Zenith CH701 | N101XV

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be a failed flight control system, in that the aircraft was observed to be turning onto the left crosswind for runway 19, when an object was seen departing the aircraft in flight. The object was later found to be the left inboard STOL slat and was found approximately 250 yards southwest of the wreckage location. The in flight loss of this wing slat caused a loss of lift, a resulting violent turn to the left, and a final near vertical U-FIT impact with terrain.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft inspect any similarly situated aircraft, especially those modified by the PegaSTOL wing slat system as manufactured by D-dalius Aviation Inc.