- Date
- August 26, 2012, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place
- Wanamingo, MN
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N5152ETrick Trikes Stss
- Defining event
- Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 19, 2012
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- FAA - Minneapolis FSDO
- FAA report
- 20120826018189A
- Case key
- 84854
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he had completed one low approach in the weight-shift-controlled airplane and was making a second low approach at a slower speed and lower altitude. As the airplane started to climb after the low approach, the passenger asked the pilot if the airplane could be maneuvered to the left to avoid trees on the right side. The pilot stated that he began a turn to the left, and the airplane lost lift and speed. He attempted to recover, but the airplane struck a corn crop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that the accident was avoidable and was due to pilot error.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he had completed one low approach in the weight shift controlled airplane and was making a second low approach at a slower speed and lower altitude. As the airplane started to climb after the low approach, the passenger asked the pilot if the aircraft could be maneuvered to the left to avoid trees on the right side. The pilot stated that he began a turn to the left and the airplane lost lift and speed. He attempted to recover but the airplane struck the corn crop. The airplane suffered substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. He stated that the accident was avoidable and was due to pilot error.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5152E
- Reported as
- Trick Trikes Stss
- Category
- Weight-shift
- Serial number
- STSS002
- Airframe hours
- 205
- Engine
- Suzuki G1388, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · August 28, 2011
- Departed
- SGS · South St Paul, MN
- Destination
- PVT · Wanamingo, MN
- Airport
- PVT · Cherry Grove, runway 31, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Injuries
- Serious
- Certificate
- Sport Pilot
- Medical
- Sport pilot
- Last flight review
- November 20, 2011
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 388 total · 182 in this make and model · 341 as pilot in command · 23 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2012, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 359 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N5152E · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.