# NTSB GAA17CA553: Aerotrike Safari, N7675K, Bridgeton, NJ, September 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2017, 12:06 local (16:06 UTC) - Place: Bridgeton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.470001, -75.271942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4700&lon=-75.2719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96087 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA553 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96087/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96087 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA553 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing while conducting an off-airport precautionary landing after a bird strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901); cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aerotrike SAFARI, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901AA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft reported that, during the base leg turn, a flock of small birds entered the flightpath, and he banked to avoid them. He added that, a moment later, a larger bird struck the support cable on the right wing. No control issues were evident; however, he decided to land in a cleared field to check the structure for damage. During the landing, the nosewheel hit the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the weight-shift-control aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft reported that, during the base leg turn, a flock of small birds entered the flight path and he banked to avoid them. He added that, a moment later a larger bird struck the support cable on the right wing. No control issues were evident, however, he decided to land in a cleared field to check the structure for damage. Subsequently, during the landing in the field, the nosewheel hit the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the weight-shift-control aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7675K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7675K-2020-02-03), registration cancelled 2020-02-03, S/N 270S, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROTRIKE SAFARI (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Aerotrike SAFARI](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotrike-safari) (registry code 05901AA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 270S - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 602 - Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2017 - Departed: JY17, Bridgeton, NJ - Destination: JY17, Bridgeton, NJ - Airport: JY17, Woodcrest Farms Airstrip - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 10, 2016; seat: front; flight hours: 750 total, 650 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KMIV, 11 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 20170924019849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170924019849A), Sep 24, 2017: Aerotrike SAFARI, Shiloh, NJ, Substantial damage. While on base leg for landing at woodcrest farms airstrip the pilot manuvered to avoid a flock of birds. One large bird impacted a wire which provides both… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96087. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 838 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 686 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.