Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft J250-SP accident near Fort Pierce, Florida, March 30, 2021
On March 30, 2021 at about 2:57 pm local time, a 2007 Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft J250-SP, registered N236X, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Fort Pierce, Florida. 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 total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 30, 2021 · about 2:57 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Pierce, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft J250-SP, built 2007
- Registration
- N236X · no longer on the register · serial 363
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the engine ran rough then smoothed right out. The pilot elected to return to the airport and the engine roughness increased. He applied carburetor heat and cycled the magnetos. When operating on the left magneto the engine stopped, then it started again when the selector was placed back to the BOTH position. The airplane was shaking, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude so he elected to perform a precautionary landing on a dirt road. The left wing stuck tree branches, and the airplane spun around and came to rest submerged in a canal adjacent to the road. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide power, the pilot reported that he used carburetor heat, which would have prevented the accumulation of ice. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined based on 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 enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 163 hours in all; 148 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 64 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 386 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 25, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300A (piston); 386 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KFPR Fort Pierce FL at 2:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from FPR, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFPR 301453Z 13015KT 10SM FEW027 28/19 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP226 T02780189 51016
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 April 26, 2023. 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 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 4 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.