NTSB: Pilot Who Died in Winona Airport Crash Recently Installed New Wing on Aircraft

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News)- Federal investigators have released new information about an aircraft crash at a southeast Minnesota Airport that claimed the life of a 74-year-old man. 

Read More: Pilot Killed in Crash at Winona Municipal Airport Identified

The Winona Police Department identified him as Wayne William Ledebuhr of Winona. He was the only person involved in the fatality, which happened on the evening of June 25 at the Winona Airport.

He was flying what federal authorities have described as an “Airborne Windsports Microlight aircraft,” which is similar to a motorized hang glider. 

Get our free mobile app

NTSB Releases Report on Aircraft Crash at Winona Airport That Claimed Life of 74-Year-Old Wayne William Ledebuhr

A preliminary report published this week by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says Ledebuhr “removed the Streak 3 king post wing that was on the aircraft for two years and installed an Arrow strutted wing.” 

A friend of Ledebuhr who witnessed the deadly crash told federal investigators that Ledebuhr replaced the wing shortly before the fatal flight. 

“The pilot replaced the wing because the strutted wing had a lower height clearance and made it easier to store the aircraft in the hangar,” the report says. 

Investigators also spoke with the person who helped Ledebuhr install the wing. The person said they made sure the wing was properly attached, according to the report. 

Witness Shares Account of Fatal Crash With Investigators

The friend who witnessed the crash told the NTSB that Ledebuhr made two crow hops, which is described in the report as briefly taking off before landing on the runway again. 

See Also: I-90 Reopens in Austin After Heavy Rain Prompts Flooding 

After landing the second crow hop, Ledebuhr ascended a third time to attempt what the report describes as a “traffic pattern." The witness indicated the hops and pattern were not out of the ordinary. 

Ledebuhr began making a final approach to land the aircraft and made a slight correction. The aircraft banked to the left then took a hard 90-degree bank right, the witness stated. 

“The right wingtip impacted the ground first and the aircraft tumbled,” the report says. 

Investigators did not find any indications that would’ve prevented the aircraft from operating normally during the post accident examination, according to the report.