| Crash location | 41.633334°N, 73.046666°W |
| Nearest city | Waterbury, CT
41.558430°N, 73.037052°W 5.2 miles away |
| Tail number | N83165 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 06 Oct 2016 |
| Aircraft type | James Bruton FLYING FLEA |
| Additional details: | None |
On October 6, 2016, about 1200 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Flying Flea HM14/360, N83165, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Waterbury Airport (N41), Waterbury, Connecticut. The private pilot was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from N41, about 1130.
According to two witnesses, the pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings. After approximately 30 minutes, the engine began to sputter on climbout. Both witnesses watched as the airplane continued in a southerly direction before descending into trees.
Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both wings were broken away from the fuselage. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and retained for further examination.