# NTSB CHI04LA010: Wright Redux Association 1903 Wright Flyer, N203WF, Bolingbrook, IL, October 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 2003, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Bolingbrook, IL - Coordinates: 41.696109, -88.129165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6961&lon=-88.1292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58203 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58203/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA010 ## Probable cause The inadequate planning/decision by the pilot to begin a flight in gusting wind conditions, the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane, and the stall encountered by the pilot during takeoff. The wind gusts were a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The experimental exhibition replica of a 1903 Wright Flyer impacted terrain after it stalled about 30 feet above ground level after takeoff The pilot stated that upon reaching the end of the launch rail, he encountered a wind gust at the same time that he was pulling back on the stick, resulting in the airplane pitching upward to about 30 degrees. The wind gusts recorded 15 minutes prior to the accident indicated that they were gusting to 20 knots, and to 26 knots 5 minutes after the accident. The private pilot had a total flight time of 650 hours, of which 6 minutes were in the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 2003, at 1600 central daylight time, an experimental exhibition Wright Redux Association 1903 Wright Flyer, N203WF, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain after the airplane stalled during takeoff at an altitude of about 30 feet at the Clow International Airport (1C5), Bolingbrook, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot was uninjured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the airplane, a replica of the Wright Flyer, departed from a 140 foot long rail in an attempt to demonstrate a flight at an altitude of 3-5 feet above ground level (AGL) for at least 100 feet. The pilot stated that upon reaching the end of the rail, he encountered a wind gust at the same time that he was pulling back on the stick resulting in the airplane pitching upward to about 30 degrees. He then reportedly pushed the stick forward to counteract the pitch attitude but was never able to regain pitch control. The airplane stalled about 30 feet AGL, descended backwards, banked/slipped right, and then regained a nose level attitude. The airplane impacted the ground with the right wing followed by the landing skid and the left wing. The airplane was a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer and was powered by a Packer Engineering Wright engine, serial number 1, rated at 12 horsepower. The pilot, age 36, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He reported a total flight time of 650 hours, of which 6 minutes were in the accident airplane. He reported that the accumulated a total of 3 minutes in the last 90 days and 3 minutes in the last 30 days in the accident airplane. The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) located at 1C5 recorded, at 1545: wind 320 degrees at 13 knots gusting 20 knots. At 1605, the ASOS recorded: wind 320 degrees at 15 knots gusting 26 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N203WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203WF-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N WOW1903-02, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WRIGHT REDUX ASSOCIATION 1903 WRIGHT FLYER - Registry model: [Wright Redux Association 1903 WRIGHT FLYER RE](https://openairdocs.org/model/wright-redux-association-1903-wright-flyer-re) (registry code 05612VO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WOW-1903-02 - Engines: Packer Engineering 1903 12 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wright Redux Association - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 15, 2003, 0.17 hours before - Departed: 1C5, Bolingbrook, IL - Destination: 1C5 - Airport: 1C5, Clow International Airport, runway 32, 600 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review April 27, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 650 total, 529 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: LOT ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20031014033509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031014033509A), Oct 14, 2003: Amtr WRIGHTFLYER, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 14, 2003 at 4:00 pm the private pilot departed the takeoff rail heading directly into the wind (320 degrees - on grass). Upon leaving the… 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.