Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid trees during low-altitude flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft reported that he was performing a maintenance flight about 40 ft above ground level. He recalled that he remained in the pattern and that he was in a level flight profile when the left wing struck a tree. The aircraft fell to the ground and sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut and trailing edge tubes.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the weight-shift-controlled aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA261 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 5, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Arecibo, Puerto Rico
- Nearest airport
- Antonio (Nery) Juarbe Pol Airp (ABO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc SPORT2S R582
- N-number
- N228KM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2007
- 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.