Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro MERMAID accident near Algonac, Michigan, April 1, 2010
On April 1, 2010 at about 5:05 pm local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro MERMAID, registered N853CZ, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Algonac, Michigan (Oakland-Troy airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control resulting from an aerodynamic stall/spin while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 1, 2010 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Algonac, Michigan · Oakland-Troy · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro MERMAID
- Registration
- N853CZ · no longer on the register · serial 06MM008
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Local residents observed the airplane flying low along the river. They reported that it entered a bank in the direction of their residence and at one point the wings were perpendicular to the water. The nose of the airplane suddenly dropped and it descended, ultimately striking the dock and shallow water. The airplane came to rest inverted, partially supported by the boat dock and partially in the river. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. While Diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter antihistamine that commonly results in impaired performance, was found in the pilot’s blood at a level consistent with recent use, the investigation was not able to definitively conclude that the pilot suffered from impairment.
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
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 3, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Michigan Sport Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: VLL Troy MI at 4:00 pm
- Destination: VLL Troy MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 22,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from MTC, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.