Fatal Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Accident at Rush City Airport (N701FP)

Accident Overview and Flight History On May 8, 2016, at approximately 1025 central daylight time, an Airborne Windsport Edge X Classic weight-shift control aircraft, registration N701FP, collided with terrain at Rush City Airport (ROS) in Rush City, Minnesota. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot of Pine City, Minnesota, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions were present, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. Video footage from the Chisago County Sheriff's Office showed the aircraft taking off from runway 16, climbing to an estimated 300 to 400 feet, banking sharply to the left, and descending into the terrain in a steep nose-down attitude. The engine was audible at impact. Wreckage examination found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.