# NTSB ERA26LA169: Eric Vargosko SW-51, N551EV, Iron Station, NC, April 10, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: April 10, 2026, 17:32 local (21:32 UTC)
- Place: Iron Station, NC
- Coordinates: 35.47213, -81.17321
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4721&lon=-81.1732&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA169
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA169

## Preliminary report

On April 10, 2026, about 1732 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built SW-51 airplane, N551EV, sustained minor damage when it was involved in an accident near Iron Station, North Carolina. The front seat pilot sustained minor injuries, and the back seat pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The front seat pilot and owner reported that a new propeller had been installed on the airplane two days before the accident flight. The morning of the accident flight he was informed by the back seat pilot that flight testing with the new propeller had been accomplished. That afternoon they departed Gastonia Municipal Airport (AKH), Gastonia, North Carolina for a flight in the local area before landing at Lincoln County Regional Airport (IPJ), Lincolnton, North Carolina for fuel. He reported that they fully fueled the airplane and upon lifting off he noticed the ball in the slip/skid indicator was moving right and left. He informed the back seat pilot who took control of the airplane. The back seat pilot landed in an open field about 0.5 nautical miles from the departure end of runway 23 at IPJ. The airplane was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Eric Vargosko SW-51, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05642HI), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N551EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N551EV), registered now, S/N 017, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERIC VARGOSKO SW-51
- Registry model: [Eric Vargosko SW-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/eric-vargosko-sw-51) (registry code 05642HI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 916 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-916-is-series) (registry code 55622, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 017
- Year built: 2024
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ldg Mustang LLC
- Airport: IPJ, Lincoln County Rgnl, runway 23, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observed at: IPJ, 1 nm away
- METAR: METAR KIPJ 102135Z AUTO 20005KT 10SM CLR 25/03 A3024 RMK AO2 T02500028

## 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 20260410010539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260410010539A), Apr 10, 2026: Eric Vargosko SW-51, Iron Station, NC, Substantial damage. Who: 2 personnel on board, pilot in command at time of takeoff and passenger (flight instructor). What: experimental aircraft SW-51 experienced a loss of…

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.

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