PRESUMABLY FOR FAMILIARIZATION). SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE & REMAINED WITHIN ABOUT 1/2 MI OF THE DEP END OF RWY 30. WITNESSES OBSERVED IT MANEUVERING ERRATICALLY AFTER TAKEOFF. ONE WITNESS BELIEVED THE UNQUALIFIED PLT CROSS- CONTROLLED THE ACFT WITH LEFT RUDDER & RGT AILERON; THE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT NEARLY HIT A HANGAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, AFTER AN APPARENT PWR REDUCTION, THE ACFT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN & CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A LOCAL CFI RPRTD HE HAD GIVEN THE PLT APRX 4 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION DURING A PREVIOUS 12 TO 24 MONTH PERIOD, BUT THE PLT HAD NOT SHOWN INTEREST IN FOLLOWING A REGULAR/STRUCTURED PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION. DURING TESTS, CANNABINOIDS WERE DETECTED IN THE PLT'S URINE, BUT NONE WAS FOUND IN HIS BLOOD.
Probable Cause
THE UNQUALIFIED PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BECOME AIRBORNE WHILE TAXIING AT HIGH SPEED, HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND HE INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED IT TO ENTER A STALL/SPIN AND CRASHED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES, AND HIS LACK OF QUALIFICATION AS A PILOT

Aircraft: MARTIN SORRELL HIPERLIGHT, registration: N85HL
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE PISTON HAD SEIZED WITH FOUR POINTS OF CONTACT ALONG THE CYLINDER WALL. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RECENTLY OVERHAULED AND HAD 1.1 TOTAL HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE TWO CYCLE ENGINE (MANUFACTURED BY ROTAX) HELD NO FAA APPROVAL BY EITHER TYPE CERTIFICATE OR PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE.
Probable Cause
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A SEIZED PISTON.

Aircraft: BRICKMAN EIPPER MXII, registration: N181BB
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

DURING CRUISE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PLT STARTED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY, BUT TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND BETWEEN THE HIGHWAY & A NEARBY FENCE. HOWEVER, HE HAD TO MANEUVER TO AVOID LARGE SIGNS BESIDE THE ROADWAY & SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGED THE ACFT DURING LANDING. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT A PLASTIC IMPULSE LINE ON THE ENG, WHICH OPERATED THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM, HAD BECOME CRACKED, DISABLING THE FUEL PUMP.
Probable Cause
A CRACKED IMPULSE LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE VEHICLES AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA, WHICH NECESSITATED A MANEUVER TO AVOID THEIR COLLISION.

Aircraft: BIAGI, ARTHUR R. BUCCANEER II XA650, registration: N661AB
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT 100 FT AGL, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER, THEN QUIT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A FUEL LINE ON THE SUCTION SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER HAD A SMALL HOLE CHAFED IN IT. THIS RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER. ACCORDING TO FAA PERSONNEL IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, THE PLTS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED.
Probable Cause
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A HOLE THAT CHAFED IN A FUEL LINE ON THE SUCTION SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE.

Aircraft: TRUCKEE MEADOWS TIERRA II, registration: N52744
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A CLIMBING TURN. DURING THE TURN THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE WENT UP THEN DROPPED NEARLY STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND. THE ENGINE WAS HEARD TO BE RUNNING TO THE POINT OF COLLISION. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
Probable Cause
THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN A PROPER AIRSPEED DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE.

Aircraft: GEORGE R. LOSEY J6-KARATOO, registration: N89BD
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT AFTER A BLADE TIP CAME OFF THE PROPELLER DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE PILOT IN THE RIGHT SEAT STATED THAT HE ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE PROPELLER FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE STALLED DURING A TURN TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND. THE PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE PROPELLER HAD BEEN MODIFIED (SHORTENED) AND NEW TIPS FABRICATED AND INSTALLED BY ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THE AIRPLANE.
Probable Cause
THE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATION DURING INITIAL CLIMB, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT.

Aircraft: EDWARD AVID FLYER C, registration: N533T
Injuries: 1 Serious.

A HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE ON ITS INITIAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCED ENGINE STOPPAGE DURING DEPARTURE FROM THE FIELD. THE PRIVATE PILOT STATES HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND RETURNED TO HOME FIELD. HE COMMENCED AN APPROACH WITH ANOTHER AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. HE WAS MAKING A TURN FOR DISPLACEMENT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AGAIN. THE OTHER AIRPLANE ROLLED AND THE ACCIDENT PILOT RESUMED HIS APPROACH. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE LANDED IN A LEFT BANK, ANGLED OFF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED THE TWIN CARBURETORS MODIFIED TO A CONFIGURATION AND JETTING NOT APPROVED BY THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER AND FOR WHICH NO TEST OR ENGINEERING DATA WAS AVAILABLE.
Probable Cause
PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE BUILDER'S IMPROPER MODIFICATION OF THE CARBURETORS.

Aircraft: DAN T. ZELAZO AVID/SPEEDWING, registration: N396DZ
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.

THE OWNER-BUILT AIRPLANE HAD TAKEN OFF AND WAS CLIMBING ON RUNWAY HEADING WHEN THE PILOT STATES HE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER AND SETTLE. THE PILOT MAINTAINED COURSE AND FLYING SPEED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO A 50 FOOT TREE TOP WHERE IT HUNG SUSPENDED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED FUEL IN THE TANK BUT ALL LINES DOWNSTREAM OF THE IN-LINE FUEL FILTER WERE DRY. THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE INLET TO THE FUEL FILTER. HOSE CLAMPS WERE MISSING AT CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM TANK THROUGH CARBURETOR.
Probable Cause
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A FUEL LINE BY THE P. LOT/MANUFACTURER WHICH RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF A FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.

