Sabre TRIKE accident near Peoria, Arizona, December 2, 2010
On December 2, 2010, a Sabre TRIKE (weight-shift aircraft), registered N765MH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Peoria, Arizona (Pleasant Valley Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2010
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · Pleasant Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sabre TRIKE
- Registration
- N765MH · registry record · serial 002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a personal flight, the experimental light-sport weight-shift-control aircraft was observed by witnesses in a spiraling descent until it impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Flight time: 195 hours in all; 190 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 91 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 25, 2010
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 447 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: P48 Peoria AZ
- Destination: P48 Peoria AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 11:47 pm from GEU, 16 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.