# NTSB LAX05CA055: Top Dog Trike, Torrey Pines, CA, December 26, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 26, 2004, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Torrey Pines, CA
- Coordinates: 32.88972, -117.246948
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8897&lon=-117.2469&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA055

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in the in-flight collision with a power line and a subsequent forced landing.  Low altitude flight was a contributing factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

The airplane impacted terrain following a collision with a high tension power line.  The pilot was flying the airplane about 150 feet above ground level when the kingpin above the airplane's wing struck a high tension power line that crossed the flight path, resulting in a loss of airspeed and altitude.  The pilot did not attempt to recover to level flight by adding power, but maneuvered for a forced landing.  The pilot said he did not see the high tension power lines or towers before impact.

## Factual narrative

On December 26, 2004, about 1430 Pacific standard time, an unregistered, Top Dog Trike ultralight airplane, collided with power lines near Torrey Pines, California.  The owner/noncertificated pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal local flight departed from nearby private property, near Rancho Bernardo, California, about 1300.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported flying east along Penasquitos Canyon, about 150 feet above ground level.  He said he did not see the high tension power lines or the power line towers ahead of him.  The kingpin above the wing struck the lower power line, resulting in a  loss of airspeed and altitude.  The pilot did not attempt to recover to level flight by adding power, but maneuvered for a forced landing.  During touchdown, the nose gear impacted soft terrain, and the airplane sustained damage to the wing and undercarriage structure.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

The airplane's construction is a hang-glider type configuration with a tricycle undercarriage.  The engine produces 50 horsepower and the airplane is equipped with two seats.   According to the kit manufacturer's web site, the airplane's empty weight is 350 pounds.  The owner/pilot did not have a flight training exemption to 14 CFR Part 103.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Top Dog Trike
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: None
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: Rancho Bernardo, CA
- Destination: Torrey Pines, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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