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NTSB Report

May 13, 2009 · Northwing Apache Sport · N61740

Franklinton, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 2009
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Franklinton, LA
Aircraft
Northwing Apache Sport
Tail Number
N61740
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09LA299

On the second takeoff of the day, the weight-shift trike reached an estimated speed of 40 knots before the pilot pushed the flight control bar forward. The trike rotated, departed the runway, and climbed steeply to an altitude of around 100 feet. The passenger, a pilot with approximately 150 hours in a similar model trike, noted that the pilot did not return the control bar to the neutral position and the trike stalled. The passenger attempted to take control, but moments later the trike impacted the ground and came to rest in an inverted position on an adjacent golf course. The accident pilot was estimated to have purchased the trike three to four months previously and to have logged approximately 5 hours in type. Due to the extent of his injuries, the pilot was not able to be interviewed nor was he able to submit a NTSB accident form 6120.1. No record of an airman certificate was located for the pilot during the investigation. The passenger reported that he did not observe any mechanical anomalies with the trike before or during the attempted flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the weight-shift trike.

Full Narrative

On May 13, 2009, about 0730 central daylight time, a single-engine Northwing Apache Sport weight-shift trike, N61740, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from the Franklinton Airport (2R7), Franklinton Louisiana. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The trike was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the passenger, a pilot with approximately 150 hours in a similar model trike, the first flight of the day had originated at his house and had concluded at 2R7. While departing 2R7 the trike reached an estimated speed of 40 knots before the pilot pushed the flight control bar forward. The trike rotated, departed the runway, and climbed steeply to an altitude of around 100 feet. The passenger noted that the pilot did not return the control bar to the "neutral" position and the trike "stalled." The passenger attempted to take control, but moments later the trike impacted the ground and came to rest in an inverted position on an adjacent golf course. The passenger reported that he did not observe any mechanical anomalies with the trike before or during the attempted flight. The passenger further reported that the accident pilot had purchased the trike three to four months previously. He estimated that the pilot had logged approximately 5 hours in type, but had not been signed off for solo flight due to needed practice performing takeoffs and landings. No record of an airman certificate was located for the pilot during the investigation. Due to the extent of his injuries, the pilot was not able be interviewed nor was he able to submit a NTSB accident form 6120.1. A determination as to if the pilot intended the flight to be instructional was inconclusive.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 CDT
Nearest AirportFranklinton Airport (1nm)
Runway13
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorthwing Apache Sport
Tail NumberN61740
Aircraft CategoryWsft
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Unknown · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time12:39
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data