Amateur-built ROARING EAGLE accident near Stanwood, Iowa, October 9, 2022
On October 9, 2022 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 2020 amateur-built ROARING EAGLE, registered N181MY, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Stanwood, Iowa (Pvt airport). 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
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control at too low of an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to improper management of the fuel system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 9, 2022 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Stanwood, Iowa · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ROARING EAGLE, built 2020
- Registration
- N181MY · no longer on the register · serial MB5137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was performing a test flight in the experimental airplane after completing a modification to the pitch control system. While on downwind to land at the private airstrip, the engine lost partial power. During the base to final turn, about 300 ft above ground level, the airplane exceeded its critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control at an altitude too low to allow for recovery. The airplane impacted a cornfield short of the private airstrip and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the partial loss of engine power was due to an excessive fuel pressure to the carburetor because he forgot to open a valve that bypassed fuel around the fuel pump that is used for engine priming and starting.
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 (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pressure › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 515 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 450 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 22, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 20, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,490 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 am from KCID, 26 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCID 091652Z 23007KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP201 T01890033
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 June 7, 2023. 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, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation Pilot/owner/builder | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Fuel System Drawing (Provided by Pilot/owner/builder) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Photograph | 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.