Amateur-built Tailwheel accident near Burleson, Texas, December 19, 2020
On December 19, 2020 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built Tailwheel, registered N935EK, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Burleson, Texas (Fort Worth Spinks Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to engine seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot decision not to orbit the airport, as originally planned.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 19, 2020 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Burleson, Texas · Fort Worth Spinks Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Tailwheel, built 2019
- Registration
- N935EK · no longer on the register · serial 1617
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and builder of the airplane was conducting the airplane’s first flight. The pilot contacted the tower controller and requested to orbit the airport for 30 minutes at 3,500 ft. Shortly after departure, the pilot reported that he was unable to climb and needed to return to the airport. The pilot reported that he had a “sick engine,” and he was “just trying to make the field.” The controller reported to the pilot that smoke appeared to be coming from the engine. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed the airplane departed from the airport, turned, and flew south for about 2 miles before it turned north back to the airport. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted powerlines and terrain and came to rest inverted about 1 mile south of the airport. During the engine examination oil was present on the dipstick. The oil filter was cut open and fine metal pieces/powder were observed on the filter element, and small metal pieces were observed in the engine’s oil filter port. The engine was seized and could not be rotated by hand. The engine was not dissembled further, and the source of the metal filings was not determined. The loss of engine power was attributed to the seizure of the engine; however, the reason for the engine seizure could not be determined. Investigators were unable to determine why the pilot did not stay over the airport and orbit as originally requested.
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 engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,195 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 18, 2020
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aerovee (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,100 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 3:40 pm from KFWS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on April 6, 2021. 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 | Air Traffic Control | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records (Extract) | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airplane Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | ADS-B Data | data file | 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.