Accident Overview
On September 20, 2010, at about 0740 Pacific daylight time, a Cosmos Phase II experimental light-sport weight-shift-control trike, registration N56078, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from a private dirt strip in El Mirage, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The non-certificated pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the trike sustained substantial damage to the wing and fuselage structure.
Witness Account
A witness and friend of the pilot stated that the pilot usually starts the engine while seated in the aircraft, then exits to let the engine warm up while putting on his helmet and glasses. On this occasion, the pilot was seated and having difficulty starting the engine. The witness observed him move the throttle to the full forward position. As the pilot attempted to start the engine again, it started and immediately accelerated to high power. The pilot remained seated and appeared to be "panicking" while holding onto the base bar of the control frame. The witness noted that the base bar remained in a fixed position, and that the pilot was struggling to stay within the aircraft. The aircraft began to accelerate forward, rotated, and started a steep climbing left turn to about 50 feet agl, followed by a 180-degree turn and descent to the left. It collided with the ground about 250 feet beyond the takeoff point.
GPS Data and Wreckage Examination
The trike was equipped with a Garmin 72 GPS receiver. Flight data extracted from the unit corroborated the witness's description of the aircraft's trajectory. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage and observed that the throttle was in the full forward position, with its associated control cable continuous to the carburetor throttle body, which was in the open position. The inspector reported that the restraining buckles of the pilot's seat belt did not appear to be latched together, and that the pilot was located outside of the immediate vicinity of the wreckage. Further examination revealed that the base bar gust-lock, made out of a bungee cord, was located underneath the wing structure and appeared to be severed at the interlock ball. No wheel chocks were found at the aircraft's departure point.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
Flight experience for the 70-year-old pilot was not determined; however, friends reported that he had been flying for at least 2 years and would typically fly 3 times per month. The registered owner reported that he had sold the aircraft to the pilot about 2 months prior to the accident. FAA records indicated that the airplane was manufactured in 2001. In December 2009, it was issued a special airworthiness certificate as an experimental operating light-sport weight-shift-control aircraft, with a basis for issuance that it was an existing aircraft without an airworthiness certificate and did not meet the criteria for Federal Aviation Regulations Part 103.1. At the time of the application, the owner reported a total airframe flight time of 323 hours. Maintenance records were not recovered.
Engine and Controls
The airplane was equipped with a Rotax two-stroke 618 series electric-start engine and a 6-blade composite propeller. The throttle control was mounted at the seat base on the left-hand side of the airframe. The ignition switch was mounted on the right-hand side of the seat base. The Rotax operator's manual, specific to this engine type, states that during startup the throttle control should be set to the idle position. Additionally, the manual states that the operator should be able to operate the engine controls instinctively at startup and be in a position to turn off the ignition switch instantly if necessary. Examination of a similarly equipped Cosmos trike revealed that with the bungee lock in place, the wing remained locked at the 20- to 30-degree nose up position relative to the engine thrust line.
Autopsy and Toxicology
An autopsy performed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Medical Division reported the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests on specimens from the pilot were performed by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute. Analysis revealed no findings for carbon monoxide or cyanide. The results were negative for all screened drug substances and ingested alcohol. Additional results included 600 mg/dl glucose detected in urine and 7.7% hemoglobin A1C detected in blood (Femoral). Refer to the toxicology report included in the public docket for specific test parameters and results.