Amateur-built SEAREY accident near St. Paul, Minnesota, November 28, 2009
On November 28, 2009 at about 5:45 pm local time, a amateur-built SEAREY, registered N4031, suffered minor damage in an accident during takeoff near St. Paul, Minnesota (Lake Elmo Airport). 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 pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff during the takeoff roll when he became aware of the engine not producing full power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 2009 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- St. Paul, Minnesota · Lake Elmo Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SEAREY
- Registration
- N4031 · registry record · serial 1MK225
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff, the engine never reached full power. While about 18 feet above the runway, the pilot attempted to land. During the attempt, the pilot initiated a steep bank turn in order to avoid an airport perimeter fence. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was test run with a slave propeller and the engine developed normal power and RPM. The reason for the loss of partial engine power during takeoff could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 757 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 664 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 273 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,420 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru ALL MDLS A/B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 21D St. Paul MN at 5:43 pm
- Destination: 21D St. Paul MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 2,850 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.