Pilot Debrief

North Wing Mustang near Albany, OR — 2021-07-10

Final reportWPR21FA265
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Date
2021-07-10
Location
Albany, OR, USA
Aircraft
North Wing Mustang
Registration
UNREG
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s loss of aircraft control after a low-level turn with a bank angle that exceeded the manufacturer’s operating limitations.

NTSB narrative

After departure, the pilot of the weight-shift-control trike flew for about 3.3 miles. When the trike was at an altitude of about 230 ft above the ground, it banked to the left in an almost 90° turn. The left wing continued to drop down, and the aircraft descended toward the ground as the turn tightened. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. Postaccident examination of the aircraft, including the flight controls, structure, and engine, revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies. The engine speed was within its normal range while the aircraft was banked. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft’s limitations included not exceeding bank angles of 60° and pitch angles of 30°. The manufacturer’s manual stated that flying the aircraft with a bank angle exceeding 60° “should never be attempted under any circumstance.” The pilot flew the aircraft in a manner that was not consistent with the manufacturer’s guidance and lost control of the aircraft during the low-level left turn due to the excessive bank angle.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided excessive bank angle during left turn.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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