The Cessna 162 Skycatcher prototype Light Sport Aircraft with about 150 flight hours on it crashed today near Douglas, Kansas. The pilot parachuted to safety with minor injuries and was hospitalized.
I photographed N162CE at EAA AirVenture 2008. Apparently, this was the aircraft that crashed. N162CE is Experimental classed. Cessna has many orders for this model, made in China, and expects to start deliveries in 2009. Today's crash of the prototype may affect certification and delivery.
An NTSB spokesman stated the Experimental Cessna Skycatcher prototype, one of several built for testing, was doing a series of spin tests at 10,000' when it entered an unintentional flat spin. The flat spin took the aircraft down to 5,000' where the pilot bailed out, landing 400 feet from where the aircraft crashed in a wooded area.
The FAA is looking at S-LSA certifications with particular attention, because of the newness of the designs and required LSA specifications. Cessna arguably has the largest order book for a S-LSA aircraft with the Model 162 Skycatcher.
More Info: The aircraft was being tested at 10,000 ft. in a cross-control power on stall, and went into a flat spin which couldn't be overcome. The BRS aircraft parachute did NOT deploy when activated by the pilot, so he bailed out successfully at 5,000 ft, landing 400 feet from the aircraft, which stayed intact during the spin to earth. The aircraft probably was not the N number cited in my first post. I haven't checked the NTSB report-which should have that info.