Sunday, August 27, 2017

Unregistered Tukan Trike: Fatal accident occurred August 27, 2017 in Nicholasville, Jessamine County, Kentucky

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Louisville, Kentucky

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Location: Nicholasville, KY
Accident Number: ERA17LA297
Date & Time: 08/27/2017, 1330 EDT
Registration: Unreg
Aircraft: Tukan Trike
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 27, 2017, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built experimental light-sport Tukan Trike aircraft was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The noncertificated pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight.

According to a witness, the pilot purchased the weight-shift-control aircraft several months earlier, and the accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the aircraft. After the pilot completed a few taxi tests down the grass field, the aircraft took off but failed to gain airspeed or altitude. According to the witness, the aircraft climbed to about 20 ft above the ground, veered left, and impacted a dumpster. He reported that the engine ran "fine" during the takeoff.

A search of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot did not hold a pilot certificate, nor did he possess a sport pilot certificate with a weight-shift-control trike rating. (Pilots of the accident aircraft make and model must possess a sport pilot certificate with a weight-shift control trike rating.) His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in conjunction with a student pilot certificate on February 23, 1989. He reported 40 total hours of flight experience at that time. No pilot logbooks were recovered. It could not be determined whether the pilot obtained any instruction in the operation of the aircraft before the accident flight.

The aircraft was configured with a second seat and a NorthWing M-Pulse 2 wing. A 12-gallon fuel tank on a plywood board was underneath the passenger seat, and the aircraft was powered by a two-stroke, 40-horsepower Rotax 447 engine. A Rotax placard on the engine stated, "This engine is for use in experimental and ultralight uncertified aircraft only." No maintenance records were found. According to an FAA inspector, the accident aircraft exceeded the limitations contained in 14 CFR Part 103 for an ultralight vehicle and was required to be registered as a light-sport aircraft.

Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that it came to rest nose-low on its left side. Except for structural tube bending, it remained largely intact. The wing remained attached to the main structure and was heavily damaged.

Weather reported at Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington, Kentucky, about 9 nautical miles north of the accident site, included variable winds at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 26°C, dew point 15°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.

The Jessamine County Office of the Coroner, Nicholasville, Kentucky, performed an examination on the pilot; an autopsy was not performed. Toxicology testing was performed by Axis Forensic Toxicology. Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) was detected at 5 ng/ml. THC-COOH is one of the nonpsychoactive, nonimpairing compounds produced by the body following use of marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary impairing psychoactive compound in marijuana, was not detected above the reporting level of 1 ng/ml.

Pilot Information

Certificate: None
Age: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/23/1989
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 40 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: Tukan
Registration: Unreg
Model/Series: Trike
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: 
Serial Number: unknown
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 447
Registered Owner: Unregistered 
Rated Power: 40 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLEX, 989 ft msl
Observation Time: 1254 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 1°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 15°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable, Variable
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Nicholasville, KY
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Nicholasville, KY
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1330 EDT
Type of Airspace: Unknown 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal

Latitude, Longitude: 37.884167, -84.608056

NTSB Identification: ERA17LA297
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 27, 2017 in Nicholasville, KY
Aircraft: Tukan Trike, registration: Unreg
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On August 27, 2017, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an unregistered, amateur-built, Tukan Trike, collided with terrain during takeoff in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The two-place, weight shift-control special light-sport aircraft was substantially damaged. The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.

According to a witness, the pilot purchased the aircraft last fall, and the accident flight was the pilot's first flight. He observed the aircraft take off from a grass field and it did not appear the pilot gained enough airspeed or altitude. The aircraft climbed to about 25 ft above the ground, then veered left and impacted a dumpster. He reported the engine ran "fine" during the takeoff.

Examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed it was equipped with a second seat and a NorthWing M-Pulse 2 wing. The aircraft was also equipped with a 12-gallon fuel tank on a plywood board that was underneath the passenger seat.

The fuselage came to rest nose low on its left side. Except for some structural tube bending, it remained largely intact. The wing remained attached to the main structure and was heavily damaged.

