Liore Et Oliver Nieuport 28 accident near Hudson, Massachusetts, September 17, 2023
On September 17, 2023 at about 3:20 pm local time, a 1918 Liore Et Oliver Nieuport 28, registered SEBMA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Hudson, Massachusetts (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 2023 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Hudson, Massachusetts · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Liore Et Oliver Nieuport 28, built 1918
- Registration
- SEBMA · no longer on the register · serial 512
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the 1918-vintage former military fighter airplane reported that during a flight in the airport traffic pattern the engine lost power on the downwind leg. The engine briefly regained power, which allowed the pilot to quickly turn onto the base leg and then onto final approach, but the engine lost power again. The airplane landed hard on the runway, fractured the main landing gear, and nosed over. The postaccident engine examination did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. The reason for the 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
- Hard landing during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
- Abnormal runway contact during landing
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, foreign licence
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 10,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 21, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 13, 2023; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,609 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Gnome 9N (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,400 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 am from BED, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBED 171551Z 27007KT 10SM CLR 22/12 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP131 T02220117
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 24, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Examination Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photos | 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.