North Wing Uum INC SPORT X2 912 accident near Chelan, Washington, July 1, 2017
On July 1, 2017 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 2014 North Wing Uum INC SPORT X2 912, registered N492XB, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Chelan, Washington. It was a personal 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's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while demonstrating a spiral dive, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's decision to demonstrate a spiral dive maneuver at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 2017 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chelan, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North Wing Uum INC SPORT X2 912 NO SERIES, built 2014
- Registration
- N492XB · registry record · serial LS9014
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and the student pilot were conducting a local flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft. An onboard camera captured the accident flight and showed that, at the time of the accident, the instructor was demonstrating a spiral dive maneuver. The video showed that the maneuver was initiated at an altitude that appears to be below 1,000 ft AGL which is a minimum required recovery altitude. During the maneuver, the aircraft's bank angle continued to increase until the aircraft entered a nearly-vertical descent and impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure 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
- 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 Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: sport pilot
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 3,012.8 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: S10 Chelan WA
- Destination: S10 Chelan WA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KEAT, 34 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on April 18, 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 | Onboard Image Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Study | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Site Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Examination | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot's Logbook | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Toxicological Reports | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.