Summary
On May 13, 2017, a Pipistrel Doo Ajdovscina VIRUS SW (N616NG) was involved in an accident near Weatherford, TX. The accident resulted in 2 serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN17LA182. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N616NG.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN17LA182