Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd AEROTRIKE accident near Chesnee, SC
On March 9, 2015, a Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd AEROTRIKE was involved in an accident near Chesnee, SC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 9, 2015
- Place
- Chesnee, SC
- Aircraft
- Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd AEROTRIKE · WSFT
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.063°N, 81.892°W
- NTSB ID
- 20150521X01405
Official records · ERA15LA219
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn March 9, 2015, about 1807 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd., Aerotrike weight-shift aircraft, veered right after takeoff from a private airstrip and collided with a tree, near Chesnee, South Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The weight-shift aircraft, owned and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight, was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was initially notified of the accident when it occurred but the aircraft was reported to be an ultralight aircraft; therefore, an investigation was not initiated. The NTSB was subsequently informed on May 21, 2015, that the aircraft did not meet the eligibility requirements of an ultralight aircraft specified in 14 CFR Part 103, and an investigation was initiated. The passenger stated that he had purchased the weight-shift aircraft from the owner/pilot-in-command (PIC) whom he has known for about 20 years but had not completed paperwork for the transaction. He indicated that the PIC flew the aircraft to the airstrip landing there about the same time as he arrived, which was about 1745. After landing, the engine was secured and the PIC immediately told him to get in. When he got into the aircraft the PIC told him "don't resist what I do"; indicating he was just feeling th
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral or bank control during takeoff, which resulted in collision with, and subsequent suspension from, a tree. Contributing to the pilot’s fatal injuries was his attempt to jump out of the trike to a nearby tree limb.
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Browse: South Carolina
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
