# NTSB ERA16CA278: Trick Trikes Storm, N4367X, Valkaria, FL, July 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2016, 07:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Valkaria, FL - Coordinates: 27.961389, -80.559448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9614&lon=-80.5594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93719 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93719/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93719 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot’s premature rotation during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing. ## 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 STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059002A), [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: [Trick Trikes STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=059002A), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=059002A), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=059002A), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Trick Trikes STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=059002A), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft reported that, during takeoff, he pitched upward excessively early for the aircraft's weight. Several feet above the ground, the aircraft descended and bounced off the runway. The pilot tried to regain control and take off again, but the aircraft came back down and bounced on the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft slid down the runway about 75 ft before coming to rest. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuselage was substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the weight-shift aircraft reported that during takeoff he pitched upward excessively early for the aircraft's weight. Several feet above the ground, the aircraft descended and bounced off the runway. The pilot tried to regain control and take off again, but the aircraft came back down and bounced on the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft slid down the runway approximately 75 feet before coming to rest. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the aircraft. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuselage was substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4367X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4367X-2016-12-01), registration cancelled 2016-12-01, S/N TTS 020, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TRICK TRIKES STORM (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Trick Trikes STORM](https://openairdocs.org/model/trick-trikes-storm) (registry code 059002A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: TTS 020 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2016 - Departed: X59, Valkaria, FL - Destination: X59, Valkaria, FL - Airport: X59, Valkaria, runway 14, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 16, 2014; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 274 total, 274 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMLB, 9 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 20160731012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160731012669A), Jul 31, 2016: Trick Trikes STORM, Valkaria, FL, Destroyed. Eye-witness statement by friend & wife of pilot involved in aircraft accident: This date July 31, 2016, I witnessed an aircraft (weight-shift control)… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93719. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 426 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%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.