History of Flight
On March 17, 2024, at approximately 0942 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built light-sport weight-shift control Air Creation Twin, registration N4425L, was substantially damaged when it struck a mesquite tree and impacted terrain near Gila Bend Municipal Airport (E63), Gila Bend, Arizona. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated as an instructional flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The passenger, seated in the front seat, intended to purchase the aircraft and was receiving flight instruction from the pilot. They had flown together the day before and planned a subsequent flight that morning. Before departure, the pilot briefed that they would take off, fly in the local area, then return to the airport for touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, with the passenger flying the approach and the pilot performing the landing.
After about 45 minutes of local flying to increase the passenger's experience, they returned to E63 and focused on runway 04. During the second approach, the passenger heard the pilot say "my airplane" and relinquished the controls. The passenger heard the engine spool up and described it as sounding strong. The aircraft turned right, flying over dirt parallel to runway 04, arrested its descent, and drifted further right over brush and vegetation. The aircraft turned left with fast approach speed, and as it headed back toward the runway, the delta wing struck a mesquite tree. The aircraft then descended and impacted the ground near taxiway E, coming to rest on its right side about 158 ft southeast of runway 04 centerline, oriented northwest.
Personnel Information
A review of the pilot's logbook showed that his last recorded flight was on December 5, 2015, in the accident aircraft. He received his private pilot certificate on February 21, 2015, and did not hold a flight instructor rating. No additional record of pilot experience was found beyond the logbook in his flight bag.
Aircraft Information
The weight-shift-control aircraft was stored in a mobile trailer. No aircraft maintenance records or logbooks were available to the investigation.
Meteorological and Airport Information
The aircraft was stored in a mobile trailer; no additional meteorological or airport information was provided.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The initial point of impact was a 10-ft tall mesquite tree about 88 ft south of the main wreckage and 85 ft east of the runway 04 asphalt surface, near taxiway E. The tree was largely intact with missing branches showing 45° cut signatures, starting at about 7 ft height and continuing northward through the top.
The main wreckage impacted nose-down and came to rest on its right side. The nose-gear and control pedals were found 5 ft south of the wreckage, consistent with the nosewheel striking first. The main wreckage included the delta wing, engine, fuel cell, and carriage.
Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the forward carriage keel frame and wing keel, which was fracture-separated at the hang point. The seat frame showed impact signatures on the right side and was separated from the carriage frame. The nosewheel was separated from the lower carriage. Flight control continuity was confirmed.
The left wing reflex cables and battens were unremarkable except for three inboard battens with impact damage. The right wing components were unremarkable. The sail had tears near the aft section and a separated reflex cable, consistent with the No. 2 batten separating from its pocket.
Three of four propeller blades were fracture-separated at midspan; the fourth had tip damage with chordwise striations. The propeller hub was intact. The right-side rear flying wire was taut and wrapped twice around a non-rotating flange.
The fuel system was intact and about one-third full. The engine was a 2-cycle carbureted type. Given the passenger's report of normal engine operation and propeller signatures consistent with power at impact, an engine examination was not conducted.
No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation was found.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot performed by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing identified losartan, amlodipine, labetalol, homoamphetamine (a metabolite of labetalol), and tadalafil in heart blood and liver tissue. These medications are not generally considered impairing, though the FAA advises waiting 24 hours after tadalafil use before flying.