History of Flight
On May 17, 2011, at approximately 1043 Hawaiian standard time, a P&M Aviation LTD Pegasus Quik 912S light sport weight-shift-control (WSC) aircraft, registration N705PM, crashed into the ocean near Honopu Beach in Na Pali Coast State Park, Hanalei, Hawaii. The aircraft was operated by Kauai Aerosports under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 for a local instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had departed from Port Allen Airport, Hanapepe, Hawaii, about 30 minutes before the accident.
Two video cameras on the aircraft documented an uneventful takeoff and pre-accident portion of the flight; recording stopped approximately 15 seconds before impact due to data buffering. Witnesses on Honopu Beach and on a nearby boat observed the aircraft flying southwest along the shoreline at about 400 feet above ground level (agl). It flew over Honopu Arch, out over the ocean, around a rock pinnacle, then headed back toward Honopu beach in level flight at about 150–200 feet agl and airspeed slowing to about 40 knots.
One witness reported that as the aircraft flew over the sandy beach heading inland, the pilot applied full power and entered an abrupt, steep climb. Witnesses stated it appeared the pilot was trying to clear a 450-foot rock cliff to reach Honopu valley. At about 300 feet agl, the aircraft initiated a steep left turn, paralleling an 800-foot-high concave cliff, clearing it laterally by 50–100 feet. As the turn reached about 180 degrees, the bank angle increased until the left wing pointed straight down. One witness said the aircraft began to side-slip downward at about 500–600 feet per minute. After completing the turn and leveling the wings, the aircraft was at about 200 feet agl with its nose low and descending.
Witnesses observed the pilot fully extending his arms and pushing full forward on the flight controls to stop the descent. One witness reported the wing started buffeting, a loud pop was heard, and the right wing fabric went slack. The aircraft then abruptly rolled right and performed a complete barrel roll. It was last seen in about a 15-degree left bank, nose low, at about 70 knots as it entered the water.
Aircraft Information
The single-engine, propeller-driven, two-seat tandem WSC aircraft was manufactured on February 16, 2007. Its maximum takeoff gross weight was 903 pounds. At manufacture, the aircraft weighed 464 pounds. In March 2008, a Ballistic Recovery System and other equipment (total estimated weight 38.5 pounds) were added. The two occupants' combined weight was approximately 420 pounds. The aircraft held 17 gallons of fuel (about 102 pounds when full). With a full fuel tank at takeoff, the aircraft weighed about 1,024.5 pounds, exceeding the maximum gross takeoff weight by 121 pounds.
The engine was a Rotax 912 ULS four-stroke, 100-horsepower, equipped with a three-bladed composite propeller. The aircraft had a pilot-passenger pod suspended by a triangular frame, hinged below the wing, allowing weight-shift control. Dual flight controls were installed.
The wing measured 27.4 feet tip-to-tip with 114 square feet of surface area. The fabric was polyester sailcloth (Dimension Polyant TNF210) with Aramid X-05 reinforcement bands. The manufacturer's maintenance manual required annual or 100-hour Bettsometer testing for UV light damage; fabric that fails below 1,360 grams of force must be replaced.
Postaccident examination found a patched area (2 by 4 inches) on the right wing fabric over a seam stitching segment, and a similar patch on the left wing. Several smaller patched holes/tears (10–15 mm) were found on the left wing. Bettsometer testing showed the right wing fabric failed at an average of 950 grams, the left at 800 grams, both below the required 1,360 grams.
The most recent 100-hour inspection was on May 1, 2010, at 380 total flight hours; no Bettsometer test was recorded. The previous inspection on December 23, 2009 (286 hours) did include a fabric test. About two weeks before the accident, the pilot contacted a manufacturer representative to purchase a new wing, stating the aircraft had about 500 total flight hours.
Personnel Information
The 49-year-old pilot held a commercial sport pilot certificate, a sport pilot flight instructor certificate for WSC aircraft, a repairman certificate for light sport airplanes (WSC category), a commercial lighter-than-air balloon pilot certificate, and a private pilot certificate for single-engine land aircraft. His most recent second-class FAA medical certificate was issued August 25, 2008. His flight logbook was not recovered; he reported 1,800 hours of flight experience on his last FAA medical application.
Meteorological Information
At 1053, weather at Lihue Airport (elevation 153 feet) was reported as wind 080° at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 79°F, dew point 66°F, altimeter 30.13 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft was found in about 30 feet of water, 400 feet from shore. The emergency ballistic recovery system had not been activated. Salvage divers raised the wreckage to the surface on May 18, 2011; a helicopter recovered it to a hangar at Lihue Airport.
Examination on May 19 revealed crushing and wrinkling of the pod, engine, and wing frame consistent with left-front impact. The engine rotated freely with continuity. Two of three propeller blades separated at the blade roots, typical of high power during water impact. The recovered video showed normal engine operation throughout the recorded flight.
The wing sustained severe impact damage with numerous tears and holes. Distinguishing preimpact fabric damage from impact or recovery damage was not always possible.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot was conducted on May 19, 2011. Toxicological tests by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, drugs, and ethanol.
Additional Information
Two video recorders and a GPS unit were recovered. The GPS data appeared invalid and did not match the video. Video data stopped about 15 seconds before impact due to buffering. The videos showed the two occupants were not wearing helmets during the flight.