# NTSB CHI93DEM02: Sheats FALCON-XP, N534AA, Zeeland, MI, August 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1993, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Zeeland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.810321, -86.01065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8103&lon=-86.0106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DEM02

## Probable cause

an inadequate maintenance inspection by the  pilot/owner and the separation of the wing skin.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - wing,skin - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE FLIGHT TESTS AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS OF STORAGE.   DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM TAKEOFF, THE  AIRPLANE BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND  LEFT HAND BANK.  THE LEFT WING, FOLLOWED BY  THE NOSE, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.  A  WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING A PORTION OF  THE LEFT WING'S MYLAR COVERING STANDING  UP ON THE WING DURING THE FLIGHT.  AN ON-SCENE  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAPE HOLDING  THE MYLAR WING COVERING DOWN HAD PEELED OFF  THE LEFT WING'S LEADING EDGE.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On August 22, 1993 at 1230 EDT, a home built Falcon-XP, N534AA took off from a private air strip near Zeeland, Michigan.  Shortly after lift-off, the covering on the upper left wing detached and started to peel back resulting in loss of lift and uncontrolled descent into the ground.

INJURIES TO PERSONS

The private pilot and owner of the aircraft received minor injuries.

DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT

Substantial damage resulted from ground contact.  The fuselage collapsed forward of the wing, nose gear folded into fuselage, the wings and tail were distorted.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The wing covering of transparent Mylar, was held onto the aluminum leading edge with tape.  The tape peeled off the upper left wing causing a loose flapping covering.

The wreckage was released to the owner R.W. Thorpe on August 23, 1993.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N534AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N534AA-1994-08-26), registration cancelled 1994-08-26, S/N 600157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SHEATS FALCON-XP
- Registry model: [Sheats James Dale FALCON-XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/sheats-james-dale-falcon-xp) (registry code 05658PD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 600157
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph Wayne Thorpe
- Registered owner: Ralph Wayne Thorpe
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1987, 35 hours before
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 248 total, 30 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 21 nm away

## 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 19930822029919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930822029919A), Aug 22, 1993: Amtrat FALCONXP, Zeeland, MI, Substantial damage. Twelve foot section of left wing fabric came loose on liftoff. Left wing lost lift. Hit ground. Plane cartwheeled.

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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