# Accident 20260410010539A: Eric Vargosko SW-51, Iron Station, NC, April 10, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 10, 2026, 17:32 local time
- Place: Iron Station, NC
- Airport: Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.4721° N, 81.1732° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4721&lon=-81.1732&mi=10
- Aircraft: N551EV, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N551EV) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eric Vargosko SW-51 (registry code 05642HI, https://openairdocs.org/model/eric-vargosko-sw-51) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 916 IS series (registry code 55622, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-916-is-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERIC VARGOSKO SW-51
- Reported engine: ROTAX 916 IS
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA169) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260410010539A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

WHO:  2 PERSONNEL ON BOARD, PILOT IN COMMAND AT TIME OF TAKEOFF AND PASSENGER (FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR).

WHAT: EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT SW-51 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNKNOWN REASONS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 23.  THE PASSENGER (FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR) TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASH-LANDED IN A NEARBY FIELD.

WHERE: 1/2 MILE SOUTHWEST OF IPJ (LINCOLN COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT).

WHEN:  10 APRIL 2026 @ 1732 EST.

REFERENCE SAS TASK T-EA68-FY26-1322

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA26LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA169), Apr 10, 2026: Eric Vargosko SW-51 (N551EV), Iron Station, NC, minor damage, investigation ongoing

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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