Photos shared with AVweb show the Cobalt Co50 Valkyrie undergoing flight testing at Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) this summer before a test flight setback in September sidelined the newer of Cobalt's two test aircraft. According to the NTSB preliminary report, after determining that the ailerons were not effective, the ATP-rated test pilot "reasoned that he would be able to land the airplane while configured at an increased airspeed using steady thrust control and the rudder for directional control." At approximately 10 feet above the runway, the pilot experienced an abrupt loss of lift followed by a hard landing, says the NTSB. Upon impact, the right landing gear separated from the airframe, resulting in damage to the right-wing spar. The accident took place on the 11,800-foot runway at Castle Airport (formerly Castle Air Force Base) on Sept. 5, 2017. The pilot was not injured in the crash.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/news/valkyrie-continues-after-testing-mishap