Camarillo, CA, USA
UNREG
SlipStream Revelation
The unregistered aircraft impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent during a go-around. While landing, the aircraft touched down hard upon the landing strip, and the nose gear sheared off. The pilot performed a go-around and during the turn from the crosswind leg to the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the aircraft slowed and entered a spiraling turn to the ground. The entire aircraft was at the accident site excluding the nose gear, and the damage was consistent with a nose-down impact. The nose gear was located about 1/4-mile from the accident site. According to the supplier of the aircraft, loss of the nose gear would not result in a center of gravity shift that exceed limits. Control system continuity was established during an examination of the wreckage. No preimpact anomaly was found with the engine or propeller. The aircraft exceeded the ultralight weight limitations in 14 CFR Part 103, and the pilot did not hold a flight training exemption.
On January 15, 2005, at 1144 Pacific standard time, an unregistered and noncertificated SlipStream Revelation aircraft, impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent during a go-around at the Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California. The private pilot, also the owner, was operating the aircraft under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot sustained fatal injuries; the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft departed Camarillo Airport at 1030 for the local area flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. According to a witness, the aircraft touched down hard upon the ultralight landing strip adjacent to the Camarillo airport, and the nose gear sheared off. The pilot performed a go-around and during the turn from the crosswind leg to the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the aircraft appeared to slow down and then entered a spiraling turn to the ground. The airport operations personnel responded to the accident site. Excluding the nose gear, the entire aircraft was at the accident site, and the damage was consistent with a nose-down impact. They located the nose gear at the landing runway. The Ventura County Ultralight Aircraft Society (VCUAS) examined the aircraft and landing area following the accident. Post-accident examination of the aircraft and its systems was performed by VCUAS recovery volunteers. The remaining fuel on board was approximately 3 gallons. Carburetors and air cleaners were attached with the exception of one air cleaner that was below the engine at the point of impact. Control continuity of the aileron, rudder, and elevators was confirmed. The landing strip marks were documented. A mark on the left side of the strip began approximately 27 feet prior to a center and right side mark. The center track extended 4 feet further and the right track extended 15 feet before vanishing. The center track had a gouge mark. The distance between the left wheel and center wheel and the distance from the center track to the right track was 40 inches. The aircraft was a two place side-by-side ultralight trainer. The propeller was of the pusher type. According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot had been flying the aircraft for a few months and had accrued about 10 hours of flight time in it. The owner of the ultralight company SlipStream International, LLC., the ultralight kit supplier, reported that the loss of the nose wheel would not result in the center of gravity being taken out of limits. The company owner also reported that the nose wheel is welded to the strut by SlipStream, not by the builder. All of the control linkages are installed and connected by the builder. 14 CFR Part 103.1 states that an ultralight by definition, "Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant," and if powered, "Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation." The airplane was equipped with two seats and the design empty weight was about 465 pounds. Review of 14 CFR Part 103.7 revealed, "No person may conduct operations that require a deviation from this part except under a written waiver issued by the Administrator." According to personnel from Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Aero Sports Connection (ASC), and United States Ultralight Association, Inc. (USUA), the pilot did not hold a training exemption for the ultralight. The pilot was a registered ultralight pilot with USUA. The Ventura County Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on the pilot. There was no evidence of physical incapacitation or impairment that would have been causal to the accident.
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall/spin.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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