Amateur-built SEA REY accident near Brighton, Michigan, July 30, 1997
On July 30, 1997 at about 9:07 pm local time, a amateur-built SEA REY (ultralight), registered N7475Q, was destroyed in an accident near Brighton, Michigan (Brighton Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power due to a failed exhaust valve oil seal, and fouled spark plugs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 1997 · about 9:07 pm local time
- Place
- Brighton, Michigan · Brighton Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SEA REY
- Registration
- N7475Q · no longer on the register · serial 1DK028
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was observed to takeoff and reach approximately 150 agl when a power loss was heard. The airplane went into a left bank and then straight down. The airplane did about one and one half spins before impacting the terrain. Examination of the engine revealed both upper and lower spark plugs oil fouled. Closer examination revealed the exhaust valve stem seal had failed. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces with no anomalies 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: 135 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 135 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 32 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912VL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 45G at 9:07 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 4, 2,660 ft by 24 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from OZW, 10 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.