13 May 2017: PIPISTREL DOO AJDOVSCINA VIRUS SW NO SERIES

13 May 2017: PIPISTREL DOO AJDOVSCINA VIRUS SW NO SERIES (N616NG) — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Weatherford, TX, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

On May 13, 2017, about 1820 central standard time, a Pipistrel Virus SW motorized-glider, N616NG, impacted terrain while departing the Driftwood Ranch Airport (XA86), Weatherford, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The motorized-glider was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident.According to a statement provided by the pilot, he was departing on runway 16, at XA86. After reaching rotation speed, the pilot rotated the motorized-glider and the nosewheel lifted off when a gust of wind from the left, pushed the motorized-glider to the right. The pilot added that he pulled back on the control stick to climb, and simultaneously added left rudder and aileron. As the motorized-glider got airborne, the pilot reported that the airspeed was insufficient, and the motorized-glider entered a stall-spin. After a quarter turn, the motorized-glider impacted terrain. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the glider's fuselage and wings.

At 1815, an automated weather reporting facility located 7 nautical miles south of the accident site recorded a wind from 160 degrees at 4 knots.

Contributing factors

  • cause Capability exceeded
  • cause Airspeed — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 160/04kt, vis 10sm

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