Flight Safety Report - Accident/Mechanical Malfunction Per the requirements of FAA Exemption #9784M and the EAA UFI program, please accept the following Flight Safety Report on an Accident/Mechanical Malfunction. Date of Mishap: 5/27/2007 Accident / Mechanical Malfunction Ultralight Owner: Barry Foer Address: Phone: EUL #: 938 Registration #: E006BF Pilot Information: EUL #938 Barry Foer Two Place Training Aircraft Information Manufacturer: Propulsion Parachute/ParaSki/Delta Motorise, Inc. Model: Fox 503 Aircraft Serial Number: F-503-C 3/0-500-00-02 Engine Serial Number: 4795614 Rotax 503 Type: Land PPW Empty Weight (lbs.) 270 Maximum Fuel (gallons): 10 Power off Stall Speed (kts.): N/A Full Power Flight Speed: N/A Accident Information - Injuries: None Fatalities: None Location: Warrenton Air Park 7VG0 Description and probable cause: The aircraft was inspected and flown on 5/26/2007 with no visual or performance based indication of any mechanical problem evident. On the morning of 5/27/2007 after a complete preflight inspection of the aircraft had been performed, I taxied to the runway for set up and departure at approximately 8:15 a.m. Winds were at zero, temperature was approximately 80 degrees F and weather was not otherwise a factor. The kite up, rolling inspection and lift off were all routine. Having established normal climb, a right turn was executed at approximately 125 feet AGL to avoid crossing runway 4/22 and establish a heading allowing for additional climb out near the runway areas. At approximately 150 AGL the Nicopress Oval Sleeve used to eye-splice the right side aircraft cable riser failed. The failed cable had served to attach the machine to the "A" lines of the ram air wing. The failure of this cable immediately deformed the right half of the wing resulting in a complete collapse of the entire right half of the wing. The aircraft immediately: Lost sufficient lift to sustain altitude Veered to a nose down attitude Rapidly descended in a substantial rightward spiral to impact with ground The airframe is a complete loss. There were no injuries to the student or instructor. Additional Pilot Observations: With the loss of the right half of the wing, pilot control was effectively limited to: * Modest steering response from the left side of wing allowing the spiral to be slowed but not stopped * Throttle appeared to allow a slight reduction in the rate of descent but was totally insufficient to significantly prolong or sustain flight * Modest flare response from the left half of the wing was evident immediately prior to impact The airframe performed an exceptional job of protecting both occupants and distributing the impact energy throughout the airframe. The time from failure to impact was not greater than 5 to 6 seconds. The flight path was over open field with plenty of runway ahead and an emergency "plan and spot" in sight. There was an ample amount of open space surrounding the runways to provide for safe operation plus an extra "comfort" margin. The loss of both lift and control authority at the same time did not permit the execution of any of my pre-planned emergency options. The rightward spiral forced me down in an area compromised by both trees and hangers further complicating the landing. I am uncertain that any additional planning could have provided a better alternative for this type of failure. |
