WPR25FA197

On July 2, 2025, about 1313 Pacific daylight time, an Evolution Aircraft REVOLT weight shift control aircraft (commonly called a trike), N774RS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mount Vernon, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a family member, the pilot brought the aircraft to the family member’s grass landing strip to take photographs of it before placing it for sale. The landing strip was in a north/south configuration, and was about 600 ft long, 50 ft wide, and bordered by tall trees. On the day of the accident, the pilot told the family member that he was concerned about the winds, which were variable and gusting. The pilot proceeded to board the aircraft and taxi it around the north end of the landing strip several times before initiating a takeoff southbound. According to a video recorded by the family member, the aircraft climbed to about 30 ft above ground level before it began to bank left and fly toward the trees along the eastern side of the runway. (See Figure 1). Figure 1: The aircraft on its initial climb. As the aircraft neared the tree line, it rapidly entered a steep right bank. The aircraft contacted the upper branches of a fir tree and subsequently descended into terrain. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the aircraft came to rest on its right side near the south end of the airstrip. (See Figure 2). The wing remained attached to the fuselage. The wing’s keel tube was deformed, and the leading edge structural tubes were fractured in multiple locations. The control bar was crushed upward and to the right. Fuel, consistent in color and appearance to automotive gasoline, was seen within the fuel tank. All five composite propeller blades had separated from the hub near the roots. Figure 2: The main wreckage, and a map of the accident site. The aircraft’s Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) was retained for data readout.