WINONA, Minn. — Federal aviation inspectors found no red flags were apparent before an ultra-light hobby plane crashed and killed at the pilot at the Winona airport 2-1/2 weeks ago. The pilot, Wayne Ledebuhghr, had bolted a new wing on his Australian-designed T-Lite and was on a test flight, according to to the inspectors. Ledebuhr was landing and had shifted his weight to steer the 200-pound craft. It was a small right correction followed by a 90-degree turn left. The right wingtip caught the ground. The aircraft tumbled. The details were from witnesses and an inspection of the wreckage. The report was what the National Transportation Safety Board calls a “30-day prelim.” The Board’s usual practice I to keep an accident file open a full year before classifying it as conclusive. The preliminary report says that Ledebuhr was making his third test flight of the day with the new fabric wing. The wing, a replacement for a two-year-old unit, was designed for easier hangar storage and hauling around. A friend who helped Ledebuhr attach the new wing said it was bolted firmly in place.
Windsport T-Lite tricycle. In same colors as Ledebuhr’s original wing.
Crash-free 46 years
The last crash at the Winona airport was in June 1980. Two persons were injured seriously. Their high-wing, single propeller Cessna 172 had just taken off on a clear day. The National Transportation Safety Board blamed mechanical failure.
Earlier: Parachute device not activated in fatal crash
Earlier: R.I.P.: Wayne Ledebuhr
Earlier: Cause of fatal Winona plane crash still unknown