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NTSB Report
August 22, 1993 · Sheats Falcon-Xp · N534AA
Zeeland, MI
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Zeeland, MI
Aircraft
Sheats Falcon-Xp
Tail Number
N534AA
Operator
Ralph Wayne Thorpe
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93DEM02
THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE FLIGHT TESTS AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF STORAGE. DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND LEFT HAND BANK. THE LEFT WING, FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING A PORTION OF THE LEFT WING'S MYLAR COVERING STANDING UP ON THE WING DURING THE FLIGHT. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAPE HOLDING THE MYLAR WING COVERING DOWN HAD PEELED OFF THE LEFT WING'S LEADING EDGE.
NTSB Probable Cause
an inadequate maintenance inspection by the pilot/owner and the separation of the wing skin.
Full Narrative
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 22, 1993 at 1230 EDT, a home built Falcon-XP, N534AA took off from a private air strip near Zeeland, Michigan. Shortly after lift-off, the covering on the upper left wing detached and started to peel back resulting in loss of lift and uncontrolled descent into the ground. INJURIES TO PERSONS The private pilot and owner of the aircraft received minor injuries. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT Substantial damage resulted from ground contact. The fuselage collapsed forward of the wing, nose gear folded into fuselage, the wings and tail were distorted. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wing covering of transparent Mylar, was held onto the aluminum leading edge with tape. The tape peeled off the upper left wing causing a loose flapping covering. The wreckage was released to the owner R.W. Thorpe on August 23, 1993.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length1250 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSheats Falcon-Xp
Tail NumberN534AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRalph Wayne Thorpe
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 52
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200°
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC