Pilot Debrief

SOUTHERLAND FREEBIRD LITESPORT U near Decatur, IL — 2010-12-02

Final reportCEN11LA090
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Date
2010-12-02
Location
Decatur, IL, USA
Airport
DEC
Aircraft
SOUTHERLAND FREEBIRD LITESPORT U
Registration
N415US
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's reported inability to control his amateur-built airplane for undetermined reasons after the airplane inadvertently became airborne while conducting a high-speed taxi.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a high-speed taxi in his amateur-built airplane when it inadvertently became airborne. The inadvertent flight was the airplane's first flight. The pilot requested a landing clearance and was given one. The pilot reported that he had trouble getting the airplane's nose down. He reported a MAYDAY and indicated that he had no control of the airplane. He was given a clearance to land on any runway. During his last transmission, the pilot reported that he could not keep the nose down. The airplane was observed descending tail-end down and then nose down. The airplane impacted the ground, coming to rest about two miles east of the airport. An on-scene examination of the airplane revealed that the wing separated from the fuselage. The separation was consistent with overload. No other anomalies were detected. The on-scene investigation did not document center of gravity or trim settings.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after reporting control issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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