Amateur-built DA1 accident near Sebring, Florida, March 2, 2015
On March 2, 2015 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 2009 amateur-built DA1, registered N797A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sebring, Florida (Sebring Rgnl airport). 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
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 2, 2015 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Sebring, Florida · Sebring Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DA1, built 2009
- Registration
- N797A · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental amateur-built airplane, had just taken off for a personal flight. Witnesses reported hearing "spitting and sputtering" engine noise as they observed the airplane descending from a low altitude. The pilot subsequently performed an off-airport landing about 1 mile south of the airport. During the landing, the fuel tank was compromised, and a postcrash fire ensued, which destroyed the cockpit and consumed the propeller and all of the fuselage fabric coverings forward of the empennage. Based on this evidence, it is likely that the engine experienced a loss of power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in the need for an off-airport landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included disassembly of its converted 75-horsepower automobile engine, did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures; however, fire damage destroyed the fuel tank, fuel lines, carburetor, and fuel filter. According to a friend of the pilot, the accident flight was the airplane's first flight since it was damaged after experiencing a loss of engine power during takeoff about 2 years before the accident. The airplane's maintenance logbooks were not located, and its maintenance and operational history could not be verified. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence. Toxicology testing of the pilot detected several previously unreported medications, and an autopsy identified hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease; however, it is unlikely that symptoms from the pilot's heart disease or the effects of any of the detected medications impaired his ability to respond to the emergency.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,950 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SEF Sebring FL at 4:48 pm
- Destination: SEF Sebring FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from SEF, 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.