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NTSB Report

November 8, 2015 · U-Fly-It Aerolite 103 · UNREG

Midland, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Midland, VA
Aircraft
U-Fly-It Aerolite 103 (2015)
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16LA046

The private pilot reported that the accident flight was his first flight in the ultralight airplane. He reported that, after he applied full power for takeoff, the airplane pitched up at a steep angle and that he then immediately reduced the power. A witness reported that, after the airplane pitched up, it climbed steeply and then stalled. The airplane then pitched down, impacted the runway, and flipped over. The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire. Calculations using the airplane's performance data showed that its center of gravity (CG) exceeded the aft CG limit, which reduced the stall speed and led to an aerodynamic stall and likely increased the pitch during takeoff. It would have been difficult for the pilot to recover from the stall at low altitude due to the aft CG.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane’s center of gravity aft of its limit, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On November 8, 2015, about 0940 eastern standard time, an unregistered Aerolite 103 airplane impacted terrain during takeoff from the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (KHWY) Warrenton, Virginia. The pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a visual flight rules personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the airplane. He reported that he applied full power for takeoff, the airplane pitched up at a steep angle and he immediately reduced the power. The airplane pitched down, and impacted the runway. A witness reported that the airplane lifted off of the runway, pitched up and climbed steeply until it aerodynamically stalled and pitched down "violently". The witness further reported that following the aerodynamic stall, the airplane descended steeply and impacted the runway in a nose down attitude, flipped over, and caught fire. The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector assigned to investigate the accident, provided the official weight and balance for the airplane, which he obtained from the manufacturer. Using data provided by the FAA and the manufacturer, the calculated center of gravity exceeded the aft center of gravity limit. The accident airplane had a gross empty weight of 301 pounds, which exceeded the 254 pound gross weight limit for Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EST
Nearest AirportWarrenton-Fauquier (0nm SE)
Runway33
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftU-Fly-It Aerolite 103
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHirth · F23 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Sprt · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 39 C
Altimeter30.45 inHg
Observation Time14:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data