North Wing APACHE CLA accident near Boynton Beach, Florida, August 9, 2008
On August 9, 2008 at about 12:30 pm local time, a North Wing APACHE CLA (weight-shift aircraft), registered N3880A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Boynton Beach, Florida (Willis Gliderport airport). 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 failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2008 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Boynton Beach, Florida · Willis Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North Wing APACHE CLA
- Registration
- N3880A · registry record · serial 00001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-qualified pilot initiated a takeoff to the west in a weight-shift aircraft. Winds prevailed from the south at the time. After becoming airborne he was unable to maintain control of the aircraft which descended, collided with trees, and then impacted the edge of a canal. No evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction with the aircraft was noted.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,027 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 895 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hirth 2706 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FA44 Boynton Beach FL at 12:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PBI, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N3880A 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.