MKC83LA226

Factual narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & STUDENT WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, USING A REGISTERED, 2 PLACE, ULTRALIGHT ACFT WITH A SINGLE CONTROL STICK. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, THE STUDENT WAS MAKING A TAKEOFF TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND & THE RIGHT WING DROPPED. AT THAT TIME, THE CFI REACHED FOR THE CONTROL STICK, LOCATED BETWEEN THE 2 SEATS, TO HELP THE STUDENT REGAIN CONTROL. REPORTEDLY, THE STUDENT RELEASED THE STICK BEFORE THE CFI HAD TIME TO GRAB IT. THE STICK WENT FULL FORWARD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE CFI GRABBED THE STICK & TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL. HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO RECOVER & THE ULTRALIGHT CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WIND WAS REPORTED FROM 240 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12