# NTSB ERA14CA262: Evolution Trikes Revo, N9912S, Williamsburg, VA, May 25, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2014, 20:21 local (May 25, 2014, 00:21 UTC) - Place: Williamsburg, VA - Coordinates: 37.229999, -76.800003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2300&lon=-76.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 89288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89288/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89288 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA262 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water. ## 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: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Evolution Trikes REVO, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060007Z), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was flying the weight-shift control aircraft over a river while the passenger took photos. As he slowed and descended the aircraft near a bird's nest in order for the passenger to capture a photo, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot applied full engine power to recover, but the aircraft continued to sink before impacting the river, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and passenger subsequently egressed and swam to the shore. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the aircraft or engine that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was flying the weight-shift control aircraft over a river while the passenger took photos. As he slowed and descended the aircraft near a bird's nest in order for the passenger to capture a photo, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot applied full engine power to recover, but the aircraft continued to sink before impacting the river, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and passenger subsequently egressed and swam to the shore. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the aircraft or engine that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9912S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9912S), registered now, S/N 1002, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVOLUTION TRIKES REVO - 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: Airplane - Serial number: 2 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 507 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Williams John D - Registered owner: Williams John D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: JGG, Williamsburg, VA - Destination: JGG, Williamsburg, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,750 total, 895 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: JGG ## 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 20140524006889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140524006889A), May 24, 2014: Evolution Trikes REVO, Williamsburg, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot slowed aircraft for photo opportunity and lowered elevation. Aircraft began to stall and pilot attempted to add power. Pilot was unable to recover full… ## 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 CEN16LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA263), Jul 9, 2016: Evolution Trikes Revo (N9912S), Newark, IL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. 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. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89288. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 956 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane after recovery (item 2, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20after%20recovery-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.