SHAFTER, CA, USA
UNREG
WIZARD W-1
THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THIS MISHAP WAS A WIZARD W-1 ULTRALIGHT WHICH WAS ASSEMBLED FROM A KIT SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER, US, INC. IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE CONTROLLER BY 'WEIGHT SHIFTS' OF THE PLT, AND FEATURED A GROUND ADJUSTABLE FIXED HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & A MOVABLE OPERATOR HARNESS ATTACH POINT FOR TRIM ADJUSTMENT. THE PLT/OPERATOR HAD MADE 'CROW HOPS' FOR APRX 15 MIN TO ADJUST THE VEHICLE TRIM PRIOR TO TAKING OFF & PERFORMING HIGHER FLT. AFTER A NORMAL TAKEOFF RUN & DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 50 FT. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE TRIM WAS STILL NOT CORRECT & THE VEHICLE STALLED, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A HARD LANDING. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. THE OPERATER, SUSPENDED FROM A TURBULAR FRAME BY A WIRE & HARNESS ONLY, CONTACTED THE GROUND & RECEIVED BACK & NECK INJURIES. THE OPERATOR STATED THE ENG STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HE WAS A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR WIZARD ULTRALIGHTS & HAD ACCUMULATED 40 OF 50 HRS IN THE WIZARD W-1.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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