Amateur-built II accident near Cresson, Texas, December 12, 2025
On December 12, 2025 at about 8:31 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built II, registered N28MD, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Cresson, Texas. 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
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
- December 12, 2025 · about 8:31 pm local time
- Place
- Cresson, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built II, built 2006
- Registration
- N28MD · registry record · serial 141
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 12, 2025, about 1431 central standard time, a Sonerai II airplane, registration N28MD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cresson, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had just completed a high-speed pass down the runway and was turning downwind when the engine began to sound and act abnormally. The rpm gauge was fluctuating. The pilot immediately turned towards the runway and performed an emergency landing. The airplane overran the runway and went into a ravine where it struck a tree which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The airplane will be recovered and retained for further examination.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing
- Runway excursion during landing
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 497.6 hours
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 50F Forth Worth TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 290° at 3 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from KGDJ, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KGDJ 130235Z AUTO 29003KT CLR 10/04 A3007 RMK AO2 T01040036 PWINO
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.
Other NTSB records under N28MD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.