NTSB Factual Report

On May 1, 2018, about 0845 eastern daylight time, a weight-shift-control Cosmos Phase III, N6466, sustained substantial damage after it impacted terrain at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (FHB), Fernandina Beach, Florida. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the second pilot onboard was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at 0830 from FHB.

In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the second pilot was on the controls. During the initial climb, at about 700 ft above ground level, the airplane suddenly entered a hard left turn. The pilot took control of the airplane, but was unable to recover. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose down attitude and both pilots were ejected from their seats.