Pioneer 85 UNREG

Summary

On 29 December 2001 at about 16:30 local time, a Pioneer 85 registered UNREG, operated by Benjamin Brown, was involved in an accident near Lajas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 December 2001 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lajas, United States

Nearest airport

Lajas Agricultural Airport

Coordinates

18.0408, -67.0605

Aircraft

Pioneer 85

Registration

UNREG

Category

Ultralight

Engines

1

Operator

Benjamin Brown

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mayaguez → Lajas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02LA028

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's decision to attempt a go-around after a hard landing that resulted in the overload failure of the flight control brackets and the loss of flight control. The airplane collided with a building during the attempted go-around.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he experienced a strong gust of wind from the south east within 2 or 3 miles from his destination airport. While announcing his position on frequency 122.9 on approach he experienced another gust and subsequent downdraft. He stated, I applied full power and pulled on the elevator and immediately impacted to the left side of the runway. Review of surface weather observation closest to the accident site revealed there were no recorded gusts or downdrafts. Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude separating the nose gear. The pilot applied max power in an attempted go-around, the airplane collided with the top of a hangar and came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airframe and flight control system revealed no evidence of a pre-crash mechanical failure or malfunction. The plastic brackets that hold the control stick in place were broken during the hard landing resulting in a total loss of directional control of the flight control system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.