NTSB Probes Fatal Pipistrel Sinus Motor Glider Crash in Mississippi

Federal investigators are examining a fatal crash of a Pipistrel Sinus 912 motor glider near New Hope, Mississippi, that occurred May 31. According to preliminary data from the National Transportation Safety Board under event number 20260531203085, the accident resulted in one fatality.

The aircraft, registered as N1277P, crashed in a rural area of Lowndes County, east of Columbus. Local authorities and the NTSB have not yet released the identity of the pilot or the specific circumstances surrounding the flight's origin and destination. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The Pipistrel Sinus 912 is a two-seat, single-engine ultralight motor glider manufactured by Pipistrel. Often registered as a Light-Sport Aircraft in the United States, the model is designed for both soaring and cross-country touring. While the cause of the New Hope accident is unknown, previous NTSB investigations into Sinus 912 accidents, such as a 2022 fatal crash in Waller, Texas, have cited pilot failure to maintain aircraft control and aerodynamic stalls as contributing factors.