Solo Wings AQUILLA N55446

Summary

On 26 October 2014 at about 15:30 local time, a Solo Wings AQUILLA registered N55446 was involved in an accident near Eustis, Florida, 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.

Date

26 October 2014 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Eustis, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Mid Florida Air Service (X55)

Coordinates

28.8394, -81.6303

Aircraft

Solo Wings AQUILLA

Registration

N55446

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eustis → Eustis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA15CA031

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the final approach in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a collision with water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot of the weight shift aircraft, the flight was his first solo flight and he had flown earlier in the day with a flight instructor. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft encountered a wind shift and turbulent air. After several unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot flew south of the airport and entered a two-mile final for the runway. During the final approach leg, about 50 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered "violent turbulence." The pilot subsequently lost control of the aircraft and impacted a lake short of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft wing and structural tubing. He further reported that due to the absence of a rear seat passenger the position of the control bar was different than what he was used to. He also reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The wind recorded at an airport 10 miles to the west, around the time of the accident, was from 300 degrees at 4 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.