Were there any fatalities in the 8 Nov 2015 U-FLY-IT Aerolite 103 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Nov 2015 involved an U-FLY-IT Aerolite 103, at MIDLAND, VA.

Unregistered Aerolite 103 Crashes During Takeoff at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport

On 8 Nov 2015, an U-FLY-IT Aerolite 103 was involved in an aviation accident near MIDLAND, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane’s center of gravity aft of its limit, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

On November 8, 2015, an unregistered Aerolite 103 impacted terrain during takeoff from Warrenton-Fauquier Airport, Virginia. The pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The aircraft was consumed by postcrash fire.

Accident Details

On November 8, 2015, at approximately 0940 eastern standard time, an unregistered Aerolite 103 airplane impacted terrain during takeoff from Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (KHWY) in Warrenton, Virginia. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site at the time of the accident.

Pilot's Report

The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the airplane. He stated that he applied full power for takeoff, and the airplane pitched up at a steep angle. He immediately reduced the power, causing the airplane to pitch down and impact the runway.

Witness Account

A witness reported observing the airplane lift off the runway, pitch up, and climb steeply until it aerodynamically stalled and pitched down "violently." Following the stall, the witness stated that the airplane descended steeply and impacted the runway in a nose-down attitude, flipped over, and caught fire. The airplane was consumed by the postcrash fire.

Investigation Findings

The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector assigned to investigate the accident provided the official weight and balance for the airplane, obtained from the manufacturer. Using data from the FAA and the manufacturer, the calculated center of gravity exceeded the aft center of gravity limit. Additionally, the accident airplane had a gross empty weight of 301 pounds, which exceeded the 254-pound gross weight limit for Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 aircraft.

8 Nov 2015: U-FLY-IT Aerolite 103 — MIDLAND, VA