Thu, May 11, 2023
The Trike Remained In The Spin Until It Impacted The Ground
Location: Santa Teresa, NM Accident Number: WPR23FA138
Date & Time: April 1, 2023, 07:35 Local Registration: UNREG
Aircraft: Aerotrike Cobra Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On April 1, 2023, about 0735 mountain daylight time, an unregistered Aerotrike Cobra weight shift control (WSC) light sport airplane, commonly referred to as a “Trike” was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to family members, the pilot departed from the Dona Ana County International Jetport Airport (DNA), Santa Teresa, New Mexico, the morning of the accident. The pilot planned to meet up with a friend who was flying in the area. The friend, who was conducting an instructional tandem flight in a powered parachute, witnessed the trike to the north of his position about 1,100 ft above ground level (agl), in level flight. He then saw the trike turn towards his position to the south and then enter a flat spin. The trike remained in the spin until it impacted the ground. He further stated that the engine appeared to be operating normally and he didn’t see anything broken or deformed with the wing while it was in the flat spin.
Nearby witnesses reported hearing the impact with the ground and subsequent explosion. An examination of the accident site revealed that the trike impacted a street surface near an intersection. A small area fire ensued consuming some of the wreckage and portions of nearby trees. The wing structure and carriage, which remained attached, had impact and thermal damage.
The wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.
More News
“We respectfully call on the City of Mesa to: 1. Withdraw the landing fee proposal immediately 2. Engage with the aviation community before making decisions that impact safet>[...]
High Speed Taxiway A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway ce>[...]
Aero Linx: International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) IFA uniquely combines together all those with responsibility for policies, principles and practices concerned with the co>[...]
Controller’s Expectation That VW02 Would Have Departed Sooner Led To An Inadequate Scan And Loss Of Situational Awareness Analysis: A Robinson R-44 helicopter N744AF, VW02 (V>[...]
A Few Questions AND Answers To Help You Get MORE Out of ANN! 1) I forgot my password. How do I find it? 1) Easy... click here and give us your e-mail address--we'll send it to you >[...]
Aero-News: Quote of the Day (12.09.25)
See All