# NTSB WPR26LA104: Aerosport Ikarus C42E, N420MS, Wendover, UT, February 16, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 15, 2026, 18:15 local (Feb 16, 2026, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Wendover, UT - Coordinates: 40.774311, -113.8946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7743&lon=-113.8946&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202447/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202447 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA104 ## Probable cause The pilot’s mismanagement of engine power during a maximum performance, 180° climbing left turn at a low altitude that resulted in impact 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); cases with it: [Aerosport IKARUS C42E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621Q7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerosport IKARUS C42E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=05621Q7), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerosport IKARUS C42E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05621Q7), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aerosport IKARUS C42E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621Q7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a personal flight at dusk, he descended to get a closer look at the sunset reflecting off the water on the salt flats. Afterwards, he performed a chandelle maneuver to reverse course and depart the area. He initiated the maneuver by adding full power, banked left and established a climb. At the apex of the climbing left turn, the airspeed decreased and he lowered the nose to regain airspeed. The pilot stated that they were very quickly in a nose down dive, and due to the low altitude, he had little time to troubleshoot and recover. Subsequently, the airplane landed in a flat attitude, which resulted in substantial damage to the aluminum main cross beam landing gear attachment point structure. The pilot added that at some point during the maneuver, power was accidentally reduced and he didn’t notice. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N420MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N420MS), registered now, S/N 0606-6814, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSPORT LTD IKARUS C42E - Registry model: [Aerosport IKARUS C42E](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerosport-ikarus-c42e) (registry code 059012Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0606-6814 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1841.5 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2025 - Departed: ENV, Wendover Airport, UT - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: ENV - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 640.5 total, 190.8 in this make and model, 570.7 as pilot in command, 216.1 in the last 90 days, 112 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KENV, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KENV 160056Z AUTO 26004KT 10SM CLR 09/M04 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP129 T00891044= ## 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 20260215002419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260215002419A), Feb 15, 2026: Aerosport Ltd IKARUS C42E, Wendover, UT, Substantial damage. The commercial pilot was performing an advanced maneuver when the engine power was inadvertently reduced. The pilot did not recognize the reduction in power… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202447. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20500229&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20500239&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20N420MS-Rel.pdf - Maintenance manual excerpts (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20501568&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Manual%20Excerpts-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.