# NTSB ERA13CA177: Trick Trikes Eagle, N44565, Eustis, FL, March 17, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 17, 2013, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Eustis, FL
- Coordinates: 28.843334, -81.629997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8433&lon=-81.6300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86474/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86474
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA177

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the weight-shift aircraft during the final approach to land.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Trikes EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05903P5), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Trikes EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05903P5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Air Trikes EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=05903P5), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Air Trikes EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=05903P5), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Trikes EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903P5), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Trikes EAGLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903P5), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot of the weight-shift aircraft, he noticed that the wind speed was increasing, and he decided to return to the airport. While on final approach to runway 18, about 30 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered “turbulence.” It veered to the left, and the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to gain altitude in order to avoid colliding with trees. The aircraft settled into the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the keel and spar of the aircraft. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. The wind recorded at an airport about 10 miles west of the accident location about the time of the accident was from 150 degrees at 7 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the weight shift aircraft, he noticed the wind speed increasing and decided to return to the airport. While on final approach to runway 18, approximately 30 feet above ground level, the aircraft incurred “turbulence,” it veered to the left, and the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to gain altitude in order to avoid colliding with trees. The aircraft settled into the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the keel and spar of the aircraft. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. Winds, recorded at an airport 10 miles to the west of the accident location, about the time of the accident, were from 150 degrees at 7 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44565](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44565-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N AT01, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Trick Trikes Eagle
- Registry model: [Air Trikes EAGLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-trikes-eagle) (registry code 05903P5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Suzuki G10](https://openairdocs.org/engine/suzuki-g10) (registry code 59299, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Weight-shift
- Serial number: AT01
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 2012
- Departed: X55, Eustis, FL
- Destination: X55, Eustis, FL
- Airport: X55, Mid Florida Air Service Airpor, runway 18, 3,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 222 total, 26 in this make and model, 176 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: LEE, 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 20130317004139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130317004139A), Mar 17, 2013: Air Trikes EAGLE, Eustis, FL, Substantial damage. At 1520 UTC on Sunday March 17, 2013 I received notification from the regional operations center (roc) informing me of a mishap that occurred at the mid…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86474. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 551 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record: Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 284 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Diagram of Accident Location (item 4, .PDF, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Diagram%20of%20Accident%20Location-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (KLEE METARs) (item 5, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20(KLEE%20METARs)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: View of Aircraft In Tree (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Aircraft%20In%20Tree%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: View of Damaged Keel (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390317&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20Damaged%20Keel%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: View of Damaged Spar (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390318&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20View%20of%20Damaged%20Spar%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.

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