Pilot Debrief

RAINBOW AIRCRAFT PTY LTD COBRA near Camden, SC — 2013-03-09

Final reportERA13CA161
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Date
2013-03-09
Location
Camden, SC, USA
Airport
CDN
Aircraft
RAINBOW AIRCRAFT PTY LTD COBRA
Registration
N78DK
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the approach to land.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner of the experimental weight-shift airplane said he confirmed that the wind was calm before taking off for a flight around the traffic pattern. He said the airplane encountered updrafts and downdrafts on the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, and he could not control the altitude of the airplane with either control or power inputs. The pilot said that when he was on final approach, about 400 feet above ground level, he "saw the airplane nose going down at a 45-degree angle and then the hit." The airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged. The wind speed reported at the airport at the time of the accident was 3 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with his airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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