# NTSB BFO84FU002: American Aerolights Eagle XL, Smithfield, VA, July 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1984, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Smithfield, VA
- Location: 36.9735° N, 76.6146° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smithfield, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9735&lon=-76.6146&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO84FU002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO84FU002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT OF THE ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE, A STUDENT, WAS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR THRU USE OF A PORTABLE HAND-HELD UHF TRANSCEIVER. ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE INSTRUCTOR ASKED HIM TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP FOR A PRACTICE POWER OFF LANDING. DURING THE APCH, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE STRIP AT 600 TO 800 FT AGL, THE INSTRUCTOR ASKED HIM TO REDUCE THE POWER TO IDLE. THE INSTRUCTOR HAD HEARD THE POWER REDUCTION TO ABOUT 50% WHEN HE OBSERVED THE NOSE OF THE VEHICLE PITCH DOWN. FROM HIS POSITION, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO FLIP OVER, SIMILAR TO AN OUTSIDE LOOP, BUT WITH NO LOSS OF ALT. (THE OPERATOR BELIEVED THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A RAPID NOSE DOWN, THEN NOSE UP PITCH WHICH APPEARED TO BE A TUMBLE.) IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE WINGS FOLDEDUPWARD, THEN THE ULTRALIGHT ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR PRE-ACCIDENT MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. APATHOLOGICAL EXAM REVEALED EVIDENCE OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE & ANGINA. MEDICAL EXAMINER SUSPECTED PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AEROLIGHTS EAGLE XL
- Category: Ultralight
- Serial number: 300122
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: Atlantic Ultralights
- Airport: Atlantic Ultralights, runway 10, 1,700 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6 total, 4 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF, 10 nm away

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.

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