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NTSB Report
April 5, 1991 · Sunrise Ultralight Spitfire II Spitfire I · UNREG
Elk Grove, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Elk Grove, CA
Aircraft
Sunrise Ultralight Spitfire II Spitfire I
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
William Nelson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA170
THE NON-CERTIFICATED OWNER OF A NON-CERTIFICATED, NON-REGISTERED AIRPLANE, AND A NON-CERTIFICATED PASSENGER WERE MANEUVERING TO LAND AT AN AIRPORT DURING A FLIGHT IN WHICH THE PASSENGER WAS REPORTEDLY TEACHING THE OWNER HOW TO FLY. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO STALL AND DESCEND TO THE GROUND IN A RIGHT TURN FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH OCCUPANTS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE IS SIMILAR TO AN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT MEET THE ULTRALIGHT DEFINITION. BOTH OCCUPANTS DO NOT POSSESS AIRMAN OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.
Full Narrative
THE NON-CERTIFICATED OWNER OF A NON-CERTIFICATED, NON-REGISTERED AIRPLANE, AND A NON-CERTIFICATED PASSENGER WERE MANEUVERING TO LAND AT AN AIRPORT DURING A FLIGHT IN WHICH THE PASSENGER WAS REPORTEDLY TEACHING THE OWNER HOW TO FLY. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO STALL AND DESCEND TO THE GROUND IN A RIGHT TURN FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH OCCUPANTS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE IS SIMILAR TO AN ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT MEET THE ULTRALIGHT DEFINITION. BOTH OCCUPANTS DO NOT POSSESS AIRMAN OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:59 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSunrise Ultralight Spitfire II Spitfire I
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam Nelson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBombardier · ROTEX 503 · Reciprocating · 52
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT