S C Aerostar S A YAK 52TW accident near Advance, Indiana, April 3, 2015
On April 3, 2015 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 2003 S C Aerostar S A YAK 52TW, registered N555GD, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Advance, Indiana. 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 airplane control while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 2015 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Advance, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- S C Aerostar S A YAK 52TW, built 2003 · all YAK 52TWs on the register
- Registration
- N555GD · no longer on the register · serial 0212405
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Radar data showed the airplane maneuvering in visual meteorological conditions before radar contact was lost. Although the radar data showed the accident flight's ground track, altitude information was not available for the maneuvering portion of the flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane's transponder was destroyed. There were no witnesses to the accident. Examination of the accident site indicated a high-airspeed, near-vertical impact with terrain consistent with a loss of airplane control. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation. No medical issues were identified with the pilot that would have contributed to the accident. The reason for the loss of control 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 control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,781 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 7, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,029 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 29, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,899 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Motorstar M14-PDXK (piston); 1,029 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EYE Indianapolis IN at 7:09 pm
- Destination: EYE Indianapolis IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,600 ft; clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KEYE, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on December 7, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple Electronic Devices | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Flight Track Images | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts of Maintenance Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Accident Site Documentation Report - Local University | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Accident Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.