Amateur-built SUPER SIX accident near Morganton, North Carolina, February 6, 2017
On February 6, 2017 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built SUPER SIX, registered N426KS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Morganton, North Carolina (Silver Creek airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power and impact with trees and terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 6, 2017 · about 9:15 pm local time · cases in 2017
- Place
- Morganton, North Carolina · Silver Creek · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SUPER SIX NO SERIES, built 2010
- Registration
- N426KS · no longer on the register · serial JS-001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot, who was the owner of the experimental airplane that was equipped with a vintage radial engine, decided to take the airplane around the airport traffic pattern. He recalled that he conducted a preflight inspection and remembered a portion of the takeoff, but did not recall the events of the accident. A witness reported that the engine was “sputtering” before the airplane impacted trees about 3,500 ft from the departure end of the runway; a postimpact fire ensued. The propeller exhibited little rotational damage, consistent with low or no engine power at the time of impact. Given these signatures and the witness description of the engine “sputtering,” it is likely that the engine lost either partial or total power. A small amount of fuel was discovered in the fuel sump; however, the total fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident could not be determined. The engine sustained impact and postimpact fire damage. Subsequent examination of the additional systems, specifically the fuel system, was inconclusive due to the severe impact and postimpact fire damage; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Unknown/Not determined other cases naming the engine
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,500 hours in all; 7 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 77.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 6, 2016
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1830-92 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: NC52 Morganton NC at 9:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,600 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KHKY, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 6 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – View of overall wreckage of airplane showing impact and thermal damage.
Photo 2 – View of right side of airplane through trees looking forward.
Photo 3 – View of separated wing located up in the trees.
Photo 4 – View of ground scar and impact site.
Photo 5 – View of separated propeller assembly.
Photo 6 – View of left side of airplane resting in the trees.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 12, 2021. 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 | FAA Inspectors Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record_faa Email Brief | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Logs Excerpt | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array_ Accident Site and Damage | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N426KS: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1830-92 13 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Silver Creek Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in North Carolina 1,762 since 1982 · 304 in the last ten years
- North Carolina 7,123 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA17LA102.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.