Amateur-built Vampire accident near Findlay, Ohio, September 3, 2008
On September 3, 2008 at about 4:57 pm local time, a amateur-built Vampire, registered N333SV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Findlay, Ohio (Findlay Airport). It was a flight test 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
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the reduction drive assembly as a result of excessive wear and high temperatures. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of total experience in the airplane and the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2008 · about 4:57 pm local time
- Place
- Findlay, Ohio · Findlay Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vampire
- Registration
- N333SV · no longer on the register · serial 054
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was an experimental amateur-built airplane that was a prototype for light sport aircraft certification. The flight test was conducted by the engine manufacturer, who also provided a pilot to fly the airplane. The pilot had not received flight instruction or a checkout in the airplane. The pilot learned to fly the airplane on his own by taxiing and performing local flights in the airport area. The pilot also had no training or experience in aircraft flight test. A larger radiator had been installed onto the airplane due to noted high engine temperature during previous flights. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot performed two taxi tests during which he performed short hops on the runway to get familiar with the aerodynamic forces that would be encountered during takeoff and landing. The engine temperature was reported as normal during this time. The pilot then attempted a takeoff for a flight that was to remain in the airport traffic pattern. Just after takeoff the airplane lost total engine power. The pilot attempted an engine restart without success, during which he did not hear the engine turn over. The pilot then executed a forced landing into a quarry located about 0.6 miles from the departure end of the runway. An examination of the reduction drive assembly needle roller bearing sidewall revealed a combination of wear and high temperatures leading to overstress. Circumferential wear marks on the separated cage sidewall and the presence of metallic debris suggested impingement of the rollers on the sidewall during engine operation. Heat tinting of the outer raceway in the vicinity of the failed sidewall and the cam that served as the inner raceway was also noted. The needle bearing malfunction could be attributed to misalignment of the needle bearing and insufficient lubrication.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during initial climb
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Accessory gear › boxes › (general) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Accessory gear › boxes › (general) › Failure
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 455 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 327 as pilot in command; 107 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 6, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 52 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 25, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotamex 1300CG (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Sadler Aircraft
The flight
- Departed from: FDY Findley OH at 4:57 pm
- Destination: FDY Findley OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 5,883 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from FDY, 1 miles away
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.