Pilot Debrief

AIRBORNE WINDSPORT EDGE near Ft. Lupton, CO — 2010-06-23

Final reportCEN10LA339
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Date
2010-06-23
Location
Ft. Lupton, CO, USA
Aircraft
AIRBORNE WINDSPORT EDGE
Registration
N55857
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot intentionally performed prohibited aerobatic maneuvers that damaged the carriage wing attachment hang point and collapsed the wing.

NTSB narrative

A witness observed the weight-shift aircraft performing aerobatic maneuvers, notably “loops and wingovers,” for about five minutes. The witness stated that during the last maneuver the pilot, who was not certificated, performed what looked like a wingover. The aircraft was at about 1,000 feet above ground level when the wing folded and the aircraft spiraled down, impacting the ground. A postcrash examination of the aircraft at the accident scene showed that the carriage wing attachment hang point was broken. The fracture was consistent with a failure prior to impact. No other anomalies with the aircraft were found. The aircraft’s operating instructions stated that all aerobatic maneuvers including spinning are prohibited.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have refrained from performing prohibited aerobatic maneuvers.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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