# NTSB CEN26LA246: Rotec Engineering Rally 3, Hooker, OK, July 7, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 7, 2026, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Hooker, OK - Coordinates: 36.849821, -101.22694 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8498&lon=-101.2269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 1, 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): 203361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203361/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203361 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA246 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to an engine seizure for undetermined reasons because the wreckage was disposed of before it could be examined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [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: [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident flight was the non-certificated pilot's first flight in the unregistered airplane since he had overhauled the experimental engine. The pilot, who was also not certificated as a mechanic, performed the engine overhaul and subsequently conducted more than 5 hours of engine ground runs. During the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot observed an exhaust gas temperature of about 1,200°F. In response, he reduced engine power and initiated a right turn with the intention of re-entering the airport traffic pattern. At about 150 ft above ground level, the engine seized and experienced a total loss of power. The pilot conducted a forced landing straight ahead to a plowed field. During the landing roll, the main landing gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The empennage subsequently separated from the fuselage resulting in substantial damage. Following the accident, the pilot removed the wreckage from the accident site and disposed of it before the airframe and engine could be examined by investigators. The pilot did not possess a current FAA medical certificate. The pilot thought the airplane operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 as an ultralight, however the airplane carried more than one person. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Rotec Engineering Rally 3 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 64773 - Year built: 1982 - Engines: Cuyuna ULR430 30 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: O45, Hooker Municipal Airport - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,188 total, 0 in this make and model, 1,188 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KGUY, 17 nm away - METAR: METAR KGUY 071153Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/14 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP152 7//// T01830144 10233 20183 53008 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203361. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20890858&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA246%20pilots%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20891685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA246%20%20photo%20array-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.