Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA020
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, October 14, 2012 in Winter Haven, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/10/2015
Aircraft: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD XT-912, registration: N811RW
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
A witness reported observing the experimental ultralight aircraft conducting touch-and-go landings before the accident. He recalled that it seemed “a bit windy” for an ultralight to be operating. He estimated that the wind was between 10 and 15 knots, but he could not judge the wind gusts. Immediately after takeoff for the accident flight, the aircraft made a hard right bank, with a bank angle of between about 60 and 90 degrees, about 100 feet above the ground. The witness reported that the aircraft’s motor sounded as if it was at full power and not malfunctioning. The aircraft impacted the ground about 100 to 150 yards from where witnesses were standing. According to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the maximum crosswind component for the airplane was 12 knots. Airport weather information indicated the wind was 080 degrees at 12 knots about 20 minutes before the accident. It is likely that the aircraft encountered crosswind conditions and that the pilot then failed to maintain aircraft control.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in collision with terrain.
On October 14, 2012, about 1116 eastern standard time, an experimental Airborne Wind Sports XT-912, N811RW, was substantially damaged following a collision with the ground at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport (GIF), Winter Haven, Florida. The sport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Funwings Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
According to witnesses, they watched as the aircraft was conducting touch-and-go landings prior to the accident. They stated that nothing seemed abnormal with the aircraft but did recall that it was very windy for an ultralight to be operating. One of the witnesses estimated the winds to be between 10 and15 knots, and could not judge the wind gusts. At the time of the accident the aircraft was on its final touch-and-go from runway 5, when it made a hard right bank immediately after takeoff, at approximately 100 feet above of the ground. They watched and recalled that the bank angle seemed excessive, approximately 60-90 degrees. The motor sounded as if it was at full power and not malfunctioning. The aircraft immediately impacted the ground approximately 100-150 yards from where the witnesses were standing. The witnesses assisted in extricating the occupants from the aircraft and waited for emergency personnel to arrive.
According to information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot was not in radio contact with air traffic control at the time of departure and no radio transmissions were recorded. The aircraft came to rest on its side, on the airport ramp adjacent to a hangar.
The pilot, age 60, held a sport pilot certificate for weight-shift-control-land, issued August 2, 2012. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that the pilot had never been issued a medical certificate; the sport pilot was medically eligible to fly as a light sport pilot as long as she has a valid driver's license. The pilot's logbook was not recovered for review. A review of the aircraft's flight log revealed that the pilot had approximately 62 flight hours in the aircraft.
The two-seat, tricycle gear weight shift controlled aircraft, serial number XT-912-094, was manufactured in 2006. It was powered by a Rotax Bombardier model 912 UL 2, 100-hp engine. On June 17, 2012, a 50-hour inspection and oil change on the aircraft was accomplished at a total time 291.2 hours. According to an aircraft log that was located in the aircraft, it showed that the aircraft had 301.45 flight hours.
At 1053, the GIF automated weather observation station reported the following weather conditions: wind 080 degrees at 12 knots, visibility of 10 miles, cloud conditions few at 3,500 feet above ground level (agl), temperature 29 degrees Celsius, dew point 20 degrees Celsius, and altimeter setting 30.11 inches of mercury.
Examination of the aircraft by a FAA inspector revealed that the fiberglass body was ripped and distorted in several places. The frame was slightly damaged, but the right wheel suspension was destroyed and the left suspension was pulled away from the vertical strut at the axle. The front wheel and ground steering assembly was not damaged.
Examination of the engine revealed that it was impact-damaged and the carburetor was dislocated. The oil reservoir rotated and some oil, coolant and gas spillage occurred.
Examination of the wing revealed that it was impact-damaged and the batten tips were broken off. The King Post (top wire support) was in place and all Luff Lines and Kiel brace cables were still in place. The front flying wires were both broken at the down tube connection and the right wire had a broken loop at the swan catch (nose of the wing) with a loop separated due to friction on the pavement. The rear flying wires were still connected in the correct configuration. One side of the control bar was disconnected for transport and the other was bent and broken apart at the connection. The right cross tube and down tube was also bent on the side of impact.
A review of the pilot's operating handbook section 2.6.10: Other Limitations revealed that the maximum cross wind component was 12 knots.
An autopsy was performed on the pilot on October 15, 2012, by the Office of the District Medical Examiner, Winter Haven, Florida, as authorized by the Winter Haven Police Department.
The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the passenger with negative results for drugs and alcohol and positive for rosuvastatin.
An autopsy was performed on the passenger on October 15, 2012, by the Office of the District Medical Examiner, Winter Haven, Florida, as authorized by the Winter Haven police Department.
