# Accident 20130816015789A: Trick Trikes STORM TROOPER, Covert, MI, August 16, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 16, 2013, 12:35 local time
- Place: Covert, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.2989° N, 86.3289° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2989&lon=-86.3289&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5157G, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5157G-2025-02-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Trick Trikes STORM TROOPER (registry code 05901LD, https://openairdocs.org/model/trick-trikes-storm-trooper) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 618 (registry code 55578, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER
- Reported engine: ROTAX 618
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Student
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13LA493](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA493) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130816015789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON AUGUST 16, 2013, ABOUT 1235 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER WEIGHT-SHIFT AIRCRAFT, N5157G, IMPACTED TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR A CROWDED SANDY BEACH AREA ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN NEAR COVERT, MICHIGAN. THE PILOT, REGISTERED AS A STUDENT PILOT, WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ OPERATED BY THE PILOT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE FLIGHT, WHICH DEPARTED WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN FROM AN UNKNOWN LOCATION.

ACCORDING TO WITNESS STATEMENTS, THE AIRCRAFT MADE TWO OR THREE LOW ALTITUDE PASSES OVER THE NORTH TO SOUTH COASTLINE BEACH AREA. FOLLOWING THESE TWO PASSES AND SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT, VIDEO TAKEN BY ONE OF THE WITNESSES, SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT COMING FROM THE NORTHWEST DIRECTION IN AN APPARENT RIGHT HAND TURN.  A PHOTO TAKEN BY ANOTHER WITNESS SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT INTACT IN A STEEP RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE A FEW FEET OVER THE POPULATED BEACH AREA.  IMPACT WITH THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED, DAMAGING THE STRUCTURE OF BOTH WINGS, PROPELLER, LANDING GEAR, AND FRONT SECTION INCLUDING THE FORWARD SEAT.   NO PERSONS ON THE BEACH AREA REPORTED ANY INJURIES.

AUDIO FROM THE VIDEO EVIDENCE, WITNESS ACCOUNTS AND EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER INDICATE THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY.

DURING AN INTERVIEW, THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THEIR INTENTION WAS TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN13LA493](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA493), Aug 16, 2013: Trick Trikes Storm Trooper (N5157G), Covert, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude over a congested beach area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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