Apex CROSS-5X accident near Columbus, Nebraska, September 2, 2024
On September 2, 2024 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 2007 Apex CROSS-5X (weight-shift aircraft), registered N223CL, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Columbus, Nebraska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2024 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Apex CROSS-5X, built 2007
- Registration
- N223CL · registry record · serial 02-02
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot departed from a private grass airstrip on his second flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft. According to a witness, the aircraft departed and flew low to the ground. There were no witnesses to the impact with the roof of the garage near the airstrip. The aircraft came to rest inverted and partially imbedded in the roof of the garage. Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed signatures consistent with impact damage. All three propeller blades separated about midspan consistent with rotation at the time of impact. There were no mechanical anomalies with the aircraft, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not have any flight training or flight experience other than the accident flight and the one before it. It was unlawful for the pilot to perform a solo flight in the aircraft. Postmortem toxicological testing identified potentially impairing drugs. As the non-certificated pilot was operating the aircraft outside the guardrails of federal regulations, detailed evaluation of the toxicological results was not within the scope of this investigation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Compact Ra MZ202 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 am from KOLU, 22 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KOLU 021656Z AUTO 16011KT 10SM CLR 22/11 A3032 RMK AO2 SLP265 T02170111
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 18, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheriff's Report Excerpts | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Examination Summary Statement from FAA | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Family Statement Excerpt | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Aircraft Records | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.