She Heard A Loud “Bang” But Did Not Observe The Accident Sequence

Location: Wayne, OK Accident Number: CEN20LA413
Date & Time: September 19, 2020, 18:45 Local Registration: N7024L
Aircraft: COSMOS PHASE 3 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 19, 2020, about 1845 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Cosmos Phase III weight-shift control aircraft, N7024L, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Wayne, Oklahoma. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot’s wife, she surmised that the pilot was taxiing out to fly the aircraft for a short flight, land, and then pick her up for a local flight. She heard a loud “bang” but did not observe the accident sequence, nor did anyone else on the large ranch property. The aircraft was found upright against a fence next to a horse stable, and along a grass taxiway that the pilot would use to access the airstrip.

The pilot’s son reported that his father recently replaced the throttle cable on the aircraft. After the throttle cable change, the pilot reported the throttle cable was “sticking.” The pilot’s son surmised that his father was taking the aircraft for a flight to perform an operational check of the throttle cable one more time before the pilot flew with his wife.

It was undermined if the pilot was performing any ground runs to check the operation of the throttle cable before taking off.

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A team of Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspectors documented the accident site and examined the airframe and engine. All components of the aircraft were located at the accident site. Airframe and engine control continuity were established. The throttle cable was found installed at the engine and at the cockpit. The fuel tank was intact and was full of fuel.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov