Pegasus Quantum, Emkaytee (50 km south-east of Darwin), Northern Territory, on 30 June 1990

Circumstances:

The pilot was taking part in the activities of an Australian Ultralight Federation (AUF) club which used the strip for its home base. The pilot was apparently neither a member of the AUF nor the Australian Hang Glider Association. He had only owned the aircraft for about six weeks. Witnesses reported that their attention was drawn to the accident aircraft by the revving of the engine by the pilot. The aircraft at this point was over the strip at approximately 1300 feet above ground level. The pilot was then seen to manoeuvre the aircraft into a steep, near vertical climb. From this point, the aircraft reportedly lost flying speed and flipped over three times. The wings of the aircraft were then seen to fold and separate from the rest of the aircraft as the engine noise stopped, and the aircraft fuselage spiralled into the ground. Investigations into the pilot's background revealed consistent reports of his habit of showing off and performing manoeuvres close to the performance limits of the aircraft he was flying. He was reportedly also seen to perform manoeuvres with inadequate margins of safety and had allegedly been cautioned about his attitude to flying by a principal of the AUF club and the property owner. Engineering investigation of the wreckage showed that all failures of the aircraft structure had occurred as a result of overload or impact forces.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The pilot exceeded the design performance limits of the aircraft.

2. Inflight breakup due to pilot-induced overload.

3. Exhibitionist behaviour of the pilot. The accident was not the subject of an on-scene investigation.