The Airplane Factory Sling LSA, N863SL: Accident occurred March 23, 2022 and Incident occurred August 12, 2020

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach, California

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Aviation Financial Corp

https://registry.faa.gov/N863SL

Location: Torrance, California

Accident Number: WPR22LA135

Date and Time: March 23, 2022, 10:45 Local

Registration: N863SL

Aircraft: AIRPLANE FACTORY (PTY) LTD SLING LSA

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control in flight

Injuries: 2 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The flight instructor of the airplane reported that, during an instructional flight with a student flight instructor, he purposely “flared too much and a little too high.” The intent was for the student flight instructor to correct; however, he did not intervene. The flight instructor added full power to abort the landing when the airplane encountered a shift from a headwind to a right quartering tailwind and the airplane drifted to the right. While maneuvering the airplane to stay over the runway, the left aileron struck a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The flight instructor’s loss of airplane control during an aborted landing due to a wind shift, which resulted in an impact with a runway sign.

Findings

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot

Environmental issues Sudden wind shift - Effect on operation

Environmental issues Sign/marker - Effect on equipment

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Flight instructor Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor 

Age: 26,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 4-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane

Second Pilot Present: Yes

Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: September 25, 2018

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 7, 2021

Flight Time: (Estimated) 1850 hours (Total, all aircraft), 350 hours (Total, this make and model), 1750 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 120 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 

Age: 36,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 4-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane

Second Pilot Present: Yes

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations 

Last FAA Medical Exam: May 21, 2021

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: February 25, 2022

Flight Time: (Estimated) 233 hours (Total, all aircraft), 232 hours (Total, this make and model), 136.8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 43.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIRPLANE FACTORY (PTY) LTD 

Registration: N863SL

Model/Series: SLING LSA

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2019

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental light sport (Special)

Serial Number: 302

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 17, 2022 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 31 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 2872 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Rotax

ELT: C126 installed, not activated 

Engine Model/Series: 912IS

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 100 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KTOA,97 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 10:47 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 221°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility: 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 7°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Torrance, CA (KTOA) 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Torrance, CA

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 09:30 Local

Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Zamperini Field Airport TOA 

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Concrete

Airport Elevation: 103 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 29L 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 75 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: Aircraft

Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 33.803383,-118.3396

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach, California

August 12, 2020: Aircraft landed and nose gear collapsed at Zamperini Field Airport (KTOA), Torrance, Los Angeles County, California.

Sling Pilot Academy

Airplane Factory Inc

Date: 12-AUG-20
Time: 23:10:00Z
Regis#: N863SL
Aircraft Make: AIRPLANE FACTORY
Aircraft Model: SLING LSA
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: TORRANCE
State: CALIFORNIA

Hughes 369D, N104SU: Accident occurred August 05, 2020 in Delia, Jackson County, Kansas

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.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas

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

Signature Property Holdings LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N104SU

Location: Delia, KS

Accident Number: CEN20CA334

Date & Time: August 5, 2020, 17:45 Local

Registration: N104SU

Aircraft: Hughes 369 

Injuries: N/A

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Hughes

Registration: N104SU

Model/Series: 369 D Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Amateur Built: No

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Operator Designator Code: 5U2L

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KTOP, 885 ft msl

Observation Time: 17:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /15°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 120°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Delia, KS 

Destination: Delia, KS

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: N/A 

Latitude, Longitude: 39.259998,-95.988609

Cessna 150M, N704KT: Incident occurred August 12, 2020 in Buras, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Aircraft was departing and veered off runway into the grass and damaged left gear.

https://registry.faa.gov/N704KT

Date: 12-AUG-20
Time: 16:35:00Z
Regis#: N704KT
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 150
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: BURAS
State: LOUISIANA

AirWolf 912ULS, N465JP: Accident occurred August 11, 2020 in Casco, St. Clair County, Michigan

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.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; East Michigan

https://registry.faa.gov/N465JP

Location: Casco, MI

Accident Number: CEN20CA387

Date & Time: August 11, 2020, 19:31 Local 

Registration: N465JP

Aircraft: Powrachute AIRWOLF

Injuries: N/A

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Powrachute

Registration: N465JP

Model/Series: AIRWOLF 912 

Aircraft Category: Powered parachute

Amateur Built: Yes

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Condition of Light:

Observation Facility, Elevation: 

Observation Time:

Distance from Accident Site: 

Temperature/Dew Point:

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,

Lowest Ceiling: 

Visibility:

Altimeter Setting: 

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Departure Point:

Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire:

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion:

Total Injuries: N/A

Latitude, Longitude: 42.735279,-82.629447 (est)

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

(Casco Township) A paraglider crash in Casco Township last night sent two people to the hospital.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 5600 block of Palms Road shortly after 7:30 Tuesday evening, along with Ira Township Fire and Rescue and Richmond-Lenox EMS.

