Amateur-built ADVENTURA II accident near Miramar, Florida, October 17, 2022
On October 17, 2022 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built ADVENTURA II, registered N32856, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Miramar, Florida (Perry-Foley airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to remove the ECU select switch per the manufacturer’s service bulletin, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 2022 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Miramar, Florida · Perry-Foley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ADVENTURA II, built 2008
- Registration
- N32856 · no longer on the register · serial AVII-92007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a witness, the pilot and passenger reported that the experimental, amateur-built airplane had experienced engine issues in the days preceding the accident. According to the airplane and engine manufacturers, the passenger had reported an intermittent in-flight loss of engine power that occurred during a previous flight (both the pilot and passenger were employees of the airplane manufacturer). The pilot and passenger had been troubleshooting the power loss, and departed on a test flight. After takeoff, the pilot acknowledged air traffic control instructions to extend on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, however, there were no further communications from the pilot. The accident site was located in a residential area about 1 mile south of the departure airport. The investigation revealed that a service bulletin issued by the engine manufacturer had not been complied with. The bulletin required the removal of an "ECU select switch" connected to the engine’s control units. During postaccident functional testing of the engine, a loss of power occurred consistent with the malfunction of the switch. After the switch was removed, the engine operated normally.
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 approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Electrical system malf/failure during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,700 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 500 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 47 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 20, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honda VK 110 (piston); 47 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 3:48 pm from KHWO, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHWO 171953Z AUTO 15011KT 10SM CLR 29/22 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP104 T02940217 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on January 2, 2025. 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.
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.