Sunday, September 24, 2017

Aerotrike Safari, N7675K: Accident occurred September 24, 2017 at Woodcrest Farms Airstrip (JY17), Shiloh, Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey

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

Location: Bridgeton, NJ
Accident Number: GAA17CA553
Date & Time: 09/24/2017, 1206 EDT
Registration: N7675K
Aircraft: AEROTRIKE SAFARI
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft reported that, during the base leg turn, a flock of small birds entered the flightpath, and he banked to avoid them. He added that, a moment later, a larger bird struck the support cable on the right wing. No control issues were evident; however, he decided to land in a cleared field to check the structure for damage. During the landing, the nosewheel hit the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the weight-shift-control aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: 
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing while conducting an off-airport precautionary landing after a bird strike.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute
Birdstrike
Landing
Off-field or emergency landing
Hard landing (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 68, 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: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/10/2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 750 hours (Total, all aircraft), 650 hours (Total, this make and model), 650 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: AEROTRIKE
Registration: N7675K
Model/Series: SAFARI NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 270S
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/20/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:  1037 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 602 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: ROTAX
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 503
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 52 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: KMIV, 60 ft msl
Observation Time: 1554 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 125°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 19°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots, 40°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bridgeton, NJ (JY17)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Bridgeton, NJ (JY17)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1200 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: WOODCREST FARMS AIRSTRIP (JY17)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 90 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Precautionary Landing; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  39.470000, -75.271944 (est)

Additional Participating Entity:
 Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N7675K


NTSB Identification: GAA17CA553
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Bridgeton, NJ
Aircraft: AEROTRIKE SAFARI, registration: N7675K
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft reported that, during the base leg turn, a flock of small birds entered the flight path and he banked to avoid them. He added that, a moment later a larger bird struck the support cable on the right wing. No control issues were evident, however, he decided to land in a cleared field to check the structure for damage. Subsequently, during the landing in the field, the nosewheel hit the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the weight-shift-control aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.



HOPEWELL TWP. -- No injuries were reported after a ultralight trike crashed in a soybean field around noon on Sunday.

State police responded to the scene, on Minches Corner Road near Shoemaker Road in Cumberland County, and spoke to the pilot, who walked away apparently unscathed. He was the lone occupant in the craft.

The Aerotrike Safari made a "hard landing" in the field, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

The wife of the pilot arrived as her husband toured the accident scene with a state police investigator. She declined to speak about what had happened.

Federal Aviation Administration records indicate the 19-year-old, single-seat craft is owned by a Pittsgrove Township resident.

No additional information had been released by state police as of mid-afternoon.

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

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