Moyes Liteflite PTY LTD C DRAGONFLY accident near Charlestown, New Hampshire, July 13, 2025
On July 13, 2025 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 2005 Moyes Liteflite PTY LTD C DRAGONFLY, registered N4010E, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Charlestown, New Hampshire (Morningside Flight Park 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2025 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Charlestown, New Hampshire · Morningside Flight Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Moyes Liteflite PTY LTD C DRAGONFLY, built 2005
- Registration
- N4010E · registry record · serial C-85
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 13, 2025, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a Moyes Liteflite Model C Dragonfly airplane, N4010E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Charleston, New Hampshire. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight. The pilot reported that the accident flight was his fifth tow flight of the day. There were no anomalies noted during preflight inspection or before the takeoff engine runup checks. The airplane departed with about 4-gallons of fuel onboard. After reaching an altitude of 3,500 ft, the glider released and the pilot reduced engine power to idle and entered a routine spiraling descent to land. During the descent, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power which the pilot did not observe until he advanced the throttle, and the engine did not respond. A witness at the departure airport recorded a video of the airplane as it descended. The video showed the airplane in a left turning descent before it entered a shallow right spiraling descent. The airplane remained in the right turn until it impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest in an upright position in a grass field about one-half mile from the departure airport. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the tubular structure of the fuselage exhibited deformation and fractures from impact forces. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all of the flight control surfaces. The engine remained attached to the fuselage and the throttle control cables remained attached and were continuous to the throttle control lever. The fuel tank contained about 2-gallons of fuel and the fuel filter was free of contamination. The airplane was retained for further examination.
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 enroute (descent) defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,155.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 21, 2024
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Kitty Hawk Flight School LLC
The flight
- Departed from: pvt Charleston NH at 11:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from VSF, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KVSF 132254Z AUTO 16008KT 10SM CLR 27/20 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP165 T02720200
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.