# NTSB CEN12CA588: Trick Trikes Stss, N5152E, Wanamingo, MN, August 26, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2012, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Wanamingo, MN - Coordinates: 44.266944, -92.803611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2669&lon=-92.8036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA588 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84854/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84854 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA588 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5152E-2022-10-01), registration cancelled 2022-10-01, S/N STSS002, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Trick Trikes STSS - Registry model: [Trick Trikes STSS](https://openairdocs.org/model/trick-trikes-stss) (registry code 05902OG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: STSS002 - Airframe hours: 205 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; 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 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120826018189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120826018189A), Aug 26, 2012: Trick Trikes STSS, Wanamingo, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was making a low pass over runway to accomodate a video request. To accomodate a passenger request due to trees on the right of runway, a slight left… ## Other investigations on N5152E (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 CEN21LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA053), Nov 11, 2020: Trick Trikes Stss (N5152E), Holden, MO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84854. 359 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 359 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.