Friday, November 13, 2020

Trick Trike STSS, N5152E: Fatal accident occurred November 11, 2020 and Incident occurred August 26, 2012

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri


Location: Holden, MO 
Accident Number: CEN21LA053
Date & Time: November 11, 2020, 16:50 Local 
Registration: 5152E
Aircraft: Trick Trikes STSS 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under:

On November 11, 2020, about 1650 central standard time, an experimental Trick Trikes STSS weight shift aircraft, N5152E, was involved in an accident near Holden, Missouri. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Witnesses reported the pilot took off toward the west and entered a left turn before impacting the ground. The aircraft came to rest in a corn field and a postimpact fire ensued.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Trick Trikes 
Registration: 5152E
Model/Series: STSS 
Aircraft Category: Weight-shift
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RCM,798 ft msl 
Observation Time: 16:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: -12.2°C /-17.8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Holden, MO (PVT)
Destination: Holden, MO 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 38.707,-94.0058

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Ernie James Hillsman
March 01, 1961 - November 11, 2020

Ernie James Hillsman, 59 of Holden, Missouri passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 near Holden.

Ernie was born March 1, 1961 in Warrensburg.  He was raised in Holden having graduated from Holden High School.  Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Army National Guard, where he served for eighteen years.  Ernie was a lifelong Holden resident.  He owned and operated Ernie’s Home Repair for several years.  More recently he did Commercial Solar Farming, with his son, son-in-law and brother.  Ernie had a creative mind, having been known for inventing things.  He knew and was known by nearly everyone in the Holden area.  He never knew a stranger.

Survivors include daughter: Samantha Holtz (Mike) of Holden, MO; sons: Alex Hillsman (Megan) of Raytown, MO and Dalton Woods of Holden, MO; parents: Judy and Denver Wood of Holden, MO; sister: Jeanie McIntyre (Jeff) of Holden, MO; three brothers: Steve Hillsman (Mary) of Holden, MO; Doug Kombrink of Holden, MO and Denver Wood, Jr. of Holden, MO; eight grandchildren: Morgan Holtz, Hunter Higgins, Jack Holtz, Collin Cooper, Elicia Ridenhour, Malorie Canella, Gabby Woods and J.D. Woods; and great granddaughter: Rozlynn Marie Pemberton.  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Ernest & Josephine Thompson; paternal grandparents: James & Ruby Hillsman and sister: Rhonda McBride.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17th at Forward Community Church in Holden with Pastors Dexter Snyder and Mike Wakeman co-officiating. Interment will follow at the Holden Cemetery with Military Honors. Pallbearers will be Alex Hillsman, Mike Holtz, Dalton Woods, Doug Kombrink, Jeff McIntyre, and Billy McBride,

The family will receive friends, one hour prior to service, Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden. 

A memorial fund, in Ernie’s name, will be established. 

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net

HOLDEN — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a plane crash that occurred Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the 900 block of West 10th St. in Holden. 

A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration states a trick trike plane, an ultra-light aircraft, crashed in unknown circumstances in a field and caught fire. 

The pilot, Ernest Hillsman, 59, of Holden, was determined to be deceased at the scene. 

The Federal Aviation Administration states an investigation of this nature can last 12 to 14 months. 

The FAA has classified the crash as an accident. 

The FAA uses the term “accident” for an occurrence “in which any person suffers death or serious injury or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage.” It is not used in a context to identify fault. 

An “incident” is an occurrence “other than an accident.” 

Information provided by the FAA states an “investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents begins as a cooperative effort between local and state police, fire and rescue, coroner’s offices, the FAA and the NTSB.” 

Local authorities responded to the report of a plane crash around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. 

The Holden Fire Department responded to the scene and later turned it over to Johnson County Fire Protection District #2 as it was outside of Holden city limits. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office worked to secure the scene.


Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis, Minnesota

August 26, 2012:  Trick Trike STSS crashed under unknown circumstances. 

Date: 08/26/2012  
Time: 1959
Regis#: 5152E      
Make/Model: EXP    
Description: TRICK TRIKES STSS
Event Type: Incident  
Highest Injury: None    
Mid Air: No    
Missing: No
Damage: Unknown
City: WANAMINGO 
State: Minnesota 

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