Topdog Ultralights TOP DOG 582 accident near Eagle Point, Oregon, July 16, 2010
On July 16, 2010 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Topdog Ultralights TOP DOG 582 (weight-shift aircraft), registered N82047, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Eagle Point, Oregon (Private Grass Strip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The separation of the left wingtip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2010 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Eagle Point, Oregon · Private Grass Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Topdog Ultralights TOP DOG 582
- Registration
- N82047 · registry record · serial A49TDA
- 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, shortly after takeoff, the weight-shift-control aircraft turned sharply to the left, impacted bushes and terrain, and came to rest in a creek. Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the left wingtip had separated in flight, which resulted in the uncommanded left turn. The reason for the wingtip separation could not be determined.
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
- Aircraft structural failure during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Flight surfaces (wing) › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: sport pilot
- Flight time: 408 hours in all; 249 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 17, 2010
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 349 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 16, 2009; 189 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Eagle Point OR at 3:00 pm
- Destination: Eagle Point OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from MFR, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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 N82047 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.