Amateur-built Rally 3 accident near Hooker, Oklahoma, July 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026 at about 12:00 pm local time, a 1982 amateur-built Rally 3, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hooker, Oklahoma (Hooker Municipal 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 total loss of engine power due to an engine seizure for undetermined reasons because the wreckage was disposed of before it could be examined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2026 · about 12:00 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Hooker, Oklahoma · Hooker Municipal Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Rally 3, built 1982
- Registration
- UNREG · registered outside the United States · serial 64773
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident flight was the non-certificated pilot's first flight in the unregistered airplane since he had overhauled the experimental engine. The pilot, who was also not certificated as a mechanic, performed the engine overhaul and subsequently conducted more than 5 hours of engine ground runs. During the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot observed an exhaust gas temperature of about 1,200°F. In response, he reduced engine power and initiated a right turn with the intention of re-entering the airport traffic pattern. At about 150 ft above ground level, the engine seized and experienced a total loss of power. The pilot conducted a forced landing straight ahead to a plowed field. During the landing roll, the main landing gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The empennage subsequently separated from the fuselage resulting in substantial damage. Following the accident, the pilot removed the wreckage from the accident site and disposed of it before the airframe and engine could be examined by investigators. The pilot did not possess a current FAA medical certificate. The pilot thought the airplane operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 as an ultralight, however the airplane carried more than one person.
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 initial climb defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Evacuation during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Maintenance personnel
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Soft surface › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Flight time: 1,188 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 1,188 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cuyuna ULR430 (piston); 5 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 am from KGUY, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KGUY 071153Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/14 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP152 7//// T01830144 10233 20183 53008
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 1, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- Engine: Cuyuna ULR430 · as the NTSB recorded it
- Hooker Municipal · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Oklahoma 1,300 since 1982 · 181 in the last ten years
- Oklahoma 5,655 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under UNREG 10 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN26LA246.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.