J&J Ultralights Sea-Wing accident near Placida, Florida, November 22, 2020
On November 22, 2020 at about 9:33 pm local time, a 2006 J&J Ultralights Sea-Wing (weight-shift aircraft), registered N947RC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Placida, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot/owner’s improper preflight inspection of the weight-shift trike, which resulted in a loss of control at takeoff due to an improperly adjusted wingtip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2020 · about 9:33 pm local time
- Place
- Placida, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- J&J Ultralights Sea-Wing, built 2006 · all Sea-Wings on the register
- Registration
- N947RC · no longer on the register · serial SWJ583604038
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departing from a road in the weight-shift control aircraft. At takeoff, the aircraft “pulled to the left” and struck a tree off the paved surface as the pilot aborted the takeoff. Afterwards, the pilot stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operations, and that the pull was likely due to an improperly adjusted wingtip.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Flight surfaces (wing) › Inadequate inspection
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 220 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 165.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 12, 2020; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 163 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KPGD, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPGD 222253Z 01006KT 10SM FEW043 24/19 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP162 T02440194
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 26, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Police Report Narrative | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.