Amateur-built IV accident near Leicester, Massachusetts, April 10, 2022
On April 10, 2022 at about 3:08 pm local time, a 1994 amateur-built IV, registered N7KJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Leicester, Massachusetts. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A separation of the window from the airframe for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 10, 2022 · about 3:08 pm local time
- Place
- Leicester, Massachusetts · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built IV P, built 1994
- Registration
- N7KJ · registry record · serial JP1994
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While en route the pilot reported there was a sudden explosion and the right window and portion of the right roof separated from the airplane. He performed an emergency descent and landed uneventfully. The airplane was initially documented but was repaired before a detailed postaccident examination could be completed. The airframe could not be examined, and the separated window was not located; therefore, the reason for the separation could not be determined.
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
- Part(s) separation from AC during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Windows › windshield system › Door windows › Failure
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,500 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 5.1 in the last 30 days; 11 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 3, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 3,700 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LEW Lewiston ME at 2:28 pm
- Destination: CRG Jacksonville FL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.53 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 am from LEW
Weather report (METAR): KLEW 101556Z AUTO 31016G23KT 10SM BKN047 10/00 A2953 RMK AO2 SLP008 T01000000
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 2, 2024. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Type Club Statement | 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.