Pilot Debrief

TOP DOG TD2 near Bemidji, MN — 2012-08-27

Final reportCEN12LA584
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Date
2012-08-27
Location
Bemidji, MN, USA
Airport
MN13
Aircraft
TOP DOG TD2
Registration
N71314
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and his inadequate flare during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain training on the operation of the accident aircraft.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain training on the operation of the accident aircraft.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was returning to the airport after a local flight with a passenger. The passenger stated that when the pilot entered the final approach for the runway, he established a steep nose down descent and a right bank angle, and the aircraft flew straight into the ground. The passenger stated that the pilot did not appear to struggle to maintain or regain control and that he did not give any other indication of a problem. The passenger did not observe any indication of a malfunction of the powerplant or flight controls. Additionally, postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical issues or anomalies with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operations. Records indicated that the pilot had recently purchased and had about 2 hours of flight time in the weight-shift-control aircraft. There was no indication that he had received any type of transition training regarding the differences between this aircraft and the certificated tricycle gear airplane in which most of his recent flight experience was accumulated.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a safer approach angle instead of steep descent.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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