N35240

Substantial
None

AIRBORNE EDGE 582 TS/N: 582-649

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, July 5, 2009
NTSB Number
ANC09CA061
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Event ID
20090709X25734
Coordinates
64.803886, -147.762496
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on approach to land, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N35240
Make
AIRBORNE
Serial Number
582-649
Year Built
2000
Model / ICAO
EDGE 582 T

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BROWN RICHARD R
Address
410 6TH AVE # 6
Status
Deregistered
City
FAIRBANKS
State / Zip Code
AK 99701-4929
Country
United States

Analysis

The student pilot reported that while taxiing his recently purchased, experimental light sport weight-shift control airplane on a residential driveway, he pushed the control bar forward, and a gust of wind lifted the airplane. He said that he was not intending to fly the airplane, but due to the gusty wind conditions, he elected to fly to the nearest airport instead of returning to the driveway. In his written report to the NTSB the pilot reported that he encountered windshear while on a southwesterly approach to Runway 24, which “slammed me into the ground.” The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his written report that the accident could have been avoided if he had not been taxiing the airplane in gusty wind conditions, with little previous flying experience. At the time of the accident a nearby aviation weather reporting station reported winds to be 260 degrees at 14 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC09CA061