Information
Aircraft Information
Registration Mark: Foreign Registration:
Flight #: Flight Rule: Unknown
Aircraft Category: Aeroplane Country of Registration: Canada
Aircraft Make: C.L.A.S.S. Aircraft Model: BUSHCADDY L164
Year Built: 2009 Amateur Built: Yes
Engine Make: AVCO LYCOMING Engine Model: O-360-A1A
Engine Type: Reciprocating Gear Type: Land
Phase Of Flight: Damage: No Damage
Owner: Private Operator:
Operator Type: Private CARs Subpart: Recreational Aviation
Aircraft Event Information
Flight control systems (ailerons, rudder, rotors, flaps, main, tail)
Airframe failure
Occurrence Summary
Date: 2025-08-07
Narrative: Aviation Incident Report #18859: At approximately 5NM east (E) of CGB2 and at 5,500 feet, the pilot of a privately registered, amateur-built C.L.A.S.S. aircraft, started a descent to 4,400 feet to get to circuit altitude and to get below a possible training aircraft, which sometimes uses CEA3 or the airspace east of CEA3 and CGB2. The air was smooth with light winds, no clouds and the temperature was about 26C on the ground when they departed CEN3. As the aircraft started the descent, they only had light pressure on the stick and the airspeed increased to about 140 miles per hour (MPH) from 120 MPH. During descent, they felt a few small bumps from ground thermals and then the stick started shaking severely and the pilot could not get ahold of it. After 2-3 seconds, the pilot was able to pull power and managed to get ahold of the stick. They still felt minor oscillations at about 110 MPH and they could see the left aileron was fluttering. By the time the plane slowed to 80 MPH, the controls functioned normally, and the pilot had full control of the airplane. Their estimate of the total occurrence time was 2-3 seconds of severe oscillations and approximately another 2-3 seconds of light oscillations before everything returned to normal. It is possible the plane may have increased in speed during the time they were not able to get ahold of the stick. Once the plane was in control and stable at 80 MPH, the pilot was able to make a few gentle turns to the right and left, to confirm control continuity. Since they were only a few miles from CGB2, they felt it would be safe to continue there, rather than attempt an off-field landing. They made a normal landing on Runway 34 with no flaps. They had no difficulty flying the plane until it stopped. They did not declare PAN PAN or MAYDAY. The pilot was the only occupant in the cabin and there were no injuries. Upon inspection on the ground, both wing spars had failed at the strut attach point. The left wing shows minor wrinkles on the D cell and top skin, while the right wing shows substantial wrinkling along the top skin and is bent upwards, approximately 5 degrees at the strut attach point outwards. At the time of the occurrence the plane had 35 gallons of fuel, 50 pounds of cargo in the baggage compartment and only the pilot occupying the cabin. The aircraft was taxied and parked in the hangar at CGB2.
Talk about lucky
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
Re: Talk about lucky
That's why, when you fly any particular homebuilt, you let someone else(who is braver) fly it at a faster speed before you decide to fly at that speed. If they survived with no issues, you likely will. Otherwise, you are hoping that the builder knew what they were doing(and many don't).
Re: Talk about lucky
I saw one of those in an AMO shop several years ago. It was on amphibious floats and had all kinds of damage from a hard landing. Had kinks and wrinkles all over the place. I think it was scrap at that point but looking at it, it put the amateur in amateur built. Had this odd Y shaped stick in between the seats. Would never go flying in one that’s for sure. Save your money and buy a certified airplane or at least a more proven design. Yikes.
DEI = Didn’t Earn It
