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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 28, 1983 · American Aerolights Eagle 2 · N930AA

Valpariso, IN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Valpariso, IN
Aircraft
American Aerolights Eagle 2
Tail Number
N930AA
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83FA336

THE PERSON WHO SOLD THE ACFT TO THE PLT STATED HE HAD GIVEN THE PLT A TRAINING FLT THAT EVENING, BUT SINCE THERE WAS ONLY 1 SET OF CONTROLS, THE PLT (INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT) ONLY OBSERVED. SINCE DARKNESS WAS APCHG, THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT WANT TO CONTINUE FLYING. HOWEVER, HE (THE PREVIOUS OWNER) SUGGESTED THAT THE PLT (NEW OWNER) COULD TAXI THE ACFT, WHICH WAS A 2 PLACE ULTRALIGHT. WHILE THE PLT WAS TAXIING, WITTNESSES SAW THE ACFT BECOME AIRBORNE. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 150TO 200 FT, ENTERED A SHALLOW RIGHT TURN, THEN ENTERED A LEFT TURN WHICH BECAME PROGRESIVELY STEEPER UNTIL THE ACFT WENT INTO A STEEP DIVE & CRASHED. TWO OTHERS SAID THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF, THEN ENTERED A LEFT TURN. ONE SAID IT MADE TWO 360 DEG CLIMBING LEFT TURNS, FOLLOWED BY THREE 360 DEG DESCENDING LEFT TURNS, BEFORE IT CRASHED. ALL SAID THE ENG REMAINED AT HIGH POWER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE PLT USED A 10 LB WT ON THE RIGHT WING FOR BALLAST. REPORTEDLY, THE 210 LB PLT NEEDED ABOUT 11 LBS FOR LATTERAL BALANCE.

Full Narrative

THE PERSON WHO SOLD THE ACFT TO THE PLT STATED HE HAD GIVEN THE PLT A TRAINING FLT THAT EVENING, BUT SINCE THERE WAS ONLY 1 SET OF CONTROLS, THE PLT (INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT) ONLY OBSERVED. SINCE DARKNESS WAS APCHG, THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT WANT TO CONTINUE FLYING. HOWEVER, HE (THE PREVIOUS OWNER) SUGGESTED THAT THE PLT (NEW OWNER) COULD TAXI THE ACFT, WHICH WAS A 2 PLACE ULTRALIGHT. WHILE THE PLT WAS TAXIING, WITTNESSES SAW THE ACFT BECOME AIRBORNE. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 150TO 200 FT, ENTERED A SHALLOW RIGHT TURN, THEN ENTERED A LEFT TURN WHICH BECAME PROGRESIVELY STEEPER UNTIL THE ACFT WENT INTO A STEEP DIVE & CRASHED. TWO OTHERS SAID THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF, THEN ENTERED A LEFT TURN. ONE SAID IT MADE TWO 360 DEG CLIMBING LEFT TURNS, FOLLOWED BY THREE 360 DEG DESCENDING LEFT TURNS, BEFORE IT CRASHED. ALL SAID THE ENG REMAINED AT HIGH POWER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE PLT USED A 10 LB WT ON THE RIGHT WING FOR BALLAST. REPORTEDLY, THE 210 LB PLT NEEDED ABOUT 11 LBS FOR LATTERAL BALANCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:58 EDT
Nearest AirportPorter County (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Aerolights Eagle 2
Tail NumberN930AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 CC · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data