What happened
On November 15, 2020, at approximately 1040 Pacific standard time, an experimental Air Creation Tanarg weight-shift control aircraft, N912U, was involved in an accident near Pahrump, Nevada. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
The pilot was flying east toward Mt. Charleston at approximately 400 feet above ground level (agl). While circling a herd of horses, the pilot realized the aircraft was low. Although the pilot applied throttle, the aircraft failed to climb and instead descended into the terrain. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft frame.
The aircraft came to rest upright on uneven desert terrain. While the major components remained attached to the frame, the wings collapsed to the ground and the three-bladed composite propeller sustained damage to all blades. The pilot sustained one minor injury.
The investigation
An airframe and powerplant mechanic, overseen by a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration, performed an examination and a test run of the engine. The investigation found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The mechanic also confirmed that the throttle assembly operated normally without resistance.