Aviation Crash Map

Wright Redux Association 1903 WRIGHT FLYER N203WF

14 October 2003 · Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 14 October 2003 at about 21:00 local time, a Wright Redux Association 1903 WRIGHT FLYER registered N203WF was involved in an accident near Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. 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 21:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States
Nearest airport
Clow International Airport (1C5)
Coordinates
41.6961, -88.1292
Aircraft
Wright Redux Association 1903 WRIGHT FLYER
Registration
N203WF
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Bolingbrook → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI04LA010

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

The inadequate planning/decision by the pilot to begin a flight in gusting wind conditions, the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane, and the stall encountered by the pilot during takeoff. The wind gusts were a contributing factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The experimental exhibition replica of a 1903 Wright Flyer impacted terrain after it stalled about 30 feet above ground level after takeoff The pilot stated that upon reaching the end of the launch rail, he encountered a wind gust at the same time that he was pulling back on the stick, resulting in the airplane pitching upward to about 30 degrees. The wind gusts recorded 15 minutes prior to the accident indicated that they were gusting to 20 knots, and to 26 knots 5 minutes after the accident. The private pilot had a total flight time of 650 hours, of which 6 minutes were in the accident airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

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