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NTSB Report
April 13, 1988 · Fischer Star-Lite · N20RF
Lakeland, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lakeland, FL
Aircraft
Fischer Star-Lite
Tail Number
N20RF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA88LA146
THE OWNER/MANUFACTURER OF THE HOMEBUILT ACFT REPAIRED THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS, THEN ASKED THE DESIGNER TO TEST FLY THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF APRX 7,000 FEET MSL, IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, AT 158 MPH ( 28 MPH GREATER THAN VNE) BOTH HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS SEPARATED. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN, AFTER WHICH THE WINGS FAILED NEGATIVELY. THE PILOT PARACHUTED TO THE ROOF OF A HOUSE, THEN WAS PULLED TO THE GROUND WHEN THE CANOPY WAS REINFLATED BY THE WIND. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AND CAME TO REST NEAR A RESIDENCE WITH NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNER, THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE SEPARATED THE TWO STABILIZERS INTO FOUR SECTIONS, APPLIED EPOXY TO THE INSIDE OF EACH, AS WELL AS TO THE ALUMINUM SPAR, THEN ASSEMBLED THEM.
Full Narrative
THE OWNER/MANUFACTURER OF THE HOMEBUILT ACFT REPAIRED THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS, THEN ASKED THE DESIGNER TO TEST FLY THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF APRX 7,000 FEET MSL, IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, AT 158 MPH ( 28 MPH GREATER THAN VNE) BOTH HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS SEPARATED. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN, AFTER WHICH THE WINGS FAILED NEGATIVELY. THE PILOT PARACHUTED TO THE ROOF OF A HOUSE, THEN WAS PULLED TO THE GROUND WHEN THE CANOPY WAS REINFLATED BY THE WIND. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AND CAME TO REST NEAR A RESIDENCE WITH NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNER, THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE SEPARATED THE TWO STABILIZERS INTO FOUR SECTIONS, APPLIED EPOXY TO THE INSIDE OF EACH, AS WELL AS TO THE ALUMINUM SPAR, THEN ASSEMBLED THEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFischer Star-Lite
Tail NumberN20RF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 447 · Reciprocating · 40
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 14 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:46
Weather SourceWFAC