Pilot Debrief

FERGUSON AIRCRAFT FERGY 1 near Falcon, CO — 2011-08-06

Final reportCEN11FA572
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Date
2011-08-06
Location
Falcon, CO, USA
Airport
KFLY
Aircraft
FERGUSON AIRCRAFT FERGY 1
Registration
N2515E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of control for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses saw the airplane take off and climb to about 75 to 100 feet. The airplane banked steeply to the right--one witness said about 90 degrees--before the nose dropped 45 degrees and the airplane impacted a hangar. The student pilot told first responders that he didn't know what happened. He reportedly told ambulance personnel he heard a "pop" and thought a rudder cable had snapped. He later told his wife that he thought a thermal or wind gust pushed the airplane. According to the sheriff's report, the student pilot said something on the aircraft had broken. The student pilot reported to the NTSB that he did not recall saying that a rudder cable had snapped. Although control continuity was traced throughout the structure, there were numerous control cable separations. The cable separations were consistent with overload failures, likely due to impact forces.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the takeoff due to student pilot's inexperience.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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