Pilot Debrief

EVOLUTION AIRCRAFT INC REVO near Bushnell, FL — 2015-01-31

Final reportERA15CA122
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Date
2015-01-31
Location
Bushnell, FL, USA
Airport
9FL1
Aircraft
EVOLUTION AIRCRAFT INC REVO
Registration
N40EV
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during approach in variable wind, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the special light sport weight shift aircraft stated that he was attempting to land at a private airstrip for a breakfast fly-in. The pilot had to perform two go-arounds due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern. During the third attempt, while on final approach to runway 9, the pilot extended his glidepath due to another aircraft back-taxiing on the 3,415-foot-long turf runway. The pilot intended to land further down the runway; however, the airspeed decreased when he extended the glidepath. There was also a wind shift when the aircraft was about 15 feet above the runway, which caused it to stall and impact the runway. The aircraft subsequently came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that the wind was variable at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The recorded wind information at an airport located about 17 miles from the accident site was similar, indicating variable wind from 020 to 090 degrees at 8 knots.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
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Docket documents4

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