Airborne Windsport Edge XT-912-L accident near Hanapepe, Hawaii, February 15, 2011
On February 15, 2011 at about 9:40 pm local time, a Airborne Windsport Edge XT-912-L (weight-shift aircraft), registered N29EP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hanapepe, Hawaii. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor did not maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent application of the choke, which resulted in a momentary interruption of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 15, 2011 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Hanapepe, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airborne Windsport Edge XT-912-L
- Registration
- N29EP · no longer on the register · serial XT-912-0131
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the student pilot’s initial instructional flight, a witness observed the weight-shift-control (WSC) aircraft flying low over a cultivated field that sloped toward the ocean. When the aircraft reached the end of the field, the witness lost sight of the aircraft as it descended below the edge of a 100-foot cliff that dropped into the ocean. Other witnesses said that the aircraft leveled off about 50 feet above the water and that they then heard the engine sputter and “fire back up.” Two of the witnesses thought that the aircraft was going to land on the water, but then it pitched up and climbed straight into the air for 2 to 3 seconds before the engine became silent, and the aircraft fell back into the ocean and sank. The wreckage was recovered 6 days later. Postaccident examination revealed damage to the airframe consistent with the aircraft impacting the ocean on its left side. No abnormalities were found with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. The engine’s flywheel cover was removed and rotational scoring marks were found on the inner surface, indicating that the engine was rotating at the time of impact. A serviceable starter was installed on the engine, and the engine rotated and started, but would not run continuously. The engine was disassembled, and evidence of corrosion, due to salt water immersion, was found on all of its components. No evidence was found of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented the engine from operating normally. It is likely that the postaccident corrosion was the reason that the engine would not run continuously. The engine’s choke lever, which was located on the left side of the tandem seat frame and accessible to both occupants, was found in the on position. According to an experienced WSC aircraft operator, activation of the choke in flight produces a coughing sound and results in a momentary reduction of engine power. The physical evidence and witness observations suggest that the choke was inadvertently activated, and, after the ensuing momentary interruption in engine power, the flight instructor lost control of the aircraft while maneuvering at low altitude. It could not be determined whether the choke was activated by the student or the flight instructor.
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 engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) 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
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unintentional use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: sport pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PAK Hanapepe HI at 8:45 pm
- Destination: PAK Hanapepe HI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from LIH, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
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.