Aerosport Ltd IKARUS C42E N420MS accident near Wendover, Utah

Probable cause

The pilot’s mismanagement of engine power during a maximum performance, 180° climbing left turn at a low altitude that resulted in impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during a personal flight at dusk, he descended to get a closer look at the sunset reflecting off the water on the salt flats. Afterwards, he performed a chandelle maneuver to reverse course and depart the area. He initiated the maneuver by adding full power, banked left and established a climb. At the apex of the climbing left turn, the airspeed decreased and he lowered the nose to regain airspeed. The pilot stated that they were very quickly in a nose down dive, and due to the low altitude, he had little time to troubleshoot and recover. Subsequently, the airplane landed in a flat attitude, which resulted in substantial damage to the aluminum main cross beam landing gear attachment point structure. The pilot added that at some point during the maneuver, power was accidentally reduced and he didn’t notice.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA104 for the full record.