Liteflite PTY LTD DRAGONFLY MODEL C accident near Middletown, New York, July 31, 2021
On July 31, 2021 at about 1:53 pm local time, a 2007 Liteflite PTY LTD DRAGONFLY MODEL C, registered N799HG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Middletown, New York (Randall airport). It was a glider-towing 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
The improper installation of the carburetor, which resulted in a momentary total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following the initial power loss.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2021 · about 1:53 pm local time
- Place
- Middletown, New York · Randall · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Liteflite PTY LTD DRAGONFLY MODEL C, built 2007
- Registration
- N799HG · registry record · serial 099
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The tow pilot reported that the first flight of the day was to check for convective activity and was uneventful. After a hang glider was hooked up to the airplane, the pilot performed a normal takeoff. During the initial climb, the engine lost total power about 50 ft above ground level and although the pilot immediately lowered the airplane’s nose, he stated that “there was too much drag from the tow line and the airplane stalled and pancaked to the ground.” The hang glider pilot reported that when he noticed slack in the town line, he disconnected, and landed safely. The engine subsequently regained power and the airplane impacted the ground and was substantially damaged during the subsequent ground loop and impact with a parked snowplow. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a clamp securing one of the two carburetors was loose, and its anti-vibration spring was found disconnected. This condition may have led to erratic engine performance including sputtering, surging, and loss of power. No other mechanical discrepancies were discovered during the examination. Based on this information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to the discrepancies noted with the carburetor.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 862.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 22, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912-ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,810 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 am from MGJ, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMGJ 311354Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/09 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP155 T01830089
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on July 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 | Memorandum for Record; No Pilot 6120 Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Memorandum for Record A�� Wreckage Examination | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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.