Amateur-built Super Acro Sport accident near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, July 16, 2019
On July 16, 2019 at about 11:45 pm local time, a 1977 amateur-built Super Acro Sport, registered N61SC, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (Detroit Lakes-Wething Field). 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
An open circuit in the engine's electrical switch box, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2019 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Detroit Lakes, Minnesota · Detroit Lakes-Wething Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Super Acro Sport, built 1977
- Registration
- N61SC · no longer on the register · serial 572
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a local flight to ensure that the airplane was operating normally for an upcoming trip. While returning to the airport, the engine experienced a loss of power and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a corn field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot later examined the engine and determined that one of the engine's electrical switch boxes had an open circuit, which prevented electrical charge from reaching the cylinder Nos. 1, 3, and 5 spark plugs. The other switch box, which provided charge to the Nos. 2, 4, and 6 spark plugs, operated normally. It is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of the open circuit and subsequent lack of ignition to three cylinders.
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
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach
- Electrical system malf/failure during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 17,000 hours in all; 3.4 in this make and model; 718.5 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 5, 2018
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 18, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Mercury 2.5 V6 (piston); 6 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DTL Detroit Lakes MN at 11:15 pm
- Destination: DTL Detroit Lakes MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 1,890 ft by 250 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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 31, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | 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.