The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot with negative results for ethanol. Amlodipine was detected in the liver and blood.
http://registry.faa.gov/N811RW
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA020
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, October 14, 2012 in Winter Haven, FL
Aircraft: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD XT-912, registration: N811RW
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On October 14, 2012, about 1116 eastern standard time, an experimental Airborne Wind Sports XT-912, N811RW, was substantially damaged following a collision with the ground at Winter Haven’s Gilbert Airport (GIF), Winter Haven, Florida. The sport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Funwings Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
According to witnesses, they watched as the aircraft began its take off run down runway 5. The aircraft appeared to climb to an altitude of approximately 50-75 feet before the right wing banked at an estimated 80 degree downward angle. The nose of the aircraft pitched downward and the engine rpm increased as the aircraft continued to turn right. The witnesses lost sight of the aircraft and they heard it impact the ground. They called 911 and emergency services arrived to assist the victims.
According to preliminary information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot was not in radio contact with air traffic control at the time of departure and no radio transmissions were recorded. The aircraft came to rest on its side, on the airport ramp adjacent a hangar. The aircraft was recovered for further examination.
Authorities say Susanne Broadbelt of Zephryhills died from her injuries at the scene of the crash.WINTER HAVEN, Florida -- On Monday, James and Arthur Tyler wanted to be at Winter Haven Municipal Airport. They wanted to sit at the same table inside the airport's restaurant as their sister, Susanne Broadbelt, did before she was killed in a small plane crash at the airport on Sunday.
"She died doing what she loved best and she was flying, and now she's flying wrapped around the angels' wings," said James.
On Sunday, the twin brothers were at an air show, wondering how strong wind gusts were affecting the pilots. They didn't know that, at the same time, their sister was doing touch and go maneuvers in a lightsport aircraft when it hit the ground, flipped, then skidded 168 feet. Right now, investigators believe the crash may have been caused by a wind gust of up to 35 miles an hour. The man inside the aircraft with her, Gary Lawrence, was also killed.
"I asked her if she had made her bucket list and she said she was working on it and wanted to fly," James recalled. "I said 'You have a hard time finding your way around on the planet while driving, and you're going to fly?' But I was really proud of her. She got her certificate and her license. She's been a thrillseeker ever since she retired."
Broadbelt retired after working in Pasco County schools for 36 years. Then two months ago, around the same time she got her FAA sport pilot certification, she returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher, according to the school district.
"She was a very flamboyant, energetic, outgoing sister," said Arthur. "Loving, caring, a great person altogether."
To fly the lightsport aircraft that Broadbelt was in, you have to be a certified pilot, and the FAA has stricter rules than it would for an ultralight aircraft.
"[The rules are] much closer to the certified large airplane world than it has been compared to the ultralights," said Dr. Pat Anderson, professor of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the director of the Eagle Flight Research Center. "The consensus is that the safety record of these planes is not significantly different from the other categories of airplanes."
Broadbelt's family hopes this tragic crash won't stop people from following their dreams of flying.
"They are safe. It's just, sometimes, God takes you when you don't expect it," James said.
"Susanne, we love you," Arthur added. "We miss you."
According to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board will be handling the investigation.
http://www.wtsp.com
Photographer: Mike Dixon
ERNST PETERS | THE LEDGER
Investigators look over an ultralight aircraft that crashed during takeoff at Winter Haven Municipal Airport on Sunday. Two people were killed.
WINTER HAVEN | Two people died after their ultralight aircraft crashed Sunday morning at Winter Haven Municipal Airport, officials said.
Susanne Broadbelt, 60, of Zephyrhills, died at the scene and Gary Lawrence, 61, of Inverness, was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he died, according to Winter Haven police.
Winter Haven police spokeswoman Jamie Brown said she couldn't confirm which of the two was controlling the aircraft at the time of the crash.
They were doing touch-and-go maneuvers and were taking off about 11:20 a.m. when the Airborne Windsport aircraft hit the ground, flipped and slid about 168 feet, police said.
Debbie Murphy, the airport's director, said the pair had eaten at Pappy's Grill at the airport and were taking off when the crash happened. She said Broadbelt and Lawrence had eaten at the restaurant several times this week.
Bernice Williams, 86, of Winter Haven, was checking on her aircraft in a nearby hangar when the crashed happened.
After the crash, people rushed to help the pair and performed CPR.
"The plane didn't stall, it looked like something got under the wing," Williams said. "I knew it was going to crash and it went ‘boom.'?"
She said the aircraft had been making a gradual decline when it looked like something, possibly a gust of wind, got under the left wing causing the right wing to go down.
