Trick Trikes EAGLE N44565

Summary

On 17 March 2013 at about 14:15 local time, a Trick Trikes EAGLE registered N44565 was involved in an accident near Eustis, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 March 2013 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Eustis, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Mid Florida Air Service Airpor (X55)

Coordinates

28.8433, -81.6300

Aircraft

Trick Trikes EAGLE

Registration

N44565

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eustis → Eustis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13CA177

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the weight-shift aircraft during the final approach to land.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot of the weight-shift aircraft, he noticed that the wind speed was increasing, and he decided to return to the airport. While on final approach to runway 18, about 30 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered “turbulence.” It veered to the left, and the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to gain altitude in order to avoid colliding with trees. The aircraft settled into the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the keel and spar of the aircraft. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. The wind recorded at an airport about 10 miles west of the accident location about the time of the accident was from 150 degrees at 7 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.