Sunday, September 27, 2020

Cosmos Phase III, N7024L: Fatal accident occurred September 19, 2020 in Wayne, McClain County, Oklahoma


This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


Location: Wayne, OK
Accident Number: CEN20LA413
Date & Time: September 19, 2020, 18:45 Local
Registration: N7024L
Aircraft: COSMOS PHASE 3
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 19, 2020, about 1845 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Cosmos Phase III weight-shift control aircraft, N7024L, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Wayne, Oklahoma. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot’s wife, she surmised that the pilot was taxiing out to fly the aircraft for a short flight, land, and then pick her up for a local flight. She heard a loud “bang” but did not observe the accident sequence, nor did anyone else on the large ranch property. The aircraft was found upright against a fence next to a horse stable, and along a grass taxiway that the pilot would use to access the airstrip.

The pilot’s son reported that his father recently replaced the throttle cable on the aircraft. After the throttle cable change, the pilot reported the throttle cable was “sticking.” The pilot’s son surmised that his father was taking the aircraft for a flight to perform an operational check of the throttle cable one more time before the pilot flew with his wife.

It was undermined if the pilot was performing any ground runs to check the operation of the throttle cable before taking off.

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A team of Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspectors documented the accident site and examined the airframe and engine. All components of the aircraft were located at the accident site. Airframe and engine control continuity were established. The throttle cable was found installed at the engine and at the cockpit. The fuel tank was intact and was full of fuel. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: COSMOS
Registration: N7024L
Model/Series: PHASE 3
Aircraft Category: Weight-shift
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPVJ,968 ft msl Observation Time: 23:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wayne, OK (PVT ) 
Destination: Wayne, OK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 34.896567,-97.19059 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Dwayne Earl Hatcher
December 2, 1953-September 26 2020

Dwayne Earl Hatcher was born December 2, 1953 in El Reno, OK to Olen and Essie Mae (Lowrey) Hatcher and passed away Saturday, September 26, 2020 in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 66.

Dwayne was raised in Cogar, Oklahoma and graduated from Minco High School in 1972.  He then started his construction career in Oklahoma City, OK and went on to own Hatcher Building and Construction in the Dallas, Texas area.

On December 20, 1999 he married Florence Webb in Lewisville, Texas.  

From a young age, Dwayne loved adventure and that continued until his death.  He flew hang gliders starting at the highest point he could find, which were cliffs in Watonga, OK and then to the Talihina mountains in Eastern Oklahoma and eventually to some of the tallest in Maui, Hawaii.  He was a pilot who loved to fly, had a love for horses and enjoyed spending his free time in Wayne, Oklahoma on his ranch where he designed and built his home. He was a master carpenter and left behind many beautiful pieces to be loved by his family and friends.

Dwayne is preceded in death by his parents, Olen and Essie Mae Hatcher; his brother and sister-in-law Nolan and Pat Hatcher; his brother Doyle Hatcher; his nephew Brent Hatcher and wife Paula Hatcher; and his sister-in-law Wendy Hatcher. Survivors include his wife, Florence (Webb) Hatcher, his son Joshua Hatcher and wife, Wadzie and grandson, Eli; sister, Beverly Reichert and husband, Clyde Reichert; brother, Mark Hatcher and wife, Debi Hatcher; sister-in- law Nancy Hatcher and numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at Rosedale Baptist Church.  Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.  The service will be live streamed on our Facebook page, Wilson Little. 


The ultralight pilot critically injured when his aircraft struck a hay bale died Saturday, a spokesman at OU Medical Center confirmed.

Dwayne Hatcher, 66, of Wayne, was at the controls of a 2004 Cosmos Phase 3 ultralight trike when the accident occurred one mile south of Rosedale on September 19.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Tanner Eads, Hatcher was taxiing northbound in a field around 7:10 p.m. when he struck the bale. 

He sustained head, arm, leg and internal injuries and was transported by AirEvac to OU Medical Center where he was admitted. 

Eads was assisted at the scene by Trooper Garrett Henshaw, the McClain County Sheriff’s Department, AirEvac, Rosedale Fire Department and Wadley EMS.


The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported Dwayne Hatcher, 66, of Wayne was seriously injured when his Ultralight collided with a hay bale.

The 2004 Cosmos Phase 3 Ultralight Trike was taxiing through a field about a mile south of Rosedale Saturday just after 7 p.m. when the aircraft struck a hay bale at 12980 Lake Road Avenue.

Investigating OHP Trooper Tanner Eads said Hatcher suffered head, arm, leg, internal trunk and external trunk injuries.

He was airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City where he was in critical condition on Tuesday.

Eads was assisted by Trooper Garrett Henshaw, the McClain County Sheriff’s Department, Rosedale Fire Department and Wadley’s EMS.

According to the sheriff’s department, Hatcher was scheduled for surgery this week.

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