The uncertificated pilot reported he had been studying an online course with the intent of pursuing a sport pilot certificate in the future. He purchased the Coyote S-6ES about a month before the accident. The accident flight was his first flight in the airplane.
He stated he was aware of a crosswind coming from his right at his airstrip in Pisgah, Iowa, and the ground dropping away into the adjacent bean field at the end. He planned to get airborne and then as the ground dropped away into the field, he would turn right into the wind and climb.
He said that the airplane climbed faster than anticipated, and the wind turned the airplane toward the left.
He stated that he did not remember much after that, other than some of the post-crash events in the field as he was seriously injured in the crash.
He had seen a video the accident, and it appeared the left wing stalled, and the airplane spun into the field.
The airplane sustained substantial damage that included damage to both wings and the fuselage.
Probable Cause: The uncertificated pilot’s failure to attain/maintain a proper angle-of-attack during an initial climb that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
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This June 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Glad the man survived. Dave
Anyone here that can mention how many people have pulled it off without dire consequence, other than Wilbur and Orville of coarse????
Dude crashed like Mike Patey.
Besides the on-line instruction, he probably should have watched “Second Hand Lions” a few times too; might have swayed his decision.
Sadly, variations on this theme are way more common than what makes it into the NTSB accident database or a NASA ASRS report.
In the EARLY days of ultralights, there were quite a few would-be pilots that taught themselves to fly in this manner with very meager knowledge by doing ever-increasing crow hops. These were VERY light, often foot launched vehicles usually with tiny 2-cycle engines.
I recall a story of an ultralight flyer and his first longer flight where he flew for quite some distance, successfully landing his ultralight in a field. He then exited the plane; lifted the tailwheel; physically turned his craft 180 degrees and flew home.
Quite foolish, of course, and BIG BRASS ONES certainly helped; but here were many fatalities during this period and unfortunately, I witnessed one.
Jerry King
Even if the guy had many hours in a 172 it would be stupid to jump into any Light Sport plane with out cross training.
Like the guy who forged my 90-day solo endorsement for two years … and crashed and died.
Had a guy come to our field, a remote grass strip. Wanted a hanger while he taught himself to fly. He had lots of flight sim time, but zero hours. He was turned down, a pity. I would have enjoyed the spectacle.
He is the prime Darwin Award demographic, young & without children, so he has not have passed on his defective genes. Ideal!
I watch a lot of YouTube aviation videos, some of them by CFIs. I just bought a Citation, so I am good to go. Right?
Good thing this guy didn’t take an on-line course on brain surgery!
Darwin was right…