Pilot Debrief

COSMOS PHASE 3 near Wayne, OK — 2020-09-19

Final reportCEN20LA413
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Date
2020-09-19
Location
Wayne, OK, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
COSMOS PHASE 3
Registration
N7024L
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

A loss of control while taxiing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was taxiing the weight-shift control aircraft to the runway to depart when his wife heard a loud “bang” from inside the house. There were no witnesses to the accident. The aircraft was found upright against a fence along a grass taxiway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot’s son reported that his father recently replaced the throttle cable on the aircraft. After the throttle cable change, the pilot reported the throttle cable was “sticking.” The engine was examined, and the throttle cable was found installed correctly at the engine and at the cockpit. The throttle cable at the cockpit throttle control position did not have a full range of motion and was found jammed with little to no movement available; however, whether this occurred before the accident or was the result of impact damage could not be determined. Available medical information provided no evidence that a medical factor contributed to the accident. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of control while the pilot was taxiing the aircraft; however, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked throttle cable operation before taxiing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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