U-FLY-IT Aerolite 103
MIDLAND, VA — November 8, 2015
Event Information
| Date | November 8, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA16LA046 |
| Event ID | 20151112X41311 |
| Location | MIDLAND, VA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.58417, -77.70834 |
| Airport | WARRENTON-FAUQUIER |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | U-FLY-IT |
| Model | Aerolite 103 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.