# NTSB CEN16LA263: Evolution Trikes Revo, N9912S, Newark, IL, July 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2016, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Newark, IL - Coordinates: 41.517501, -88.604446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5175&lon=-88.6044&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93576/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93576 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA263 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9912S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9912S), registered now, S/N 1002, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVOLUTION TRIKES REVO (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Evolution Trikes REVO](https://openairdocs.org/model/evolution-trikes-revo) (registry code 060007T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 1002 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 93.5 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 8, 2016 - Departed: 0C8, Newark, IL - Destination: 0C8, Newark, IL - Airport: 0C8, Cushing Field LTD airport, runway 36, 2,831 × 180 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: fatal; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16.7 total, 16.7 in this make and model, 1.7 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Icing: Rime - Observed at: KC09, 10 nm away ## 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 20160709006809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160709006809A), Jul 9, 2016: Evolution Trikes REVO, Newark, IL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On July 9, 2016 at approximately 0744 local time, N9912S, a light sport weight-shift-control aircraft was substantially damaged in an accident on landing… ## Other investigations on N9912S (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 ERA14CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA262), May 25, 2014: Evolution Trikes Revo (N9912S), Williamsburg, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93576. 1.9 MB in all. - Witness (item 1, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness-Master.PDF - Pilot Log (item 2, .PDF, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Log-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 758 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.