Amateur-built SUPER 18 accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts, July 16, 2026
On July 16, 2026 at about 11:40 am local time, a 2016 amateur-built SUPER 18, registered N84AJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Plymouth, Massachusetts (Plymouth Municipal 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2026 · about 11:40 am local time
- Place
- Plymouth, Massachusetts · Plymouth Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SUPER 18, built 2016
- Registration
- N84AJ · registry record · serial AC-18-001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 16, 2026, about 0740 eastern daylight time, a Dakota Cub Super 18 airplane, N84AJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. ADS-B data obtained from the FAA and data extracted from the airplane’s Garmin G3X showed that the airplane departed from Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts, about 0632, and flew south towards Katama Airpark(1B2), Edgartown, Massachusetts, and then flew back towards PYM, generally staying below 1,000 ft above ground level. The airplane flew a path similar to a straight-in for runway 33 until it was about 1.4 miles from the departure end of the runway (see figure 1). Figure 1. Overview of total flight According to preliminary information provided by the Massachusetts State Police, eyewitnesses by Curlew Pond reported that as the airplane flew over the pond, the engine started to sputter. The airplane initially continued toward the airport but turned back toward the water, and then the engine noise went quiet. The airplane glided to the water and then nosed over inverted (see figure 2). Figure 2. Last portion of flight The airplane was brought to a nearby shore, and turned back to the upright position. After initial documentation of the airplane, it was transported to the airport for further examination. Postaccident examination revealed the magneto switch was selected to the BOTH position and the fuel pump switch was in the ON position. The fuel selector was selected to the left tank. Neither wing fuel cap was recovered with the airplane. The left fuel tank contained less than 10 ounces of fuel and the right fuel tank contained less than 4 ounces of fuel; neither fuel tank was breached. Fuel lines from the fuel tanks to the fuel selector remained secured and when opened contained fuel. Using a water detection paste, the fuel from the left fuel tank line contained some water and the fuel in the right fuel tank line did not contain any water. A fuel sample from the gascolator bowl contained a mixture of fuel and water. It is unknown how much fuel may have drained out of either tank while the airplane was inverted in the water. The fuel line from the engine driven fuel pump to the fuel servo was empty of fuel. The fuel servo’s fuel screen was free of visual contaminants. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for both airplane single engine land and airplane single engine sea.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Ditching during landing (flare/touchdown)
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 380.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 26, 2026; 3.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: KPYM Plymouth MA at 10:32 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 am from KPYM, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPYM 161152Z AUTO 25007KT 10SM CLR 22/15 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP113 T02220150 10222 20156 50004
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.