Cgs Aviation HAWK AERO II accident near Holland, Michigan, September 3, 2016
On September 3, 2016 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 2001 Cgs Aviation HAWK AERO II, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N4513S, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Holland, Michigan (Park Township Airport). 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
The improper installation of quick release connectors in the fuel lines, which was not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's maintenance instructions and allowed air to be introduced into the fuel system and resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2016 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Holland, Michigan · Park Township Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cgs Aviation HAWK AERO II, built 2001, amateur-built
- Registration
- N4513S · registry record · serial H II 159-A-582-TRI
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot stated that the experimental light sport airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff about 80 to100 ft above ground level. The airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, so the pilot decreased the pitch attitude to recover, but the airplane then impacted power lines. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed numerous items that had not been performed in accordance with the engine manufacturer's maintenance instructions, one of which was the correct installation of a quick release connector in the fuel lines. When the quick release connector was tested, it leaked a substantial amount of air into the fuel system; therefore, it is likely that air entered the fuel system during the flight and resulted in the partial loss of engine 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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 216 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HLM Holland MI at 10:30 pm
- Destination: HLM Holland MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 2,999 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from AZO, 43 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on March 12, 2018. 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 - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Email Request to Pilot for NTSB 6120 Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Rotax Maintenance Manual Excerpts | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Rotax Two-stroke Safety Issues Publication | 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.
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.