Titan T51 accident near Novi, Michigan, May 12, 2024
On May 12, 2024 at about 10:37 pm local time, a 2013 Titan T51, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N260Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Novi, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A failure of the electrical system, resulting in a loss of fuel injection and subsequent 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
- May 12, 2024 · about 10:37 pm local time
- Place
- Novi, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Titan T51 D, built 2013, amateur-built
- Registration
- N260Y · no longer on the register · serial M07SV6SOHK0128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot recalled that the airplane’s electrical system voltage read 11 volts on takeoff; about 6 minutes into the flight, the engine lost all power. The airplane collided with trees during the off-airport forced landing, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The low voltage that the pilot reported was likely an indication that the airplane’s alternator was not charging the airplane’s battery properly. The airplane was equipped with an electronic fuel injection system that required a minimum of 7 volts to properly function. Following the accident, a loose connector that powered and controlled “Channel A” of the electronic fuel injection system was found to be not fully seated, which might have resulted in a loss of function on half of the injectors. However, it could not be determined if this was impact related. No other discrepancies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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 enroute (cruise)
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › (general) › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Alternator › generator drive sys › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honda J35AS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1D2 Plymouth MI at 10:33 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KVLL, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KVLL 122235Z AUTO 21007KT 10SM CLR 21/05 A2986 RMK AO2 T02120045
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.