CROSS-5X N223CL accident near Columbus, Nebraska

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft after takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The non-certificated pilot departed from a private grass airstrip on his second flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft. According to a witness, the aircraft departed and flew low to the ground. There were no witnesses to the impact with the roof of the garage near the airstrip. The aircraft came to rest inverted and partially imbedded in the roof of the garage.

Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed signatures consistent with impact damage. All three propeller blades separated about midspan consistent with rotation at the time of impact. There were no mechanical anomalies with the aircraft, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot did not have any flight training or flight experience other than the accident flight and the one before it. It was unlawful for the pilot to perform a solo flight in the aircraft.

Postmortem toxicological testing identified potentially impairing drugs. As the non-certificated pilot was operating the aircraft outside the guardrails of federal regulations, detailed evaluation of the toxicological results was not within the scope of this investigation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA332 for the full record.