N61740

On May 13, 2009, about 0730 central daylight time, a single-engine Northwing Apache Sport weight-shift trike, N61740, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from the Franklinton Airport (2R7), Franklinton Louisiana. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The trike was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the passenger, a pilot with approximately 150 hours in a similar model trike, the first flight of the day had originated at his house and had concluded at 2R7. While departing 2R7 the trike reached an estimated speed of 40 knots before the pilot pushed the flight control bar forward. The trike rotated, departed the runway, and climbed steeply to an altitude of around 100 feet. The passenger noted that the pilot did not return the control bar to the "neutral" position and the trike "stalled." The passenger attempted to take control, but moments later the trike impacted the ground and came to rest in an inverted position on an adjacent golf course. The passenger reported that he did not observe any mechanical anomalies with the trike before or during the attempted flight.

The passenger further reported that the accident pilot had purchased the trike three to four months previously. He estimated that the pilot had logged approximately 5 hours in type, but had not been signed off for solo flight due to needed practice performing takeoffs and landings. No record of an airman certificate was located for the pilot during the investigation.

Due to the extent of his injuries, the pilot was not able be interviewed nor was he able to submit a NTSB accident form 6120.1. A determination as to if the pilot intended the flight to be instructional was inconclusive.