CEN13LA493

The student pilot made two low-altitude passes in a weight-shift airplane over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the airplane entered into a steep, right bank turn at low altitude and impacted the beach. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos, which indicated that the engine was operating normally and that the wing structure appeared normal. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

On August 16, 2013, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Trick Trikes Storm Trooper weight-shift aircraft, N5157G, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Covert, Michigan. The student pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and 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 near Cassapolis, Michigan. According to witnesses, the aircraft made two low altitude passes over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the aircraft made a turn and impacted the beach area in a steep right bank, damaging the structure of the wings, landing gear, and front section of the aircraft. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos. Engine noise was present on the video and no anomalies with the wing structure were indicated in the photos. Examination of the airframe and engine by Federal Aviation Administration personnel revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Pilot and maintenance records were not available for the investigation. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120, despite repeated requests to do so.