The Pilot Turned The Aircraft “Way Too Low” For A Right Crosswind

Location: Rochelle, Illinois Accident Number: CEN24LA279
Date & Time: July 20, 2024, 19:00 Local Registration: N798EE
Aircraft: Evolution Aircraft Inc Revolt Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: 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.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during a low-level turn, that resulted in an impact with the ground.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov