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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 15, 2008 · Aerotrike Spirit · N226MB

Vinland Valley, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Vinland Valley, KS
Aircraft
Aerotrike Spirit
Tail Number
N226MB
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08CA213

The certified flight instructor and student pilot had just departed in the flight instructor's experimental light sport (weight-shift) aircraft when it began to drift to the left of the runway centerline. The flight instructor, who was also on the controls with the student pilot, reported that there was a three mile per hour crosswind from the right, so they both moved the bar to the left to correct for the wind and positioned the aircraft back to the right and over the runway centerline. However, once the correction was made, the aircraft continued to drift to the right. The instructor stated that he was telling the student to move the control bar to the right, and the student said he was trying but he was unable to lift the wing. The instructor, who was still on the controls, said that he was also trying to lift the wing but to no avail and the aircraft continued to bank sharply to the right. When the airplane's bank angle reached approximately 45 degrees, the instructor realized that the aircraft was going to stall so he pushed the control bar forward. The aircraft hit the ground with the right wing and came to rest about 300 feet to the right of the runway in a plowed field. Examination of the airplane revealed the wing and frame sustained substantial damage. The propeller was also damaged. No pre mishap discrepancies were noted with the airframe or the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the sport aircraft on takeoff.

Full Narrative

The certified flight instructor and student pilot had just departed in the flight instructor's experimental light sport (weight-shift) aircraft when the it began to drift to the left of the runway centerline. The flight instructor, who was also on the controls with the student pilot, reported that there was a three mile per hour crosswind from the right, so they both moved the bar to the left to correct for the wind and positioned the aircraft back to the right and over the runway centerline. However, once the correction was made, the aircraft continued to drift to the right. The instructor stated that he was telling the student to move the control bar to the right, and the student said he was trying but he was unable to lift the wing. The instructor, who was still on the controls, said that he was also trying to lift the wing but to no avail and the aircraft continued to bank sharply to the right. When the airplane's bank angle reached approximately 45 degrees, the instructor realized that the aircraft was going to stall so he pushed the control bar forward. The aircraft hit the ground with the right wing and came to rest about 300 feet to the right of the runway in a plowed field. Examination of the airplane revealed the wing and frame sustained substantial damage. The propeller was also damaged. No pre mishap discrepancies were noted with the airframe or the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerotrike Spirit
Tail NumberN226MB
Aircraft CategoryWsft
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · UL503DCDI · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Sprt
Crew 2Age 52 · Sprt

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data