Northwing NAVAJO N360XL accident near Daingerfield, Texas

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s unfamiliarity with the aircraft, which resulted in a loss of control during an unintentional takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The noncertificated pilot stated that he was unfamiliar with the accident aircraft, a light sport trike; only intended to do a high-speed taxi; and had no intention to fly. He indicated that, during the taxi test, the airplane "must have experienced a gust of wind," and the airplane lifted off, turned hard to the left, and crashed into the trees alongside the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The postaccident examination did not note any mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot reported that he had received some flight training and had some experience flying ultralights but that the controls in the ultralights were different than the controls in the accident aircraft.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17LA042 for the full record.