# NTSB ERA26LA080: Varga 2150A, N5062V, Frostproof, FL, December 28, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 28, 2025, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Frostproof, FL - Coordinates: 27.751511, -81.559108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7515&lon=-81.5591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 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): 202224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202224/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202224 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA080 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to take off from a private turf runway, utilizing a soft-field takeoff technique. The pilot reported that upon rotation, the left wing started to drop, and the airplane drifted left of the runway center line. He applied additional right rudder and aileron inputs but was unable to correct the left drift. Having concerns about clearing an obstacle at the end of the runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff due to the airplane not climbing as expected. The left main landing gear impacted the ground, and the left wing impacted a fence off the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright after pivoting 180º, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot stated there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5062V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5062V), registered now, S/N VAC-50, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VARGA AIRCRAFT CORP. 2150A - Registry model: [Varga 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2150a) (registry code 9350102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: VAC-50 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 2237 - Engines: Lycombing O-320/B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 2024, 20 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 52FL, Lake Clinch Airpark, runway Non-Specified, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 28, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 653 total, 72 in this make and model, 564 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 32 °F - Observed at: BOW, 17 nm away - METAR: METAR KBOW 282140Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR ## 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 20251228019609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251228019609A), Dec 28, 2025: Varga Aircraft Corp 2150A, Frostproof, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot had made a successful flight with a passenger. Upon landing and shutting down the engine, he swapped to a different passenger for another flight. On… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202224. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20041116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photograph (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20303539&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photograph-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20303413&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=METAR-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.