# NTSB MIA88FA213: Franklin Drifter XP-503, N65DF, Lake Wales, FL, July 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1988, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Lake Wales, FL
- Coordinates: 27.899898, -81.580802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8999&lon=-81.5808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA213

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vne) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,aileron - flutter (cause)
  - flight control,aileron attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER RPRTD THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT AT A COMPANY PICNIC WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. COMPANY PSNL SAW THE EXPERIMENTAL, AMATEUR BUILT ACFT TAKEOFF FROM THE COMPANY STRIP, THEN MANEUVER FOR A LOW PASS OVER THE AREA AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. SOME ESTIMATED THE PASS WAS MADE WITH A SPEED IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH. THE NEVER EXCEED (VNE) SPEED FOR THE ACFT WAS 95 MPH. AS THE ACFT APCHD THE AREA OF THE PICNIC, WITNESSES HEARD A BUZZING OR FLUTTERING SOUND. AS IT CONTINUED OVERHEAD, WITNESSES NOTED THE LEFT AILERON HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE OUTBOARD END & HAD FOLDED AFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RGT AILERON FAILED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. THE ACFT ENTERED A CLIMB & SOME WITNESSES NOTED A POWER REDUCTION AS IF THE PLT WAS TRYING TO SLOW THE ACFT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT ROLLED & ENTERED A DSCNT WHICH WAS DESCRIBED AS A STALL/SPIN CONDITION. RPRTDLY, THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE ACFT'S TENDENCY TO ENCTR AILERON BUZZ OR FLUTTER WHEN ACCELERATED ABOVE 100 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65DF-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N DR-0365 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FRANKLIN DRIFTER XP-503 (DRIFTER XP)
- Registry model: [Franklin Dennis W DRIFTER XP503](https://openairdocs.org/model/franklin-dennis-w-drifter-xp503) (registry code 05676AF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DR 0365
- Airframe hours: 43
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maxair Aircraft Corp.
- Registered owner: Dennis W. Franklin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1988, 43 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 30 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 19880704024769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880704024769A), Jul 4, 1988: Amtrmx XP503, Lake Wales, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Ailerons came loose in homebuilt aircraft during high speed pass. Aircraft rolled, entered spin and crashed.

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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