Amateur-built Curtis Hawk P6E accident near Iowa City, Iowa, July 3, 2008
On July 3, 2008 at about 10:55 pm local time, a amateur-built Curtis Hawk P6E, registered N386PE, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Iowa City, Iowa (Iowa City Municipal 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 an undetermined reason and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted 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
- July 3, 2008 · about 10:55 pm local time
- Place
- Iowa City, Iowa · Iowa City Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Curtis Hawk P6E
- Registration
- N386PE · no longer on the register · serial 32-238
- 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 during the takeoff in his homebuilt replica of a Curtis Hawk P6E, the engine suddenly lost power. He stated that the airplane was equipped with a backup ignition and a backup electric fuel pump. He stated that he was in the process of switching from the primary systems to the backup when he inadvertently stalled the airplane. He stated that there were no deficiencies in the flight control system of the airplane. A fire ensued and the pilot stated that it was his belief that the fire started before the airplane's impact with the ground. The airplane was powered by a converted Chevrolet 8 cylinder water-cooled engine. Examination of the engine subsequent to the accident revealed no deficiencies with the engine, but the accessories such as the carburetor and ignition systems had been destroyed by the fire. A broken fuel line fitting was found but no determination could be made as to whether the break occured prior to impact or if it was a result of the impact.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 45 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 45 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Chevrolet 383 (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: IOW Iowa City IA at 10:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 3,900 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:52 pm from IOW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.