Probable cause
The student pilot's inadvertent interference with the weight-shift capability of the airplane during the initial climb, resulting in a loss of airplane control and hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the instructor pilot, he was beginning a local, instructional flight with a student in his weight-shift-control airplane. During the initial climb, the weight-shift capability of the wing became inadvertently restricted by the student, who was seated in the front seat. Due to the tandem seating arrangement, the instructor was unable to get the student's attention to release control. The student was "younger and stronger" than the instructor. The airplane rolled and impacted hard on the grassy area adjacent to the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that substantial damage resulted to the airframe's tubular structure and the wing. The instructor pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15CA020 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 18, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sebring, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Sebring Regional (SEF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Airborne Windsports Pty Ltd EDGE XT 912 L
- N-number
- N29ME
- Category
- Weight-shift
- Year built
- 2009
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.