Palmetto Electronics INC X-AIR H accident near Ellenboro, North Carolina, March 4, 2024
On March 4, 2024 at about 3:11 pm local time, a 2007 Palmetto Electronics INC X-AIR H, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N3505W, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Ellenboro, North Carolina (Twin Airpark 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 due to an inoperative ignition system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 4, 2024 · about 3:11 pm local time
- Place
- Ellenboro, North Carolina · Twin Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Palmetto Electronics INC X-AIR H, built 2007, amateur-built
- Registration
- N3505W · registry record · serial 1138
- 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 experimental amateur-built airplane departed with the intention of completing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg of the pattern, when the pilot reduced engine power the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, then initiated a forced landing to a field. The fuselage structure was substantially damaged during the landing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that with power applied to the engine’s ignition system no spark was produced when the engine’s crankshaft was rotated. Based on this information system, it is likely that an ignition system fault resulted in the total loss of engine power.
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 defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach
- Landing gear collapse during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 133.1 hours in all; 17 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 72 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 388 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 8, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,325 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 2200 (piston); 388 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14/3, 2,500 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observation at 10:10 am from EHO, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KEHO 041510Z AUTO 03005KT 10SM CLR 15/11 A3024 RMK AO2 T01450110=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Airplane on Scene
Photograph 2 –Collapsed Gear and Fuselage Damage
Photograph 3 – Bent Structure at Main Landing GearThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Starting Procedures | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Mechanic Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 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.