Fatal Crash of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft in New Jersey (N2854L)

Accident Overview and Flight History On August 6, 2017, at approximately 1025 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built North Wing Freedom weight-shift controlled aircraft, registration N2854L, was substantially damaged during an attempted departure from Trinca Airport (13N) in Green Township, New Jersey. The noncertificated pilot, who owned the aircraft, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted as a personal operation under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot had custom-built the airframe in 2016 and purchased the wing from its manufacturer. On the day of the accident, the pilot transported the aircraft by trailer to the airport to conduct its first flight. He had previously received some flight instruction and had conducted a solo flight in other similar aircraft.