Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX91LA254

SEBASTOPAL, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N9939M

CULLEN/ROTH FALCON XP

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD MODIFIED THE RIGGING OF HIS EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE'S CANARD WING, AND ALSO PERFORMED OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT INTENDED TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MODIFIED AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE DURING THE TEST FLIGHT. THE PILOT CLIMBED TO 5000 FEET AGL, SLOWED TO 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT. THE AIRPLANE STALLED, ENTERED A SPIN AND THE WING FAILED.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S CANARD WING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WHICH RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE RIGGING OF HIS AIRPLANE WHICH DETERIORATED ITS FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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