Accident Details
On May 13, 2009, at approximately 0730 central daylight time, a single-engine Northwing Apache Sport weight-shift trike, registration N61740, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from Franklinton Airport (2R7) in Franklinton, Louisiana. The pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The trike was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Passenger Account
According to the passenger, who held approximately 150 hours of flight experience in a similar model trike, the first flight of the day had originated at his house and concluded at 2R7. While departing from 2R7, the trike reached an estimated speed of 40 knots before the pilot pushed the flight control bar forward. The trike then rotated, departed the runway, and climbed steeply to an altitude of about 100 feet. The passenger noted that the pilot did not return the control bar to the neutral position, causing the trike to stall. The passenger attempted to take control of the trike, but moments later it impacted the ground and came to rest inverted on an adjacent golf course. The passenger reported that he did not observe any mechanical anomalies with the trike before or during the attempted flight.
Pilot Background
The passenger further reported that the accident pilot had purchased the trike three to four months prior. The passenger estimated that the pilot had logged approximately 5 hours in the trike type but had not been signed off for solo flight due to needing additional practice performing takeoffs and landings. No record of an airman certificate was located for the pilot during the investigation.
Investigation Notes
Due to the extent of his injuries, the pilot was not able to be interviewed and did not submit an NTSB accident form 6120.1. A determination as to whether the pilot intended the flight to be instructional was inconclusive.