April 5, 2012, Ann Arbor, Mich., Remos GX

At 1050 Eastern time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during takeoff. The student pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the planned solo cross-country flight. The airplane was departing Runway 6 when it veered to the left and went off the runway. The airplane appeared to have cartwheeled before it came to rest upright about 200 feet from the runway.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A student pilot sustained serious injuries and their airplane was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt.
The aircraft veered left off Runway 6, cartwheeled, and came to rest 200 feet away with the empennage separated and other major components damaged.
Weather conditions at the time included significant winds from the runway's heading (060 degrees), gusting up to 22 knots.

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At 1050 Eastern time, the airplane sustained substantial damage during takeoff. The student pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the planned solo cross-country flight.

The airplane was departing Runway 6 when it veered to the left and went off the runway. The airplane appeared to have cartwheeled before it came to rest upright about 200 feet from the runway. There were no witnesses. Photographs taken by first responders reveal the airplane’s empennage separated from the airframe. In addition, both wings and the firewall were substantially damaged. At 1035, weather observed at the airport included wind from 060 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 22 knots.