# NTSB CEN21LA053: Trick Trikes Stss, N5152E, Holden, MO, November 11, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 11, 2020, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Holden, MO
- Coordinates: 38.707, -94.0058
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7070&lon=-94.0058&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102271/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102271
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA053

## Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STSS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05902OG), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: 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)

## Analysis

A witness reported that after takeoff, the aircraft “turned sharply” and then “dipped low.” The aircraft impacted a tree line and came to rest in a harvested cornfield. A postimpact fire consumed the fabric sail (wing). Multiple structural components were separated consistent with impact forces. The engine was separated from the airframe and located with the wreckage. A postaccident examination did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction; however, the extent of the impact damage and the postimpact fire limited the scope of the examination. The pilot did not hold a pilot certificate as required by regulations and the aircraft operating limitations. In addition, although the noncertificated pilot had experience flying powered parachutes and trikes, he did not have any experience in the make/model trike involved in the accident. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the noncertificated pilot’s loss of aircraft control during takeoff due to a lack of experience in the aircraft make/model.

## Factual narrative

On November 11, 2020, about 1650 central standard time, a light sport Trick Trikes STSS weight-shift control aircraft, N5152E, was involved in an accident near Holden, Missouri. The noncertificated pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Witnesses reported the pilot took off from a field and entered a left turn. One witness noted the aircraft “turned sharply” and then “dipped low” before it crashed. The witness added that the “wing appeared to be malfunctioning.” A second witness commented the aircraft impacted a tree line. The aircraft came to rest in a harvested cornfield and a postimpact fire consumed the fabric sail (wing). Multiple structural components were separated and located with the wreckage at the accident site. They exhibited minor bending consistent with impact forces, and discoloration consistent with the postimpact fire. The engine had separated from the airframe and was located with the wreckage. A postaccident examination did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction; however, the extent of the impact damage and the postimpact fire limited the scope of the examination. The previous owner reported the aircraft had been inactive before he sold it to the pilot about two months before the accident. The pilot informed the previous owner that he had experience with powered parachutes and trikes. At the time of the sale, the previous owner informed the pilot that the reduction gearbox needed to be replaced and an annual inspection was required. After taking possession of the aircraft, the pilot informed the previous owner that a new gearbox had been installed. The pilot’s son-in-law reported that although the pilot had experience flying powered parachutes and trikes, the accident trike was somewhat larger than those he had flown previously. The pilot performed his own maintenance on the aircraft and had recently replaced the gearbox. Flight logs were normally kept with the aircraft and not located after the accident. A search of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman certification database revealed that the accident pilot did not hold a pilot certificate or airman medical certificate. Additionally, there was no record that the pilot applied for Basic Med certification. FAA regulations and the aircraft operating limitations required the pilot to hold a pilot certificate. The regulations permitted the use of a valid driver’s license in lieu of a medical certificate.

## 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
- Year built: 2009
- Engines: Suzuki reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed: PVT, Holden, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: fatal; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observed at: RCM, 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 20201111014619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201111014619A), Nov 11, 2020: Trick Trikes STSS, Holden, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During climb out from a private airfield, the aircraft rolled left resulting in a stall of the left wing. Left wing stalls. The aircraft impacted the ground…

## 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 CEN12CA588](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA588), Aug 26, 2012: Trick Trikes Stss (N5152E), Wanamingo, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102271. 25.9 MB in all.

- Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12423180&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20Holden%20MO_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12263417&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN21LA053-Rel.pdf
- Statement -- previous aircraft owner (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12263123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Sam%20Stewart%20--%2016Nov2020-Rel.pdf
- Statement -- pilot's son-in-law (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12262358&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Mike%20Holtz%20--%2004Jan2021-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12422890&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20FAA%20(Tom%20Davis)%20--%2013Nov2020-Rel.pdf
- FAA operating limitations (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 14.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12425538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operating%20Limitations%20--%20N5152E_redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA regulation -- sport pilots (14CFR61.303) (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12425961&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=14CFR_Part61_J-Rel.pdf
- Toxicological report (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12422439&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20Report%20-%20Ernest%20Hillsman_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum of autopsy (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12428874&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Autopsy%20Memorandum%20--%20CEN21LA053-Rel.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.

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