Air Creation CLIPPER 582 accident near Clark, South Dakota, July 14, 2015
On July 14, 2015 at about 8:52 pm local time, a Air Creation CLIPPER 582 (weight-shift aircraft), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Clark, South Dakota (Clark County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the weight-shift control aircraft during initial climb due to his impairment from ethanol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2015 · about 8:52 pm local time
- Place
- Clark, South Dakota · Clark County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Creation CLIPPER 582
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial Unknown
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The uncertificated pilot was conducting a personal flight in the unregistered weight-shift control aircraft when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported that he does not recall the flight. Video footage taken by the passenger indicated that the aircraft abruptly rolled left about 12 seconds after liftoff, followed by a reduction in engine rpm. A postaccident examination and engine test run revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, several airframe and wing brace cables were found tightly wrapped around the propeller shaft, which is consistent with the engine operating at impact. Toxicological testing revealed that the pilot was under the influence of ethanol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana at the time of the accident. The pilot's impairment from ethanol intoxication and recent use of illicit drugs likely contributed to his inability to maintain control of the weight-shift control aircraft.
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 initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 284.5 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 995 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8D7 Clark SD at 8:52 pm
- Destination: 8D7 Clark SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 3,698 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from ATY, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on November 3, 2019. 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 | Passenger Statement (Mark Kelly) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement (Jared Lewis) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Email Correspondence | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Clark Police Department Case Report (Excerpts) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Clark County Sheriff Department Case Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Inspector Statement (William Howell) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Engine Examination and Test Run Report | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Onboard Image Recorder Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 9 | NTSB Medical Officer Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.