# NTSB LAX85FA066: Barry Zielinski SNS 8 Hiperlt, N5303U, Corona, CA, December 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1984, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&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): 24438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - overload (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - safety system(other) - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - safety system(other) - overload (contributing factor)
  - emergency equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N5303U, OWNED & OPERATED BY THE AMATEUR ACFT BUILDER SUSTAINED AN INFLT STRUCTUAL FAILURE OF THE LT BOTTOM WING & CRASHED 6 MI EAST OF CORONA, CA. THE ULTRALIGHT TYPE ACFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PLT FATALLY INJURED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WING SPAR FAILURE OCCURRED IN NEGATIVE OVERLOAD WHEN DESIGN STRESS LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED. THE PLT DEPLOYED A SAFETY PARACHUTE BUT THE ALUMINUM FITTING ATTACHING THE CHUTE TO THE ACFT FAILED DUE TO OVERLOADS. THE STRENGTH OF THIS FITTING WAS FOUND INADEQUATE FOR THE FORCES EXPECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5303U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5303U-2011-04-26), registration cancelled 2011-04-26, S/N 012, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARRY ZIELINSKI SNS 8 HIPERLT (SNS 8 HIPE)
- Registry model: [Zielinski Barry J SNS-8 HYPERLIGHT](https://openairdocs.org/model/zielinski-barry-j-sns-8-hyperlight) (registry code 05655QY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 012
- Airframe hours: 30
- Engines: ROTAX 277 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barry J. Zielinski
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 10, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: LAKE ELSNINORE, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,573 total, 30 in this make and model, 3,373 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 12 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 19841211069289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841211069289A), Dec 11, 1984: Amtrhy SNS8, Corona, CA, Destroyed. Inflight structural bottom wing failure inflight. Pilot was starting to do aerobatics in aircraft.

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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