Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
After takeoff, witnesses saw the trike airplane turn left and pitch up to a steep nose-high attitude before the right wing dropped and the airplane descended to the ground. The descriptions of the accident were consistent with an aerodynamic stall. An examination of the wreckage did not detect any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot did not have a logbook, and, in a postaccident interview, he revealed that he had little experience and flight time in the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA448 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 17, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Marlboro, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Sunset Strip Airport (OH07)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built TRIKE
- N-number
- N404EA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.