Aircraft: WYCHEN CHALLENGER II, registration: N91269
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING A PRIVATE STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED & THE PILOT WAS INJURED, WHILE LANDING ON AN EARTHEN DIKE BETWEEN CRANBERRY BEDS. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED ITS CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED.
Probable Cause
A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Aircraft: ROTEC PANTHER 2+, registration: NONE
Injuries: 1 Serious.

DURING TAKEOFF THE EMERGENCY BALLISTIC RECOVERY PARACHUTE PARTIALLY DEPLOYED AND THE BRIDAL CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE PROPELLER AND AIRPLANE RIGGING. THE CABLE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE PROPELLER SHAFT SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN TIGHT & STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED CANISTER HALF SEPARATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRIDAL CABLE HARNESS & SHROUD LINES. THE PARACHUTE CANOPY REMAINED STOWED IN THE HALF CANISTER. THE PULL-TYPE CONTROL CABLE THAT FIRES THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGE WAS IN THE NORMAL STOWED POSITION.
Probable Cause
INADVERTENT PARTIAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE EMERGENCY BALLISTIC RECOVERY PARACHUTE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE THRUST AND AERODYNAMIC CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Aircraft: PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II+2, registration: NONE
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT CRASHED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LANDING. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE RIGHT WING TO FOLD IN FLIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT TUMBLE END OVER END TO THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT WING SPAR.
Probable Cause
IN-FLIGHT STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE RIGHT WING SPAR.

Aircraft: TOUSSAINT/QUAD CITY CHALLENGER II, registration: NONE
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

THE QUAD CITY CHALLENGER II, AN UNREGISTERED AIRCRAFT THAT WAS BUILT AND OWNED BY THE PILOT, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING FINAL APPROACH TO LUFKER'S AIRPORT IN VFR WEATHER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED, AND THE UNLICENSED PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE OWNER/PILOT WAS OBSERVED EARLIER THAT DAY COMPLETING FINAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PLANE. AN EYEWITNESS, WHO WAS A PILOT AND DISTRIBUTOR OF THE AIRCRAFT (WHICH WAS SOLD IN KIT FORM TO HOMEBUILDERS), OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TAXIING BEFORE TAKEOFF. HE SAW THE AIRCRAFT TAKE OFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 2000 FEET, THEN HEAD SOUTH. THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED FOR LANDING ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER. THE EYEWITNESS OBSERVED IT ON A GO-AROUND AFTER AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO LAND. THE AIRCRAFT REENTERED THE PATTERN AND TURNED ONTO FINAL APPROACH. AT ABOUT 150 FEET ON FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND CRASHED. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS, THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN & CRASHED.
Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE UNLICENSED PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATION.

Aircraft: AERODYNE VECTOR 727 SENIOR, registration: NONE
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

THE ULTRALIGHT WAS OBSERVED ON FINAL APPROACH. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE BALLISTIC PARACHUTE WAS FOUND DEPLOYED. SOME WITNESSES REPORTED THE WINGS FOLDED PRIOR TO IMPACT. PORTIONS OF THE PROPELLER WITH RED TIPS WERE FOUND ALONG THE APPROACH PATH FOR 75 YARDS, AND THERE WERE RED PAINT TRANSFER MARKS ON THE BOTTOM LEFT TAIL BOOM.
Probable Cause
IN-FLIGHT FAILURE OF THE WINGS FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S).

Aircraft: GARY WILLIAMS AVID FLYER, registration: N275G
Injuries: 1 Serious.

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART FAILED DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY THAT WAS FOUND DURING THE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A HEADER TANK DOWNSTREAM OF THE FUEL SELECTOR AND HAS A CAPACITY OF 3/4 OF A GALLON. WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE OFF POSITION THE ENGINE WILL RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MINUTES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION, AND THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT THE CORRECT POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS OPERATION WITH A KNOWN DEAD BATTERY.

Aircraft: SKYTRECK, INC. SKYSEEKER MK II, registration: NONE
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED "BOBBING UP AND DOWN" AS THE PILOT PERFORMED MANEUVERS DURING THE LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD A BANG AND SAW THE OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE RIGHT WING FOLD UP BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND. THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT/AIRCRAFT OWNER HAD PERFORMED AN UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION TO THE WING STRUCTURE OF THE TWO-SEATER ULTRA-LIGHT AIRCRAFT. THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY HAD ADVISED AGAINST THE MODIFICATION AS IT WAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE AND WOULD WEAKEN THE STRUCTURE.
Probable Cause
IN-FLIGHT FAILURE OF THE OUTBOARD SECTION OF THE WING, AND THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. DUE TO THE UNAUTHORIZED STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION BY THE PILOT/OWNER.

Aircraft: MARIER EARLY BIRD JENNY, registration: N7165Y
Injuries: 1 Serious.

THE PILOT WAS TESTING HIS NEW HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE, WHICH WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A STALL WARNING HORN. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF & ENTER A LEFT TURN AT A SLOW AIRSPEED, THEN IT ENTERED A LEFT SPIN. RECOVERY WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED AN AIRPLANE WITH A STALL WARNING HORN.
Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL SPIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

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