This accident involved an in-flight break-up of a standard six month old Pegasus Quantum 503. The wing separated from the trike, and both occupants were killed. Although the FAA normally investigate aircraft accidents in the USA, this does not apply to ultralights, which are unregulated under FAR 103. Pegasus therefore sent their own investigation team, consisting of Bill Brooks and W. Sherlock, to investigate the accident. The resulting investigation is extremely thorough, with the report running to ten pages.

The conclusion is that the trike was destroyed by dynamic forces encountered during a 'tumbling' accident instigated by the aircraft being put into a nose-high attitude well outside the permitted operating envelope. A detailed description, with diagrams, of the sequence of events probably involved is included. One of the conclusions - which the ultralight and microlight communities on both sides of the pond would do well to take to heart - deserves being quoted in full here:

"All aircraft have flight limitations beyond which the aircraft and the crew will be destroyed".

It is also noted that the safety record of the Q2 wing is excellent, with no previous 'tumbling' accidents - fatal or otherwise - with this type of wing.

Pegasus are to be commended for their swift and professional response, which should do much to help maintain the already high reputation of Pegasus trikes in particular and British trikes in general in the USA. The full report is no longer available on the Pegasus UK website, but is available on the Pegasus USA site as a PDF file.