| Crash location | 30.404444°N, 89.068611°W |
| Nearest city | Gulfport, MS
30.367420°N, 89.092816°W 2.9 miles away |
| Tail number | N86862 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 21 Sep 2012 |
| Aircraft type | Fly Hard Trike Inc Skycycle Sting Ray |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot of the experimental weight-shift-control aircraft stated that he was returning to the departure airport at the conclusion of an uneventful 90 minute test flight. During the landing approach, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind, then "violently" pitched up, rolled to the right, nosed over, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and nose. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies of the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control after an unexpected wind gust/turbulence encounter during landing.