Pilot Debrief

NORTH WING UUM INC SPORT X2 912 near Chelan, WA — 2017-07-01

Final reportWPR17FA139
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Date
2017-07-01
Location
Chelan, WA, USA
Aircraft
NORTH WING UUM INC SPORT X2 912
Registration
N492XB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while demonstrating a spiral dive, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's decision to demonstrate a spiral dive maneuver at an altitude that was too low for recovery.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the instructor's decision to demonstrate a spiral dive maneuver at an altitude that was too low for recovery.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and the student pilot were conducting a local flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft. An onboard camera captured the accident flight and showed that, at the time of the accident, the instructor was demonstrating a spiral dive maneuver. The video showed that the maneuver was initiated at an altitude that appears to be below 1,000 ft AGL which is a minimum required recovery altitude. During the maneuver, the aircraft's bank angle continued to increase until the aircraft entered a nearly-vertical descent and impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor should have avoided demonstrating a steep spiral dive at low altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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