Boeing E75N1 accident near Youngstown, Ohio, April 14, 2008
On April 14, 2008 at about 5:10 pm local time, a Boeing E75N1, registered N3840K, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Youngstown, Ohio (Youngstown Elser Airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 14, 2008 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Youngstown, Ohio · Youngstown Elser Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing E75N1 · all E75N1s on the register
- Registration
- N3840K · registry record · serial 75-8399
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight was a maintenance test flight due to extensive airframe and engine repairs. The pilot reported that during the engine run-up the engine "missed." He aborted the first takeoff because the engine missed during takeoff roll. After the engine was warmed up he departed again. The pilot performed a "close-in" traffic pattern, and then performed a touch and go. He performed an aggressive pull-up prior to the crosswind turn, and entered into a right downwind leg at 500 - 800 feet above ground level (agl) at 80 knots. When he was abeam the landing zone, he pulled the power to idle and started a turn to base in about a 30-degree angle of bank turn. He reported that about halfway through the turn, he felt a "strong gust/shear from behind." He glanced at the airspeed indicator and saw the airspeed needle passing through 60 knots and it was trending down. He applied full throttle but the aircraft "did not seem to respond." He stated the engine did not quit, but it did not feel like the engine responded instantaneously. He reported that the airplane stalled, the nose pitched down, and impacted the ground about 1/4-mile from the end of runway 28. A witness reported that the pilot flew a very tight base to final and pulled the power back about halfway through the turn. The aircraft was in a very steep turn when the aircraft stalled, rolled over on its back, and hit the ground at a steep nose-down angle. The flight controls were inspected and continuity was established to all flight control surfaces with no pre-impact anomalies. The propeller exhibited impact damage that was consistent with engine 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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,637 hours in all; 258 in this make and model; 126 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 19,105 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 17, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,571 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 11, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,669 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W-670-6A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: M&S Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 4G4 Youngstown OH at 5:05 pm
- Destination: R47 Leipsic OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 4,012 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from YNG, 16 miles away
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 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.
Other NTSB records under N3840K 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.