# NTSB MIA83FU006: American Aerolights EAGLE-2, Miami, FL, September 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1983, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.660814, -80.360679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6608&lon=-80.3607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FU006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FU006

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - wing,skin - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - not performed (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A GRASS FIELD, THE 2 PLACE, ULTRALIGHT VEHICLE REMAINED IN A NORMAL RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN. AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON A BASE LEG FOR LANDING, WITNESSES SAW THE RIGHT WING TRAILING EDGE AREA FLUTTER, THEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED & THE ULTRALIGHT SPIRALED NOSE DOWN & CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME REVEALED A RIP FROM THE RIGHT REAR INBOARD SAIL AREA. THE RIP ORIGINATED NEAR THE GROMMET & SEAM. ALONG THE 1ST 16 1/2 INCHES OF THE RIP, FROM THE REAR FORWARD, THE THREADS OF THE FABRIC WERE FOUND TO BE FEATHERED. PREVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAD RECOMMENDED A MODIFICATION TO THE LEADING EDGE CANARD & THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE SAIL. HOWEVER, THE MODIFICATION WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED. THE MODIFICATION TO PREVENT A PROBLEM WITH TORN SAILS CONSISTED OF 2 STRIPS OF BASTING & GROMMETS TO REINFORCE THE WING TRAILING EDGE AT THE INBOARD AREAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AEROLIGHTS EAGLE-2
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 400123
- Engines: ROTAX 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 103
- Registered owner: Tri-Flight Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 2 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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