N457EZ Pipistrel Sinus 912 accident

NTSB DFW08CA024 · 2007-11-03 · Holt, FL · near FD93

Summary

The 461-hour commercial pilot lost directional control of the single-engine experimental light sport aircraft while attempting to takeoff from Runway 27 with a prevailing crosswind. Prior to initiating the takeoff roll, the pilot noted the airstrip's windsock indicating variable winds with a maximum velocity of approximately 5 knots. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot reported a sudden drop of the right wing when the aircraft cleared the tree line surrounding the airstrip. When the pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to level the wings, a gust of wind lifted the right wing resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The pilot reported a loss of directional control as the aircraft spun in a counter clockwise direction. The rudder contacted the ground and the aircraft nosed-over, and came to rest in the inverted position. Both pilot were able to egress the airplane without incident. The pilot estimates that the crosswinds significantly increased when the aircraft began to clear the surrounding tree line. An automated weather reporting facility approximate 13-nautical miles to the northeast of the airstrip reported a peak wind of 10 knots near the time of the accident. On the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot attributes the lost of directional control to the 49-foot wingspan of the aircraft and the crosswind conditions at the airfield. The pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident as variable and gusty.

Full narrative

The 461-hour commercial pilot lost directional control of the single-engine experimental light sport aircraft while attempting to takeoff from Runway 27 with a prevailing crosswind. Prior to initiating the takeoff roll, the pilot noted the airstrip's windsock indicating variable winds with a maximum velocity of approximately 5 knots. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot reported a sudden drop of the right wing when the aircraft cleared the tree line surrounding the airstrip. When the pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to level the wings, a gust of wind lifted the right wing resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The pilot reported a loss of directional control as the aircraft spun in a counter clock-wise direction. The rudder contacted the ground and the aircraft nosed-over, and came to rest in the inverted position. Both pilot were able to egress the airplane without incident. The pilot estimates that the crosswinds significantly increased when the aircraft began to clear the surrounding tree line. An automated weather reporting facility approximate 13-nautical miles to the northeast of the airstrip reported a peak wind of 10 knots near the time of the accident. On the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot attributes the lost of directional control to the 49-foot wingspan of the aircraft and the crosswind conditions at the airfield. The pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident as variable and gusty.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A contributing factor was the gusting crosswind. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: Minor
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: NONE
Ceiling (ft): 0
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 0
Temperature (F): 75
Nearest airport: YELLOW RIVER AIRSTRIP
Distance from field: 0.0
Airport elevation: 150

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N457EZ	Pipistrel	Sinus 912	SUBS	091

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	240	Cruise
2	100	Cruise
3	230	Cruise
4	230	Cruise

Findings

Finding
20000	factor
24011
19200
24526	cause