Ca Tecnam SRL P2004 Bravo accident near Mason, Michigan, September 17, 2010
On September 17, 2010 at about 7:17 pm local time, a Ca Tecnam SRL P2004 Bravo, registered N508LM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mason, Michigan (Mason Jewett Field). 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing to a bean field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 2010 · about 7:17 pm local time
- Place
- Mason, Michigan · Mason Jewett Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ca Tecnam SRL P2004 Bravo
- Registration
- N508LM · no longer on the register · serial 097
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness observed the airplane between 50 and 100 feet above ground level during its initial climb after takeoff when it sounded like the engine lost power. He subsequently saw the propeller stop turning. It appeared to him that the pilot attempted to land on the runway; however, the airplane ultimately impacted a bean field about 150 feet north of the runway. The pilot informed local authorities who responded to the accident that the engine lost power during takeoff. The pilot was transported from the scene with serious injuries. He remained hospitalized and subsequently died 39 days later. The pilot's death was attributed to the consequences of trauma as a result of the accident. However, NTSB regulations define a fatal injury as one which results in death within 30 days of the accident. A postaccident examination of the aircraft, including a detailed examination of the engine, airframe, and fuel system, was unable to identify a reason for the loss of power.
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 (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,493 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,428 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 162 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 26, 2010; 49 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,323 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TEW Mason MI at 7:15 pm
- Destination: Y47 New Hudson MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 4,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 7:12 pm from TEW
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.