The aircraft was equipped with a Rotax 447, two-stroke, 40-horsepower engine. A Rotax placard on the engine stated, "This engine is for use in experimental and ultralight uncertified aircraft only." According to an FAA inspector, the accident aircraft, as equipped did not meet the requirements contained in 14 CFR Part 103 to be considered an Ultralight Vehicle.

No maintenance records or pilot logbooks were located. A search of FAA airman records revealed that the pilot did not hold a pilot's license. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in conjunction with a student pilot certificate on February 23, 1989. He reported 40 total hours of flight experience at that time.

Weather reported at the Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Lexington, Kentucky, about 9 miles north of the accident site, included variable winds at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 26° C, dew point 15° C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.



NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Jessamine County man is dead after a hang gliding accident this afternoon.

The man crashed at Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary, right off Wilmore Road.

According to the Jessamine County Coroner, 56-year-old John Collins was piloting his hang glider when he had to make an emergency landing.

The coroner says he does not believe the crash was caused by mechanical issues. He says Collins did not have enough altitude to keep the glider in the air.

“There was a wind shift possible, according to a witness,” said Jessamine County Coroner Michael Hughes. “One wing dipped low and he more or less lost control and was trying to put it on the ground when he struck the dumpster.”

Hughes says he spoke with family members who say Collins was an avid pilot.

“Flying was apparently his passion and he was trying to spend the afternoon doing what he loved and it just turned into a horrible tragedy,” said Hughes.

Hughes says Collins died of blunt force trauma from hitting the dumpster. However, he says he does not know that the outcome would have been any different had the dumpster not been there.

Hughes says Collins was a father to three Jessamine County teens.

The coroner says Collin’s family has requested that an autopsy not be performed since the cause of death is already known.

https://www.wtvq.com


JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - 56-year-old John Collins died on Sunday when his the ultralight plane went down near Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School in Jessamine County. The coroner says the crash happened when one of Collins' wings dipped low and that he possibly didn't have enough altitude to correct it.

Friends say Collins loved flying for sport, but his passions also included working with young people. Collins was very active at West Jessamine HIgh School with the soccer team.

"He told me, that there is no other feeling; that being up in the air, soaring through the air.”

Leo Labrillazo is the principal of Hogsett Elementary School in Danville. He says Collins was not only a good friend to him but many others as well.

"For me, and I think our community, I think the legacy that John is going to leave is going to be one of just self-less giving. When I say that he wouldn't think twice of serving or doing, that is not an understatement," Labrillazo said.

“I have seen him sponsor kids so that they could take part in an activity when they would not normally have that.”

Collins's friends are planning a moment of silence at the next West Jessamine soccer game in his memory.

A public visitation service is scheduled for Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Clark Legacy Center in Brannon Crossing. His funeral service will follow.

Nicholasville Police are still investigating the crash; The FAA does not regulate ultralight aircraft.


Story and video:  http://www.wkyt.com



NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WKYT) - One man is dead after the ultralight glider he was flying crashed.

It happened around noon Sunday near Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School, off Wilmore Road in Jessamine County.

Police say the man was dead when they got to the scene.

Jessamine County Coroner Michael Hughes identified the victim as John Collins, 55, of Jessamine County.

The coroner says one of Collins' wings dipped low and when he tried to land he crashed into a dumpster.


"The gentleman was just out trying to enjoy the day with his recently purchased ultralight and things just went wrong for him," Hughes said. "It went tragically wrong."


Story and video ➤ http://www.wkyt.com 




A man died in Jessamine County Sunday when the glider that he was flying crashed, said Jessamine County Deputy Coroner Len Kirschbaum.

The accident that killed John Collins, of Nicholasville, 55, happened at 12:15 p.m. Sunday near Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School, off Wilmore Road in Jessamine County.

Michael Hughes, Jessamine County coroner, said Collins crashed into a dumpster behind the school and was probably killed instantly.

Hughes said Collins was flying a ultralight trike, which is a type of motorized hang glider steered by shifting weight.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.kentucky.com

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