Upon arrival, deputies learned that a paraglider being flown by a 69 year old Clay Township man had taken off from a residence in the area with a 6 year old passenger. The paraglider failed to gain altitude quickly enough and struck high tension power lines, causing the aircraft to plummet to the ground.

The pair was taken by Richmond-Lenox EMS to McLaren Macomb Hospital with undetermined injuries for evaluation.

The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the incident and will be investigating.

Cirrus SR22, N626TR: Incident occurred August 12, 2020 at Williams County Airport (0G6), Bryan, Ohio

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbus, Ohio

Aircraft was taxiing and struck a parked construction vehicle.

KLJ Limited Partnership

https://registry.faa.gov/N626TR

Date: 12-AUG-20
Time: 15:30:00Z
Regis#: N626TR
Aircraft Make: CIRRUS
Aircraft Model: SR22
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: BRYAN
State: OHIO

Cessna 150F, N6299R: Incident occurred August 12, 2020 near Central Wisconsin Airport (KCWA) Mosinee, Marathon County, Wisconsin

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aircraft departed, experienced issues and landed in a field.

https://registry.faa.gov/N6299R

Date: 12-AUG-20
Time: 11:25:00Z
Regis#: N6299R
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 150
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: MOSINEE
State: WISCONSIN

Marathon County Sheriff's Office

On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at approximately 6:28 a.m., the Marathon County 911 Communications Center received a report of a downed aircraft in a field approximately five miles west of the Central Wisconsin Airport. The caller advised there was a single occupant (pilot) and no injuries. Deputies from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area in an attempt to locate the aircraft. The Sheriff’s Office was provided support, from the Central Wisconsin Airport, in the search.

At approximately 7:21 a.m., phone contact was made with the pilot and he was able to relay his current location near the intersection of Skyview road and State Highway 153 in the Township of Emmet. Deputies located the small, single engine aircraft and the pilot. The pilot was not injured and there appeared to be no damage to the aircraft.

Upon investigation, the pilot was leaving Central Wisconsin Airport and flying to Eau Claire. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot lost engine power and was able to make a successful emergency landing in a field. The pilot was able to determine the problem and fix the aircraft. The pilot worked with the farmer, who combined a makeshift runway in the field for the pilot to take off. After several attempts, the pilot was unable to get up to speed to take off from the field.

At approximately 4:37 p.m., deputies were able to briefly shut down a section of State Highway 153. The pilot was able to use the highway as a runway to take off, and continue on his way to Eau Claire. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office will be forwarding the information to the Federal Aviation Administration. Additional information may be obtained through an open records request in reference to case number 20.3061.

Piper PA-25-235, N189AB: Incident occurred August 12, 2020 in Sanibel, Lee County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Aircraft experienced engine issues and banner was released, landed on the beach.

Aerial Banners Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N189AB

Date: 12-AUG-20
Time: 17:26:00Z
Regis#: N189AB
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA25
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: BANNER TOW
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: SANIBEL
State: FLORIDA

A small airplane made a safe emergency landing on the beach on Sanibel Island Wednesday afternoon, both the city and Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration and city press releases, a Piper PA-25-235 operated by a pilot for Aerial Banners Inc landed on the beach near West Gulf Beach Drive around 1:30 p.m.

The Piper model is a single-engine, single-seat aircraft, and the pilot was the sole occupant of the plane.

Upon landing safely, the pilot called Sanibel police and told them the plane began to sputter for unknown reasons, so the pilot released the banner he was flying and made the emergency landing on the beach.

Many people told us they’ve seen the plane towing its banner from up above frequently, but it’s not something most locals are used to seeing up close.

“I’ve never seen that before,” witness Matt Johnson said. “I was born and raised here, grew up in and around Sanibel and Pine Island, and I’ve never seen a plane on the beach like that.”

Witness Linda Linsmayer saw it all, from when the wheels touched down to when the plane took off back into the sky.

“It wasn’t your average afternoon looking for dolphins and manatees from the house. No,” Linsmayer said. “I could clearly hear sputtering and knew right away there was a problem.”

The 23-year-old pilot told WINK News carburetor ice caused the engine to malfunction, and he started losing altitude. That’s when he dropped the banner, now lost in the ocean, and made a safe landing on a mostly empty beach, avoiding people and turtle nests.

“I hollered right away, “Are you OK?” Linsmayer said. “And he said, ‘I’m just a little shaken, but I’m just great.'”

Beachergoers are glad everyone is OK, and witnesses praised him for a job well done.

“He did what he had to do,” witness Charlotte Wilcox said. “He did it very well, obviously.”

“I thought he did an absolutely brilliant job,” Linsmayer said.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Sanibel Fire Department and US Coast Guard are all on scene. Federal Aviation Administration and Lee County Port Authority are both aware of the emergency landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to investigate the incident.

There were no injuries reported due to the landing.

We reached out to Aerial Banners Inc but are still waiting to hear back.

According to FlightAware, the plane is back on the east coast.

https://www.winknews.com