Amateur-built Skybolt 300 accident near Fairmont, Oklahoma, July 21, 2016
On July 21, 2016 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1993 amateur-built Skybolt 300, registered N511GS, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Fairmont, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delay in recovering from an aerobatic maneuver resulting in collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2016 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Fairmont, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Skybolt 300, built 1993
- Registration
- N511GS · no longer on the register · serial HR30091001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed on a local flight with the intention of performing aerobatic maneuvers. According to a witness near the accident site, the airplane was performing aerobatic maneuvers. He stated that the airplane flew over at a high altitude and performed a barrel roll. The airplane continued south and then pitched up to climb straight up. The nose of the airplane came down through the horizon and the airplane started "tumbling". He stated that 1/3 of the way through the tumble the airplane rolled over on its back and entered an inverted flat spin. Damage to the airplane and witness marks on the ground were consistent with the airplane impacting the ground in an inverted, nose low attitude. No anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed. The witness did not see the final seconds of the flight and it is unknown if or when the pilot may have initiated a recovery from the intentional maneuver. It is likely that the pilot waited too long to recover from the aerobatic maneuver.
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 (aerobatics) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (aerobatics)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,591 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,183.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 3, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO 540-K1G5D (piston); 2,049 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WDG Enid OK at 11:30 pm
- Destination: END Enid OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from WDG, 14 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
11 documents, released by the NTSB on May 24, 2017. 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 | Record of Conversation - Passenger's Wife | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Air Traffic Control Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe Maintenance Record Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Cami Toxicology Drug Information Pages | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Accident Report Photographs | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.