# NTSB ERA26LA305: Barry Lynn Kromer Zenith Cruzer, N673BK, Chatham, MA, August 14, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: August 14, 2026, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Chatham, MA · Runway
- Coordinates: 41.6905, -69.986766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6905&lon=-69.9868&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA305
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA305

## Preliminary report

On August 14, 2026, about 1040 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith Cruzer, N673BK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chatham, Massachusetts. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight test. According to the pilot and the owner/builder of the airplane, the accident flight was the airplane’s fourth during its phase one testing. The previous three flights were uneventful except for oil temperature anomalies. The owner/builder had adjusted the oil cooler position and the purpose of the accident flight was to verify whether repositioning the oil cooler improved the engine oil temperature readings. The pilot stated that the accident flight was delayed a short time until wind conditions improved. After observing other aircraft operating in the airport traffic pattern, the pilot and the owner/builder decided to proceed with the flight. The preflight inspection, engine runup, and flight control checks were normal. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported that the left wing dipped, followed by the right wing, and that the airplane subsequently rocked laterally from side to side. The pilot announced to the owner/builder there was a problem and decided to land the airplane on the remaining runway. Video surveillance footage from the airport showed that the airplane impacted the runway in a left wing down attitude, after which the main landing gear collapsed and the nosewheel separated from the fuselage. The wreckage 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: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Barry Lynn Kromer ZENITH CRUZER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05643MW), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N673BK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N673BK), registered now, S/N 75-11706, built 2026 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BARRY LYNN KROMER ZENITH CRUZER
- Registry model: [Barry Lynn Kromer ZENITH CRUZER](https://openairdocs.org/model/barry-lynn-kromer-zenith-cruzer) (registry code 05643MW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Ulpower 350IS](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ulpower-350is) (registry code 63046, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 75-11706
- Airframe hours: 6
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 9, 2026, 6 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CQX, Chatham Muni, runway 06, 3,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: CQX
- METAR: METAR KCQX 141352Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 23/15 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP167 T02330150

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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