- Location: Columbus, Nebraska
- Accident Number: CEN24LA332
- Date & Time: September 2, 2024, 12:15 Local
- Registration: N223CL
- Aircraft: APEX CROSS-5X
- Aircraft Damage: Substantial
- Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
- Injuries: 1 Fatal
- Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195042/pdf
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195042
On September 2, 2024, about 1215 central standard time, an Apex Cross-5X weight-shiftcontrol aircraft, N223CL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Columbus, Nebraska. The non-certificated pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The non-certificated pilot departed from a private grass airstrip on his second flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft. According to a witness, the aircraft departed and flew low to the ground. There were no witnesses to the impact with the roof of the garage near the airstrip. The aircraft came to rest inverted and partially imbedded in the roof of the garage.
Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed signatures consistent with impact damage. All three propeller blades separated about midspan consistent with rotation at the time of impact. There were no mechanical anomalies with the aircraft, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot did not have any flight training or flight experience other than the accident flight and the one before it. It was unlawful for the pilot to perform a solo flight in the aircraft.
Postmortem toxicological testing identified potentially impairing drugs. As the non-certificated pilot was operating the aircraft outside the guardrails of federal regulations, detailed evaluation of the toxicological results was not within the scope of this investigation.
- Probable Cause: The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft after takeoff.
- Pilot Information:
According to FAA records, the pilot did not hold any pilot certificates or ratings. According to the pilot’s family, he did not have any previous flight training or experience. His spouse reported that he had flown the aircraft on one previous occasion but never climbed above 10 ft above the ground during that flight.
The pilot had just purchased the weight-shift-control aircraft several days before the accident and spent several days reassembling it. The maintenance records did not document the completion of a condition inspection.
An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Physicians Laboratory Services, as authorized by the Platte County Attorney. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was blunt force injuries.
The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory toxicology report is in the docket for this investigation.
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