Amateur-built THATCHER CX4A accident near Hebron, Ohio, August 31, 2015
On August 31, 2015 at about 10:05 pm local time, a 2013 amateur-built THATCHER CX4A, registered N443JF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Hebron, Ohio (Buckeye airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2015 · about 10:05 pm local time
- Place
- Hebron, Ohio · Buckeye · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built THATCHER CX4A, built 2013
- Registration
- N443JF · registry record · serial 355
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was taking off for a personal local flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot restarted the engine, but it then lost power again. The airplane subsequently descended into a cornfield and came to rest upright. An examination of the airframe revealed that the engine control cables were routed close to the left rudder pedal; however, it could not be determined if the control cables' location caused them to move and contributed to the loss of engine power. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power. However, the airplane was taking off, and the engine would not have been at glide power; therefore, it is not likely that carburetor ice caused the loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power 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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: type not recorded, December 30, 2013; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 850 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Revmaster 2300 (piston); 30 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9OA5 Hebron OH at 10:05 pm
- Destination: 9OA5 Hebron OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 2,764 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from KVTA, 5 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.