TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER
Covert, MI — August 16, 2013
Event Information
| Date | August 16, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN13LA493 |
| Event ID | 20130816X11022 |
| Location | Covert, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.29889, -86.32889 |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | TRICK TRIKES |
| Model | STORM TROOPER |
| Category | WSFT |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 2 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude over a congested beach area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.
Full Narrative
On August 16, 2013, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Trick Trikes Storm Trooper weight-shift aircraft, N5157G, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Covert, Michigan. The student pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan from an unknown location near Cassapolis, Michigan.
According to witnesses, the aircraft made two low altitude passes over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the aircraft made a turn and impacted the beach area in a steep right bank, damaging the structure of the wings, landing gear, and front section of the aircraft. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos. Engine noise was present on the video and no anomalies with the wing structure were indicated in the photos.
Examination of the airframe and engine by Federal Aviation Administration personnel revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Pilot and maintenance records were not available for the investigation. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120, despite repeated requests to do so.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.