# NTSB ERA26LA237: Sinclair Pete Lancair ES, N398S, Youngstown, OH, June 8, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 8, 2026, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Youngstown, OH - Coordinates: 40.961795, -80.677326 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9618&lon=-80.6773&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 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): 203165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203165/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203165 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA237 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an approach lighting system. ## 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); cases with it: [Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627Z0), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05627Z0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627Z0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05627Z0), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627Z0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after performing an engine run-up with no anomalies noted, he taxied the airplane onto the runway and turned left to align with the runway centerline. He increased engine power and began the takeoff roll, but the airplane suddenly pulled left. He attempted to correct with full right rudder and brake pedal input; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, traveled on grass, and struck a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light, before coming to rest upright. Following the accident, the pilot stated that the left main landing gear tire had failed and was deflated, but did not otherwise report that there were any other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage during the accident. The left main landing gear’s brake operated normally, the associated wheel fairing was damaged, and the tire was flat. Skid marks in the grass were present along the airplane’s path of travel through the grass beyond the concrete pad, but not before, consistent with the tire going flat after collision with the pad and not before. Additionally, prior to the concrete pad of the VASI light, all three landing gear tire impressions were present in the grass, with the nose landing gear impression closer to the right landing gear impression, consistent with a right yaw or crab during the runway excursion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N398S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N398S), registered now, S/N ESP 212-12, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SINCLAIR PETE LANCAIR ES (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/sinclair-pete-lancair-es) (registry code 05627Z0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-series) (registry code 17043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ESP 212-12 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 1792 - Engines: Continental TSIO-550-E 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 2025, 82 hours before - Destination: LUG, Ellington, TN - Airport: 4G4, Youngstown Elser Metro Airport, runway 28, 4,012 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,013 total, 66 in this make and model, 2,013 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: UCP, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KUCP 081656Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/14 A3017 ## 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 20260608006069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260608006069A), Jun 8, 2026: Sinclair Pete LANCAIR ES, North Lima, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot applied takeoff power at the beginning of runway 28 and veered of the left side of the runway, hitting the VASI light system. Aircraft came to rest in… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203165. 9.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20627738&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record - FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20627359&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20627567&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 10 pages, 9 photos, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20627349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20_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.