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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 17, 2002 · Hiperlight SNS-8 · UNREG

Auburn, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Auburn, WA
Aircraft
Hiperlight SNS-8
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA02LA170

The pilot was practicing touch and go landings on an east/west turf runway in the unregistered Sorrell Aircraft Co. HiperLight SNS-8 biplane. During the takeoff roll, and about 25 miles per hour, the aircraft ground looped to the right departing the runway and coming to rest in high brush. The pilot reported that the wind changed while taking off to a left crosswind.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll resulting in a ground loop. A contributing factor was crosswind conditions.

Full Narrative

On August 17, 2002, approximately 1100 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt Sorrell Aircraft Co. HiperLight SNS-8 biplane, sustained substantial damage during a loss of control on takeoff roll on runway 27 at the Auburn Academy airstrip, Auburn, Washington. The aircraft was being flown, operated and was owned by a private pilot who was not injured during the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no known flight plan filed or activated. The aircraft was to have been operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from the pilot's residence in Enumclaw, Washington, approximately 1030. On the morning of the accident several witnesses observed the biplane in the landing pattern at the Auburn Academy flying somewhat erratically. There was no known witness who observed the accident. Later in the day the academy manager discovered the aircraft abandoned approximately 100 feet upwind of the threshold of runway 27 and about 10 feet north of the runway edge. The aircraft had sustained damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and also some wingtip damage, and the academy manager took photographs documenting the aircraft (refer to photographs 1 through 4). The pilot was not located, however, the cockpit was observed secured with the seatbelt buckled across the seat. The aircraft was painted with a registration "O-IBEC" on the upper right wing and left fuselage side. The aircraft was subsequently determined to have been registered "C-IBEC" in Canada as an ultralight, and was sold to an individual in Enumclaw, Washington, several years previously. The aircraft exceeded the maximum full power, level flight airspeed, the maximum stall speed, the maximum weight, and the maximum full capacity set forth in 14 CFR 103 defining ultralight aircraft (refer to Attachments A-I and FAA-I). The pilot subsequently reported that he departed his residence in the aircraft approximately 1030 on the morning of the accident and flew to the Auburn Academy airstrip to practice landings (refer to Attachment 5010-I). After several touch and go landings he initiated takeoff on runway 27 and about 25 miles per hour the aircraft ground looped to the right departing the runway and coming to rest in high brush. The pilot reported that the "...wind changed while taking off..." and indicated a south (crosswind) at the time.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PDT
Nearest AirportAuburn Academy (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiperlight SNS-8
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 447 · Reciprocating · 36
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 50
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data