Lazair II accident near Racine, Ohio, August 15, 2018
On August 15, 2018 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1984 Lazair II (ultralight), registered UNREG, was destroyed in an accident near Racine, Ohio (Private airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind 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 impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the lack of evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2018 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Racine, Ohio · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lazair II, built 1984
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial B032
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot was flying an unregistered experimental airplane when it impacted terrain during an unknown phase of flight. The wreckage and wreckage distribution were consistent with a steep nose-down impact attitude with no ground scarring preceding the wreckage. A postaccident examination of the airplane was not performed, and the pilot did not respond to correspondence.
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 unknown defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Jpx Pul 425 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Jpx Pul 425 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from UNI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 16, 2020. 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 | Letter Requesting Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Ups Label and Tracking Receipt for NTSB 6120 Request Letter | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Investigator's Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Email | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 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.