The Airplane’s Right Wing Then Folded Upward, After Which The Airplane Spiraled Downward And Impacted The Ground

Location: Groveland, FL Accident Number: ERA24LA185
Date & Time: April 19, 2024, 13:30 Local Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 19, 2024, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly airplane was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Sheets Airport (FA42), Groveland, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. 

According to witnesses, shortly after takeoff, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 200 of 300 ft before turning east. The airplane’s right wing then folded upward, after which the airplane spiraled downward and impacted the ground about 500 ft east of the departure end of the north-south-oriented landing area.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site reported that an examination of the right lower wing strut and fuselage bulkhead connection revealed that the strut block bolt was not correctly installed and had not been placed through the hole in the strut block during installation. The strut bolt was found still secured to the bulkheads, and the bolt and the hole in the strut block were both undamaged.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov