# Fatal NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 9 · 420 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR27FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR27FA012.md): Gugger David RV-7A · Petaluma, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Investigation open · Oct 7, 2026 · N425DG
- [NTSB ERA26FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA214.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 26, 2026 · N8656L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > On May 26, 2026, about 1347 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N8656L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Saratoga Springs, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…
- [NTSB WPR26FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA101.md): Sonex Onex · Caldwell, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Feb 6, 2026 · N362DZ · Destroyed
  > On February 6, 2026, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Sonex Onex airplane, N362DZ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Caldwell, Idaho. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…
- [NTSB CEN25FA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA261.md): Kolb Firestar · Meadow Grove, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 20, 2025 · N55161 · Destroyed
  > On July 19, 2025, about 2050 central daylight time, a Kolb Firestar airplane, N55161, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Meadow Grove, Nebraska. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR25FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA127.md): Azalea Saberwing · Justin, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Apr 12, 2025 · N121DF · Destroyed
  > On April 11, 2025, about 1906 central daylight time (CDT), an experimental amateur-built Azalea Aviation LLC Saberwing, N121DF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Justin, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB ERA25FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA065.md): Truitt James B Vans RV-8A · Fort Blackmore, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 4, 2024 · N627TT · Substantial damage
  > On December 4, 2024, about 1451 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-8A, N627TT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Blackmore, Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was…
- [NTSB WPR25FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA020.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2024 · N512DW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s entry into an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA309.md): Nanchang China CJ-6A · Lancaster, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 22, 2024 · N313YK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The CJ-6A pilot’s failure to maintain separation and the Yak pilot’s failure to monitor the other airplane during a detachment, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB ERA24FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA362.md): Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Waynesville, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 30, 2024 · N264JM · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control on takeoff for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR24FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA185.md): Rans S-12XL Airaile · Picacho Peak, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N518D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain and his subsequent loss of airplane control after encountering mechanical turbulence, which resulted in an impact with the terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA170.md): Zenith CH601 · Bristol, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2024 · N6271F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during the descent for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a steep descent into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA167.md): Vertical Aviation Technologies Hummingbird · Spring Branch, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2024 · N829SH · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA164.md): Lancair Legacy FG · Spicewood, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 22, 2024 · N550NL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB ERA24FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA160.md): Arthur B Canning Merlin Lite · Mulberry, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 2, 2024 · N622PC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/builder’s modifications of the motorglider’s engine, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel air mixture, preignition, piston failure, and a subsequent total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing to the outcome was the…
- [NTSB WPR24FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA053.md): Beauchamp Norm Kitfox · Eloy, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2023 · N66180 · Destroyed
  > The separation of a propeller blade during the initial climb due to insufficient blade retention forces. Contributing to the accident was the propeller blade retention design, manufacturing defects that prevented the propeller from achieving adequate grip…
- [NTSB CEN24FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA024.md): Lancair 320 · Manitowoc, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2023 · N320P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during an unapproved instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB CEN23FA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA410.md): Sonex Sonex · Dowagiac, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 10, 2023 · N569SX · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the ignition distributor rotor.
- [NTSB CEN23FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA220.md): Vans RV7 · Gibbon, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 2, 2023 · N977RV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR23FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA153.md): Mullins David J JR Glastar · Cal-Nev-Ari, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 11, 2023 · N8488 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude for undetermined reasons while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA045.md): Bearhawk Patrol · Hanover Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 29, 2022 · N964RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to unlatch his seatbelt during flight, which allowed him to exit the airplane and impact the tail, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA332.md): Beech 58 · Galt, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 4, 2022 · N142DR · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin from which he could not recover.
- [NTSB ERA22FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA384.md): MXR Technologies MX2 · Osteen, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 24, 2022 · N263MX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in the airplane entering an inverted flat spin that continued until the airplane impacted terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA312.md): Jackson Dennis RV-8 · Scio, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 21, 2022 · N184DJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to perform a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver and his improper execution of the maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA227.md): Cessna 152 · Mendon, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 24, 2022 · N934JH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to recover from a developed spin, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to enter the maneuver below the operator’s altitude limitation.
