Staudacher Jon ZZ 102 accident near Vicksburg, Michigan, August 12, 2026
On August 12, 2026 at about 11:06 pm local time, a 2007 Staudacher Jon ZZ 102, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N134ZZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Vicksburg, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were 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
- August 12, 2026 · about 11:06 pm local time
- Place
- Vicksburg, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Staudacher Jon ZZ 102, built 2007, amateur-built
- Registration
- N134ZZ · registry record · serial 34
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 12, 2026, about 1906 eastern daylight time, a Staudacher ZZ 102 experimental airplane, N134ZZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Vicksburg, Michigan. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. The flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Preliminary information provided by law enforcement indicated the airplane departed from Thrall Lake Airport (7MI3), Vicksburg, Michigan, and climbed to about 1,500 ft when it descended and impacted terrain. Both occupants were airlifted to hospitals, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. According to the FAA aircraft records, the airplane was likely a unique build with only the accident airplane currently registered. The airplane was built in 2007 and purchased by the pilot in October 2021. According to a Barnstormers Facebook listing, dated November 8, 2025, the airplane had 210 hours total time, and the engine had 210 hours since major overhaul. Postaccident examination by FAA inspectors revealed the presence of fuel in both fuel tanks. However, when draining fuel from the fuel tanks, an orange substance was found in the fuel line. The airplane was 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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 7MI3 Vicksburg MI at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from KAZO, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAZO 122253Z 25006KT 10SM OVC022 24/21 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP095 T02440206
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.
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.