Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.gov/N107PW
Location: Peoria, AZ
Accident Number: WPR18LA121
Date & Time: 04/15/2018, 0620 MST
Registration: N107PW
Aircraft: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD XT-912-L
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On April 15, 2018 at 0620 mountain standard time, an Airborne Windsports Edge XT-912-L aircraft, N107PW, experienced a loss of control and impacted terrain on approach to Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, Arizona. The sport pilot sustained minor injuries; the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The special light sport weight-shift aircraft was privately owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The local personal flight originated from Peoria about 0545.
The pilot stated that his friend, who was a student pilot, recently purchased the aircraft. A few days before the accident, after the aircraft had undergone an annual inspection, the mechanic who performed the maintenance test flew the aircraft and stated it operated normally. Shortly thereafter, the pilot took the aircraft for a local flight where he stayed around the airport to perform several touch-and-go practice takeoff and landings. He noted during that flight that the aircraft's handling characteristics were different than other weight-shift aircraft (trikes) he had flown. The aircraft did not track in turns as well (not as responsive). He spoke to the mechanic after his flight quarrying him if it was normal for the aircraft to maneuver in such a meandering way, to which he responded that was the nature of the Airborne Windsports.
On the day of the accident, the pilot decided to go flying that morning because the wind was light (about 3 kts). The airplane had not been flown since they had taken it out on the previous flight and during the preflight inspection they noted about 6.5 gallons remained and they did not change anything with the configuration. During his takeoff from runway 05R he felt that the aircraft's role tendency was more pronounced. When he reached traffic pattern altitude of 2,000 feet he recalled that the aircraft seemed to be less stable. He could not determine if it was because of wind or just his newness to the aircraft. He entered a right traffic pattern and performed a low pass over the runway at about 15 feet agl. He again climbed to pattern altitude and after leveling off, noticed that the role tendency had become even worse. He entered left traffic pattern and while on downwind decided that he needed to land and get on the ground because the controllability had reduced.
As the pilot turned the aircraft on final approach, the stability further decreased, and he pulled the bar back continuing in a shallow descent. He reduced the engine power while maintaining an airspeed of about 40 kts (indicated). He kept the bar inward and was at a slight crab angle, when the aircraft began to roll to the right. He recalled that it felt as if the aircraft had stalled but the airspeed was too high. He performed a j-movement with the bar in an effort to regain control to roll to the left. This had no effect and the role became worse. He added full power and pulled back on the bar, maneuvering it in the direction toward the turn in another attempt to arrest the roll. At about 250 feet agl, the aircraft began a descending, spiraling turn to the right. As he neared the surface, the role began to correct, but the right wing impacted the ground. Upon impact the engine was still running with full power and two witnesses ran toward the pilot, who was still in the cockpit.
The two witnesses and the pilot could not figure out how to turn the engine off (the front cockpit panel area had separated from the aircraft). One of the witnesses thought that the parachute handle was an emergency fuel cut off and activated the parachute, which discharged and released immediately. The engine eventually quit from fuel exhaustion. The pilot sustained minor injuries as a result of the impact.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD
Registration: N107PW
Model/Series: XT-912-L B
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDVT, 1455 ft msl
Observation Time: 1253 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / -14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Peoria, AZ (P48)
Destination: Peoria, AZ (P48)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.805278, -112.239722 (est)
PEORIA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - A man suffered minor injuries after hisAirborne XT-912-L went down in Peoria Sunday morning.
According to Peoria Fire and Medical, the Airborne XT-912-L experienced an unknown mechanical problem shortly after takeoff that caused it to spin to the ground.
The Airborne XT-912-L went down near Lake Pleasant Parkway and Old Carefree Highway.
Officials say the man suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.azfamily.com
PEORIA, AZ - A pilot has been transported to the hospital after his Airborne XT-912-L crashed in Peoria on Sunday.
The incident happened near Pleasant Valley Airport, south of Lake Pleasant just after 6:30 a.m.
According to Peoria fire, the pilot experienced an unknown mechanical problem shortly after takeoff. His Airborne XT-912-L spun to the ground.
The pilot was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.abc15.com
PEORIA, Ariz. - A man flying a Airborne XT-912-L was taken to a hospital with minor injuries after the aircraft crash.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experience technical problems causing the Airborne XT-912-L to spin to the ground, police said.
Local authorities said the pilot was the only person aboard and he suffered minor injuries.
The Airborne XT-912-L was near Pleasant Valley Airport, police said.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.12news.com
I bet the guy who pulled the BRS handle was surprised when he saw the rocket shoot out.
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