History of Flight
On July 7, 2013, about 0938 Pacific daylight time, a North Wing UUM Inc. Sport X2, N467YN, was substantially damaged when it impacted transmission wires and fell to the ground near Parker Dam, California. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The pilot/owner was operating the weight-shift-control aircraft under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight, which was maneuvering for viewers on the ground. The takeoff location and time are not known, and a flight plan had not been filed.
A witness reported that the weight-shift aircraft was flying down the Colorado River towards a large rock on the Arizona side. The aircraft banked right, and the pilot began waving at people on the California side. There was a set of power lines spanning the river about 100 feet above the ground; the pilot turned sharply right to avoid them. One witness stated the bank exceeded 90 degrees. The aircraft lost altitude and immediately struck a second set of wires about 30 feet above the ground with its right wing, then cartwheeled to the ground.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration student pilot certificate issued on May 12, 2013. He did not have an airman's medical certificate; only a current driver's license was required for light sport aircraft operation. His instructor stated the pilot had about 18 hours of training in the aircraft and approximately 1,000 hours of experience in hang gliders.
Aircraft Information
The North Wing Sport X2 aircraft has two seats and a maximum gross weight of 1,060 pounds. The manufacturer's Pilot Operating Handbook lists prohibited maneuvers including steep turns beyond 60 degrees of bank and pitch angles exceeding 30 degrees up or down. The aircraft was powered by a Rotax 582 engine producing 65 horsepower. The pilot had purchased the airplane on May 12, 2013. The aircraft was issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light sport aircraft category on June 21, 2012.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Photos taken by local authorities showed the aircraft came to rest in front of the Echo Lodge Resort clubhouse, Parker Dam, on a hard pack-dirt and gravel parking lot. A ground scar about 18 inches long with red transfer material led to a shattered fiberglass nose fairing marked "SPORT X2" and "NAVAJO." The scar was consistent with a vertical impact, the nose fairing contacting first. The right wing's outer half leading edge exhibited chaffing and fabric tears, and was slightly bent. The main body rested on its right side; numerous support and wing structure components were bent or broken. One of the three propeller blades was broken at mid-span. The transparent fuel tank was about half full.
Medical and Pathological Information
The San Bernardino County Coroner's Office performed an autopsy on the pilot on July 15, 2013. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) conducted toxicology tests, which were negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs.