# NTSB MIA03LA150: Turkan Delta Wing Kite Trik, Odessa, FL, July 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2003, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Odessa, FL - Coordinates: 28.188055, -82.625556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1881&lon=-82.6256&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57606/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper assembly and failure to connect a bolt following an attempted modification that resulted in airframe malfunction, and uncontrolled descent, and an impact with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - maintenance,modification - attempted, pilot in command - maintenance - improper, pilot in command (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - not connected (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis A close friend of the pilot who witnessed the accident stated that the pilot had just finished installing a training bar, so that the aircraft could be controlled from the back seat when he was giving flight instruction, and the witness further stated that the pilot was taking the aircraft for a test flight. According to witnesses, during the flight, the aircraft departed to the west, and climbed to about 100 feet, when all of a sudden the wings folded up vertically, and the aircraft spun, descended, and impacted the ground. The witnesses also said that they did not notice any change in the sound of the engine throughout the flight's duration. An FAA inspector who responded to the scene of the accident stated that examination of the unregistered aircraft showed that the left hand attach fitting had not been properly attached to the left hand end of the horizontal control bar, which caused the wings to fold upward. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2003, about 1710 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Turkan Trike aircraft, operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in Odessa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received fatal injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. A close friend of the pilot who witnessed the accident stated that the pilot had just finished installing a training bar, so that the aircraft could be controlled from the back seat when he was giving flight instruction, and the witness further stated that the pilot was taking the aircraft for a test flight. According to witnesses, during the flight, the aircraft departed to the west, and climbed to about 100 feet, when all of a sudden the wings folded up vertically, and the aircraft spun, descended, and impacted the ground. The witnesses also said that they did not notice any change in the sound of the engine throughout the flight's duration. An FAA inspector who responded to the scene of the accident stated that examination of the unregistered aircraft showed that the left hand attach fitting had not been properly attached to the left hand end of the horizontal control bar, which caused the wings to fold upward. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Turkan Delta Wing Kite Trik - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Rotax M5446167 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas P. Stanton - Departed: 3FD1, Odessa, LA - Airport: Tampa Bay Executive, runway 26, 5,001 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: fatal; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: TPA 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.