N29ME

Substantial
None

AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD EDGE XT 912 LS/N: XT-912-0334

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, October 18, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA15CA020
Location
Sebring, FL
Event ID
20141018X03448
Coordinates
27.456388, -81.342498
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's inadvertent interference with the weight-shift capability of the airplane during the initial climb, resulting in a loss of airplane control and hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N29ME
Make
AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD
Serial Number
XT-912-0334
Year Built
2009
Model / ICAO
EDGE XT 912 L

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
FPNA LLC
Address
PO BOX 458
Status
Deregistered
City
PALM HARBOR
State / Zip Code
FL 34682-0458
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the instructor pilot, he was beginning a local, instructional flight with a student in his weight-shift-control airplane. During the initial climb, the weight-shift capability of the wing became inadvertently restricted by the student, who was seated in the front seat. Due to the tandem seating arrangement, the instructor was unable to get the student's attention to release control. The student was "younger and stronger" than the instructor. The airplane rolled and impacted hard on the grassy area adjacent to the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that substantial damage resulted to the airframe's tubular structure and the wing. The instructor pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA15CA020