CEN24LA279

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was attempting to maneuver the weight-shift aircraft to avoid an incoming aircraft that was going to land at the airport. The pilot turned the aircraft “way too low” for a right crosswind, and during the turn, the wing contacted the ground, and the aircraft “tumbled.” The aircraft came to rest upright in a field populated with crops and the pilot was assisted by witnesses with evacuating from the aircraft. The pilot classified the accident as “pilot error.” The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing and the fuselage. The pilot, who sustained serious injuries and was wearing a flight helmet, reported that he utilized only a lap belt, when a three-point restraint system was available in the cockpit. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Perception-Pilot