Accident Sequence
According to the flight instructor, the weight shift control aircraft conducted two low approaches and two go-arounds to runway 36. During the third approach, after crossing the runway threshold, the instructor reported that he "rounded up" and the left wing "flew up, and the right wing dropped precipitously, as if it stalled." The aircraft then swiftly yawed to the right and descended rapidly. The pilot stated that he responded with a full control deflection, which leveled the aircraft just before impact with the turf. At impact, the aircraft heading was approximately 35° to 50° to the right of the runway heading. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings and the airframe.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector examined the aircraft wreckage. The inspector was unable to locate the right side over-center washout strut split ring. This split ring connects the washout strut and the leading edge of the right wing spar, and it allows the pilot to manipulate the aircraft's directional control. Post-accident photographs of the left side over-center washout strut split ring showed it partially attached. The right side split ring was not found in the wreckage.