Amateur-built 250 accident near Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, October 16, 2018
On October 16, 2018 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 2005 amateur-built 250, registered N207Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. 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 for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2018 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Daytona Beach Shores, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 250, built 2005
- Registration
- N207Y · no longer on the register · serial 149
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed on the 300-nautical mile, 3-hour cross-country flight with 5 ½ hours of fuel onboard. About 7 miles from the destination airport at an altitude of 1,000 ft mean sea level, the engine sputtered, then lost total power. The propeller continued to windmill as the pilot attempted to troubleshoot and restart the engine utilizing the fuel boost pump, but he was unsuccessful. The pilot performed a forced landing into the ocean about 100 yards from shore, and then extricated himself and was rescued. The airplane remained submerged in the ocean for 18 hours before it was recovered. During recovery, 5 gallons of aviation fuel was removed from the fuel tanks. The engine and components were corroded due to the saltwater immersion, which precluded testing of the engine. The reported weather conditions were not conducive to the development of carburetor icing. 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 maneuvering defining event
- Ditching during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 4.5 in the last 30 days; 3,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 23, 2017
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 460 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 460 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CUB Columbia SC at 3:25 pm
- Destination: 7FL6 Daytona Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from DAB, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDAB 161853Z 08012KT 10SM FEW034 SCT040 31/26 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP177 T03110261=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on February 28, 2022. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation_pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Police Report Excerpt | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Reports | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Carberater Icing Probablility Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array_accident Site and Damage | PDF, 3 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.