Suffered A Broken Back On First Solo Flight

A Sussex County, DE, Councilman is recovering from back surgery after his Aeros Trike went down on his first solo flight. He was listed in serious condition at a Virginia Hospital following the accident.

Official Sussex County Photograph

Vance Phillips (pictured) had called the ultralight "his new toy" in a recent post on his Facebook page. The 49-year-old farmer from Laurel, VA told friends he was working towards obtaining a sport pilot certificate, but that "survival is first priority."

Delmarvanow.com reports that the accident occurred at a private grass airstrip in central Virginia owned by Buffalo Ridge Air Sports. A Virginia state trooper investigating the accident said Phillips "came in too fast and steep" and was unable to correct before landing. His instructor was watching from the ground when the plane went down.

The FAA declared the Trike a total loss. A witness said that the fabric wing was torn, there was extensive damage to the fuselage, and the landing gear was twisted. Phillip's injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

In a statement on the Sussex County, DE, website, officials said "Mr. Phillips’ condition has been upgraded from ‘serious’ to ‘fair’ as he continues to receive treatment at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. Mr. Phillips sustained a shattered T12 vertebra as he attempted to land an experimental, hang glider-like aircraft at a private airstrip in Amherst County, VA, on Sunday evening, Oct. 30. The hard landing caused a compression injury to his spine, though it did not sever the spinal column.

"The Councilman has undergone back surgery and does have limited feeling and movement in his legs. Mr. Phillips’ doctors are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about his recovery, though it will take time and rehabilitation to fully recover. Mr. Phillips expects to remain in the hospital at least a week before returning to Delaware, where he hopes to perform his rehabilitation close to home. His family is with him in Virginia as he recovers."

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.sussexcountyde.gov