# NTSB ATL00LA078: Solo Wings Aquilla, Chatsworth, GA, August 4, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 2000, 19:43 local (23:43 UTC)
- Place: Chatsworth, GA
- Coordinates: 34.769836, -84.769515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7698&lon=-84.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA078

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering that resulted in the collision with trees and the ground.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - miscellaneous, unqualified person (cause)
  - lack of certification, unqualified person (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, unqualified person (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane collided with trees as the non-certificated pilot maneuvered the unregistered airplane over a residential area. In accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103, the accident airplane was to be used for flight instruction only. Family members reported that the pilot and his passenger routinely flew the accident airplane in the community. The limited examination the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.

## Factual narrative

On August 4, 2000, at 1943 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground while maneuvering near Chatsworth, Georgia.  The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured and the passenger was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan on file.  The flight originated from a private field near Chatsworth, Georgia, at an undetermined time.

According to witnesses and family members in the immediate vicinity of the accident site, the experimental airplane was circling over the neighborhood. Witnesses then stated that the engine started to speed up, followed by a decrease in speed. The experimental airplane then made a tight descending turn, followed by an increase in engine speed. The airplane then collided with trees, and subsequently came to rest in the intersection of two roads in the community.

According to Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103, the accident airplane was to be used for flight instruction only. There were no records of the owner/ operator of the accident airplane receiving flight instruction in the Solo Wings Aquilla airplane. Further examination revealed that the pilot had no record of being registered in the Ultra-Light Airman's Registration Program. Family members reported that the pilot and his passenger routinely flew the accident airplane over their community. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for icing conditions. The limited examination of the airframe and the sub-systems failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.

On August 5, 2000, the postmortem examination on the pilot was conducted by Dr. Cameron Snider at the office of the Medical Examiner in Chatsworth, Georgia. The toxicological examination was negative for alcohol and drugs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Solo Wings AQUILLA
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 326
- Engines: Rotax M517610 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Curtis Rodgers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; medical: unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DNN

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.