17) FAILED FLT CONTROL SYSTEM, U-FIT

Evolution Revo | N889HT

September 25th, 2024 | Zephyrhills, Florida

Accident Location

  • City: Zephyrhills
  • State: Florida
  • Latitude: 28.226669
  • Longitude: -82.155645
  • Airport ID: KZPH

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N889HT
  • Make: Evolution
  • Model: Revo
  • Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift Control
  • Amateur Built: Yes

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Frey, Wesley Lewis
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 74
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 25th, 2024
  • Time: 7:10 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No: ERA24FA395
  • NTSB Travel: No
  • AQP Classification: 17) FAILED FLT CONTROL SYSTEM, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Erro, in that the pilot failed to properly assemble the aircraft before flight, and then missed the omision during pre flight exam. The Haul back cable which prevents the wings from folding backwards was found simply unhooked. There was nothing snapped or broken. The Probable Cause of this accident is the Inflight structural failure due to aircraft not being assembled for flight correctly, and lack of proper pre flight inspection by the pilot.

NTSB: None

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSBN recommends that all pilot of all aircraft be especially vigilant to preflight aircraft with sufficient scrutiny in order to
find any assembly or unsafe structural problems. The DTSB recommends that pilots be very careful in aircraft that are routinely dis-assembled for transport, then re-assembled for flight. Use extreme care for the inspection of all critical connections and hardware condition.

NTSB: None

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.