Witness Stated That The Wind Condition Was “Swift” With Gusts

Location: Granite Shoals, TX Accident Number: WPR22FA189
Date & Time: May 29, 2022, 08:00 Local Registration: N490F
Aircraft: Airborne Windsports Pty Ltd Edge XT-912-L Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 29, 2022, about 0800 central daylight time, an Airborne Windsports Edge weight shift control light sport airplane, N490F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Granite Shoals, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A residential security camera located near the Granite Shoals/Bob Sylvester Airpark (2G5), captured the trike at 0709 taxiing towards the approach end of runway 20. Witnesses observed the trike flying in the area for about 20-30 minutes before the accident. A witness stated the trike made several passes over the airpark. He did not witness the accident but recalled the wind condition to be “super windy.” Another witness stated that the wind condition was “swift” with gusts at the time of the accident.

The airport was situated at an elevation of 860 ft above mean sea level. It was equipped with one runway where its surface is a mix of turf and gravel. The runway, designated 2/20, measured 2,000 ft long by 50 ft wide. The airport was not equipped with an air traffic control tower. The weather observations from Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport (DZB), Horseshow Bay, Texas, 4 miles south of 2G5, indicated a southerly wind at 4 knots increasing to 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots near the accident time.

An examination of the accident site revealed that the trike impacted a mesquite tree near the approach end of runway 20. The trike’s wing separated from the carriage and remained in the tree. The wreckage debris field was about 115 ft long and on a southerly heading. The engine and carriage (cockpit area) remained intact and came to rest at the end of the debris field.

The wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov