Pilot Debrief

EVOLUTION AIRCRAFT INC REVOLT near Walter Springs, CA — 2022-07-17

Final reportWPR22LA258
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Date
2022-07-17
Location
Walter Springs, CA, USA
Airport
na
Aircraft
EVOLUTION AIRCRAFT INC REVOLT
Registration
N258MH
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines, which resulted in a wire strike and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were on a personal flight in the weight-shift-control trike and had just completed a touch and go when they departed north, in the direction of the accident site. There were no witnesses to the accident, but nearby residences reported an electrical power outage at the time of the accident. Two hills adjacent to the accident site had a single power pole at each of their summits that supported three transmission lines between them. The weight-shift-control trike collided with the transmission lines that spanned the valley and impacted the ground north of the transmission lines. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained a higher altitude to avoid terrain and power lines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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