Sheats FALCON-XP N534AA
22 August 1993 · Zeeland, Michigan, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 22 August 1993 at about 16:30 local time, a Sheats FALCON-XP registered N534AA, operated by Ralph Wayne Thorpe, was involved in an accident near Zeeland, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Zeeland, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Private
- Coordinates
- 42.8103, -86.0107
- Aircraft
- Sheats FALCON-XP
- Registration
- N534AA
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Ralph Wayne Thorpe
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI93DEM02
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
an inadequate maintenance inspection by the pilot/owner and the separation of the wing skin.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE FLIGHT TESTS AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF STORAGE. DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND LEFT HAND BANK. THE LEFT WING, FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING A PORTION OF THE LEFT WING'S MYLAR COVERING STANDING UP ON THE WING DURING THE FLIGHT. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAPE HOLDING THE MYLAR WING COVERING DOWN HAD PEELED OFF THE LEFT WING'S LEADING EDGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jan 1993 | Cessna T337G | Smiths Creek, Michigan, United States | Mowat, Douglas H. | Fatal | 3 |
| 8 Jan 1993 | De Havilland DHC-8-102 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | Mesaba Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jan 1993 | Fokker F-28 MK 1000 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | Usair | No injuries | - |
| 21 Aug 1993 | Bradford Pietenpol SKYSCOUT | Eaton Rapids, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Nov 1993 | Cessna 172I | Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Jun 1993 | Amato CORBEN JR. ACE | Traverse City, Michigan, United States | Brian C. Amato | No injuries | - |