Monday, October 03, 2016

Airborne Edge XT-912-L, N53AW: Accident occurred October 02, 2016 at Cameron Field (GA81), Fort Valley, Georgia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Atlanta, Georgia

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket  - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N53AW

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA004
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, October 02, 2016 in Fort Valley, GA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/03/2017
Aircraft: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD EDGE XT 912 L, registration: N53AW
Injuries: 1 Serious.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the flight instructor in the weight-shift-control aircraft, he made two low approaches and two go-arounds to runway 36. He reported that, during the third approach, he crossed the runway threshold and “rounded up” and that the left wing “flew up, and the right wing dropped precipitously, as if it stalled.” The aircraft swiftly yawed to the right and descended rapidly, and the pilot stated that he responded with a full control deflection. He added that the deflection leveled the aircraft just before impact with the turf and that the aircraft heading was about 35° to 50° right of the runway heading. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings and the airframe.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector examined the aircraft wreckage and was unable to locate the right overcenter washout strut spilt ring. The split ring connects the washout strut and the leading edge of the right wing spar, which allows the pilot to manipulate the aircraft’s directional control. In postimpact photographs of the left side overcenter washout strut split ring, it appears to be partially attached, and the right side split ring was not located in the wreckage. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The failure of the aircraft’s right overcenter washout strut split ring, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain lateral control of the aircraft and subsequent ground impact.

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