CYGNET N186AT accident near Pensacola, Florida

Probable cause

The student pilot's loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

Following a 1-year period without flying, the student pilot completed two flights in his amphibious weight-shift-control aircraft with a flight instructor before departing on his first solo flight. The instructor reported that, during the two instructional flights, the student completed takeoffs and landings, steep turns, stalls, and spiral recovery "perfectly." After exiting the aircraft, the instructor told the student to perform several water landings, with traffic patterns 500 ft above ground level (agl). The student departed and, on the downwind leg, the aircraft entered a left descending spiral that continued until water impact. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA18FA235 for the full record.