Trick Trikes 582 CYCLONE STORM accident near Live Oak, Florida, March 24, 2015
On March 24, 2015 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 2006 Trick Trikes 582 CYCLONE STORM (weight-shift aircraft), registered N993RA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Live Oak, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot applicant’s failure to clear the engine during a prolonged descent of a simulated engine failure and his subsequent rapid throttle input at the completion of the maneuver, which resulted in the engine’s failure to respond. Contributing to the accident was the sport pilot applicant's decision to turn the aircraft away from a suitable landing area before adding power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 24, 2015 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Live Oak, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Trick Trikes 582 CYCLONE STORM, built 2006
- Registration
- N993RA · no longer on the register · serial TTS016
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While flying about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl) during a flight test for the issuance of a sport pilot certificate, the sport pilot examiner instructed the sport pilot applicant to reduce power to idle for a simulated loss of engine power. The applicant chose a suitable field, began a spiral descent, and positioned the weight-shift-control aircraft for the simulated off-airport landing. When the aircraft was about 50 ft agl, the maneuver was terminated, and the examiner told the applicant to add power and go around. The applicant immediately started turning away from the field and then rapidly advanced the throttle. The engine sputtered and did not respond to the throttle input, and the aircraft then impacted trees. The applicant reported that at no time during the descent with the power reduced did he clear the engine nor did he recall the examiner telling him to clear the engine while descending at a reduced power setting. The applicant added that he mistakenly turned the aircraft before adding power and that, if he had not done so, he could have successfully landed it in the field. Postaccident examination of the aircraft, which included an operational test of the engine, revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The applicant's failure to clear the engine during the prolonged descent and his subsequent rapid advancement of the throttle after terminating the simulated loss of engine power likely caused excessive fuel in the cylinders, which would have led to the engine's failure to respond to throttle input.
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
- Simulated/training event during enroute (cruise)
- Simulated/training event during emergency descent
- Miscellaneous/other
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Student/instructed pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Student/instructed pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other person › Designated examiner
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 16 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: flight instructor, private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: sport pilot
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 180 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 14, 2014
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 199 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Live Oak FL at 10:45 pm
- Destination: Live Oak FL
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from 24J, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on December 7, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Report and Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of NTSB Conversations | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statements from Owner | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Dpe Initial Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpt from Engine Maintenance Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Excerpts from Engine Operator's Manual | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Investigative Photographs (Courtesy of Owner) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.