Amateur-built D-4 FASCINATION accident near Leesburg, Florida, December 6, 1997
On December 6, 1997 at about 9:30 pm local time, a amateur-built D-4 FASCINATION, registered DMSMV, was destroyed in an accident near Leesburg, Florida (Flying Florida Gator airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
structural failure of the right wing, during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent to the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 6, 1997 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Leesburg, Florida · Flying Florida Gator · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built D-4 FASCINATION D-4 FASCIN
- Registration
- DMSMV · no longer on the register · serial 61142-B
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from the airport. Witnesses reported the airplane rolled, pitched down 45 degrees, and impacted the ground. According to an FAA inspector, the right wing had a structural failure. The right wing fabric covering was severely cracked on both the top and bottom, and the interior wing components were twisted. The right wing spar was fractured one foot outboard of the internal drag brace. The FAA Inspector stated that a representative from the German manufacturer examined the airplane and stated that a structural failure involving de-bonding of the adhesive may have contributed to the crippling of the right wing. The right flap hinge was found approximately 40 feet away from the impact site. A piece of the wing root and plastic lens cap were found approximately 1/4 of a mile from the impact site.
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; rotorcraft: glider
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 9:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from MCO, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.