- Date
- October 13, 1990, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place
- Chapman, ME
- Injuries
- 2 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- UNREGSkytek Skyseeker MK II
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 9, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 36762
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
In-flight failure of the outboard section of the wing, and the loss of aircraft control. Due to the unauthorized structural modification by the pilot/owner.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The aircraft was observed 'bobbing up and down' as the pilot performed maneuvers during the local pleasure flight. Witnesses stated that they heard a bang and saw the outboard section of the right wing fold up before the aircraft descended into the ground. The non-certificated pilot/aircraft owner had performed an unauthorized modification to the wing structure of the two-seater ultra-light aircraft. The manufacturer's representative stated that they had advised against the modification as it was considered unsafe and would weaken the structure.
Aircraft
- Registration
- UNREG
- Reported as
- Skytek Skyseeker MK II (SKYSEEKER)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- TC 001324
- Airframe hours
- 500
- Engine
- Bombardier ROTEX MODEL, 54 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Granville F. Robbins, Jr.
- Last inspection
- Unknown · October 13, 1990 · 2 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 43
- Certificate
- Student
- Seat
- Right
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 500 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 68 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CAR, 18 nm away