Jabiru Aircraft SK0007 accident near Aiken, South Carolina, July 13, 2005
On July 13, 2005 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Jabiru Aircraft SK0007, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N30SP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Aiken, South Carolina (Twin Lakes Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2005 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Aiken, South Carolina · Twin Lakes Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Jabiru Aircraft SK0007, amateur-built
- Registration
- N30SP · registry record · serial SK0007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff phase of the repositioning flight, the pilot reported that the engine began to vibrate violently and lost power. The pilot selected a nearby field for a forced landing. After the airplane touched down, and after the pilot exited the airplane, it burst into flames. Post accident examination revealed the airplane was made of composite materials, and was damaged by post crash fire. The engine of the airplane was heavily fire damaged. One valve cover was punctured and partially melted. The pistons and piston rods were still attached to the crankshaft with no abnormalities. Traces of oil were found throughout the engine and in the oil pan. The engine system appeared to be well lubricated.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 50 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 2200 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: S17 Aiken SC at 1:25 pm
- Destination: Aiken SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 5,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from DNL, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.