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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2008 · about 12:30 pm local time · cases in 2008
- Place
- Boynton Beach, Florida · Willis Gliderport · cases near this airport · 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
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 28, 2009. 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 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of NTSB Conversations | PDF, 5 pages | 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 N3880A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N3880A on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- North Wing 12 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Hirth 2706 34 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Willis · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Florida 6,111 since 1982 · 988 in the last ten years
- Florida 21,696 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N3880A 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/MIA08LA162.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.