# NTSB ERA26LA181: Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32, N993CW, Lexington, KY, April 16, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 16, 2026, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, KY
- Coordinates: 38.04302, -84.59055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0430&lon=-84.5905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 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): 202858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202858/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202858
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA181

## Probable cause

The flight instructor’s improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing to rough terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=06001B4), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=06001B4), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=06001B4), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=06001B4), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=06001B4), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor had planned an instructional flight that included practice takeoffs and landings at a nearby airport followed by practice flight maneuvers. Prior to departing, the flight instructor determined that the airplane’s fuel tanks were about 1/2 full, based on the fuel gauges in the cockpit. About 10 minutes into the flight the flight instructor noticed a fuel imbalance, with the left tank reading below 1/2 tank and the right reading above 1/2 tank, so he turned off the left fuel valve leaving the engine to run on the right tank to re-balance the fuel load. After performing two touch-and-go landings and some practice maneuvers, the flight instructor noted that the right tank had dropped to below 1/4 tank, while the left showed between 1/4 and 1/2 tank. The flight instructor then turned on the left fuel valve and turned off the right fuel valve, again, to re-balance the fuel load. Shortly afterward, the flight instructor noticed that the left fuel gauge read empty and the fuel pressure was 0 just as the engine lost all power. He then turned on both fuel valves and both fuel pumps but was unable to restart the engine over the next 20 to 30 seconds before performing a forced landing in a rough field. The airplane’s left wing was substantially damaged during the forced landing. After the accident, the flight instructor stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further described that he should not have attempted to operate the fuel tanks independently, but rather selected them both on, consistent with the guidance contained in the airplane’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH). According to the POH, when the fuel level in one of the fuel tanks was below 1/4, both fuel valves must be placed in the on position. Based on this information, it is likely that the airplane’s engine was starved of fuel when the left fuel tank’s fuel supply had been exhausted, after which the flight instructor was unable to restart the airplane’s engine with the limited time remaining.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N993CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N993CW), registered now, S/N 372, built 2025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROPRAKT MFG SP Z O O A32
- Registry model: [Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeroprakt-mfg-sp-z-o-o-a32) (registry code 06001B4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-is-series) (registry code 55593, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 372
- Year built: 2025
- Airframe hours: 39.5
- Engines: BRP - Rotax GmbH & CoKG Rotax - 912iS Sport 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wings Flight Training
- Registered owner: N993cw LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 5, 2025
- Departed: 27K, Georgetown, KY
- Destination: LEX, Lexington, KY
- Airport: LEX, Blue Grass Airport, runway 22, 7,004 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 293.9 total, 7.2 in this make and model, 212.5 as pilot in command, 34.8 in the last 90 days, 26.3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KLEX, 1 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLEX 161754Z 25016G24KT 10SM FEW050 OVC065 23/13 A2996

## 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 20260416009769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260416009769A), Apr 16, 2026: Aeroprakt Mfg Sp Z O O A32, Lexington, KY, Substantial damage. On 04/16/2026, at approximately 1421 local time [privacy data omitted] was on a 3 to 5 mile final approach into Lexington bluegrass airport (klex) when the…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202858. 17.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20391485&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20391472&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%20Interview%20PDF_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- POH excerpts (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 14.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20411609&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerpts%20PDF-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20470875&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20save%20as%20PDF_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.

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