Accident Overview
On December 1, 2010, about 1700 mountain standard time, an experimental light-sport weight-shift-control Sabre Trike, registration N765MH, collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent near Pleasant Valley Airport in Peoria, Arizona. The owner and pilot was conducting a local personal instructional flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The departure time from Peoria was not documented. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Witness Observations
Witnesses near the airport reported observing the trike in a spiraling descent before it disappeared from view. A subsequent search located the accident site approximately 0.5 nautical miles south of the airport.
Accident Site and Wreckage
The debris field, comprising the trike and all its components and control surfaces, was confined to the immediate impact area. A 60-pound bag of dry ready cement was found in the front area of the wreckage. Investigation later revealed that the pilot had been using the cement bag as ballast to simulate the weight of a front seat passenger. The accident site was documented, and the trike was recovered for further examination.
Examination and Autopsy
On December 2, 2010, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the torso and extremities, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. The trike sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage structure.
On December 8, 2010, investigators examined the airframe and engine at Air Transport, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. The engine was started after minor adjustments and ran without issues. Examination of the airframe revealed no abnormalities that would have precluded normal operations.
Probable Cause
The official investigation report did not state a probable cause for this accident.