Amateur-built EAGLET accident near Deland, Florida, April 13, 2016
On April 13, 2016 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1982 amateur-built EAGLET (glider), registered N5AQ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Deland, Florida (Bob Lee Flight Strip airport). 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 total loss of engine power during initial climb due to a separation of the ignition plug.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2016 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Deland, Florida · Bob Lee Flight Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EAGLET NO SERIES, built 1982
- Registration
- N5AQ · no longer on the register · serial 005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot of the experimental, amateur-built motorglider reported that, after takeoff, the primary engine experienced a total loss of power about 75 ft above ground level, and the secondary engine was unable to maintain the motorglider's altitude. The pilot tried to make a 180° turn back to the airport, but the motorglider lost altitude and struck the top of pine trees. The primary engine was a 17-hp reciprocating engine designed for use in model aircraft, and the secondary engine was an electric motor. Both engines were necessary to produce enough power for takeoff. The pilot stated that, after takeoff, the motorglider encountered turbulence, which likely resulted in the separation of the primary engine's ignition plug.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb
- 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 › Ignition system › (general) › Failure
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 130 hours in all; 40 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 50 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Dle 170 (piston); 30 hours total
- Engine 2: Hacker A200 (electric); 5 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1J6 Deland FL at 4:30 pm
- Destination: 1J6 Deland FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 3,300 ft by 72 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 4:35 pm from DED, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 17, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum of Record - Wreckage Examination and Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Interview Summaries | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.