Pilot Debrief

LITE FLIGHT DRAGONFLY near Mint Hill, NC — 2018-05-27

Final reportGAA18CA306
Sign in to save
Date
2018-05-27
Location
Mint Hill, NC, USA
Aircraft
LITE FLIGHT DRAGONFLY
Registration
N582DF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering about 1,300 ft mean sea level (about 600 ft above the ground), he initiated a 180° right turn, and about halfway through the turn, the airplane began to descend rapidly and would not respond to flight controls. The airplane struck a tree, spun to the right, and came to rest on a residential house. Postaccident examination conducted by the pilot revealed that all controls were intact and operational. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. In a written statement provided to the local police department, the pilot reported that he lost control of the airplane, and it "spiraled down" and then struck a tree and a house. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Given the pilot's statement, it is likely that the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall/spin when the pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack during a turn.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps