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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 7, 2018 · Airborne X-Series · UNREG

North Pole, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
North Pole, AK
Aircraft
Airborne X-Series
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC19LA004

The student pilot indicated that this flight was his first in the unregistered trike, and he had no flight training in the airplane but had read the manuals. After applying full power and reaching an airspeed of about 30 knots, he pushed forward on the control bar to initiate the liftoff. He stated that, shortly after liftoff, the trike turned right, "stalled," and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the carriage keel and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believed the trike was an ultralight aircraft. However, according to the trike's operating manual, the aircraft specifications exceeded the maximum takeoff weight, fuel capacity, and seat limitations stated in 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 for ultralight aircraft. It is likely that, given the pilot's general lack of experience and training in the airplane type, he lost control during takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's decision to fly the weight-shift-controlled airplane with no training in the airplane type, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain shortly after takeoff.

Full Narrative

On October 7, 2018, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, an unregistered weight-shift controlled, Airborne X-series Redback "Trike" aircraft, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and impact with terrain shortly after takeoff from Lakewood Airport (78AA), North Pole, Alaska. The student pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. According to the student pilot, the flight was his first flight in the unregistered trike and he had received no flight training in the aircraft prior to the accident but had downloaded and then read the aircraft's manuals. After applying full power and reaching an airspeed of about 30 knots he pushed forward on the control bar to initiate the liftoff. Shortly after liftoff the aircraft turned right, felt like it" stalled" and impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the carriage keel and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believed the trike was an ultralight aircraft. According to the trike's operating manual, the aircraft specifications exceeded the maximum takeoff weight, fuel capacity, and seat limitations stated in 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 for ultralight aircraft. After repeated attempts, the pilot did not submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report form (NTSB Form 6120.1) as required.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportLAKEWOOD (0nm S)
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirborne X-Series
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryWsft
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data