NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG, 2025
32 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 1964 | 11 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 12 |
| 1966 | 20 |
| 1967 | 16 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1969 | 11 |
| 1970 | 14 |
| 1971 | 16 |
| 1972 | 10 |
| 1973 | 12 |
| 1974 | 17 |
| 1975 | 13 |
| 1976 | 20 |
| 1977 | 19 |
| 1978 | 25 |
| 1979 | 18 |
| 1980 | 20 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1982 | 29 |
| 1983 | 21 |
| 1984 | 26 |
| 1985 | 22 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 31 |
| 1988 | 29 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 28 |
| 1991 | 20 |
| 1992 | 22 |
| 1993 | 27 |
| 1994 | 26 |
| 1995 | 31 |
| 1996 | 30 |
| 1997 | 22 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 34 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 2001 | 45 |
| 2002 | 64 |
| 2003 | 67 |
| 2004 | 58 |
| 2005 | 70 |
| 2006 | 59 |
| 2007 | 74 |
| 2008 | 63 |
| 2009 | 62 |
| 2010 | 62 |
| 2011 | 44 |
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 40 |
| 2020 | 28 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 41 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 26 |
Where
Latest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
WHERE year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2025
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999'))
ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE year(c."eventDate") = 2025
AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR26LA072Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith 750 · Yacolt, WAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN26LA060Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportSonerai II · Cresson, TXOn December 12, 2025, about 1431 central standard time, a Sonerai II airplane, registration N28MD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cresson, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB ERA26LA058Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHuebbe Tom MAX TH · Inverness Highlands South, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the aircraft design that did not incorporate differential braking.NTSB CEN26LA054Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLou Malinchak Titan T-51D · Bristow, OKThe collision with two deer during takeoff which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA26LA055Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPerry William Lancair IV P · Savannah, GAOn November 13, 2025, at 1949 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair IV-P, N163BR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Savannah, Georgia. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as…NTSB WPR26LA015Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Lathrop, CAAn inflight collision with a bird.NTSB CEN25LA405Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSukhoi SU-26MX · Longmont, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.NTSB ERA25LA368Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportElmore Travis C Searey · Rotonda West, FLOn September 28, 2025, at 1126 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Searey, N2090S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stump Pass, Florida. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated…NTSB WPR25LA280Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWeaver Harmon Rocket · Hayden, IDThe pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR25LA308Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportThomas Graham Teenie Two · Chehalis, WAThe pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight, which degraded its climb performance and led to a subsequent off airport landing.NTSB CEN25LA390Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCameron Balloons US Z-90 · Cedar Springs, MIThe passenger’s loss of balance during landing that resulted in a serious injury.NTSB GAA25WA258Occurrence · No injuriesClass 4 · ForeignSukhoi SU31 · Lvivuk, UkraineNTSB WPR25LA271Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportNaval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 · Red Lodge, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude weather condition.NTSB ANC25LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportVu Holdings LLC/DBA Vanilla UN VA 001 · Ninilchik, AKOn August 20, 2025, at about 0632 Alaska daylight time, a Platform Aerospace VA 001 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), N246VU, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on a beachside cliff near Ninilchik, Alaska. The aircraft was unmanned. The…NTSB WPR25LA244Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportNorth American T-28C · West Wendover, NVOn August 07, 2025, at 1532 Pacific daylight time, a North American T-28C, N9748Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Wendover, Utah. The pilot and the passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…NTSB CEN25FA261Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportKolb Firestar · Meadow Grove, NEOn July 19, 2025, about 2050 central daylight time, a Kolb Firestar airplane, N55161, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Meadow Grove, Nebraska. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB CEN25LA258Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Stol CH701 · Blaine, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.NTSB WPR25LA201Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLancair IV · Alpine, WYThe pilot’s loss of visual reference during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with water.NTSB CEN25LA209Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-14 · Sealy, TXThe pilot’s improper use of airplane’s wheel brakes during the landing roll-out.NTSB ERA25LA196Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportChris Wallen/Michael Pliske Just Acft Highlander · Brasstown, NCThe pilot’s inadvertent application of brake pressure during landing, which resulted in a nose over.NTSB ERA25LA182Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobb Aventura II · Elmore, ALThe pilot’s failure to configure the airplane for a water landing.NTSB WPR25FA127Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAzalea Saberwing · Justin, TXOn April 11, 2025, about 1906 central daylight time (CDT), an experimental amateur-built Azalea Aviation LLC Saberwing, N121DF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Justin, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB ERA25LA181Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19 · Zephyrhills, FLThe pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and an encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with a fence.NTSB DCA25LA174Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPyka Pelican · Dixon, CAThe flight control system’s unanticipated transition to takeoff abort mode due to a software error in the autonomous flight control system, which resulted in a premature throttle reduction and hard landing.NTSB WPR25LA112Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Waterford, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.NTSB CEN25LA123Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCaldwell C W 162F · Mounds, OKThe student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a dynamic roll over and postimpact fire.NTSB ERA25LA131Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMallory Horton AQUA-BEE · Miami, FLThe pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear before touchdown.NTSB WPR25LA101Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Santa Teresa, NMThe flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and structural damage to the tail boom and subsequent failure of the tail rotor drive system.NTSB WPR25LA103Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmazon.Com Services MK30 · Pendleton, ORThe unmanned aircraft system’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA25LA107AccidentClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportAviat Pitts S-2B · Fellsmere, FLOn January 30, 2025, at 1034 eastern standard time, an Aviat Inc Pitts S-2B, N8ZT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fellsmere, Florida. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB WPR25LA083Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCharles E Spencer CCK-1865 · Vacaville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB CEN25LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Stol CH750 · Byron, ILThe pilot inadvertently moved the ignition key to the off position and broke the key, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.