Pilot Debrief

Top Dog TopDog Ultralight near Creswell, OR — 2019-05-12

Final reportWPR19FA143
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Date
2019-05-12
Location
Creswell, OR, USA
Airport
77S
Aircraft
Top Dog TopDog Ultralight
Registration
UNREG
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's loss of control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was his lack of training in the aircraft and his impairment from illicit drugs.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was his lack of training in the aircraft and his impairment from illicit drugs.

NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot departed in his unregistered experimental weight-shift-control light-sport aircraft. While approaching the runway to land, the aircraft entered a steep, descending left turn, the wing impacted a tree, and the aircraft subsequently impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. The pilot had no flight training or experience with weight-shift-control aircraft. Examination of the flight controls and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight. Toxicology of the pilot revealed the presence of methamphetamine, with blood levels consistent with recent, recreational use. It is likely that the pilot was significantly impaired by the effects of the drug and that this contributed to the loss of control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have taken flight lessons or accepted assistance with aircraft assembly.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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