Flight Design CTSW, N138CT: Accident occurred December 13, 2020 at Shiflet Field Airport (9A9), Marion, McDowell County, North Carolina

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina

https://registry.faa.gov/N138CT

Location: Marion, NC

Accident Number: ERA21LA073

Date & Time: December 13, 2020, 10:45 Local 

Registration: N138CT

Aircraft: Flight Design CTSW

Injuries: 2 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On December 13, 2020, about 1045 eastern standard time, a Flight Design CTSW, N138CT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marion, North Carolina. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that all preflight operations were routine for the cross-country flight to Frankfort, Kentucky. Shortly after liftoff at an airspeed about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and came back down to the runway. The pilot elected to reject the takeoff. The airplane continued to veer to the right and the airplane departed the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The nose wheel collapsed and the airplane nosed over.

Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The nose gear was collapsed and crushed into the lower fuselage. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged.

The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Flight Design 

Registration: N138CT

Model/Series: CTSW 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KFQD,1078 ft msl

Observation Time: 10:55 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles 

Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C /11°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Marion, NC 

Destination: Frankfort, KY (FFT)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Minor 

Latitude, Longitude: 35.7203,-82.0141 (est)