# NTSB ERA15CA031: Solo Wings Aquilla, N55446, Eustis, FL, October 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2014, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Eustis, FL - Coordinates: 28.839445, -81.630279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8394&lon=-81.6303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90311/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90311 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the final approach in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a collision with water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Solo Wings AQUILLA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901B2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the weight shift aircraft, the flight was his first solo flight and he had flown earlier in the day with a flight instructor. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft encountered a wind shift and turbulent air. After several unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot flew south of the airport and entered a two-mile final for the runway. During the final approach leg, about 50 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered "violent turbulence." The pilot subsequently lost control of the aircraft and impacted a lake short of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft wing and structural tubing. He further reported that due to the absence of a rear seat passenger the position of the control bar was different than what he was used to. He also reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The wind recorded at an airport 10 miles to the west, around the time of the accident, was from 300 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the weight shift aircraft, the flight was his first solo flight and he had flown earlier in the day with a flight instructor. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft encountered a wind shift and turbulent air. After several unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot flew south of the airport and entered a two-mile final for the runway. During the final approach leg, about 50 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered "violent turbulence." The pilot subsequently lost control of the aircraft and impacted a lake short of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft wing and structural tubing. He further reported that due to the absence of a rear seat passenger the position of the control bar was different than what he was used to. He also reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The wind recorded at an airport 10 miles to the west, around the time of the accident, was from 300 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55446](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55446), registered now, S/N 11MAM, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOLO WINGS AQUILLA - Registry model: [Solo Wings AQUILLA](https://openairdocs.org/model/solo-wings-aquilla) (registry code 05901B2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582e) (registry code 55557, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 11MAM - Year built: 2008 - Engines: ROTAX 582E 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 24, 2014 - Departed: X55, Eustis, FL - Destination: X55, Eustis, FL - Airport: X55, Mid Florida Air Service, runway 36, 3,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2014; seat: front; flight hours: 7,105 total, 34 in this make and model, 7,050 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KLEE, 10 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 20141026018949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141026018949A), Oct 26, 2014: Solo Wings AQUILLA, Pinecrest, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot [privacy data omitted] stated that he had been receiving instructional flights since Sunday morning October 28, 2014. At which point by mid day… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90311. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420388&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement to the FAA (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20the%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Leesburg Florida Weather (item 3, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Leesburg%20Florida%20Weather-Master.PDF - Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 13 photos, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420391&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.