Pilot Debrief

QUAD CITY ULTRALIGHTS CHALLENGER II near Ocala, FL — 2012-08-30

Final reportERA12LA537
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Date
2012-08-30
Location
Ocala, FL, USA
Aircraft
QUAD CITY ULTRALIGHTS CHALLENGER II
Registration
N2481P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent overstress of the airplane, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outer section of the right wing.

NTSB narrative

After takeoff, the pilot remained in the traffic pattern, performed a low pass, and then departed to the southeast. When the airplane was about 4 miles away from the departure airport with no adverse weather nearby, the airframe was overstressed, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outer 3 feet of the right wing and a portion of the right flaperon. The airplane then descended uncontrolled and impacted terrain. No preexisting cracks were noted in the fracture surfaces of the forward and aft spars of the right wing. Inspection of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Addressing the fuel leak and engine issues before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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