PIPISTREL DOO AJDOVSCINA VIRUS SW

Weatherford, TX — May 13, 2017

Event Information

DateMay 13, 2017
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberCEN17LA182
Event ID20170514X12152
LocationWeatherford, TX
CountryUSA
Coordinates32.56694, -97.80750
AirportDRIFTWOOD RANCH
Highest InjurySERS

Aircraft

MakePIPISTREL DOO AJDOVSCINA
ModelVIRUS SW
CategoryGLI
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
None0
Total Injured2

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.

Full Narrative

On May 13, 2017, about 1820 central standard time, a Pipistrel Virus SW motorized-glider, N616NG, impacted terrain while departing the Driftwood Ranch Airport (XA86), Weatherford, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The motorized-glider was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident.According to a statement provided by the pilot, he was departing on runway 16, at XA86. After reaching rotation speed, the pilot rotated the motorized-glider and the nosewheel lifted off when a gust of wind from the left, pushed the motorized-glider to the right. The pilot added that he pulled back on the control stick to climb, and simultaneously added left rudder and aileron. As the motorized-glider got airborne, the pilot reported that the airspeed was insufficient, and the motorized-glider entered a stall-spin. After a quarter turn, the motorized-glider impacted terrain. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the glider's fuselage and wings.

At 1815, an automated weather reporting facility located 7 nautical miles south of the accident site recorded a wind from 160 degrees at 4 knots.

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.

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