# NTSB LAX83FU009: American Aerolights Eagle XL, Sommerton, AZ, June 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1983, 09:59 local (16:59 UTC)
- Place: Sommerton, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.529842, -114.709526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5298&lon=-114.7095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FU009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FU009

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - wing,bracing wire - overload (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - level off - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A WITNESS IN ANOTHER ULTRALIGHT SAW THE PLT OF THE EAGLE XL CLIMB TO ABOUT 800 TO 1000 FT AGL AFTER TAKING OFF. THE WITNESS WAS APRX 500 FT AGL WHEN HE SAW THE EAGLE XL START A STEEP DESCENT FROM HIS 8 TO 9 O'CLOCK HIGH POSITION AND THOUGHT THE EAGLE XL PLT WAS DESCENDING TO MEET HIM. HE LOOKED AWAY TO SCAN FOR OTHER TRAFFIC AND WHEN HE LOOKED BACK HE SAW THE EAGLE XL JUST BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICLE DIVE. HE NOTICED THAT BEFORE IMPACT THE LEFT WING APPEARED TO BE SWEPT BACK APRX 15 TO 20 DEG MORE THAN THE RIGHT WING. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FRONT FLYING WIRE WAS FOUND SEPARATED AT THE BOWSPRIT ATTACHPOINT. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED A FLIGHT PHYSICAL DUE TO HIS FAILURE TO PASS TWO DEPTH PERCEPTION TESTS. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE RAPID DESCENTS AND HAD SAID HE ENJOYED DOING THESE MANEUVERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AEROLIGHTS EAGLE XL
- Category: Ultralight
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Registered owner: Bill Kerr

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 83 total, 8 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YUM, 5 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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