Amateur-built MK-1 accident near Demopolis, Alabama, April 24, 2009
On April 24, 2009 at about 6:37 pm local time, a amateur-built MK-1, registered N91MK, was substantially damaged in an accident during emergency descent near Demopolis, Alabama (Demopolis Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a complete loss of engine power resulting in a stall while maneuvering to land. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 2009 · about 6:37 pm local time
- Place
- Demopolis, Alabama · Demopolis Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MK-1
- Registration
- N91MK · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and the former co-builder derived the design of the experimental airplane from one or more other experimental airplanes. The co-builder started the construction, but transferred his ownership share to the pilot, who then completed the construction. In the weeks prior to the accident, the pilot conducted several ground test runs of the airplane, presumably in preparation for its eventual first flight. On more than one occasion during the ground test runs, the engine ceased operating and the airplane had to be towed off the runway since the engine was not equipped with a starter. As of the day of the accident, the airplane had not yet been flown. That day, the pilot informed the individual who helped him start the engine that he would return shortly, since he again only planned to conduct ground test runs. The pilot completed one ground run on the runway, and taxied back for a second run. During the second run, the airplane became airborne, and it was observed moving erratically in all three axes. It stabilized somewhat, made several turns, and appeared to become established on a downwind leg in an apparent attempt to return for landing. Several witnesses heard the engine sputter and then lose power completely. The airplane then stalled at low altitude and impacted the ground at a steep angle approximately 2 miles from the airport.
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 approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during emergency descent defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 0 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 17, 2009; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 781 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: DYA Demopolis AL at 6:35 pm
- Destination: DYA Demopolis AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from NMM, 31 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
Other NTSB records under N91MK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA09LA263.