- [NTSB GAA22WA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA132.md): Sukhoi SU-31 · Ploiesti, Romania · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Mar 26, 2022 · N131BT · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR22FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA048.md): Zenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 23, 2021 · N601KS · Destroyed
  > The failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer.
- [NTSB CEN22FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA029.md): Vans RV · Harrison, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 5, 2021 · N16TG · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN21FA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA426.md): Rans S20 · Wadsworth, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 18, 2021 · N6915G · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart shortly after a landing helicopter, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s wake turbulence and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by his recent use of ethanol.
- [NTSB CEN21LA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA395.md): Klapp Peter A Klapp KR-2S · Wadsworth, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2021 · N729PK · Destroyed
  > A loss of airplane control for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.
- [NTSB ERA21FA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA318.md): Pitts 12 · Ocklawaha, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 9, 2021 · N112JH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in an inverted flat spin from which he was unable to recover.
- [NTSB ERA21FA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA317.md): Rotorway Exec 162F · Argyle, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 7, 2021 · N162KJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and the subsequent severing of the tail boom by a main rotor blade.
- [NTSB WPR21FA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA210.md): Mark Coby Early Bird Jenny · Stoneville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 27, 2021 · N831HC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN21LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA092.md): Sonex Tailwheel · Burleson, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 19, 2020 · N935EK · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to engine seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot decision not to orbit the airport, as originally planned.
- [NTSB CEN21LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA053.md): Trick Trikes Stss · Holden, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 11, 2020 · N5152E · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA20LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA324.md): Vans RV 8 · Hilliard, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2020 · N800PB · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB CEN20LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA278.md): Grumman G164 · Springfield, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2020 · N6917K · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of visibility in the cockpit due to foam created by the chemicals loaded in the hopper, which resulted in collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the combining of chemicals known to produce foam and the pilot’s failure to…
- [NTSB WPR20LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA201.md): Avia Stroitel AC-5M · Bend, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2020 · N263R · Destroyed
  > A loss of control just after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB WPR20LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA177.md): Zenair CH601 · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 10, 2020 · N6402X · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness and descent below pattern altitude during the landing approach, which resulted in collision with terrain at night.
- [NTSB CEN20LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA134.md): Muse P51D · Mesquite, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 29, 2020 · N151JD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadvertent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA029.md): Pavel Tango2 · Cedartown, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 4, 2019 · N875FV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control of the gyroplane for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB ERA20FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA013.md): Sportine Aviacija LAK17B · Tamaqua, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 18, 2019 · N830DK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while climbing in thermal lift, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
- [NTSB WPR20FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA005.md): Bede BD5 · Camarillo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2019 · N501BD · Substantial damage
  > The No. 4 connecting rod’s bearing shift and separation of the No. 4 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA20MA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20MA001.md): Boeing B17 · Windsor Locks, CT · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Oct 2, 2019 · N93012 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to properly manage the airplane’s configuration and airspeed after he shut down the No. 4 engine following its partial loss of power during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/maintenance director’s inadequate…
- [NTSB ERA19FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA275.md): Vans RV 8 · Stroudsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 17, 2019 · N7TL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR19FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA241.md): Glaser Dirks DG 300 Elan · Wilkeson, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 25, 2019 · N300GG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to land following a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in collision with trees during the landing approach.
- [NTSB GAA19WA460](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA460.md): De Havilland DH82 · Hythe, United Kingdom · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 21, 2019 · N54556 · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR19FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA172.md): Nanchang CJ6 · Porter Ranch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2019 · N269AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued flight into marginal visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA183.md): Vans Vans RV 4 · Green Cove Springs, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 29, 2019 · N319RL · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of each pilot to maintain separation from the other airplane during intentional maneuvers within close proximity of each other.
- [NTSB CEN19FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA144.md): Vans RV6 · Chillicothe, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 18, 2019 · N596JB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following an intermittent loss of engine power during cruise flight that resulted in him impacting trees. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available…
- [NTSB WPR19FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA118.md): Northrop N9M · Norco, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 22, 2019 · N9MB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=99999&fatal=1&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=99999&fatal=1

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.