Trick Trikes Eagle accident near Eustis, Florida, March 17, 2013
On March 17, 2013 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Trick Trikes Eagle (weight-shift aircraft), registered N44565, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Eustis, Florida (Mid Florida Air Service Airpor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the weight-shift aircraft during the final approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 17, 2013 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Eustis, Florida · Mid Florida Air Service Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Trick Trikes Eagle
- Registration
- N44565 · no longer on the register · serial AT01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot of the weight-shift aircraft, he noticed that the wind speed was increasing, and he decided to return to the airport. While on final approach to runway 18, about 30 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered “turbulence.” It veered to the left, and the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to gain altitude in order to avoid colliding with trees. The aircraft settled into the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the keel and spar of the aircraft. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. The wind recorded at an airport about 10 miles west of the accident location about the time of the accident was from 150 degrees at 7 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Turbulence encounter during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 222 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 176 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 20, 2012
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 29, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X55 Eustis FL at 1:45 pm
- Destination: X55 Eustis FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,200 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from LEE, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.