Amateur-built TA16 accident near Ray, Michigan, June 2, 2022
On June 2, 2022 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built TA16, registered N36YR, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Ray, Michigan (Ray Community airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A lack of lubrication and inadequate cooling, which resulted in internal damage to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2022 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ray, Michigan · Ray Community · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TA16, built 2017
- Registration
- N36YR · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot, who was the builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, reported that shortly after takeoff the engine surged rapidly three times and then lost total power. The pilot turned the airplane back toward the airport to try to land on the runway. While maneuvering toward the airport, the pilot attempted to restore engine power, but was not successful. Unable make the runway, the pilot performed a forced landing to a rough field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine found that the bearings connecting the piston arms to the crankshaft were seized and displayed signatures consistent with a lack of oil lubrication and cooling. Reviewed data stored in the electronic flight instrument system did not provide indications of an impending oil system malfunction. The pilot stated that he purchased the engine as a “firewall forward” package and speculated that the engine could have benefitted from the installation of a secondary oil cooler.
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 approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Eng oil sys (airframe furnish) › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 3,360 hours in all; 86 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 3,150 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 86 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2021; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: General Motors LS1 (piston); 86 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,495 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from KMTC, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMTC 021656Z 34004KT 10SM FEW040 SCT050 BKN090 16/11 A2988 RMK AO2A SLP123 T01640113=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 20, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement and Additional Information | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation Owner Builder | 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.