Sunday, August 11, 2019

Loss of Control in Flight: Evolution Revo, N145PT; accident occurred August 21, 2018 at Hawthorne Municipal Airport (KHHR), Los Angeles County, California

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Los Angeles, California

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

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

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N145PT



Location: Hawthorne, CA
Accident Number: GAA18CA499
Date & Time: 08/21/2018, 1230 PDT
Registration: N145PT
Aircraft: EVOLUTION TRIKES REVO
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis 

The flight instructor in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft reported that, during a demonstration flight, during the landing flare, he observed the wind sock shift 90°, and he felt a violent wind gust from the left that lifted the left wing. He attempted to lower the left wing, but the right wing impacted the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled before coming to rest.

The flight instructor reported that, after the accident, an airport worker reported to him that he had been caught in a "dust devil."

The weight-shift-controlled aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

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

The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 230° at 8 knots. The weight-shift-controlled aircraft landed on runway 25.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's failure to maintain lateral control of the weight-shift-controlled aircraft during the landing flare.

Findings

Aircraft
Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Other weather encounter
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Sport Pilot
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Sport Pilot
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/05/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3550 hours (Total, all aircraft), 340 hours (Total, this make and model), 3057 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: EVOLUTION TRIKES
Registration: N145PT
Model/Series: REVO
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 2010
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 000557
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1060 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 912ULS
Registered Owner: Daniel R. White
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: Pacific Blue Air, Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHHR, 63 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1943 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 305°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 2900 ft agl
Visibility:  7 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 230°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hawthorne, CA (HHR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Hawthorne, CA (HHR)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1145 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: JACK NORTHROP FIELD/HAWTHORNE (HHR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 65 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 25
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4884 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.922778, -118.333611 (est)

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