Evidence Indicates Remos’ Aileron Not Connected

If ever there were an object lesson on preflight checks, the NTSB investigation into the fatal crash of a factory demonstrator Remos GX light sport aircraft in January indicates that the left aileron might not have been properly connected. The trailerable Remos has folding wings, and the NTSB wrote: "… the left aileron's quick release rod-connector was not connected to the quick connector release fork … and control continuity could not be established." The airplane crashed on takeoff, killing the photographer passenger and seriously injuring the company demo pilot. It was the first flight of the day, and occurred during the Sebring Light Sport Expo at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida. The left wing had been folded overnight and extended just before takeoff.

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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