Amateur-built AIR CAM accident near Hutchinson, Kansas, May 20, 2026
On May 20, 2026 at about 11:03 pm local time, a 2000 amateur-built AIR CAM, registered N32F, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Hutchinson, Kansas (Hutchinson Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2026 · about 11:03 pm local time
- Place
- Hutchinson, Kansas · Hutchinson Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIR CAM NO SERIES, built 2000
- Registration
- N32F · registry record · serial AC075
- 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 the twin-engine experimental airplane departed on a cross-country flight with a full fuel load (28 gallons). After takeoff, he observed that the airplane had a 52 mph tailwind which resulted in a 150 mph ground speed at his cruise altitude of 11,500 ft. The pilot planned to make a fuel stop, but he recalculated the fuel required based on the airplane’s ground speed and concluded that the airplane could reach his intended destination for the day. The pilot reported that the airplane’s expected fuel consumption rate, for both engines combined, was 6 to 10 gallons per hour. The pilot reported that he expected the airplane would have 2 to 3 gallons of fuel remaining when he reached the intended destination. About 2.5 hours after departure, and about 15 minutes from the destination airport, the left and right fuel tank gauges displayed about ¼ tank remaining (3.5 gallons each). However, about 5 to 10 minutes later, the pilot noticed that the fuel level remaining in the tanks decreased rapidly. The pilot reported that both engines lost all power due to fuel exhaustion before the airplane reached the intended airport, and that he conducted a forced landing to a muddy field. Upon landing, the left wheel flange separated, and the fuselage and left wing were substantially damaged. The pilot admitted that the airplane did not have sufficient fuel to complete the flight, and there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Fuel exhaustion during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Wet/muddy terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,473 hours in all; 376 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 5,360 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 22, 2026
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,680 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 843 hours total
- Engine 2: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 843 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DHT Dalhart TX at 8:25 pm
- Destination: PTT Pratt KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from HUT, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHUT 202252Z 11011KT 10SM OVC042 18/07 A3012
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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 N32F 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.