Airborne Windsports PTY LTD Edge XT 912 accident near Frankston, Texas, October 2, 2018
On October 2, 2018 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 2005 Airborne Windsports PTY LTD Edge XT 912 (weight-shift aircraft), registered N20179, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Frankston, Texas (Aero Estates airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft landing crooked on a turf runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2018 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Frankston, Texas · Aero Estates · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airborne Windsports PTY LTD Edge XT 912 B, built 2005
- Registration
- N20179 · registry record · serial XT912-113
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during landing, the weight-shift-controlled aircraft landed slightly "crooked," the steering bar "jerked a bit side to side," and the front wheel dug into the turf runway. Subsequently, the aircraft rolled onto its right side. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Soft surface › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,859 hours in all; 142 in this make and model; 1,650 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 14, 2016
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 373 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 2, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 373 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: T25 Frankston TX at 2:15 pm
- Destination: T25 Frankston TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,100 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KTYR, 16 miles away
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 March 11, 2019. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N20179 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.