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NTSB Report

June 14, 2008 · Airborne Edge · N9393S

Dunn, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Dunn, NC
Aircraft
Airborne Edge
Tail Number
N9393S
Operator
Charles R Zeigra
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08LA181

During the student pilot's first supervised solo flight in a weight-shift-control airplane, the pilot departed a private field and remained within the traffic pattern. Witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be on a stable approach for landing. Just before touchdown, the pilot applied full throttle to initiate a go-around and the airplane immediately turned to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane began to cartwheel. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the airframe or flight control system. The student pilot's instructor reported that the 2-cycle engine installed in the airplane produced left-hand torque with a subsequent tendency of the airplane to turn left. He added that the student pilot had been instructed on compensation techniques for the left torque and turning tendencies prior to his solo flight. Witnesses reported that the weather at the time of the accident was clear sky and calm wind.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On June 14, 2008, approximately 0630 eastern daylight time, an Airborne Edge (Experimental Light Sport A) weight-shift control airplane, N9393S, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a go-around at a private field near Dunn, North Carolina. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the supervised solo flight. The local flight originated from the private field about 5 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the flight instructor who was supervising the student pilot's first solo flight reported that the pilot departed and remained within the traffic pattern with no apparent difficulties. The pilot appeared to conduct a stable approach to landing. The instructor stated just before the airplane was going to touch down, the pilot applied full power to initiate a go-around and the airplane began to turn to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest. The pilot was extracted from the wreckage and transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that all components of the airplane exhibited impact related damage. No anomalies were observed with the airplane's flight control system. The student pilot's flight instructor reported that prior to the accident, the pilot had received about 16 hours of flight training in weight-shift control airplanes, and had accumulated about 85 hours of flight time in powered parachutes. The flight instructor stated that the airplane was equipped with a two-cycle engine, which produced left-hand torque and turning tendencies. He added that the student pilot had been instructed on compensation techniques for the left torque and turning tendencies prior to his solo flight. Witnesses reported that the weather at the time of the accident was clear sky and calm wind. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, conducted an autopsy on the pilot on June 15, 2008. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was "Blunt force trauma." The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. According to CAMI's report, carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were tested with positive results for 12 (mg/dl, mg/hg) of Ethanol in the blood, 16 (mg/dl, mg/hg) of Ethanol in the liver, 2 (mg/dL, mg/hg) N-Propanol in the liver and 8 (mg/dL, mg/hg) N-Propanol in the blood. It was also reported that no ethanol was detected in the Vitreous and that the ethanol "found in this case is [was] from sources other than ingestion." The test was also positive for unspecified amounts of Atropine and Etomidate within the blood and liver.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirborne Edge
Tail NumberN9393S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles R Zeigra
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · None · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time10:21
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data