Main Air RAPIER N5142U

Summary

On 2 August 2015 at about 19:20 local time, a Main Air RAPIER registered N5142U was involved in an accident near Reidsville, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 August 2015 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Reidsville, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Rockingham County Nc Shiloh (SIF)

Coordinates

36.4353, -79.8464

Aircraft

Main Air RAPIER

Registration

N5142U

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mocksville → Reidsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA15CA212

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot landed with variable wind conditions, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that the weight-shift control aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 20 feet above the ground, the aircraft drifted to the right. The student pilot "raised the right wing tip, to correct up"; a "large gust" of wind lifted the right wing upward and turned the aircraft sideways.  The aircraft impacted the ground, left main landing gear first. His foot "got stuck" in the foot actuated throttle, full throttle position, the aircraft impacted terrain on the edge of the adjacent taxi way. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The weight-shift-control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.