Amateur-built Sky Scout accident near Sedan, Kansas, September 12, 2002
On September 12, 2002 at about 10:15 pm local time, a amateur-built Sky Scout, registered N174BT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sedan, Kansas (Private Airstrip airport). 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2002 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Sedan, Kansas · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Sky Scout
- Registration
- N174BT · no longer on the register · serial 174
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
An amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during initial climb after takeoff. The pilot received serious injuries and did not remember the events concerning the accident. A witness reported that it was the third flight of the day. The witness observed the airplane takeoff and then heard the engine quit shortly after takeoff. The airplane impacted the terrain in a steep nose down attitude. The airplane moved about six feet after impact. The left wing outboard of the wing strut was buckled aft. Both wings exhibited leading edge crush damage. No pre-impact anomalies to the engine or airframe were noted.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all
- Last flight review: October 1, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,190 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aero Engines (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sedan KS at 10:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 180, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from ICT, 65 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.