Pilot Debrief

NORTH WING FREEDOM near Green Township, NJ — 2017-08-06

Final reportERA17FA265
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Date
2017-08-06
Location
Green Township, NJ, USA
Airport
13N
Aircraft
NORTH WING FREEDOM
Registration
N2854L
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's improper preflight setup of the aircraft's foldable wing, during which he incorrectly attached a nylon strap loop pull handle, instead of the steel cable shackle at the end of the strap, to its mounting hook. The nylon strap failed in flight, resulting in a partial collapse of the wing and the aircraft's descent and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot planned to conduct a local flight in an experimental amateur-built weight-shift control aircraft that he built. A witness reported that the pilot had difficulty with one of the cables as he prepared the wing (which was foldable for storage) for flight and that he used a ratchet strap to help pull into place a cable that held the wing open for flight. Shortly after takeoff, when the aircraft was at an altitude of about 50 ft, the wing partially folded, and the aircraft descended into the ground. A postaccident examination of the wing revealed that the cross-bar restraint cable, which held the wing in its open position, was not attached at its shackle and hook fitting at the rear of the wing keel tube. Additionally, the nylon webbing strap, which was attached to the steel cable shackle and designed to be used as a handle to pull the cable in place, was torn and separated from one mounting point and torn but still attached to the other mounting point. The shackle likely did not disengage from the hook during flight because the locking mechanism on the hook remained intact, was undamaged, and functioned normally. Given the witness report of the pilot's difficulty pulling the crossbar restraint cable into place, as well as the damage to the nylon webbing handle used to pull the cable, it is likely that the pilot inadvertently placed the nylon handle in the attachment hook instead of the steel shackle. Shortly after takeoff, the nylon handle likely tore from its mount, which caused the wing to partially fold, precluding the aircraft's continued flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured proper cable tension before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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