Amateur-built MX2 accident near Newbury, Ohio, June 28, 1987
On June 28, 1987 at about 6:00 pm local time, a amateur-built MX2 (ultralight), registered N3924L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newbury, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 1987 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Newbury, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MX2
- Registration
- N3924L · no longer on the register · serial 1203
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ULTRALIGHT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR 8 MONTHS. PLT RPTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG QUIT. FUEL HAD NOT BEEN ADDED SINCE PRIOR OCT. EXAMINATION OF ENG REVEALED CRACKS IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING AND RECENT SCORING OF CYLINDERS. WITNESS RPTED THAT ENG WAS IDLED FOR EXTENDED PERIOD BEFORE TAKE OFF. REAR CLYINDER WAS CARBONED AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CLEAN. ENG WAS OVERHEATED DUE TO CRACKS IN EXHAUST WHICH RESULTED IN SEIZURE OF THE PISTONS DURING FLIGHT. WHEN COOL, THE ENG FREED.
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: 400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 148 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 24, 1987; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 720 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Bombardier ROTAX GMBH (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Newbury OH at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.