Amateur-built SPORTSMAN GS-2 accident near Morrisville, Vermont, August 7, 2010
On August 7, 2010 at about 7:30 pm local time, a amateur-built SPORTSMAN GS-2, registered N546SG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Morrisville, Vermont (Morrisville Stowe State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of fuel pressure for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2010 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Morrisville, Vermont · Morrisville Stowe State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SPORTSMAN GS-2
- Registration
- N546SG · no longer on the register · serial 7303
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane stated that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the annunciator system made several audible warnings stating "check fuel pressure." He noted that the fuel pressure gauge indicated low to no fuel pressure. He cycled the boost pump from the "on" position to the "off" position several times, with no effect on the fuel pressure reading. The mixture, propeller, and throttle controls appeared to be in their respective normal climb positions, but the pilot noted a decrease in engine rpm and manifold pressure. He also noticed that the rpm and manifold pressure were continuing to decline and that the engine was continuing to lose power while the annunciator continued to sound the same warning. The pilot returned to the departure airport and initiated a flare. The airplane touched down hard on the runway and veered to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane would not respond to rudder or brake inputs and departed off the left side of the runway, nosing over inverted. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engine assembly and accessories did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunction. An engine test run and flow check was conducted with no anomalies noted. Data retrieved from the airplane's multi-function display confirmed the erratic fuel flow during the accident flight; however, the anomaly could not be duplicated during postaccident testing. The reason for the loss of fuel pressure could not be determined.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Aircraft structural failure during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pressure › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 624 hours in all; 114 in this make and model; 54 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 494 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 29, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 4, 2010; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: MVL Morrisville VT
- Destination: 44N Millbrook NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 3,701 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from MVL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.