Berger Michael A WAIEX accident near Washington, GA
On October 22, 2011, a Berger Michael A WAIEX (airplane) was involved in an accident near Washington, GA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 22, 2011
- Place
- Washington, GA
- Aircraft
- Berger Michael A WAIEX · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.816°N, 82.821°W
- NTSB ID
- 20111023X81705
Official records · ERA12FA018
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 22, 2011, about 1251 eastern daylight time, a Berger Waiex, N75654, was substantially damaged following an inflight breakup and collision with terrain near Washington, Georgia. The certificated sport pilot was killed. The experimental, amateur-built (E-AB) airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at Washington-Wilkes County Airport (IIY), Washington, Georgia about 1239. A review of radar and Garmin 510 Global Positioning System (GPS) data revealed that the airplane departed IIY about 1239, and the pilot began a gradual, climbing turn to the north. About 2 nautical miles (nm) northeast of IIY, the airplane was observed climbing in left-hand circular patterns until a peak altitude of 4,700 feet above mean sea level (msl) was reached. The airplane then continued on a westerly heading until the GPS stopped recording data. The last two recorded radar returns with altitude data were at 4,600 and 4,300 feet. Prior to the last radar return, the airplane was in a slight descent and accelerated to about 100 to 110 knots ground speed. The GPS did not capture the parameters when aircraft control was lost. The wreckage site was located about 0.11 nm north-northeast of the last radar return with altitude information. Local deer hunters were outside, about one-quarter mile northwest of the accident site, at the time of the accident. They heard a loud noise and
Probable cause
The in-flight failure of the aircraft’s Y-tail attachment structure during maneuvering flight due to overload. Contributing to the accident was, the kit manufacturer’s use of 14 CFR Part 23, Appendix A design guidelines intended for a conventional tail airplane without a V- (or Y-) tail.
More accidents in GA
- Embraer EMB-120RT, Apr 5, 1991
- Cessna 208, Sep 29, 1985
- Beech 400, Dec 11, 1991
- Embraer EMB-120RT, Aug 21, 1995
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, Apr 20, 1982
Browse: Georgia
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
