Mechanical & Engine Failure · NTSB NYC08FA158
Chech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO CH 601 XL RTF — Polk City, FL
| Date | April 7, 2008 |
| Location | Polk City, FL |
| Aircraft | Chech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO CH 601 XL RTF |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute-cruise Aircraft structural failure |
| Pilot age | 63 |
| Pilot total time | 514 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | 71 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The in-flight failure of the left wing for undetermined reasons.
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
What happened
After stopping for fuel, the pilot departed for the second leg of a cross-country flight. About 45 minutes after departing, witnesses observed the special light sport airplane banking and yawing before one of its wings "folded up" and the airplane descended to the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing had failed in an upward (or positive) direction due to a fracture of the lower left wing spar chord. The subsequent overload failure of the wing resulted in a loss of control of the airplane. Metallurgical examination did not reveal any evidence of preexisting conditions or design or material deficiencies that may have contributed to the in-flight structural failure.