Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's delay on the runway prior to takeoff that resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence from a landing jet that had to perform a go-around.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the damaged Airborne Windsports LTD Classic "Trike" aircraft stated that he monitored the common traffic frequency, taxied to the departure end of runway 36 at Sebring Regional Airport, performed his pre-departure checks, turned the aircraft around to check the area for traffic, and then taxied into position on the runway and initiated the takeoff. He said that the takeoff was normal, and upon reaching 100 to 200 feet he saw a shadow on his right, and a "jet" descended directly in front of him. He said the jet was moving fast, and looked like it was going to land too far down the runway. Then the jet appeared to a nose up position, and it seemed as he was going to fly through the wake of the jet so he "pulled the nose in and turned to the right expecting the wake to turn him to the left." He said the wake did just as he expected, and further said that the nose of the airplane lifted up from the right to the left and the right wing went up, and the left wing came down. He said he managed to correct the movement to the point where the landing gear was to the ground by diving to the left. He also said he did his best to level the wings but the airplane impacted the ground either with the left main landing gear or the left wing, incurring damage.
After coming to a stop he said he secured the electrical switches and exited the "Trike", to find that the jet was making a final approach to the runway. He said he waved the jet off, and later learned that the jet was Mexican registered, and was the one wake he had encountered. The pilot said that the jet then executed a second missed approach, flew the pattern, and landed on runway 32.
The FAA inspector who responded to the accident stated that during the course of his examination it was determined through speaking with witnesses that the accident pilot had remained on the runway for an extended period of time, necessitating the pilot of the turbojet execute a go-around. According to the inspector, the crew of the Mexican registered jet departed the area and no information pertaining to them or their airplane was obtained
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA07CA044