Williams has lived in the area for about 20 years and is a pilot.
She didn't recognize or know the pair as being part of the Winter Haven aviation community.
On Broadbelt's Facebook page, she is seen in a photo smiling near an ultralight aircraft. She listed Pasco County Schools as her previous employer.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation and Safety Board.
Brown said 30 to 35 mph wind gusts were reported in the area and that could have been a factor in the crash.
Murphy has worked as the director for the airport for the past two years and said she doesn't remember a fatal crash such as this one happening in those years.
The airport is open to the public, and on a daily basis there are about 100 to 150 aircraft using the runways.
Murphy said there isn't a fee to land on the property, and many pilots fly in to eat at the restaurant.
The south ramp of the airport was closed Sunday afternoon while officials investigated the crash. Aircraft in other parts of the airport continued to fly in and out as the investigation continued.
Brown described the aviation community as a tight-knit group and said the crash was unfortunate.
Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester said in a prepared statement that, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families as they endure the realization of losing their loved one."
http://www.theledger.com
WINTER HAVEN (FOX 13) - Two people were killed Sunday morning when an ultra-light plane crashed at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport – Gilbert Field. The incident occurred just before 11:30 a.m.
According to a Winter Haven Police Department report emergency service personnel were dispatched to the scene after receiving a 9-1-1 call that a Airborne Windsport experimental aircraft impacted the ground, flipped over and slid over 150 feet.
The plane was conducting touch and go maneuvers witnesses say.
Susanne Broadbelt, a 60-year-old Zephyrhills resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gary Lawrence, a 61-year-old Inverness man, was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he died a short time later.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families as they endure the realization of losing their loved ones," said Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester.
A reported wind gust of at least 30 miles per hour may have played a role in the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene and the National Transportation and Safety Board will conduct a full investigation.
The airport is located at 2073 Highway 92 West in Winter Haven.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A man and a woman were involved in a fatal ultralight aircraft crash Sunday morning, Winter Haven police say.
Winter Haven police arrived on scene at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport at 11:20 a.m.
Upon arrival they found Susanne Broadbelt, 60, dead at the scene and Gary Lawrence, 61, suffering from serious injuries.
According to Jamie Brown, Winter Haven police spokeswoman, the pair had been practicing touch and goes in their Airborne Windsport.
Officials say that while they were practicing the touch and go maneuvers the aircraft hit the ground, flipped over and slid 168 feet before coming to a stop.
Lawrence was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he died a short time later due to his injuries.
Strong wind gusts of 30 to 35 miles per hour where reported at the time. It is believed the wind gusts could have played a role in the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation and Safety Board are currently investigating the scene.
Cief of Winter Haven police, Gary Hester, commented on the crash saying, “Our thoughts and prayers go out ot both families as they endure the realization of losing their loved ones.”
Read more: http://www.abcactionnews.com
WINTER HAVEN — A man and woman were killed Sunday when an ultralight aircraft crashed during takeoff and landing maneuvers at Winter Haven Municipal Airport.
Susanne Broadbelt, 60, of Zephyrhills died at site of the accident at Gilbert Field. Gary Lawrence, 61, of Inverness, died a short while later at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Police said the Airborne Windsport experimental aircraft the two were riding in hit the ground, flipped over and slid 168 feet.
Broadbelt and Lawrence were reportedly practicing touch-and-go maneuvers, a procedure where aircraft briefly touch down and take off again, when the crash occurred about 11:20 a.m.
Police said a sudden wind gust may have contributed.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating to determine the cause.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families as they endure the realization of losing their loved ones," Winter Haven police Chief Gary Hester said.
http://www.tampabay.com
WINTER HAVEN, Florida -- An ultralight plane has crashed at Winter Haven Airport, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Authorities say one person died at the scene. Another person was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, but later died as well. Their identities are being withheld until next of kin are notified.
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Federal aviation officials are investigating a small plane crash in central Florida that killed two passengers.
The ultralight plane crashed before noon Sunday at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport. Police say the pilot of the Airborne Windsport experimental aircraft was performing touch and go maneuvers when the plane hit the ground, flipped and slid almost 200 feet.
Police say a wind gust may have played a factor in the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation and Safety Board will determine the cause of the crash in the city about 40 miles southwest of Orlando.
Police say a woman passenger died in the crash and a man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
http://abcnews.go.com
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 811RW Make/Model: EXP Description: AIRBORNE PTY LTD XT-912
Date: 10/14/2012 Time: 1518
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: WINTER HAVEN State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT ON LANDING, CRASHED, THE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED,
WINTER HAVEN, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat: 2 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL (SO15) Entry date: 10/15/2012
