CEN16LA263

The student pilot was conducting his fourth solo flight in the weight-shift aircraft and was landing on a private turf runway in light wind conditions. A witness stated that the aircraft initially appeared to track straight down the runway after landing; however, shortly thereafter, it started to oscillate to the left and right. The oscillations increased until the aircraft rolled over and came to rest on its side. An examination of the aircraft did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although the pilot only had a total of 16.75 flight hours and less than 2 hours solo, it could not be determined why he lost control of the aircraft after landing.

The accident aircraft was an Evolution Trikes Revo. The aircraft has a strut-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, two-seats-in-tandem, tricycle landing gear, and a single-engine in the pusher configuration. The aircraft was powered by a reciprocating Rotax four cylinder 912ULS engine and a fixed pitch propeller. A review of the aircraft's maintenance records revealed the last condition inspection was completed on February 8, 2016 with an aircraft total time of 93.5 hours. A review of FAA records revealed the aircraft received its Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Special Light Sport – Weight Shift Control Aircraft category on February 7, 2011. The student pilot purchased the aircraft in March 2016; however, at the time of the accident, the aircraft registration had not been updated in the FAA's database. On July 9, 2016, about 0915 central daylight time, an Evolution Trikes Revo, weight-shift aircraft, N9912S, impacted terrain at the Cushing Field Ltd Airport (0C8), Newark, Illinois. The student rated pilot, sole occupant, was fatally injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. A witness who was in an airplane positioned in the traffic pattern observed the accident. The witness stated that the accident aircraft landed on runway 36. Initially, the aircraft appeared to track straight down the runway, when the aircraft started to oscillate left and right. The oscillations then increased until the aircraft rolled over. The pilot was taken to a local hospital and was initially listed in critical condition before he succumbed to his injuries. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the aircraft came to rest on its side. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing and fuselage; the examination of the aircraft did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. The Office of the Coroner, DuPage County, Illinois conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was determined to be "cervical spinal injuries". The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The specimens were not tested for cyanide. The test was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. The test was positive for Fentanyl in lung and blood. Fentanyl is an opioid medication. Fentanyl is used as part of anesthesia to help prevent pain after surgery or other medical procedure. A review of medical records revealed that the fentanyl was administered during medical treatment, after the accident. At 0915, the automated weather observation facility located at the Morris Municipal Airport – James R. Washburn Field (C09), about 10 miles southeast of the accident site recorded; wind calm, 10 mile visibility, broken clouds at 1,900 ft,temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 62 degrees F, and a barometric pressure of 30.02 inches of mercury. AIRPORT INFORMATION The Cushing Field Ltd Airport (0C8), is a privately owned airport, open to the public, located 2 miles southwest of Newark, Illinois. Pilots are to use the CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for communications. The airport has a single turf runway 18/36; 2,831 ft by 180 ft. The airport is at an elevation of 640 ft mean sea level. The pilot held a student pilot certificate and was operating under the sport pilot medical rules. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed he had accumulated 16.75 total flight hours, with 1.75 solo, in the accident aircraft. The logbook revealed three solo flights before the accident flight. The wreckage came to rest on its right side, on the grass runway. Substantial damage was noted to the aircrafts fiberglass fuselage/fairing. Several tubing members for the wing were either bent or broken during the collision with the ground. The fabric wing was also torn.