Pilot Debrief

NORTHWING 17 near Section, AL — 2018-07-09

Final reportERA18LA188
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Date
2018-07-09
Location
Section, AL, USA
Aircraft
NORTHWING 17
Registration
N959RR
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot's failure to maintain control of the weight-shift-control aircraft during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the aircraft.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the aircraft.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot had purchased the experimental light sport weight-shift-control trike about 1 month before the accident and had not flown it. The day before the accident, the pilot mowed a runway into the tall grass behind his home. On the day of the accident, the pilot asked his wife if she wanted to watch him taxi the aircraft; she did not realize he was going to fly it. He taxied back and forth a few times on runway, then initiated a takeoff. About 10 minutes later, the pilot returned to the runway for landing. The aircraft abruptly touched down, then bounced back into the air. Remaining airborne, it turned to the right and the right wing impacted the top of a tree before the aircraft subsequently impacted the ground. Examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation at that time of the accident. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of control during an aborted landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have attempted to land without proper training.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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