# NTSB CEN26LA244: Cassutt Iiim, N45889, Odessa, TX, July 5, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 5, 2026, 10:08 local (15:08 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, TX · Airplane took off from runway 20, per the airport manager. Airplane came to rest on a field on airport property.
- Coordinates: 31.918002, -102.38637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9180&lon=-102.3864&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203322/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203322
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA244

## Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which led to an aerodynamic stall and a loss of airplane control at too low of an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in the airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: recent experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=1970345), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to familiarize himself with the experimental air racing airplane after the airplane had been in storage, and the pilot had not flown the airplane in over two years. The airplane was assembled by the air racing team, all the flight controls were checked, and the engine was run up. The pilot insisted on flying the airplane, even though the airplane maintenance records were not completed. The pilot had intended on staying in the airport traffic pattern. During the initial climb, witnesses reported the airplane’s critical angle of attack was exceeded, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. The airplane impacted a flat field with vegetation, on airport property. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. The pilot, who was wearing an airplane flight helmet, was unable to recall all the accident sequence details due to sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45889](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45889), registered now, S/N 227, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASSUTT IIIM (RACER)
- Registry model: [Swenson CASSUTT IIIM](https://openairdocs.org/model/swenson-cassutt-iiim) (registry code 1970345) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 227
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 288
- Engines: Continental Motors O-200 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 6, 2024, 0 hours before
- Departed: ODO, Odessa, TX
- Destination: ODO, Odessa, TX
- Airport: ODO, Odessa-Schlemeyer Fld, runway 02/20, 5,703 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KODO
- METAR: METAR KODO 051453Z AUTO 20007KT 190V250 10SM CLR 28/18 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP149 T02830178 52017 $

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260705006879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260705006879A), Jul 5, 2026: Swenson CASSUTT IIIM, Odessa, TX, Destroyed. On July 5, 2026, at approximately 1014 CDT, a cassutt iii m aircraft bearing registration number [privacy data omitted], registered to a private owner,…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203322. 34.6 MB in all.

- Memorandums for record a�� various (item 1, PDF, 6 pages, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20701678&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20-%20Various%20MORs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20701524&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Witness video (.MP4 file) (item 3, MP4, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20697435&FileExtension=MP4&FileName=Witness%20Video-Rel.MP4
- Federal aviation administration - various documents (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20701604&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20-%20Various%20Documents_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Federal aviation administration - N45889 experimental operating limitations (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20697349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N45889%20-%20FAA%20Experimental%20Operating%20Limitations_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Federal aviation administration - pilot information (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20705402&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20-%20Pilot%20Information_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Federal aviation administration - advisory circular 90-109A excerpts (item 7, PDF, 6 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20701488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20AC%2090-109A%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf
- N45889 - recent airframe and engine maintenance records (item 8, PDF, 6 pages, 14.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20697856&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N45889%20-%20Recent%20Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- N45889 - most recent weight and balance sheet (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 11.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20698031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N45889%20-%20Most%20Recent%20Weight%20and%20Balance%20Sheet_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- National aeronautics co. - cassutt iiim racer specifications (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20697491&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Cassutt%20IIIM%20Racer%20Specifications_Redacted-Rel.pdf

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.

---
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.