The Non-Certificated Pilot’s Loss Of Control For Undetermined Reasons...

Location: Alturas, California Accident Number: WPR23LA025
Date & Time: October 25, 2022, 18:00 Local Registration: N354MB
Aircraft: Airborne Windsports Edge X Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Unknown

Analysis: The airplane was observed flying around the area at an unknown time on the day of the accident, but no other information was available about the flight. At about 1800, law enforcement received a notification that aircraft wreckage was discovered on the airport property between a runway and a taxiway. There were no known witnesses to the accident. 

Before the aircraft was sold to the non-certificated accident pilot, the previous owner had provided the pilot with several familiarization flights and emphasized the importance of obtaining instructional lessons since he had no experience with weight-shift-controlled aircraft.

However, the pilot disregarded the advice likely because he assumed the aircraft had similar handling characteristics to hang gliders, which he had previous experience operating. Toxicology testing revealed the pilot had used cannabis; however, since no psychoactive THC or psychoactive metabolite was found in blood samples, it is unlikely that the pilot was under the influence of THC at the time of the accident.

Given the pilot’s lack of experience in power gliders and the signature of the terrain impact, it is most likely that the pilot lost control of the power glider for undetermined reasons. 

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The non-certificated pilot’s loss of control for undetermined reasons.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov