Fly Hard Trike SKYCYCLE STING RAY N86862

Summary

On 21 September 2012 at about 15:00 local time, a Fly Hard Trike SKYCYCLE STING RAY registered N86862, operated by Lindorfer John H, was involved in an accident near Gulfport, Mississippi, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 September 2012 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gulfport, Mississippi, United States

Nearest airport

Gulfport/Biloxi International (GPT)

Coordinates

30.4044, -89.0686

Aircraft

Fly Hard Trike SKYCYCLE STING RAY

Registration

N86862

Engines

1

Operator

Lindorfer John H

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gulfport → Gulfport

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12CA570

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control after an unexpected wind gust/turbulence encounter during landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental weight-shift control aircraft stated that he was returning to the departure airport after an uneventful 90-minute test flight. During the landing approach, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind, then "violently" pitched up, rolled to the right, nosed over, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the wings and nose. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal aircraft operation. The pilot stated that he believed that this was a “freak” accident caused by unanticipated turbulence over the runway at the time of touchdown.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.