History of Flight
On August 11, 2014, at 1216 eastern daylight time, an Evolution Trikes Revo weight-shift-control aircraft, N214EV, impacted terrain following an in-flight breakup near South Haven, Michigan. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to Evolution Aircraft Inc. and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions were expected along the route and reported immediately prior to the accident. The flight originated from Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ), Chicago, Illinois, about 1115, and was en route to Hastings Airport (9D9), Hastings, Michigan. A witness reported hearing an engine revving up followed by a loud bang, then observed a wing descending from the clouds. No radar data was available for the accident sequence.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 45, held a sport pilot certificate with light-sport aircraft, powered parachute, and flight instructor ratings. A medical certificate was not required for sport pilot privileges. On July 23, 2012, the pilot reported 377 hours of total flight experience, including 133 hours in weight-shift-control aircraft and 244 hours in powered parachutes. Recent pilot logbooks were not available. The pilot had a history of noncompliance with FAA regulations, including counseling for low flying in October 2011, an FAA reexamination following an accident in May 2012, a formal warning notice in June 2013, and counseling for flying in less than VFR conditions in July 2014.
Aircraft Information
The Evolution Trikes Revo weight-shift-control aircraft was issued a special airworthiness certificate on July 26, 2014. It was equipped with a Rotax 912 4-cylinder engine and an MGL Avionics Explorer electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS). The EFIS lacked non-volatile memory for the accident flight.
Meteorological Information
At 1156, the South Haven Regional Airport (LWA) station reported wind from 060 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 5 miles in light rain, ceiling broken at 500 ft agl, overcast at 2,300 ft agl, temperature and dew point 21°C, and altimeter 29.88 inHg. At 1216, LWA reported wind from 020 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 5 miles in moderate drizzle, scattered clouds at 500 ft and 2,300 ft, ceiling broken at 8,000 ft agl, temperature and dew point 21°C, and altimeter 29.89 inHg. An AIRMET for IFR conditions due to ceilings below 1,000 ft and visibility below 3 miles was current.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wing impacted a cornfield, with the fuselage located about 600 yards east. Examination revealed fractures of the aluminum hang block, three attach bolts, both ends of the control bar, and the bolt securing the safety cable to the mast. The wing envelope was intact except for the outboard 54 inches of the left wing leading edge tube, found near the fuselage, bent 90 degrees aft at the fracture. The mast was twisted left, consistent with left yaw force. The left wing strut had two fracture points. All fracture surfaces indicated overstress. The engine and propeller showed operation at impact. No bird remains were found. Examination revealed no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on August 12, 2014, determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests detected paroxetine (Paxil), methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta), caffeine, and acetaminophen. Medical records indicated prescriptions for methylphenidate and paroxetine for attention deficit disorder and depression, but no mental status exams were recorded.
Remarks
No probable cause was determined.