Pilot Debrief

Aerotrike Safari near Lake City, MI — 2009-05-23

Final reportCEN09CA334
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Date
2009-05-23
Location
Lake City, MI, USA
Airport
Y91
Aircraft
Aerotrike Safari
Registration
N8035W
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental weight-shift-control aircraft was performing a takeoff from runway 18 when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that during initial climb, about 10-12 feet above the ground, the aircraft began to descend and drift off of the runway centerline. The pilot was not able to correct for the descent and lateral drift before the aircraft landed hard on its rear landing gear. The right wing tip impacted the terrain as the aircraft bounced twice and tipped onto its side. The wing and its king post were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. According to the pilot, the local surface winds were 3-5 knots from the west-southwest. A nearby weather station reported that the surface winds were 7 knots from the northwest.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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