NTSB: On June 1, 2015, about 1905 central daylight time, a Sea & Sky INC Cygnet weight shift controlled aircraft, N59AT, was substantially damaged when it impacted the water near Panama City Beach, Florida. The commercial pilot was seriously injured.

 

 

NTSB Identification: ERA15LA230

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation

Accident occurred Monday, June 01, 2015 in Panama City Beach, FL

Aircraft: SEA & SKY INC DBA KRUCKER ACFT CYGNET, registration: N59AT

Injuries: 1 Serious.

 

On June 1, 2015, about 1905 central daylight time, a Sea & Sky INC Cygnet weight shift controlled aircraft, N59AT, was substantially damaged when it impacted the water near Panama City Beach, Florida. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The weight shift aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight, which departed Panama City Beach, Florida at 1903.

According to the pilot, after takeoff the weight shift aircraft climbed to approximately 300 feet and was leveled off. He began a turn to the right and noted an "unstable" feeling in the flight controls. He attempted to roll the aircraft to straight and level; however the aircraft continued to the left and rolled into an uncommanded "steep" left banking turn. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft; subsequently it stalled and impacted the water. An examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings and fuselage received substantial damage..

The aircraft was retained for further examination

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.