Accident Summary
On July 16, 2010, at approximately 0800 Pacific daylight time, a light sport aircraft experimental weight-shift-control TopDog Ultralights Top Dog 582 trike, registration N82047, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Eagle Point, Oregon. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight by the owner. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The trike was substantially damaged. According to the passenger, who was a co-owner of the trike with the pilot, shortly after takeoff from a grass strip, the trike drifted to the left of the runway and into tall bushes. The aircraft came to rest in a creek adjacent to the runway. The right wing was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot stated in a written submission that after takeoff, the trike turned sharply to the left, impacted bushes, and then terrain.
Post-Accident Findings
During recovery of the trike, it was discovered that the left wingtip had separated from the structure and was found away from the main wreckage. The separation was not associated with impact damage. An Federal Aviation Administration inspector with extensive experience in weight-shift aircraft noted that wingtip separation can occur if the component is not installed correctly or becomes loose. After separation, lift is lost on that side, leading to control difficulties. The actual reason for the left wingtip separation was not determined.