Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER accident near Swainsboro, Georgia, October 5, 2008
On October 5, 2008 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, registered N742EA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Swainsboro, Georgia. It was a personal flight 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 loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 5, 2008 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Swainsboro, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER · all SPORTCRUISERs on the register
- Registration
- N742EA · no longer on the register · serial 08SC117
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing slow flight over his property at 60 knots and 1,000 feet above ground level. He noticed that the airplane was descending and applied full throttle. The engine did not respond as expected, so he looked for a place to land. He did not recall if the engine stopped running. While attempting a forced landing, the airplane collided with trees and terrain in a wooded area. Examination of the airframe did not reveal evidence of a preimpact malfunction or failure. Examination of the propeller at the accident site did not reveal evidence of rotation at impact. The carburetor heat control was found in the closed (cold) position. Following the recovery of the wreckage, the engine was tested on the airframe and attained 3,300 rpms with no misfiring or hesitation. The airplane had accumulated 88 hours since new. Review of a Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Probability Chart indicated "Serious icing (glide power)" for the reported temperature and dew point conditions.
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
- Fuel related during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › (general) › Not used/operated
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 165 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 96 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 88 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 7, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSBO Swainsboro GA at 2:55 pm
- Destination: KSBO Swainsboro GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 2:40 pm from KSBO, 6 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.