Tandem AIR-BIKE UNREG

Summary

On 3 October 2021 at about 15:00 local time, a Tandem AIR-BIKE registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Warrensburg, Missouri, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 October 2021 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Warrensburg, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Skyhaven Airport (RCM)

Coordinates

38.8487, -93.8140

Aircraft

Tandem AIR-BIKE

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA001

2 people died.

The improper judgment of both pilots to attempt a flight while impaired by drugs/medications and their failure to maintain control of the aircraft, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The uncertificated pilot, who recently purchased the aircraft, and a pilot who did not hold a flight instructor certificate, as required, departed on the accident flight so that the uncertificated pilot could learn to fly the aircraft. The aircraft did not have a required registration and airworthiness certificate. A witness stated the aircraft wing dropped while turning. It then entered a descent and impacted the ground. The engine continued to operate during the flight. The left-wing drop followed by a descent was consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Postaccident examination of the flight controls confirmed flight control continuity. Toxicology tests revealed the front seat uncertificated pilot had high levels of methamphetamine in cavity blood and liver, most likely consistent with recent use, which likely resulted in some impairment. The rear seat pilot had a therapeutic level of oxycodone in his subclavian blood as well as a high level in his gastric fluid with only metabolite in gastric fluid, suggesting recent ingestion of the drug. He too, was likely impaired to some extent from his use of this drug. Although both pilots were likely impaired by their use of substances, whether that impairment directly contributed to the circumstances of this accident could not be determined. The root issue in this case was the decision by each occupant to get in the aircraft and attempt to fly it when they lacked the skills and qualifications to safely do so.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.