Pilot Debrief

AEROS 2 near Blountstown, FL — 2016-10-29

Final reportGAA17CA198
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Date
2016-10-29
Location
Blountstown, FL, USA
Airport
F95
Aircraft
AEROS 2
Registration
UNREG
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot's decision to fly the weight-shift-controlled aircraft without having received training in the aircraft type, which resulted in his loss of aircraft control shortly after takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot of the weight-shift-controlled trike reported that, during the takeoff, he was "fighting the wing." He added that the aircraft was about 30 ft above the ground when he "pulled on the control bar," the right wing rose, and the left wing dipped down. The aircraft subsequently impacted terrain in a left-wing-down attitude to the left of the runway. The center fuselage spar and wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the accident flight was his first flight in the unregistered trike and that he had received no flight training before the accident flight. He reported that when he purchased the weight-shift-controlled trike, the bill of sale indicated that the aircraft was an "ultralight." According to the trike's operating manual, the aircraft specifications exceeded the maximum takeoff weight, fuel capacity, and seat limitations stated in 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 for ultralight aircraft.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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