# NTSB ERA25LA256: Kyle Koncak Aventura II, N508K, DeLand, FL, July 3, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 3, 2025, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: DeLand, FL - Coordinates: 29.064158, -81.282976 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0642&lon=-81.2830&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 April 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA256 ## Probable cause The uncertificated pilot’s failure to remove an improvised gust lock which resulted in a loss of aircraft control at an altitude too low to recover. ## 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; cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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) ## Analysis The uncertificated pilot was attempting to depart in the accident airplane. Surveillance video from the airport captured the accident sequence and showed the airplane in a steep right bank with the wings near vertical and descending. The airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident body camera video from first responders showed a seat cushion strap wrapped around the control stick. A mechanic who worked at the airport reported that they used the seat cushion strap as an improvised gust lock, with this strap wrapped around the control stick, the stick would be held fully aft and to the right. Postaccident examination found no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing of blood that had been collected from the pilot at the hospital on the day of the accident at 1045. Methamphetamine was detected at 536 ng/mL and amphetamine was detected at 62 ng/mL. Alprazolam was detected at 31 ng/mL. In living people, methamphetamine blood concentrations of 20-50 ng/mL are typical with medicinal use, while methamphetamine blood concentrations over 200 ng/mL generally represent abuse. The pilot’s blood methamphetamine level indicates he likely had abused methamphetamine and was likely experiencing some impairing effects at the time of the accident. Methamphetamine use can severely impair piloting abilities, as the effects of use include poor judgment, risky behavior, and cognitive dysfunction. However, the specifics of these effects cannot be determined from a single measured level. In addition, alprazolam and the conditions for which it is typically prescribed have the potential to cause impairment. ## Aircraft - Registration: N508K (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Kyle Koncak Aventura II - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AA2A0184 - Year built: 2018 - Engines: Aero Momentum AM15T 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Airport: DED, Deland Muni-Sidney H Taylor Fld, runway 23, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; student; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 27.8 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 17,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KDAB 031353Z 22009KT 10SM FEW017 SCT070 BKN170 28/23 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP151 T02830228 $ ## 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 20250703008409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250703008409A), Jul 3, 2025: Kyle Koncak AVENTURA II, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. On 07/03/2025, aircraft [privacy data omitted]departed kded with and crashed immediately after take-off substantialy damaging the aircraft. The pilot was the… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200457. 68.3 MB in all. - Memorandum for record - no pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 received (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19467463&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20No%206120.1-Rel.pdf - Pilot's previous flight instructor statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19152913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Seller/manufacturer statement to FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19153630&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20Seller-Manufacturer%20Printed-Rel.pdf - Mechanic statement to FAA (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19153532&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20Mechanic%20Printed-Rel.pdf - Video of accident (item 5, MP4, 65.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19152923&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%20of%20Accident-Rel.mp4 - Photos (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19153137&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA25LA256-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� examination of flaps (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19314316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Flaps%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Medical memorandum of record (item 8, PDF, 4 pages, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19909235&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA256%20Medical%20Factual%20Memorandum%20of%20Record%20Final-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19948581&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20Print_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.